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An unusual chance encounter near Duffield (Derbyshire) on July 8, sees Network Rail power car No. 43062 running solo from Neville Hill to Derby RTC and passing Nos. 43378/43366 and CrossCountry’s 1S51/12.27 Plymouth- Edinburgh.

RAILTEC TRANSFERS

AVANTI West Coast’s 09.39/1M10 Glasgow to Euston on June 22 operated by Class 390 No. 390107, terminated at Lancaster due to the unit having an unspecified braking problem. After the few passengers had disembarked, No. 390107 ran to Preston ecs at 12.35, with 1M10’s passengers transferred to the following southbound service (1M11) operated by No. 390013, which departed from Lancaster at 12.41.

THE WCML was closed for a time on June 28 due to the need for a safety inspection on a service between Penrith North Lakes and Oxenholme Lake District. During the period of the blockage of the down line, single line working was put into operation using the up line. Some TransPennine Express services only operated between Edinburgh and Carlisle. The 12.07/1Z46 Carlisle to Edinburgh was operated by Class 397 No. 397007 and the 14.14/1Z46 Carlisle to Edinburgh by No. 397012. Avanti’s 09.10/1S48 Euston to Glasgow worked by No. 390134 was terminated at Preston, the 08.43/9S54 Euston to Edinburgh worked by No. 390126 was observed passing Thankerton 5 hours and 35 minutes late. The 10.10/1S52 Euston to Glasgow was terminated at Preston, while the 11.10/1S58 Euston to Glasgow was 3 hours and 56 minutes down passing Thankerton.

A CORRESPONDENT reports that whilst travelling on the 17.33 King’s Cross Azuma service to Leeds on June 19, the booked nine-coach set was replaced by five-car No. 801104. All reserved seating was cancelled, and passengers were told to sit in the appropriate class of seating socially distanced. An electrical fault had caused the seating indicators not to be working also. There were so few passengers that this did not matter. In fact, the staff were surprised to find the train so empty for a Saturday evening.

GWR has reportedly invited expressions of interest in trialling a battery-powered train on the branch line from West Ealing to Greenford. GWR is seeking to lease one trainset and associated charging equipment for the trial, which would initially run for one-year from April 1, 2022. An extension to March 2025 is envisaged if performance criteria are met. A visit to Greenford on Monday, June 14, found Class 165 No. 165123 in charge of services. The two-car Networker Turbo was first noted on the 15.05 West Ealing to Greenford, then the 15.20 Greenford to West Ealing and finally on the 16.05 West Ealing to Greenford.

CLASS 769 No. 769943 was seen leaving platform 6 at Reading station on Wednesday, June 16, running as train 5Q11 in the direction of Gatwick Airport. This is apparently part of a working starting and finishing at Reading Traincare Depot.

These test trains are worked by Colas crews, presumably the same individuals who learned the road with No. 37612 in the autumn of 2020. GWR staff also travel with the test trains, and one of these indicated the Class 769 are expected to enter service on the Reading to Gatwick Airport service in September/October. Returning to Reading station on Wednesday, June 30 No. 769943 was seen arriving into platform 15 from Wokingham, and then after a few minutes stop continuing into Reading Traincare Depot. The Class 769 was working as train 5Q10 from Reading Traincare Depot to Reading Traincare Depot.

THE naming of GWR trains continues with set No. 800022 being named Tulbahadur Pun at Paddington on June 23 in honour of the Gurkha soldier awarded the Victoria Cross. Two young people, Lincoln Callaghan and Henry Cleary, were chosen as BBC Make a Difference Superstars for selflessly helping others at the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic. Class 800 No. 800030 was named in their honour at a ceremony at Paddington on July 5.

GWR has continued to use the hired-in c2c Class 387 throughout June. On Wednesday, June 30, No. 387302 was seen arriving at platform 1 at Reading station forming the 2K33/11.06 departure from Newbury. Later the same day No. 387302 was seen again in platform 1 at Reading forming the 17.10 to Newbury. Also, on the same day No. 387306 was noted from a passing train in the sidings at Reading Traincare Depot. Three Gatwick Express Class 387 units, Nos. 387204-06, were moved by Class 57 No. 57306 from Hornsey to West Ealing on July 14 for use by GWR.

TransPennine Express ‘Nova’ sets meet at York on July 14 as (left) ‘Nova 1’ No. 802202 approaches from Newcastle as an unidentified loco-hauled ‘Nova 3’ waits at the Scarborough platform.

