Welcome
Ido love the weather as hotas it’s beenthroughout mostofJuly,but it doeshaveone major drawback;Iend up sleeping with the window open, which means Ihavethe blind up afraction, which in turn meansthe daylight startstoseep in at 5am, and it wakesmeup…
Then,comethe afernoon,becauseI’m no longer ateenager,I fight with everyfibre of my being to nottakeacheeky little nap. Sometimes Igivein–and canofenfeel worsewhenI wake up!
But the hotweather and longer days do makeit more appealingfor an earlydrive to an event, be it agalaora charter train. Thatsaid, Idid forsake the EastLancs gala because of workloadpressures. Still, Iget to see the lovely images yousend to me forconsideration forthe magazine,soI feel like I wasthere… to adegree.
But the hotweather canalso play havoc forthe railways,asparticipantsona chartertrain discovered on July 12 when air-con failures causedthem to endurearather warm day out to aloop at Yate! The railway ofen packs up abit tooeasily at the hint of extreme heat,but as a rule, itdoes carry on, and Iapplaud all those staf on the front line, especiallyifhaving to wear auniform, which can be uncomfortable in the heat.I hate wearing asuit and tie on any day of the year,moresointhis kind of weather,soyou have my sympathy.
As youcan read in this issue, Ifulfilled alifelong ambition to travel behinda pair of Class 20stoKyle of Lochalsh on June 22. It wasabrilliant dayout with the SRPSand LSL. The former has sufered with some cancellations due to alack of bookings, butif you canpartake of one of itstrips –Mk. 1s with classic traction over scenic lines –you just cannotbeat it.A
trip behind a40toObanmustbeenticing, or along the Highland Main Linetrip with the same machine Hopefully,you’ll be reading this justbeforeThe Greatest Gathering, or indeed, maybe youhave pickedupthis issue at theevent itself. I’ve had a brief look at themodern traction exhibitsand what theydid forthe railways –whatweresuccesses and whatwerenot.I’ll be therefor acouple of the days, andIamreally looking forwardtoit. The teambehind it havereally made it the must-attend event forbothyou, the visitors, and indeedthe locoowners. Morethan 100 locos, the same again on multiple unit vehicles, andplenty of trade stands mean therewill be plenty to see and enjoy.And, as well as the showitself,thereare severalcharter trainsbeing run– Class33, 37, 57, 66, 68, 69, 70, 88 should (orcould!) be involved on themainlinetrainssupporting theshow.
Chatting with Gus Dunsterand JamesDobson afew months agodemonstratedjusthow big an eventthisisand Ireallyknowhow much work they putintoget it of theground. Irecallbeing involved in the Totonand Old Oak Commonopen days of 1998 and 2000. Thatwas intense, and I probably did about 10% of the input thatthese two gentshavedelivered to getThe GreatestGathering of the ground.Theydeserve awards forstaging it
In this issue
Afer afew requests to do so,Ihaverevived the popular rumour mill column, lastseen some ten yearsago.I’m trying nottojustrecreateRIfrommy previous tenure, but this is the onethingpeople have been asking me to bringback, so youasked forit, you’ve gotit!
KEEP IN TOUCH
If youhaveany comments, photographic contributions, featuresuggestions, or constructivefeedback,please contactPip Dunn by email at rieditor@mortons.co.uk or via the postal address provided on page 4.
And joining it is alittle bit of satirical humour Let’ssee howthatisreceived, eh?!
As mentionedlastissue, thefirst twoofGBRf’s brand-new Stadler Class 99 Bi-mode locoshave arrived in theUKand havebeen undergoing initial testing. Although Idid see them as Ipassed Peterborough depotthe other day,Iwas lucky enough to getupclose to themata press launch, which youcan read aboutonpages 16-18.
Okay,I knowI’ll getaccused of bias, but there’s a four-pagereport onthose Class 20s going to Kyle of Lochalsh. Imuststress thatany other really notable firsts will getasimilaramount of coverage–beit31s getting to Wick,the 45 making it to Fort William, and so on!
We havethe second part of Robin Ralston’scoverage of Scottish coal trains, thistimelooking at the1990/ 2000s withthe shadow freightcompanies andthe advent of privatisation. Lots of Class 56s to enjoythere!
And 10 Pictures comes from Paul Shannonand his vast collection of images from the lastfive decades. It’snot justfreight train pictures, either!
Editor Pip Dunn
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This Issue On Sale: July 31, 2025
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4RAILWAYS ILLUSTRATED September 2025
34 Whatdid the diesels ever do forus?
This year we celebrate 200 years of the first passenger railwayfrom StocktontoDarlington, andthe headline event is The Greatest Gathering at Alstom’sDerby Litchurch Lane.Pip Dunnlooks at the modern traction exhibitsand assesstheirrole in the railways.
50 To Kyle in style
The SRPSand LSLran a groundbreakingcharter to take Class 20s to Kyle of Lochalshfor the first time ever on apassenger train.Pip Dunn joinedthis momentoustrip.
