MYSTERY OF THE GREEN TRAIN:
The cast of the The Mousetrap, staged at Torquay’s Princess Theatre as part of its 70th anniversary nationwide tour, joined Dame Agatha Christie’s grandson Mathew Prichard (to the left of name vinyl) and Joan Nott (centre), world-renowned for her knowledge of the author, at Paignton station on September 12. Why they were there proved less of a puzzle than the play. It was to mark the naming of Great Western Railway Class 802, No. 802110 after the celebrated crime writer.
GWR
UNSOLD after being advertised by Direct Rail Services in June, bids are again being invited for Class 37 Nos. 37069, 37402 and 37423.
Also included in the freight operator’s latest list of disposals, published on October 9, are Nos. 37218 (repainted into 1990s DRS livery for last year’s open day at the company’s Crewe Gresty Bridge depot) and No. 37401, which, like its former Eastfield depot stablemate No. 37402, is in BR large logo livery.
As MaryQueenofScots, a name it first carried in its Scottish Region days, No. 37401 has been a firm favourite with enthusiasts, proving to be a crowd-pleaser at events including the Keighley & WorthValley Railway’s Summer Diesel Gala in June this year.
Nos. 37218 and 37401/402/423 were among 10‘Tractors’previously offered for sale in a‘buy and lease back’ arrangement proposed by DRS in July last year.Within weeks, however, the process was halted and the company explained to TheRM and potential buyers that it had decided to retain them in the short term.