TONY WINWARD

The classic view of Betws-y-Coed station from the footbridge on June 30 as No. 150279 calls with the 11.37 Blaenau Ffestiniog to Llandudno. Alongside is the Conwy Valley Railway Museum, which is built on the site of the former down platform and loop, the station’s surviving platform still being labelled Platform 2.

DAVE TOZER

THE need for GWR to replace its aged Class 57 locos was highlighted on June 30 when, with the second loco unavailable at Reading, passengers on the up ‘Night Riviera’ were advised that the service would terminate in Reading requiring them to leave their beds at 05.00 to take a separate train on to Paddington. Meanwhile passengers for the down service intending to occupy their cabins from 22.30 at Paddington were being told that they would need to take a separate train at 23.45 to Reading where they could then finally board the Night Riviera.

MOVEMENTS of off-lease Class 317 units included on June 18 Nos. 317719+317709 being taken from Ilford to Ely by Class 57 No. 57305. This was followed on June 23 when No. 317710 made the same move behind No. 57312. On June 30 No. 317888 was taken from Ely to Sims Metals, Newport by Class 66 No. 66724. These were followed on July 8 when Nos. 317887+317889 also went for scrap hauled by Class 37 No. 37800 from Ely to EMR Kingsbury.

CLASS 720 units reported being moved in recent weeks included No. 720527 being top-andtailed by Class 47 No. 47727 and Class 56 No. 56081 from Derby to Worksop on June 24, the pair returned to Derby with No. 720525. A change on July 14 saw Class 47 No. 47727 and barrier vehicle move No. 720555 from Derby to Worksop. TWO further Class 321 units Nos. 321332+321407 have gone to store at Worksop, being moved from Clacton on July 1 by Class 37 No. 37800.

SCOTRAIL has reliveried Class 334 No. 334006 in a revised Pride livery featuring the new Progress flag instead of the traditional Rainbow design.

HST power car No. 43134 was named Gordon Aikman BEM in a ceremony at Glasgow Queen Street on June 25, in recognition of his contribution towards Motor Neurone Disease research. In three years prior to the disease taking his life in February 2017, Gordon raised more than £500,000 to help find a cure for the disease.

EDINBURGH was hit with torrential rain on July 5, with half the month’s rain falling in one hour! The tracks between Waverley and Haymarket through Princes Street gardens became flooded, resulting in the 1S66/14.10 Manchester Airport to Edinburgh Waverley being terminated at Haymarket. The 2H95/17.40 Edinburgh Waverley to Helensburgh ScotRail service was cancelled. Services started/ terminated at Haymarket for a while, with the 9S70/12.22 London Euston to Edinburgh Waverley being diverted to Glasgow Central.

CLASS 92 No. 92043 was observed running light engine south through Berwick-upon- Tweed on May 27. THE Northbound Highlander 1S25/21.15 Euston to Inverness hauled by Class 66 No. 66747 and Class 73 No. 73970 on Sunday, June 27 encountered locomotive problems between Perth and Stanley Junction, with arrival at Dunkeld & Birnam 48 minutes late. The Class 66 was removed from the train and left in the engineers’ sidings leaving the Class 73 to work forward on its own. Departure from Dunkeld & Birnham was 136 minutes late, and arrival into Inverness was just 125 minutes late. These events resulted in ScotRail’s 1B08/06.48 Inverness to Edinburgh being terminated at Perth due to late running.

OBSERVATIONS at Woodlesford on July 7 produced Class 158 No. 158844 in place of the usual Class 195 on the 09.17 Nottingham-Leeds service. Class 150 No. 150211 substituted for the booked Class 158 on the 10.02 Sheffield-Leeds local service and 11.32 return. Finally, Class 155 No. 155343 was used in place of a diagrammed Class 158 on the 11.16 Knottingley-Leeds local service.

Summer is here and the beach is busy at St Ives on June 30 as GWR’s No. 150207 gets away with the 13.33 to St Erth.

STEVE SIENKIEWICZ

CLASS 68 No. 68032 Destroyer was noted at York on the rear of 11.00 Trans-Pennine service to Scarborough on June 25, with set TP08. The 12.00 service had No. 68020 Reliance at the head. Also, noted at York that morning was Trans-Pennine Express Class 802/2 No. 802204 on the 10.50 service to Liverpool Lime Street. Later that same day at Edinburgh Waverley, Class 397 No. 397011 was noted at platform 9 with the 16.12 service to Manchester Airport.