60 Scotsmove the black stuf
In the second and final part of his look back at Scottish coal trains, Robin Ralstonconcentrates on the shadowfreight and privatised era, and the classic traction still used on these trains.
66 10 Pictures: Paul Shannon
This issue’s 10 Pictures comes from railfreight followerand photographer Paul Shannon. Having spent his early childhood in Gloucestershire, Paul lived on the outskirtsofManchester from 1963 until 1971, and it was towardsthe end of thattime thathe joined the group of trainspotters therestishistory!
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Aureol to be sold–and main line beckons
AFTER NEARLY 40 yearsinpreservation, the Class 40 Appeal has agreed to sell 40012 Aureol to Andania Engineering (AE),which intends to return it to the main line with Locomotive Services. As this issue closed forpress, the deal has notbeenfinally rubber-stamped but wasexpected to be concluded without any issues.
AE already owns D213 (40013) Andania, which has also been on longterm hire to LSLfor severalyears now. It had enquired about buying 40135 from the Class 40 Preservation Society lastyear, but the ofer wasdismissed immediately
However, it has nowsecured the second Class 40 it wanted by tying up adealwith Paul Hill,the principle
shareholder of 40012, which the C40A boughtfromBRin1988. Afer asbestos removal, the locoarrived at theMidland Railway –Butterleyin March1989. Afer adisagreement overcrewingthe locoatthe MRB, 40012 wasmovedto the EastLancashireRailway, whereit has been based forthe lastfew years. It will become the thirdClass 40s to be main line-registeredfollowing D345 (40145) in 2002 andD213 in 2018. Just seven40s evaded scrapping, D200 is at theNational Railway Museum, 40118 is undergoing restoration at Shackerstone, and 40106/135/145 areowned by the CFPSand currently at the Severn Valley, ELRand WCR’sCarnforth depotrespectively.D213, and now40012, will be based at CreweDMD, LSL’smain base.
Paul Hill,speakinginanewsletter to the group’s shareholders, confirmed the sale wasprogressing. He said: “It is asad occasion selling the locomotiveafer37 yearsinpreservation but the thought of Aureol returning to main linewhere it belongs makes this journeyofpreservation and all those involved with the locomotivewell worthwhile.”
Although presently running at the ELR, 40012 will need some serous mechanical work which is estimated could take acoupleofyears,soa double-headed train withtwo named 40s is still some wayof.
Meanwhile, the hotweather thathas implemented severalsteam bans has been good news forD213, which has picked up some extrajobswithLSL.
On July 5, it worked 1Z61, the 05.58 Hereford-Carlisle, as farasCrewe.The trainwent forwardwith 60532 Blue Peter, which had 57311 The Institution of Mechanical Engineers tucked inside to mitigatethe risk of startingany lineside fires. The 40 also worked the return 1Z62, 15.32 Carlisle-Herefordbackfrom Crewe, in the evening.
Better wasthe following Saturday, July 12, when D213 took over 1Z29, the 06.15 Three Bridges-Kingswear from Taunton, and worked back on 1Z30, the 16.35 from Kingswear. It wasthena visit to Scotland on July 16 when D213 took over1Z07, the 06.00 Stoke-Edinburgh, at Carlisle insteadofthe booked steam locoand worked back to the Border City on 1Z08, the 16.14 from Edinburgh.
Celebrationliver yfor industrial Class08
MULTIMODAL FREIGHT company AV Dawson has unveiled aspecially-liveried Class 08 shunter as itscontributiontowards markingthisyear’s 200thanniversar yofthe Stockton and Darlington Railway (S&DR). Based in Middlesbrough, Dawson owns the town’s extensiveport facilities, which were first established along with aconnectingrailway by the S&DR in 1830. Dawson also operates severalrailfreight terminals around the port,owning five ex-BR Class 08sand three industria ll ocos, although nota ll are operational.
The brainchild of managing directorCharlie Nettle, who sitsonthe S&DR 200board,the projectsaw 08600 withdrawn from traficand itspower unit,radiatorand all other internals removed.
The locosubsequentlyreceiveda repaintinall-over dark blue before specially commissioned vinyls were applied to mark the 200th anniversary. These were designed in conjunction with the Northern School of Art,wherefirst year students helda competition to create the commemorativeliver y. The shunter subsequently named Phoebe in honour of thewinning student.
Thesecondstage of the project will see 08600 installed on aroundabout in the town, whereRiversidePark Road meets Ironmasters Way, so that it is publicly viewable. This is expected to be completedinthe coming weeks, alongwiththe planting of asurrounding floral display.The shunter nowhas rainwatercollectiontanks installedon the engine bedplate to helpirrigate the plants. Simon Bendall
40012 Aureol is subjecttoa sale to Andania Engineering.The locohas been based at the East LancashireRailwayfor awhilenow and draws itstrain outofthe sidings at Ramsbottom to form the 10.43 freighttoBuryonJuly 3, the first dayofthe summer diesel gala. SteveSienkiewicz
Romic’s20007 and 20205 bring up the rear of 6Q34, the06.20 Wembley-YorkHolgate, as it passes Misterton, between Gainsborough and Doncaster, on July 10.
