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News Archives 2003 |
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21/12/03 to 31/12/03 31/12/03 56058 (WGAI) latterly at Bescot has joined 56096 and 56106 (both still WGAI) at Immingham for store. 73136 (WPAG) is back at Hither Green this afternoon. What's in store for 2004…? Will EWS be able to dispense with their Class 47s and Class 56s by April? Although they are heading in this direction with only 24 Class 47s and 29 Class 56s (including the three currently sidelined for storage) on the books at the end of 2003 there is still doubt over whether their complete elimination will be accomplished. At the time of writing it appears most likely that the 47s will probably be removed from traffic but that a handful of Class 56s may be retained into the next financial year. What's in store for the EWS Class 67s and Class 90s when the mail traffic ends for good? The future employment for the Class 67s is tied in with the DVT trials at Toton and whether they can subsequently be re-deployed onto passenger workings. Suggested area's of operation include a return of Club Train workings in the North West, a London Marylebone to Birmingham Moor Street service, taking over the ATN Settle & Carlisle workings from the 37/4s currently employed. One area which appears to be staying 67 free though is the West Highland line sleeper operation. Re-deployment for the EWS Class 90s is a more complex matter. There appears to be employment prospects on the Edinburgh to North Berwick route along with a suggested use of 90s between London Euston and Northampton. There had been speculation that EWS were to try to get additional Class 90s onto Anglia duties at a later date but with the news that the Porterbrook Class 90s (90001-90015) are coming off VT WCML duties from the end of January 2004 for transfer to AR or Greater Anglia as it will be by then this appears to be a non starter. The hiring of three EWS Class 90s for West Coast use ends today. Expect several 90s being stored during 2004. The aforementioned transfer of 90001-90015 to Anglia services is bad news for the Class 86s currently employed on these services but good news for the IWCA Class 87s which, although there are reliability issues at the moment, appear to be in line for retention longer than had been anticipated. Obviously the Class 86s days are numbered and their impending displacement from AR will leave just Freightliner using the type. Now that track access charges have been adjusted the viability for running locomotives and stock on services which until now had been unit only due to costs opens up several options. To date several services have been suggested. Edinburgh to North Berwick for which trails using an EWS Class 90 and stock have already been successfully undertaken, Blackpool to Manchester and Greenbank reportedly to eventually being formed of a Class 67 and DVT stock. The use of Fragonset Class 31s in top and tail mode from February onwards as an interim measure until the DVT trails have been completed appear to be an option. Marylebone to Birmingham, suggested for 67 plus DVT formation and Euston to Northampton, suggested as being formed with a 90 plus DVT formation. And then there's the question of who is going to supply traction for the VT cross country summer dated loco hauled operation. Although things are yet to be settled EWS 67s are reportedly favourite for this at the moment. EWS 37/4s are coming off the Rhymney services in March but will they be re-deployed to North Wales line services as is rumoured? Well they have been used there before and there will (apparently) be no Class 47s available from EWS after April so… First Great Western will be in need of additional HST power cars for when they recast their operations at the end of next year. These are expected to come from Midland Mainline when Operation Rio winds up in September. FGW will also be in receipt of the other two Class 57/6 conversions during 2004 allowing them to dispense with their Class 47s and VT will start to receive their four additional 57/3 conversions from Brush. It is understood that Cotswold Rail and Riviera are waiting in the wings to take over two Class 47s each from Porterbrook once they are available. 