HULL Trains services were divertedto/from LondonSt Pancras on the weekend of June 5/6. On June 5, Class 802 IET No.802302worked the 1A92/08.24Hull-LondonSt Pancras and the 1H03/12.38 London St Pancras-Hull return, while No.802303 hadcharge of the 1A94/12.30 Hull-London St Pancras and the 1H06/16.28 London St Pancras-Hull.The following day, No.802302 wason the 1A94/12.50 Hull-London St Pancras and 1H08/17.48 London St Pancras-Hull, with No.802303 on the 1A91/11.48 Hull-London St.Pancras and 1H03/15.48 London St. Pancras-Hull

NEW Class 197 No. 197002 made a trial run as far as Llandudno Junction and then on to Blaenau Ffestiniog on June 24.

SUMMER Saturday loco-hauled extras on the North Wales coast resumed on June 26, the first since 2019, but greatly scaled back. They use the loco and stock from the Cardiff service, and comprised the 10.05 from Holyhead to Crewe, back at 14.45 to Bangor, thence ecs to Holyhead. The 10.05 was headed by Class 67 No. 67010 on July 3.

CLASS 323 No. 323221 was returned to Soho from Doncaster Wabtec by Class 37 No. 37884 on June 23.

OVER the weekend of June 19/20 there were no Great Northern services to Moorgate, the trains being diverted to King’s Cross. On the Saturday, a return trip from King’s Cross to Alexandra Palace was made on the 14.21 from King’s Cross to Stevenage, which was formed of Class 717 No. 717007 and returning on the 13.58 from Stevenage to London King’s Cross, formed of No. 717014.

OFF-LEASE Class 365 units are being moved with Nos. 365516+365524 being moved from Peterborough Nene sidings to Doncaster Belmont by Class 37 No. 37884, followed the next day with the Class 37 taking Nos. 365540+365532 on the same diagram. Two further units Nos. 365502+365504 followed to Belmont from store at Hertford North, when they were taken north by the Class 37 on July 14. The next day the Class 37 took Nos. 365514+365534 from Letchworth to Belmont.

THREE further Class 387 units Nos. 387207-09 have moved from Brighton to Hornsey for use by Great Northern, the move taking place on July 13. NETWORKER units are being sent from Gillingham for store at Worksop. Moves to date are on June 17: 57312+465236+ 465246; June 21: 37884+466004+ 466016+465245; June 24: 37884+465017+ 465019;June 28: 37884+465010+ 466024+466043; July 5: 37884+465004+ 466010.

IT WAS a nightmare for Southern on July 12, when services came to a standstill between Brighton and Barnham, and between Horsham and Barnham, from mid-morning practically till the end of service, when a major power failure occurred with no communication at all. Buses were brought in to help out, but they were restricted due to school runs. The following day was no better when there was a shortage of train crew and Class 313s. On July 14 and 15 the situation was improving, although Class 377s were again covering for a shortage of Class 313s.

MOVEMENTS of Class 442 units to Wolverton for stripping prior to going for scrap have included on June 18 Class 66 No. 66708 top-and-tailing with Class 73 Nos. 73201+73119 to move Nos. 2404+2420 – the latter being employed as a brake force within the consist. The next move followed on June 23 with Nos. 2411+2420 being moved by Nos. 66711+73141 top-and-tailing with No. 73201 from Eastleigh to Wolverton. A further move on July 7 found Nos. 2413+2420 moved by Nos. 66713+73201 and 73141. The following day No. 2414 followed conveyed by Nos. 66776+73201 and 73141. Once stripped, the units are taken by road to Sims Metals, Newport. In theory a whole set is moved over a five-day week. However, on occasions it is four vehicles from one set and a fifth vehicle from a different set. Units moved in order by mid July were: 2406/16/23/02/03/11.

CLASS 701 No. 701506 was topand-tailed by Class 47 No. 47727 and Class 56 No. 56081 from Derby to Worksop on June 28. No. 701007 was returned to Eastleigh from Widnes by Class 47 No. 47727 on July 6.

A BROKEN rail in the Micheldever area on July 3 caused major disruption between Basingstoke and Eastleigh all day. Waterloo to/from Bournemouth and Weymouth trains were mostly diverted to run via Guildford and Havant; one train per hour ran direct between Waterloo and Weymouth, but with delays due to single line working north of Winchester; Poole to Winchester local services were terminated at Eastleigh.