Adventuretrain, being worked by 43423/467, is delivering new Stadler Class 555Tyneand Wear Metrounits555018/038 on theirway from Switzerland to Pelaw.
is nowthe oldestmain line diesellocostillrunning on the networkand will be 68 yearsold on September 21. Anthony Hicks
GWRfast- charge Class230 batter ysuccess
GREATW ES TERN Ra ilw ay has published aWhitePaperoutlining the success of itsfast-charge battery trial and howitcould help to transform the UK’s railway.
Theyear-long trialexploredwhether battery trains could provide arealistic and cost-efectivealternativeto diesel trains as GWRpreparesplans to renewits regional fleet, much of which is expectedtogoout of serviceable use in the next sevento10years.
Test resultsonthe Greenford branch line on aClass 230VivaRail unit have
demonstrated howdiscontinuous fast-charging could help to remove the relianceonmorecostly overhead line equipment (OLE).
GW Rm anaging dir ec to rM ark Hopwood said: “Weare proud to sharethe findings of this trial, which aims to build understanding and support across government,industryand regional stakeholders.
“Atthe heart of this is the need to renewour regional diesel fleets, many of which areapproaching 40 years’ serviceand expected to need
increasingly costly maintenancetokeep them on the tracks in the coming years.
“One of th ek ey mo tiv at ions wa stoexploreh ow discontinuousfast-chargingcan be used to support battery-electric trainscalling at interim station stops. And we’ve been able to provethatthe technologyworks.”
Usingthe 230unitonthe West Ealing and Greenfordline, GWR’s inno va tion tea ma ssessed the performanceofits fast-charge technolog ya nd de ve loped planning
tools to calculate wheretoplace charging points.
This has given it confidencethat fast-charge battery trains could help to deliver services across branch lines in the ThamesValley, and in Devon and Cornwall. Crucially,the results could also be applied to similar routes in Britain.
The trial also demonstratedfavourable resultsinterms of the environment,with the batterytrain showing an 80% reduction in carbon emissions compared to itsdiesel equivalent.
DB Cargomoves Class66s in andout of ‘strategic’store
DB CARGO has createdanew WQNC pool which is used forlocomotives thatare pending repairsand merelyin a‘strategic store’ state prior to being repaired and returned to trafic
Initially,66040/075/076/083/089/ 095and 66119/121/140 were all allocatedtothe newpool, andall of these had been in the WQAA stored pool but soon some movedback into active pools, with 66083 moving back to the WBATpool and 66119/121 to the WBAI fleet. However, during mid-July, 66014/024/069/080/115/165/197all movedtoWQNC, of which 66009/024 had abrief spell in the WQAA pool. DBC has placed asecond Class66, 66070, into theWBETpoolfor locos
fittedwith ETCS,and it joins initial testbed loco66039 in this sector. However, 66039 has yettoreturn into trafic yet.
66133 has also movedout of the WBVT pool forDBC Class 66s on hire to VictaRailfreight and also returns to the WBATsector. The WBAI pool has also been revivedand nowcontains 66028/096 and 66116/119/127/151/ 158/169/176/179/198.
On the Class 67 front,67020 has been reinstatedtothe WAWCpool andits placeinthe WQAA pool is takenby67022, although these swaps of TfWhirelocos intoastoredpool tend to be short-lived Howe ver, the futurefor 67030, withdrawn from trafficway back
in October 2019, looksominous as the locohas been prepared for removalfromToton andwill inevitably follow67003 in being sent away forscrapping
DBC has also stood down 92011. It has movedtothe WQAA pool but has been replaced by 92015 in the WFBC pool. Again, however, this is only likely to be ashort-term measure Indeed, therecentlyrepainted92011 wastaken to Butterleyfor exhibition at the Midland Railway’sgalaweekend on July 19/20, which also saw 66023/026/031/091, 66175, 66200, 66652 and 67005/007 attend –with all Type 5s, apart from 66023, booked to work passenger trains while there.
DBC has also moved60017/027/ 062/074 from the WQBA to WQDA po ol, ind ic at in gt ha ta ny sl im chanceofthem returning to trafic has nowbeen quashed. It is possible these locos could be ofered for sale soon, but so farnoneofthose 60s advertised forsale in February 2024 –the recently retired 60001/ 007/010/015/019/020/039/040/044/ 059/063/065/066/079/092 and 60100 –nor those advertised forsaletwo months later, the heavily stripped 60003/005/023/025/027/030/031/033035/041-043/045/049/051/053/ 054/058/067/069/071-073/082/083/ 088/091/094/097 and 60500, have found newbuyers.
The Rail
20007
Inspiration trainlaunchedtothe public
THE NEW Inspiration exhibition train waslaunched at Paddington on June 26 prior to itspublic launch at the Severn ValleyRailway the following day at the start of itsyear-long tour of Britain.
As previously reported, the freeto-enter and family-friendly Railway 200 exhibition trainwillvisit 60 locations in Britain overthe next year to promote railway innovationand careers, celebrating aBritishinvention thatchanged the world.
