UNHAPPY JOURNEY: Scrapyard-bound convoys of Class 365s began with the despatch of Nos. 365501/511 to CF Booth at Rotherham on September 30. Known as the ‘happy trains’ due to their refurbished cab fronts resembling a smiling face, on October 5 it was the turn of 365505/537 to head from Crewe South Yard to Sims Group at Newport Docks for disposal. Rail Operations Group No. 57312 is captured leading them through Northway near Ashchurch.
JACK BOSKETT
AT the end of September, the Office of Rail & Road authorised the placing into service of all five Hitachi five-car Class 803 electric units (803001-005) to be used by East Coast Main Line open access operator Lumo, which launched services between Edinburgh and London on October 25 (see also page 7). The Class 803 is the first variant of Hitachi’s AT300 train to be introduced since cracks were identified earlier this year on other classes already in use. As previously reported, Class 800, 801 and 802 units operated by Great Western Railway, LNER and TransPennine Express were temporarily withdrawn for checks.