Royal Train

THE Royal Train, top-andtailed by Royal Class 67 Nos. 67005+67006, was observed passing Thankerton on the morning of Monday, June 28. The train was carrying HM The Queen and HRH Prince William, the Earl of Strathearn. Their Royal Highnesses alighted at Cumbernauld and visited the H.G.Barr factory which produces Scotland’s favourite soft drink Irn-Bru. The train left Edinburgh Waverley just after 14.30 and headed eastwards, giving a run via the Suburban Line to turn the train for a southward run on the WCML.

DB Cargo ‘Tug’ No. 60015 sweeps round the curve at the former Reilly Mill Junction, south of Durham, on July 14 with the lengthy 6D43/16.10 Jarrow to Lindsey Oil Refinery empty tanks.

PAUL BIGGS

Charter Trains

GBRf ran a private staff charter on May 5 when Class 66 No. 66737 Lesia and Class 50 No. 50049 Defiance top-andtailed the British Pullmans as the 1Z60/06.49 London Victoria-Bridgnorth, Severn Valley Railway and 1Z63 return. The train was routed via the Midland Main Line, Nuneaton and Walsall. The return journey was disrupted by signalling problems at Stourbridge and was diverted via Worcester to regain its booked path, passing Market Harborough around 40 minutes late.

THE British Pullmans had a day out on June 11, when Class 67 Nos. 67024+67021 top-andtailed the 08.46 London Victoria- Chesterfield and 17.16 return ‘Chatsworth House’ excursion.

SAPHOS Trains’ The Bristol Forty called at Prestatyn on July 1, en-route from Bangor to Bristol Temple Meads. It was headed by Class 40 No. D213 (40013) and was rare in that most charters pass through Prestatyn at speed.

CLASS 66 No. 66041 headed the BLS ‘Zuzzy Syphons’ railtour from York on July 5, with No. 66066 on the rear for reversals, including Hartlepool Dock. The tour started 84 minutes late because of track problems east of Leeds, but this was reduced to 25 minutes late by Carlisle, where No. 66066 came off and was replaced by No. 66137 for the final leg to Falkirk Grahamston. This was the last of four days that had started in Scotland. The intended power was Class 37s, but these had given severe problems on the other days. Subsequently, Class 37 No. 37716 was seen passing through Heaton Norris Junction on July 6 while working 0Z38 York Parcels Sidings-Crewe Gresty Bridge light loco move conveying the errant Nos. 37423+37422.

THE Steam Dreams Southend to Eastbourne/Hastings charter on Saturday, July 10 was seen headed by ‘B1’ class 4-6-0 No. 61306 Mayflower, with WCRC Class 47/7 No.47772 Carnforth TMD on the rear of the train, having worked the diesel leg from Eastbourne to Hastings. This was reported to have been the first visit of a ‘B1’ to Eastbourne or Hastings in preservation. The tour, originating from Southend, was planned to give passengers a day out at either Eastbourne or Hastings, but in the event the Hastings option had to be abandoned. The train was scheduled to run to Eastbourne behind Mayflower where a reversal would see the train run diesel-hauled to Hastings, with the steam loco on the rear to work the ecs back to Eastbourne for its servicing stop. Later in the afternoon, the train would return to Hastings once again behind the Class 47 diesel, before No. 61306 would take charge of the return to London via the Tonbridge line and the diesel would then take over once again for the final section of the tour from West London to Southend, leaving Mayflower to run back to Southall depot.

The Eastbourne-Hastings- Eastbourne section was cancelled due to a 76-minute late arrival at Eastbourne. An unconfirmed report online suggests that the delay was because a water tanker, which was due to meet the train in West London on the outward run, had broken down and was delayed in meeting the train and therefore the train itself became delayed. At its worst, the train was 115 minutes down on booked time at Clapham Junction. Following the break at Eastbourne, the train followed its scheduled path to Hastings and, following reversal, made its way up the Tonbridge line and eventually back to Southend.

No. 66304 passes Aviemore on July 13 with the 4D47/13.07 Inverness to Mossend ‘Tesco’ working. Tucked in behind the train loco is Type 3 No. 37069, which had been acting as DRS’s emergency standby loco at Inverness until replaced that day by classmate No. 37419.

GORDON KIRKBY

CLASS 66 No. 66023, in EWS livery but with DB logos, was seen approaching Brentford on Monday, June 14, at the head of train 6Y55 from Hither Green to Woking Down Reception. Later the same day No. 66097 was seen passing South Greenford station on a Calvert to Tytherington train. Various alterations to the trains between Tytherington to Calvert occurred on Wednesday, June 16. No. 66044 was seen passing Burnham station on train 6M15 from Tytherington to Calvert, which had apparently started at Westbury rather than Tytherington on this occasion. Later the same day No. 66076 paused at Reading station when working from Calvert to Tytherington, which had started at Southall.