More than 160people, including Rail MinisterLordHendy of RichmondHill,
Lady Victoria Borwick,chairman of VisitEngland,and students from PaddingtonAcademy,joineda rail industryevent at Paddington to signal the start of the train’s 12-month tour
Inspiration is part of Railway 200, marking this year’s bicentenaryofthe modern railway.The exhibition was designed and createdinpartnership with Network Rail and the National Railway Museum in York,partofthe ScienceMuseum Group
The five-coach trainwillbemoved betweenlocations by GBRf using to p- an d-ta il Cl ass 66s ,t ypi ca ll y
66710/719 which areinaRail200 red livery. The fiveMk. 3coaches include generator van96371, plus 11092 (RailwayFirsts), 11093 (WonderLab on Wheels), 11101 (Your Railway Future) and 10406 (PartnerZone).Each sports adiferent, very eye-catching,livery emblazoned with thewords ‘Past,’ ‘Present,’ ‘Future’ and ‘Together.’
The trainwill visit main line stations, heritagerailways, museums, and privateand freight sites. Morethan 200,000 people, including many schoolchildren, areexpectedtovisit by prior booking. Admission will be
free, but normal entr ychargesto heritagerailwaysand privatesites whereitislocatedwill apply
At the SVR, asimultaneous arrival at Kidderminsterstation saw 50007 Hercules bringthe trainintoalongside steam loco 1450 on asinglecoach.Inspiration then had a10-day stay at the heritage line beforemovingontoits UK tour. Generator coach96371,owned by Eastern Rail Services, wasfresh from abogieoverhaul and had been moved by road from Chesterfield to Derbyin early June to be prepared forinclusion in the train.
with6O39, the10.14 Westbury-Eastleigh Yard,via ChandlersFordratherthan Southampton, conveying long welded rails. MarkPike
FinalClass 69 nearly readyfor entr yintotrafic
THE LAST of 16 Class 56 to Class69 conversions forGBRf is nearly ready 69015, which used 56009 as itsdonor body,underwent itsfirst testsonJuly 14 with alight engine run form Longport to Bescot and back,with 66721 HarryBeck as insurance.
St ill pa int ed in gr een primer undercoat,itwillundertake further
shakedown testsbeforemoving to Eastleighfor arepaintintoaspecial liveryand then enter trafic.
Because ofthe longperiodsince 56009was last in trafficsome29 yearsago,the body had sufered more corrosion than other Class 56 donors, which is why 69016 wascompleted and put intotraficbeforeit.
The re lease of 69015 intot ra ffic co ncludes the fo ur -y ea r programme thathas seen the 16 ex-BR Class 56s, which datedfrom 1976 to 1984, rebuilt by EMDatits Longport siteand fittedwith GM engines, the same as those used in the Class 66s.
The 69s were seen as astopgap to
allowGBRf to increase itstraction fleetafordablybeforeitopted to buy newClass 99s.
EMD is also completing the work to return66316 to trafic. This will be the final Class 66 accepted intotraffic by GBRf as the 99s havemeant it is no longer looking to source additional 66s.
The fivediferent coaches thatmakeup the Inspirationtrain at KidderminsteronJune27. PipDunn
The Monday-Friday engineers’train to/from WestburytoEastleigh is ofen agood betfor an interesting ‘lash-up’ of locos.OnJuly14, 69004 RIDC Melton,leading 70816 and 66792 Collaboration,made foracolourful sightastheyapproach Salisbury
Therewas awelcome return of aClass 52 to Cornwall on June 28. D1015 Western Champion crosses EastLargin viaductwiththe returning PathfinderRailtours’ ‘Mazey Day Special,’ 1Z53, the 16.33 Penzance-Dorridge, with 47815 GreatWestern out of shotonthe rear. JonHird
Justafew days afer itsPenzancetrip,onJuly 2, D1015 wasofto Carlisle on aVintage Trains’excursion from Birmingham NS andisseen at Settle Junctiononthe return. John Whiteley
Funding conf irmedfor Rail Network enhancementpipelineschemes
THE GOVERNMENT’S Spending
Reviewhas confirmed £3.5 billion to driveforward the deliveryofthe TransPennine RouteUpgrade to improveconnectivity andreduce journeytimes between Manchester and Leeds.
It has also confirmed £2.5b forthe deliveryofEast-WestRail across the Oxford-CambridgeGrowth Corridor, plus funding to progress the next stage of Midlands Rail Hub,strengthening connections from Birmingham across the WestMidlands and to other regions.
Thereisalso £445 million forrail investment in Wa le stop ro gres s Ca rd if fC en tral mo de rn is at io n, South WalesRelief Linesupgrade, Wrexham to Liverpool line congestion relief,Cardiff West Junction ca pa city,n ew stat ions in South Wales (Burns stations) and accessible footbridges on North Wales Mainline.
Other projects to receivefunding will increase capacity at Oxford, improving Leeds Station and the services in the area,and aseries of
schemes to transform rail across GreaterManchesterand improve services.
Another major projectwill be reinstating passenger trains from Bristol to Portishead (part of Metrowest), newstationsatWellington, Cullomptonand Cambridge South, and the reopeningofHaxbystation.