30/12/03 47292 has been stored at Crewe Basford Hall. Although regarded as a reliable performer of late 47292 which is not TPWS equipped has been stored serviceable and transferred to the DHLT pool. 56058 at Bescot, 56096 and 56106 at Immingham remain as were, WGAI N ONE awaiting transfer to store. 73109 (HYSB) was out with 73136 (WPAG) today for the EWS ED Farewell Tour. 73136 was allocated to its usual mail working from Hither Green for the Dover to Willesden and return tonight. 29/12/03 56058 and 56096 remain as were (N ONE at Bescot and Immingham respectively) whilst 56106, also N ONE, has arrived at Immingham from Healey Mills as planned. All three are still WGAI. 56067 and 56083 (both WNTR) were moved from Knottingley to Ferrybridge today. 28/12/03 Disposal… 31199 has been disposed of at TJ Thomson's Stockton. 31149 might be next for the chop. 31199 was stored from the LWNW pool whilst based at Wigan Springs Branch back in May 1996, RIP. Further Class 56 reductions… Three Class 56s, 56058 at Bescot, 56096 at Immingham and 56106 at Healey Mills which disgraced itself on Railtour duties yesterday, have been allocated N ONE. 56106 is booked for movement from Healey Mills to Immingham via 6D32. Grid Survey… WGAI Class 56 engine hours report. Loco & pool. Hours accumulated (as at 27/12/03) and (in brackets) hours theoretically remaining till the 13000 limit. 56018 WGAI 10497 (2503) 56032 WGAI 10659 (2341) 56038 WGAI 07619 (5381) 56049 WGAI 12345 (655) 56051 WGAI 11747 (1253) 56056 WGAI 12703 (297) 56058 WGAI 12365 (635) 56059 WGAI 11132 (1868) 56060 WGAI 11079 (1921) 56062 WGAI 08597 (4403) 56065 WGAI 11605 (1395) 56069 WGAI 09245 (3755) 56070 WGAI 12261 (739) 56071 WGAI 08993 (4007) 56072 WGAI 12530 (470) 56078 WGAI 09944 (3056) 56081 WGAI 07869 (5131) 56087 WGAI 11501 (1499) 56088 WGAI 12431 (569) 56091 WGAI 09310 (3690) 56095 WGAI 09370 (3630) 56096 WGAI 12704 (296) 56104 WGAI 10766 (2234) 56106 WGAI 12005 (995) 56107 WGAI 12827 (173) 56113 WGAI 08628 (4372) 56115 WGAI 09089 (3911) 56119 WGAI 11767 (1324) 56133 WGAI 11646 (1354) 27/12/03 57601 (SBXL) at Carnforth is undergoing a repaint. Presumably it'll appear in a similar colour scheme to that as currently worn by 47854. Willesden vans… Further to the report on the 24th listing the Class 87s lined up alongside Willesden depot it has been established that at least 87009 and 87021 of those listed have seen action during the week running up to Christmas. 08642… Further information has come to light appertaining to 08642 recently moved to Leeds Midland Road from Southampton for spares. Prior to it turning up at Southampton Maritime 08642 was located at Felixstowe (July 1997 to April 2000) during which time it was involved in a derailment, late August 1999, near Beech Road Crossing. This is understood to be the last time 08642 saw action. It was later removed to Ipswich at the end of April 2000 before being forwarded on to Southampton in June 2000 where it has lain until its trip to Leeds earlier this month. 24/12/03 56067 has been stored WNTR. It, along with fellow casualty 56083, remains at Knottingley awaiting transfer to Ferrybridge. 106 down, 29 to go. ED saga… SWT Thunderbird it is. 73109 is to be provided for the farewell tour with 73136 on the 30th. Stored in Crewe DMD 24/12/03… Located inside the depot buildings (from south to north) at Crewe DMD are... Line 2: 56118 47775 47759 47736 Line 3: 47774 47783 37351 Line 4: 56117 37426 56090 Bay: 47756 To go inside are 37294 47746 47786 along with possibly also 37420 and 58022. The fuelling point has closed and maintenance facilities have been greatly reduced. The depot as a functioning entity ceases on the 27th. Willesden vans… Noted lined up alongside Willesden depot yesterday were 87009 87011 87012 87017 87020 87021 87027 87028 and 87034. Some of these have spent most of December parked here and 87034 has been de branded and de named. Expected ok dates amended… Carlisle Kingmoor: 20905 31/01 Crewe DMD: 09101 31/12 Crewe EMD: 92011 31/01, 92035 28/02, 92036 09/01 Motherwell: 08441 20/04, 09205 31/01 Toton: 08776 10/01, 08798 31/01, 60061 30/12 Willesden: 08454 18/12 23/12/03 57601 (SBXL) ran light engine from Old Oak Common to its new owners at Carnforth today. 60021 (WCAI) has been returned to traffic following repairs at Toton. 73131 (WNYX) is back at Old Oak Common from Hither Green. 