July 7 saw the debut working of a Class 88 on the Dungeness flask train, No. 88009 seen leading No. 68007 away from the Kent site with the 6M95 to Crewe.

JAMIE SQUIBBS

THE Northolt Sidings to Severnside SITA binliner on June 16 was seen passing Burnham station hauled by Class 66 No. 66061.

‘EUROSHEDS’ are returning to the UK with Nos. 66028+66190+66010 being towed north from Dollands Moor to Doncaster by No. 66090 on June 18 before going forward to Toton. These were followed on July 9 when No. 66092 moved Nos. 66032+ 66073+66205 also from Dollands Moor to Doncaster and Toton.

BOSTON steel trains reported include Class 60 No. 60062 on a Bescot-Boston-Swindon diagram on June 21. The same Class 60 was in use again on June 28 on the same diagram, returning to Toton from Swindon the following day.

CLASS 67 No. 67001 moved Class 66 No. 66197 from Crewe ETD to Toton on June 22, then returned to Crewe with Nos. 67028+67016+66020+325009.

SCRAP metal trains reported, all hauled by Class 66s, include No. 66050 on a Liverpool- Attercliffe-Liverpool diagram on June 22, and No. 66101 on a Scunthorpe-Burton on Trent- Cardiff Tidal on the same day. A Liverpool-Saltley-Liverpool on June 24 was worked by No. 66019 and a Liverpool- Swindon-Liverpool on June 28 by No. 66056. No. 66074 had charge of a Burton-Immingham on June 29. The regular Liverpool- Saltley-Liverpool working on July 8 was headed by No. 66084. A Burton-Immingham on July 13 was hauled by No. 66002.

CLASS 60 No. 60015 worked a loaded steel train from Sunderland to Wolverhampton on June 22, followed by No. 66094 on a Sunderland- Cardiff Tidal on July 8. DB CLASS 66 No. 66041 pulled Class 90s Nos. 90024 and 90026 (pantographs down) along with the 06.48 Mossend to Daventry container train on July 6. Later that day the same two Class 90s returned to Mossend pulling the 19.03 from Daventry.

CLASS 90 Nos. 90010, still in Greater Anglia white livery, and 90047, in orange livery were seen passing Harrow & Wealdstone station on June 1 on the 4M87 from Felixstowe North FLT to Trafford Park FLT. This was followed by ‘our’ Class 66 No. 66503 The Railway Magazine, in orange livery, on train 4M88 from Felixstowe North FLT to Ditton, and Class 66 No. 66519 on 4L46 from Lawley Street FLT to London Gateway.

CLASS 59 No. 59104 Village of Great Elm was noted from a passing train at Kensington Olympia at the head of a train from Acton Terminal Complex to Crawley Foster Yeoman on June 1. A VISIT to Whatley Quarry on Thursday, June 10 saw Class 66 No. 66623, in orange livery, stabled by the shed.

Class 59 No. 59101, in Hanson livery, was noted in the yard as was Class 66 No. 66547 in green livery.

CLASS 59 No. 59206, in orange livery, was seen passing Westbury station on a 6L21 from Whatley Quarry to Dagenham Dock A.R.C. on Friday, June 11. Later the same day No. 59103 Village of Mells in Hanson livery was seen passing Westbury on train 7A16 from Merehead Quarry to Hanwell Bridge Loop. On Wednesday, June 16, Class 59 No. 59102 Village of Chantry, in Hanson livery, passed Burnham station on jumbo train 7A09 from Merehead Quarry to Acton Terminal Complex. Later the same day No. 59206, in Freightliner orange, passed through platform 15 at Reading at the head of train 6L21 from Whatley Quarry to Dagenham Dock A.R.C. On Wednesday, June 23 Class 59 No. 59202, in DB red livery but without logos, was seen passing platform 5 at Willesden Junction station at the head of train 6V12 from Chelmsford Reception to Acton Terminal Complex. On the same day Class 66 No. 66572 was observed at Kensington Olympia on the 7O02 from Acton Terminal Complex to Tolworth Day Aggregates. Also, at Kensington Olympia, Class 59 No. 59004 Paul A Hammond, in Aggregate Industries livery, was on the 6V00 from Newhaven Day Aggregates to Acton Terminal Complex.

TWO container trains were seen passing Burnham on Wednesday, June 16. First Class 66 No. 66532 P&O Nedlloyd Atlas was on the Cardiff Wentloog to Felixstowe North Freightliner Terminal service.