Continuing to upgradethe East CoastMain Line to digitalsignalling to ofer capacity and frequency improvementsisalso included, as is improving performanceatthe
northern end of the WestC oa st Main Line andinvesting in increasing powersupplyonthe southern endof the WCML. Redevelopment of Euston station will also beincluded. On the Midland MainLine, therewill be thecompletion of theelectrification between Kettering and Wigston to allowthe newClass 810 bi-mode trains to runonelectric powerfurther north from St Pancras. Finally,development of anew signalling system on the Tyne and Wear Metrowill also be funded.
fittedwith European Train Control Systemequipment is 66784 Keighley& Worth ValleyRailway It is being modified at EMD’sLongport sitewith the ne wdigital in-cab signalling equipmentwhich will ultimately be rolled out across the whole Class 66 fleetofall operators.
–some of which are30to40years old –isthe mostchallengingaspect of the£1.4 billion EastCoast DigitalProgramme (ECDP). ECDPwill transformrailoperationsbyreplacing traditionallineside signals with continuous information displayed inside drivers’ cabs, delivering amore
safer railway Siemens Mobility is the ECDP’s freight fitment partner,responsible fordesigning, integrating and installing itsTrainguard200 onboar du nit ,h elpi ng deli ve r adigitally signalled East Coast Main Line.
andthe freightoperating companies havebeen working closely to overcome design and assurance challengesinvolved with fitment. Th is se ct or co ll ab orat io nh as worked to deliver abaseline design forthe Class 66, the principal freight fleetonthe network.
GBRf’s 66784 Keighley&Worth ValleyRailway is beingfittedwithETCS, thefirst Class 66/7s to be upgraded. NetworkRail
Belmond’sluxur yBritannic Explorer star ts running
JULY4 saw the brand-newBelmond luxurytrain, the Britannic Explorer, formally launchedata ceremony at Euston station. Theeight-coach trainarrived behind ex-work66748 in matchinglight blue livery and newly-renamed St Michael’sMount. On the rear of the train was66744, still in GBRf livery, which hasbeen named Heart of Wales.The trainthen started itsseries of top-end charter workings around the country.
The final twoMk. 3s forinclusion in the sethad arrived at Eastleigh Works by early July,having initially remained at the Hamilton workshops of AssentaRail when the rest of train headed south on June 2.
An overnight move on June 27/28 saw66747 Made in Sheffield haul 99104 to Eastleigh, thisbeing the former Irish Rail 7129 and one of the passenger cabin vehicles. The same overnight journeywas repeated on July 7/8, this time with 66762 hauling 99105 (ex-7158) andthe last of the cabin coaches.
Neither of the additional Mk.3s had appeared in the setbymid-July, which competedits shakedown and training runs ahead of the launch.
Railfreight’s66748 hasbeen outshoppedinBritannic Explorer liveryand named St Michaels’sMount.Itwas unveiled at Euston on July 4. Ian Grey
descends Goodrington bank past Waterside. Bernard Mills
Open Access blowsfor WCML operators
THEOFFICE of Rail andRoad(ORR) has rejectedapplications from three companies seeking track access contracts with Network Rail to run Open Access passenger trains on the WestCoast Main Line (WCML).
The ORR concluded thereisinsuficient capacity on the WestCoast Main Line southern section forthe introduction of any of the proposed services from EastCoast Trains Limited (Lumo NW), the Wrexham, Shropshire& Midlands Railway Company Limited (WSMR) and Virgin Management Limited (Virgin). It said thattointroduceany of these proposals would be detrimental to performanceon the WCML and thereforeall passengers and freight customers.
The ORR dete rmines all t ra ck access applications in accordance
withits statutoryduties. It said: “In the case of these three applications, lack of capacity and the anticipated impactonperformancealone meant we could notapprove them. As such, our duty to haveregardtothe funds available to theSecretaryofState was notrelevant to this decision.”
The ORRassessed the applications, including their operational viability,the benefitsthe services would generate,and the ofen-supportive views of passengersand local stakeholders. It said:“These factorsdid notalter our fundamental conclusion thatthe proposed services cannotbe introduced due to insuficient space on the networkand the likely detriment to trainperformance.”
Stephanie Tobyn, the ORR’sdirector of strategy,policy and reform, added:
Swietelsky returns37419 to itsfleet
THE LATEST Class 37 to return to the main line with Swietelsky is 37419, which ranlight from Barrow Hill to Leeds fortyreturningon June 30. Oncethatwas completed, it movedtoUKRL’s workshopsat Loughborough on July 4for final work prior to joining the company’sactivespothirefleet.
37419 is expectedtoretain itsBR retro InterCity main line liveryfor thetimebeing.Itfollows on from 37422/425, which havebeen finding plenty of work on hiretoColas forIMtrain work.37424 is also
being worked on at Worksopfor itsplanned return to use.
