OPERATIONS NEWS
The network’s notable moves
Compiled by Ashley Butlin
A charity photoshoot in aid of Great Ormond Street Hospital was arranged at GBRf’s base in Kent at Tonbridge West Yard on December 13, which included this view of (from left) Nos. 73107, 73136, 73213 and 69011 (see also page 48).
ERIC RICHARDSON
Rail Head Treatment Trains (RHTT)
The Rail Head Treatment Train working serving the southern section of the Midland Main Line, plus the South Leicestershire Line and Bardon Hill, continued running during November.
When observed on November 7, Class 66 Nos. 66150+66158 had charge of the 3J93 working. On November 21 and 28 it was Nos. 66116+66150 that operated the 3J91 train.
On November 13, the 3W75 RHTT working from Tonbridge West Yard to Tonbridge West Yard via Sittingbourne, Battersea Park and Rochester was seen arriving by platform 1 at Victoria station. Waiting to continue its journey from Victoria, train 3W75 was ‘topand-tailed’ by Nos. 73136 and 73109 Battle of Britain.
Returning to Victoria station on November 16 the 3W90 from Tonbridge West Yard to Tonbridge West Yard, via Redhill, Newhaven Marine, Brighton, Uckfield and East Grinstead, was seen departing from platform 19, 40 minutes after the booked time of 17.25, ‘top-and-tailed’ by Nos. 69008 Richard Howe and 69013.
On November 21 with 3W90, Southern-liveried No. 73202 was seen approaching the footbridge at Wimbledon West Junction with No. 73128 at the rear of the train.
The RHTT noted at Littlehampton during week commencing November 17 consisted of DR98971+DR98921 and DR98977+DR98927.
RHTT workings from Stowmarket DGL on the southern 3S60/09.00 circuit saw Nos. 66718 and 66759 Chippy noted at Harwich International on November 24, the Belmond Royal Scotsman-liveried No. 66743 and No. 66713 Forest City on the next day and No. 66754 Northampton Saints with No. 66305 at Wrabness on November 28.
On November 25, train 3S20, from York to Selby, was noted passing Castleford station ‘top-and-tailed’ by Freightliner locomotives Nos. 66551 and 66553. The following day the service was seen pausing at platform 2 at Castleford station with both Class 66s again in charge.
Whilst visiting Grimsby Town station on Friday, November 28, train 3S13 was seen coming to a halt at platform 3 headed by No. 66849 Wylam Dilly, with No. 66847 Terry Baker at the rear.
Avanti West Coast
Following the derailment at Shap on Monday, November 3 of the 04.27/1R22 from Glasgow Central to London Euston, worked by Class 390 No. 390117, the next direct through Avanti West Coast service from Glasgow to London was on Wednesday, November 5 when 1R22, worked by Class 390 No. 390042, departed on time at 04.27.
LNER
As the Mk.4 sets are being reduced from nine to seven-coach formations, the spare vehicles are going into storage at Worksop.
A move on November 13 saw Class 37 Nos. 37608+37884 ‘top-and-tail’ Nos. 11406+ 11408+11412+11415+12214+ 12406+12431+12485+ 12515+ 82225 from Neville Hill, with Nos. 12214+82225 acting as barrier vehicles and taken back to Neville Hill. A further trip on November 27 involved
Nos. 12220+12424+11413+ 12467+ 82215 being moved by Nos. 93008+93010, with Nos. 12220+82215 being the barrier vehicles.
ScotRail
Movements of ScotRail units to Wolverton Works via the West Coast Main Line always attract attention.