This was followed by No. 66512 on the Southampton Marine Container Terminal to Garston Freightliner Terminal service.

THE 4S50/06.03 Crewe to Coatbridge on Monday, June 21 was observed passing Thankerton hauled by Class 90 Nos. 90042+90009. The train was interesting in so far as there was not a single container on the working. Later, the 4M11/18.12 Coatbridge FLT to Basford Hall was observed passing Thankerton hauled by Class 90 Nos. 90048+90014. The first time our correspondent had seen two G&W liveried locomotives working together.

CLASS 66 Nos. 66560+66952 were noted running light engine through Woodlesford on June 23 on the 11.15 Leeds Midland Road-Crewe diagram.

CLASS 66 No. 66568 was seen passing Tilehurst station on June 30 on an Oxford Banbury Road to Whatley Quarry train of empties.

OBSERVED on Thursday, July 1, at Euxton, was Class 47 No. 47830 towing Class 90 No. 90041 on a Crewe to Leeds Midland Road to allow No. 90041 to have its tyres turned. On the same day, the daily Hardendale to Tunstead stone train ran 70 minutes early behind Class 70 No. 70001. This is reported to be quite an unusual loco through Euxton as it seems to have spent most of its life on liner trains to Southampton as well as spending a great deal of time in store.

FOLLOWING tyre turning, Class 90 No. 90041 was on a return working from Leeds Midland Road to Crewe on July 4, seen passing Euxton with Class 66 No. 66531 leading Nos. 66594 and 90041.

A RAKE of Mk.2 coaches Nos. 5945+5955+ 6027+9521+ 9527+9539 was moved from Carlisle Kingmoor to Nemesis Rail, Burton-on-Trent by Class 37 No. 37716 on June 17. THE 4D47/13.10 Inverness Freight Sidings to Mossend Up yard on Tuesday, June 22 hauled by Class 66 No. 66122 encountered difficulties while travelling over the Highland Main Line and was declared a failure at Perth. No. 66302 was scrambled as 1Z99 and went to assist, with the delayed service departing Perth 236 minutes late.

FLASK trains reported included on Wednesday, June 23 the 6S99/05.20 Kingmoor to Georgemas Junction flask working passed Thankerton top-and-tailed by Class 66 Nos. 66305+66304. It was Class 68s Nos. 68003+68009 pulling a single FNA flask from Sellafield to Crewe via Carlisle on June 30.

OBSERVATIONS from a correspondent from various locations included passing Carlisle Kingmoor mid-morning on June 27, two Class 88s were noted, Nos. 88001 Revolution and 88007 Electra, Class 57/3 No. 57309 Pride of Crewe along with a couple of 66/3s Nos. 66304 and 66305 and numerous others that could not be identified. A visit to DRS Gresty Bridge Depot later that afternoon revealed three Class 37s visible, namely Nos. 37038, 37059, and 37069, two Class 57s in 57002 Rail Express and 57304 Pride of Cheshire, and two Class 66s Nos. 66424 and 66432. Two Chiltern Class 68s could be also seen but could not be identified. On June 29, when travelling towards Shrewsbury and passing the Gresty Bridge Depot most of those mentioned above were in a line outside which also included Class 20 No. 20303, Class 37/6 No. 37606 and Class 68 No. 68018 Vigilant. Later that same day, upon reaching Eastleigh and walking across the road bridge to view the exterior of the Eastleigh Arlington facility Class 57 No. 57303 Pride of Carlisle was noted.

Locos from three freight operators are in this one shot at Peak Forest (Derbyshire) on June 24 as GBRf’s No. 66725 and DRS’ No. 66427 shunt the sidings whilst Freightliner’s No. 70015 nears journey’s end with the Hardendale (Cumbria) to Tunstead stone empties.

STEVE STUBBS

THE 12.16 Daventry to Mossend container train, hauled by DRS Class 88 No. 88004 passed through Lancaster 170 mins late at 18.22 on June 28, having been earlier delayed at Spring’s Branch, Wigan.

SERIOUS disruption occurred to Avanti West Coast, TransPennine Express and Northern Rail services on June 28 when the 4S43/06.23 Daventry IRFT to Mossend Euroterminal hauled by Class 88 No. 88005 encountered difficulties in the Hest Bank area with reports of smoke rising from a wagon.

After examination, the train proceeded forward, being stopped again in the Lambrigg area for further examination. Class 66 No. 66305 was dispatched as 1Z99 and went forward from Oxenholme onto the rear of the 4S43, suggesting a defect affecting the through train braking system.