Theonlynon-ETH37thatHNRC bought from the final DRSsales, and beforeits sale to Swietelsky,37716 has also been reactivated.Ittook part in the East LancashireRailway’sdieselgala on July 3-6, which allowedfor valuable shakedowntests,and on July 7itwas hauled back to Barrow Hill by 50008 Thunderer, which had also been aguestat the ga la alo ngside 31108 and 57002 Winston Churchill
“Aferthoroughassessmentofeach application, it wasclear thattherewas insuficientcapacitytoapproveany of the services without aseriousnegativeimpactonthe leveloftrain performancethatpassengersexperienceon the WestCoast Main Line
“Werecognise thepotential advantagesofcompetition on the WestCoast Main Line, which is why we approvedin 2024 thenew London-Stirling services
thatFirst Group is due to start operating in 2026.
“However,itisclear that the southern end of the routerequires spacein the timetable to provide resilience. Additional services within the current timetablestructureand planned capacity use would further weaken punctuality and reliability,not justat the south end of the WCML but elsewhereaswell.”
Stored coachesremoved from Long Marston
MANYOF the vehicles stored at the Long Marston yard of International Metals &Cable Recycling were movedawayduring June. This has included unrestored Mk.1Travelling Post Oficestowagevans80411 and 80432, which havejoined80434 at the Wishaw yard of Moveright International.
Less fortunate is former Network Rail and Chipman weedkilling coach 99019, which wasdispatched to Beaver Metals at WaterOrton for scrapping at the end of the month. Built as Mk.1RMB 1870 before conversion in the early 1990s, its condition had deterioratedsignificantly afer yearsinopen store.
Railbusreturns from Ireland
FOLLOWINGITS return from Northern Ireland in early June, prototype railbus R3 (RDB977020) has initially gone to theWishaw yard of Moveright International forfurther storage pending regauging and deliveryto the GwendraethValleyRailway. As part of the same sequence of moves, former Irish Rail Mk.3
bufet 6402 has also returned to the UK, having spent morethan 10 years in open storeatthe WestClareRailway, Moyasta, following withdrawal. Nowbelievedtobeowned by Andrew Goodman, the former HST kitchen coach and then loungecar 40513 has initially gone to Carnforth forcleaningand cosmetic attention.
LNER’s91105 has been outshopped in aspecial wrapand named National Railway Museum 50
number91150. Andy Patten
Game over for RoyalTrain
BUCKINGHAM PA LA CE ha s announced thatthe RoyalTrain will be decommissioned as acost-saving measurein2027 due to itshigh cost and infrequentuse.Helicoptertravel is seen as cheaper and quicker
The firstRoyal Trainran in Queen Victoria’s reign, and it wasfavoured by the late Queen Elizabeth II because she could sleep on the train, allowing her to be at engagementsearly in the morning. However, the nine-coach train has been used justtwicebyKing Charles III in the lastyear. Afarewell tour by the train, which is operated by DB Cargo and based at Wolverton,isdue to be planned. Ironically,justafew monthsago, DBC repainted both dedicatedRoyal Class 67s, renaming 67005 as King’s Messenger in theprocess.67006 RoyalSovereign is thesecondroyal loco, while 67007, painted in aspecial platinumjubilee livery, is the reserve locoand has been used as well.
Freightliner adds two90s to itsfleet
FREIGHTLINER HAS bought 90021/039fromDBCargo,following on from the sale of 90026 to LocomotiveServices. They will bring Freightliner’s Class 90 fleetupto27locos,90003016/018/021/039-049, although 90046 is currently stored.
The sales leaveDBC with just nine Class 90s on itsbooks, all available forsale –90019/020/024/ 028/029/034-037–aferitdecided to stop using the 25kV AC electric locostwo yearsago.
Fr eightliner ac quir ed 90018/040 from DBCinApril 2024,which were offeredfor sale in September 2023 along with 10 heavily stripped locos, 90017/0 22 /023/ 025/02 7/ 030-033/038, which all endedup being sold forscrap 90026 joins90001/002inthe LSLfleet, the only other user of Class 90s. Of the fleetof50 locos built in 1987-90, 90050 is preser vedatCrewe HeritageCentre, although it is not operational.
Diesel worksplate sells for record £14,
AN EW re co rd fo ram ode r n traction worksplateselling at auction wasreached on June 7 when one of the plate from LMS trial diesel loco 10000 reached astaggering £14,500 at aGreat Central Ra ilwayana Au ct ions sale.
The loc o, along with classm ate1 000 1, we re des igned by thepre -Nationalisation London Midland and Scottish Railway as it saw the benefitsinturning to diesel traction to replacesteam.
500
The locowas rolled out of Derby Worksinlate 1947sportingLMS lettering, even though Nationalisation was imminent from January1,1948.
The previous record foraworksplate was£12,500 forone from the first Class 76EM1 1500V DC Woodhead electric loco6701, later 26000 Tommy,inNovember 2022.
The previous high foradiesel loco wasthatfromD0280 Falcon,the sole Class 53, laternumbered 1200. Aworksplate from this Brush trial locosold for£8500 in June2001.