86209 (IANA) is back at Norwich following attention including a repaint into AR colours at Glasgow works. Following its release yesterday 86209 was brought south last night in the consist of the 6M66 Mossend to Willesden behind 92025 before being hauled up to Norwich this morning by 37684. ED saga… So just what Class 73s will be turned out for the Class 73 'Whey Out' farewell tour from London Waterloo to Weymouth and back on the 30th? 73136, the last EWS WPAG 73 is a certainty but what will partner it. There is conflicting information from various sources so here goes… 73109? Hire in the SWT Thunderbird loco to join the tour at Woking on the outward leg for the rest of the itinerary 2/1 73118 or 73130? Hire in one of the Eurostar Class 73s 20/1 73133? Repair 73133 in time for the tour 3/1 Freightliner… Following on from yesterday's report that 47303 had been assigned for store (this has now been cancelled) the following has been established. Intermodal 47s, 47303 47309 and 47358, which are TPWS fitted, are being retained into 2004 however they are to be put on restricted workings, probably super shunter duties, shortly. This is to keep them operational as they are required for the Ipswich tunnel blockade in June when all electric hauled Freightliner services will have to be diverted over non electrified routes. 47292 which is not TPWS fitted is to be taken out of traffic before the end of the year. It is currently assigned for special tests at Crewe on the 30th which will undoubtedly be when it is to be removed from front line use. Heavy Haul are to carry on as at present with 47150 47197 and 47270 along with the six 47/8s and the Class 86 fleet is set to remain as is for the time being although there may be one to be removed from traffic in the new year. 22/12/03 22:45 37890 has now been stored at Cardiff Canton, pool WNTR. 56067 (WGAI) and 56083 (now WNTR) are still at Knottingley this evening awaiting removal to Ferrybridge. The storage of 56083 brings the active Class 56 fleet down to a mere 30 in number. 86209 (IANA) was released from Glasgow works this afternoon being collected by 47749. Disposals… The two grounded Class 20s dumped across the WCML from Carlisle Kingmoor have been dismantled on site. 20113 which carried the RFS identity 2003 as well as being numbered 31 in the Channel Tunnel numbering series was scrapped late last week whilst 20175 numbered 2007 in the RFS sequence was being finished off this afternoon. 20113 and 20175 were stored, both from the FEGN East Midlands MGR coal fleet pool, from Toton back in August and July 1991 respectively, RIP. 57604… The former 47209 can now be regarded as 57604 as its conversion at Loughborough is fairly complete. 22/12/03 13:15 31106 (SDFR) has been released from its bogie swap at Doncaster works and is waiting a tow to Derby for TPWS fitment. 37890 (WKAD) remains N ONE at Cardiff Canton awaiting transfer to store. 47303 (DFLM) currently at Freightliner Crewe (Basford Hall) has been assigned for store. 56067 and 56083 (both WGAI) were at Knottingley this morning awaiting transfer to nearby Ferrybridge and store. 57601 (SBXL) is due to leave Old Oak Common tomorrow at 10:00 for WCRC Carnforth. 73133 (WNXX) has since being stored at Hither Green last week been transferred to Old Oak Common. There are *rumours* that 73133 is to receive 'cosmetic attention' at Old Oak. With only 73136 in the WPAG pool EWS are one 73 short for the farewell tour scheduled to run at the end of the month so it is reasonable to assume that, providing a Class 73 is not going to be hired in, 73133 is in the frame for a return to use. 21/12/03 EWS fleet reduction… Six of the nine locomotives earmarked for storage have been stored, all WNTR. The latest batch stored are 37717 and 47772 at Cardiff Canton, 47786 at Crewe DMD along with 56054 56109 and 56120 at Ferrybridge. The other three earmarked for the chop are also practically stored as 37890 (WKAD) at Cardiff Canton remains N ONE and 56067 (WGAI) has been stopped N ONE at Immingham. 56083 (WGAI) is still at large although it was dead in the consist of this evenings 6E24 Healey Mills to Milford service behind 66004 en route to Ferrybridge. ScotRail DVT trial… The Edinburgh to North Berwick trials went ahead today utilising 90023, four Mk 3 coaches (12034 12093 12115 and 12143) and DVT 82145. |