DRS Class 57 No. 57307 Lady Penelope ran light from Crewe to Carlisle on July 5.

CLASS 66 No. 66777 Annette was seen passing Harrow & Wealdstone station on train 4L68 from Bescot Up Engineers Sidings to Acton Yard on Tuesday, June 1. On the same day at Harrow & Wealdstone was No. 66712 Peterborough Power Signal Box seen on the 4M47 from London Gateway to Hams Hall.

ELECTRO-DIESEL Class 73 Nos. 73119 Borough of Eastleigh and 73201 Broadlands were seen between Barnes and Putney running light engine as train 0Y62 from Eastleigh Arlington to St Leonards Engineering Ltd on Tuesday, June 1.

CELEBRITY BR Green-liveried Class 66 No. 66779 Evening Star had charge of the 6M79/12.01 Angerstein-Bardon Hill empty hoppers on June 7.

OBSERVED between Barnes and Putney on June 14 running light engine as train 0Y48 from Eastleigh East Yard to Hoo Junction Up Yard was Class 66 No. 66792. It was seen again running light engine the following day approaching Brentford as train 0Y42 Hoo Junction Up Yard to Eastleigh East Yard.

CLASS 66 No. 66776 Joanne was seen passing St Margarets station on the 4Y19 from Mountfield Sidings to Southampton Western Docks on June 15.

CLASS 66 No. 66739 powered a Margam-Scunthorpe steel train on June 16.

FURTHER reports of spoil trains between Renwick Road, Barking to Roxby Gullet, Scunthorpe include Class 66 No. 66755 on June 18; No. 66785 on June 23; and No. 66749 on July 6. GBRf Class 66 No. 66786 passed through Lancaster at 21.18 on June 23 running light from Carlisle to Bescot.

CLASS 66 No. 66790 had charge of a Scunthorpe-Margam steel train on June 23.

THE Willesden-Barrington- Willesden spoil train was observed on June 29 by Class 66 No. 66732. The same Class 66 was on the same working when observed on July 8 and 13.

CLASS 60 No. 60096 passed Newton-le-Willows at 16.15 on July 4, running 99 minutes late, on the 6Z51 from Doncaster Down Decoy to Liverpool Biomass Terminal.

ELECTRO-DIESEL Class 73 No. 73962 was stabled in the north end bay at Warrington Bank Quay on the evening of July 5.

CLASS 66 No. 66735 had charge of a Burton-on-Trent to Immingham scrap metal train on July 8.

GBRF and DB CLASS 66 Nos. 66047+66713+66719 together came light through Widney Manor on July 9 at 15.56.

CLASS 66 No. 66767 King’s Cross PSB 1971-2021 was seen emerging from the shed at St Leonards Depot on Sunday, July 11 in preparation for working 0Y66 light engine to Hoo Junction Up Yard later that afternoon.

A MoD service observed on July 12 had Class 66 No. 66703 on a Bicester-Marchwood-Kineton diagram. CLASS 66 No. 66849 failed at Carlisle on June 21 ahead of working the Chirk logs, requiring the assistance of No. 66305 from DRS. This was noted travelling over Cefn viaduct an hour late nearing its destination at 20.03. On the same da Class 56 No. 56094 powered a Baglan Bay-Chirk loaded log train. The Chirk (dep 08.10) to Carlisle empty log wagon train occasionally runs over Shap in daylight hours. On June 29 this was pulled by Colas Rail Class 70 No. 70803 and by No.70810 on July 1 and 3.

A PAIR of Class 56s Nos. 56049+ 56105 took a rake of empty box wagons from Humberstone Road to Carlisle Kingmoor on June 21, returning with them loaded the next day.

VARIOUS observations included on June 24, Class 56s Nos. 56096 and 56113 in Doncaster Carriage Sidings, just south of the station, in the mid-afternoon. Just before 10.00 the following morning they were seen to come through Doncaster station on Platform 1 before reversing out with No. 56113 leading on their way to Crewe. Class 70 Nos. 70816 and 70814 were noted running through Doncaster Platform 1 around 16.50 on June 24 and made for the Carriage Sidings but by June 27, the former was noted in sidings at Carlisle Kingmoor yard alongside classmate No. 70808. That same day at Crewe, No. 70803 passed through the central road with the 6C37 Chirk Kronospan-Carlisle working. The following day, Class 37 No. 37219 Jonty Jarvis 8-12-1998 to 18-3-2005 was noted on the track beside the brick wall of Platform 11 at Crewe with track camera equipment attached. It took the Chester track out but then returned en route for East Anglia. At 06.40 June 29, Class 56 No. 56078 was noted at the south end of Crewe before moving off to Longport. Late that same day at Eastleigh Class 70 No. 70812 was noted in Eastleigh yard and the following day was attached to NR engineering equipment, including a crane, before heading off to Hinksey around 13.00.