Aworksplate from LMStrial loco10000 has sold forastaggering £14,500 at auction, anew record fora diesel locoworksplate. The LMS twins, 10000/001, pass Tebayin1950 with the RoyalScot, back in the dayswhen this train carried an impressiveheadboard. Rail Photoprints
IN BRIEF
With half of the Class 379 fleetnow in traffic on Great Northern lines forGTR,namely 379001/002/006/010/016/017/020/ 022-029, therehavebeen 11 Class 387s transferred to Southern so far, namely 387119/121/123/126129, 387301/302/305/306.
Atender hasbeen issued by Transport forWales forthe corrosion repairs, overhauls and repaint of three rakesofits Mk.4 coaches used between Swansea and Manchester/ Holyhead. The £8 million contract will last just under 2½ years, with deliveryexpected between September 15 and January31, 2028.
Class 47s visitedOban foronly the second time on July 4when West Coast Railways’ 47815 Great Western arrived on 1Z57, the 07.15 from Northallerton, via Saltburn. 47848 wasonthe rear On July 7, they returned on 1Z57, the 09.35 Oban-Middlesbrough, via the Settle and Carlisle line.
Freightlinersupported the Mid-Hants’ July 11-13 diesel gala by sending 66593 and 70002. The Class 66 wasworking its first accessible passenger train, while the 70 last worked in 2014. Freightliner also supplied 70017 for one day of the Keighley&Worth valley’sdiesel gala on June 22. 73140 will leavethe Spa Valley Railway fora newpermanent home at theLavender Line after it has worked at the line’s August diesel gala. One of the owners already owns the 3-CIG unit based at theLavender Line.
Class101 forNor th NorfolkRailway
THENORTH NorfolkRailway has expanded itsDMU fleetwith the arrival of Class101 51505onJune30. Previously at the Ecclesbourne ValleyRailway,the DMCL has been takenonlong-term loan from the EastAnglian RailwayMuseum and willincrease the versatility of the resident fleetasitwill allowa power-twin formation to be deployedinsteadofthe usual power-trailer combination.
Currently in BR blue with an experimental 1960s warp-round yellow cab, the Met-Cam requires repairsbefore it canbeused.
Meanwhile, Waggon und Maschinenbaurailbus 79960 returned to the Ribble SteamRailway on July 1tocontinue itsloanspell following itsmonth-long return to theNorth Norfolk forthe line’s 50th anniversarycelebrations.
Variousfates forpreserved coaches
UNRES TO RED MK . 1C orri d or C omposite1 5997 departed t he NorthNorfolk Railway on July 1, having been offered forsale last year but ultimately swapped fora setofB4bogies.
Delivered to the Mid-Norfolk Railwaylaterthatday,the coach remains
in as-withdrawn departmental condition, it having lastseen useinthe 1980sDoncaster Workstesttrain as ADB977054.
Aw eek l at er,s iste rC K 15943 departed Peak Rail bound foran engineering firm in the Leek area, itspar t ly co mp lete dresto rati on
having stalled, with BR blue/grey still carried in places
Mk.1SK25693 departed Ruddington on June 17, it initially headedtothe East LancashireRailway to be cosmetically prepared foruse on afilming contract. Also with anew home is Mk.157f suburban 43024, which arrived at the
The restoration of the North YorkshireMoor ’s Class101 set101685 has commenced withthe despatch of 53164 to Rampart Engineering at Barrow Hill. Transferred at the end of May,the DMBSisundergoing contractrepairsprior to returning to the line, afer which DMCL 53160 will makethe same journeyfor similar attention.
East Anglian RailwayMuseumonJuly 14. Acquired from theStrathspeyRailway, theComposite Lavatory requires extensiverestoration.
Meanwhile, Mk.2aTSO 5384 left theWensleydale RailwayonJuly2, going to theShildon yard of JDenham Metals forscrapping.
99001, looking at itsNo. 2end which houses the Cummins QSK50engine,while No.1end is thepantograph end. Pip Dunn
GBRf of iciallylaunchesits newClass 99
In June,the first twoofGBRf’sbrand-new Stadlerbi-mode Class99 locomotivesarrived in theUK. Railways Illustratedhasbeentosee them.
Inaspecial ceremony at itsPeterborough depotonJuly 17, GB Railfreight oficially showedofits brand-new StadlerClass 99 bi-modelocomotives to an audienceofmorethan 250 stakeholders, staf and the media.
99002 formed the backdrop for speeches by GBRfCEO John Smith OBE, AdamCunlife, CEO of Beacon Rail, Iñigo Parra, CEO of Stadler Valencia, and the MinisterofState at the Departmentfor Transport,LordPeter Hendy
John told the audiencethathis company wasmaking ahugeinvestment in the newlocos but felt ithad to because the longevity of Class 66s would be finite, and theynolonger metemission standards.
The ne wClass 99s, which cost £5 m i llion ea ch and hav eb een
financed through Beacon Rail,would allowittorevolutionise railfreight, cut itscarbon footprint,reducejourney times and improvereliability
He said: “With theClass 99, we are notjustkeeping pace with achanging network –weare shaping its future. This is the cleanest, greenestand fastestway yetto move freight by rail in the UK.”
