OPERATIONS NEWS
The network’s notable moves
Compiled by Ashley Butlin
RHTT
This year’s Railhead Treatment services are well under way. The 3S01 diagram in Norfolk started well with the first run completed on October 7, with Class 66 Nos. 66779+66799.
However, the following day Nos. 66719+66771 were in trouble, losing time between North Walsham and Cromer which in turn caused delays to the 2S11/10.46 Sheringham to Norwich, the 2S14/10.45 Norwich to Sheringham had the Cromer to Sheringham leg marked as“Cancelled due to problems with a railhead treatment train”(as did 2S13/1143 Sheringham to Norwich which started from Cromer). 3S01 then finished its day at Stowmarket slightly earlier than scheduled.
The next day again had Nos. 66719+66771 in charge, causing similar delays to 2S11 and 2S14 (Cromer to Sheringham leg cancelled). 3S01 returned to Stowmarket 78 minutes early. The service didn’t appear in Cromer on October 10. Two days later, 3S01 caused similar delays as per October 8 and 9. On October 11 passenger services were disrupted with a level crossing failure between Cromer and Sheringham. This was followed by a bridge strike on the Sheringham-North Walsham section which resulted in trains running only from Norwich to North Walsham.
On Friday, October 11 RHTT 3W90 from Tonbridge West Yard to Tonbridge West Yard was seen approaching Haydons Road station from Wimbledon top-and-tailed by Class 73 Nos. 73128 Kent & East Sussex Railway in Network South East livery, with 73212 Stephen Eaves at the rear of the train which runs via Brighton, Haywards Heath, Lewes, Newhaven Marine, Kensington Olympia, Sutton, East Grinstead, Uckfield and Horsham.
Observed at Purley station, on Saturday, October 26, a RHTT was seen drawing up beside platform 4 having visited Caterham. On arrival from Caterham the train was headed by Class 66 No. 66734 Platinum Jubilee, in commemorative livery, with No. 66726 Sheffield Wednesday at the rear. After only a short wait the train continued towards Gatwick Airport. The RHTT has been in
Littlehampton during October with Nos. DR98966+DR98916 and DR98969+DR98919 being the only visitors.
Departing from Carlisle Kingmoor Depot at 11.28 on Monday, October 7, were heavily work-stained DRS Class 66 Nos. 66108+66422 which top-and-tailed a Railhead Treatment train. Over the rest of that day, and into the next, this formation (3J11) ran along the Cumbrian Coast Line, over the WCML and via Settle to Preston making circuits on both up and down lines. The RHTT diagram (3J11), which covers both up and down mainlines in Cumbria and Lancashire, was on Thursday, October 25 top-and-tailed by DRS Class 66s Nos. 66424 + 66429. Originating from Carlisle Kingmoor at 11.30 this service returned to Kingmoor at 07.24 on the following day.
The RHTT season along the southern section of the Midland Main Line commenced in October. DB Cargo Class 66 Nos. 66056+66060 had charge of the 3J92/23.17 Toton TMD to West Hampstead Thameslink and 3J93/12.01 return when seen on October 11 and 18. However, on October 18 and 25 and again on November 1 it was powered by
Nos. 66119+66206. Sunday, October 27 found RHTT 3J05 to Aylesbury (Sidings 1-7) seen leaving from the Wall Siding at Marylebone station top-and-tailed by Class 66 Nos. 66507 with 66510 at the rear of the train; both locomotives were carrying a layer of RHTT grime.
According to Realtime Trains, it was on time at Harrowon-the-Hill, but had lost 42 minutes by the time it passed Amersham, having been caught up in a signalling failure at Rickmansworth. The service terminated at Aylesbury station and did not run as far as Sidings 1-7.
Avanti West Coast
Problems followed on the West Coast Main Line around Preston on October 8 after a fatality during the morning at Lancaster, bringing delays and cancellations.
There was major disruption in the Bangor area on the afternoon of October 21. Amongst services affected was the 12.48 Holyhead to Euston formed of No. 805005 starting 27 minutes late. At Chester it was attached to No. 805001, waiting in the platform ahead
LSL’s ‘West Highland Pullman’, with power cars Nos. 43050 Loch Morar and 43047, approaches Spean Bridge on October 27 as West Coast Railways Class 37 diesel No. 37676 Loch Rannoch pilots ‘Black Five’ No. 45407 The Lancashire Fusilier with empty stock following the end of the ‘Jacobite’ season two days before. All is not what it appears, however, as the HST had previously left this station to head south with the return leg of its three-day tour from Exeter. However, slippery rails in the Monessie Gorge (between Roy Bridge and Tulloch) saw Control take the decision to return the set to Spean Bridge so the empty stock move could go ahead and its two locos sand the line. GORDON KIRKBY of it, and left 29 minutes late. By Crewe it had grown to 32 minutes late.
LNER
Observed at Upper Holloway station on October 10 was the return to Doncaster Carr IEP LNER operated Class 800 No. 800108 which had been sent to Eastleigh Works on September 30 for repairs. Further moves reported include No. 801202 being towed by Class 57 No. 57306 from Ferme Park to Eastleigh Works on October 14. This was followed by No. 800104 from Bounds Green to Eastleigh Works on October 29.
Signalling problems on Thursday, October 31 resulted in LNER services booked to run to/from Leeds being diverted to York. The 1A41/16.45 from Leeds to King’s Cross was cancelled between Leeds and Doncaster.
Fortuitously it proved possible to make a journey from York to Doncaster on the 1G41/16.52 from York to Doncaster headed by DVT No. 82211 with Class 91 No. 91124 at the rear. The train was running as a VST (Very Short Term) addition to the timetable and formed train 1A41 from Doncaster. Perhaps not surprisingly it was almost empty between York and Doncaster.
Great Western Railway
Observations from South Wales included the 08.04 GWR departure from Bristol Parkway to Carmarthen on September 23 arriving seven minutes late behind Nos. 800025+800003 running on diesel power. The service encountered further delays before the Severn Tunnel, with Cardiff Central reached 12 minutes late.