On its way to being named Bob Tiller CM&EE at Waterloo, GBRf’s No. 69002 leads No. 66789 through the station throat after running light engine from Eastleigh on July 7.

FRASER HAY

WCR Class 47 No. 47245 heads towards Upwey (Dorset) on July 9 with the second leg of RTC’s ‘End of Southern Steam’ tour from Victoria to Weymouth. No. 35018 hauled the train from London to Yeovil Pen Mill, then followed the train to Weymouth light engine after turning and servicing at Yeovil Junction before taking the train back to Victoria via Southampton.

STEPHEN GINN

CLASS 56 Nos. 56051+56049 worked the Lindsey-Preston Dock-Lindsey oil train on July 1, reportedly the first day back in service for 56051 with Colas. COLAS service 6V46 came through Widney Manor en route from Bescot to Westbury Down on July 8 at 19.57, double headed by Class 70 Nos. 70811+70809.

CLASS 57 No. 57314 and Class 47 No. 47813 move two cranes Nos. ADRC96715+ADRC96713 from Wigan to Nemesis Rail, Burton on June 23.

MAROON liveried WCR Class 57 No. 57314 and Class 47 No. 47760 ran as a light engine duo on June 23 from Burton Wetmore Sidings (dep 14.34) to Carnforth.

DC Rail’s Cappagh-livered Class 60 No. 60028 worked a 0Z60/11.30 Willesden DC Sidings-Toton TMD light engine

move on June 5. Another light engine movement occurred on June 7 when no. 60029 Ben Nevis formed the 0Z23/14.37 Chaddesden-Willesden DC Sidings.

A RAKE of empty box wagons from store at Kellingley Colliery was moved to Chaddesden on June 17 by GBRf Class 20 Nos. 20901+20118. They were then taken forward to Cardiff by Class 60 No. 60029 on June 19.

CLASS 60 No. 60029 was in use again on June 21 moving a stone train from Chaddesden to Brandon. It returned the empty wagons to Chaddesden the following day.

A RAVENHEAD-Chaddesden empty sand train on July 1 was powered by Class 60 No. 60029.

Rail Operations Group

CLASS 319 No. 319010, which was to become No. 769501, is now reclassified and renumbered No. 768001. It now carries full Orion livery. No. 319009, which is at Brush for Flex conversion will be No. 768002 and 319011 at Eastleigh Works for conversion will go to Brush and become No. 768003.

Derby RTC & Network Rail

THE 20.58 Derby RTC-Acton Main Line and 00.23 return was top-and-tailed by Colas Rail Class 37 No. 37175 and DBSO No. 9703 on June 1. A further test train operated on June 5 when Colas Class 37 No. 37116 and DBSO No. 9702 top-andtailed an 11.57 Hither Green-Derby RTC. Colas Class 37 No. 37421 and DBSO No. 9703 formed a 3Z07/19.50 Derby RTC-West Hampstead Thameslink and 22.58 return on June 14. DEPARTMENTAL No. 950001 was observed passing Thankerton on Monday, June 21 whilst working the 2Q08/13.20 Carlisle to Mossend Down Yard.

THE 1Q26/06.13 Derby to Edinburgh HST test train passed Thankerton with power car Nos. 43013+43299 on Tuesday June 22.

CLASS 37 No. 37612 was seen at Kensington Olympia station on Wednesday, June 23 working train 3Z64 from Cardiff Canton Sidings to Hither Green Pre-Assembly Depot, that reportedly originated at Bristol Parkway.

COLAS Rail Tamper No. DR73922 John Snowdon moved on June 25 from Rugby to Penrith.

NETWORK Rail’s 09-3X tampers Nos. DR73117 and DR77907 moved from Crewe PAD to Carlisle on July 2.

Our thanks

THE Railway Magazine’s thanks for information go to: Paul Atkinson, Mike Bechley, Gene Collins, Mike Cooper, Kevin Driscoll, Martin Evans, Michael Hill, Malcolm Hutcheson, Barry Knock, Richard Moxon, Tony Page, Mark Reynolds, Terry Smart, Michael Stevens, Craig Wellum and Chris West.