GBRf bega ntalks with Stadler waybackinSeptember 2018 at the InnoTranstrade show in Berlin about what it couldofer. GBRf didnot want atri-mode Class 93 –a25kV AC loco with batteries and asmall diesel engine; it wanted asimple electrodiesel, although we call these bi-modes now, but onethathad enough grunt to work long distances
with aheavy load, even on anon-electrified route.
Thata nsw er wa st he Cla ss 99 Stadler Eurodual loco, anditwas a derivative of theClass 88/93, albeit aCo-Co as opposedtoa four-axle Bo-Bo.Italsohad aCummins engine, unlikethe Caterpillar unitsused by DRSand ROG in the 88s and93s.
Afer afew yearsinthe planning, in April 2022 GBRf signed adealfor an initial 30 Class 99s with an option for (atleast)20more. SomeinGBRf have already hinted the production run will exceed 50, although recent traffic downturns in somesectors might put thatonice fora while.
When asked at the event about an extrabatch of possibly adozen 99/1s with enhanced ETSand atop speed
of at least90mph forCaledonian Sleeper work,John gave awry smile andmerelymentioned the“contract for73/9s and92s wasdue to until 2030,”but also that“Transport for Scotland wasalso looking fornewer, lowercarbon traction.”
Whatisa Class 99?
The Class 99 has anominal electric powerof6.12MW (8200hp)@25kV AC 50Hz,which makes it the most powerful locomotiveevertorun on the UK. AClass 92 has 6760hp to play with when running on 25kV power, so the 99 has22% morepowerthan a Brush-built Class92thatdates from the early 1990s.
Previous electro-diesels, the Class 73s and morerecently the Class
88s only havesmall diesel engines whichare used for‘lastmile’ operations, working in yards, or as aget out of jail card should the electric powergoof. The 99, on the other hand, has adecent size,although it is aphysically surprisingly small diesel engine inside the 21.5m-long body–the1800kWCummins QSK50, rated 2415hp,making it aType 4, although the tractiveefort of a99isfar superior to any Type 4, past or present
The Class 99 uses much of the existing technologyStadler has previously incorporatedinits Eurodual locos sold around the globe. Obviously,it has amuch slimmer body to meet the UK loading gauge, althoughthat is based on the 93, which is in turn based on the 88
Thecabsand driver’s controlare based on the Class 88/93s, butthe convertorsand control traction equipment is from the Eurodual as well as the Class 88. The bogies arethe same. Inside, the diesel engine meets Stage5 emission ratings; the Class 66s areonly Stage3A, hencewhy theycan
no longer be builtdue to newer, lower emissions legislation.
At that InnoTransmeeting seven yearsago,GBRf engineering director Bob Tiller started talking to the diferent loco builders aboutwhatmight be possiblefor theUKmarketand GBRf’s needs. Abig issue wasthe orderquantities. Bombardier or Siemensweren’t interestedunlessthere wasaguaranteed order of 100-150 locos, something GBRf could notcommit to.
Butwiththe 93s alreadyinthe pipeline, therewas proof thatStadler could build forthe UKmarket and alsobuild smaller production runs. The 93s were, to adegree, aleg up forthe 99s.
GBRf thought the batteries forthe ‘last mile’ operation wasunnecessary. It also wanted thatbigger engine, hencethe six axleset-up.Thatmeans it’sthe same length as aClass 66, weighs 113 tonnes (14 tonnes lighter thana 66), and has a RouteAvailability of seven– again, the same as aClass 66.
The locomotives arebeingbuilt at theold Alstomfactory in Valencia in Spain, which also built theClass 93s (and the67s,68s and88s); the site wasacquiredfromAlstombyVossloh which passed on to Stadler
The first twolocomotives movedtothe Velim test track in the Czech Republic and then shipped to the UK and moved to the newpurpose-built depotatLeicestertoundergo testing. Anew four-road shed hasbeen constructed at theUKRL siteonthe old EWSdepotinthe city
The first Class 99 had been expected in the UK in October 2024, butitwas actually July when theyarrived. Stadler Rail Services will undertakethe maintenanceasGBRf feelsits strengthsis running trains, notmaintaining them.
Whatwork will the 99s do? Theywill work pretty much anything and ever ything aClass 66 (or 69) cando, so thatmeans intermodal
container trains, stock moves, sand trains… anything. Therewill, obviously some flows forwhich theyare preferredand indeed which66s will still be preferred –and those trains nowbeing handed over to regeared 66/6s will remain as such. But the 99s also haveahigher tractiveefort than a66/7. Therewill also be some flows wheretheyare used because the customer wantstoreduce itsown carbon footprint.
And of course their biggeststrength will be workingthose trains which have alot of theirjourneysunder 25kV AC wires –thereislittle point in tying up a 99 on ajob thatneeds adiesel throughout,but some of the intermodal trains
which areusing the WCML, GEML and ECML foralarge proportion of their journeyare tailor-made fora99. Theycan also run on HVO.
The original plan wasfor 30 75mph ‘no heat’locos,but nowithas been decided thatlocos 99021-030 will haveelectric train supply and twowill be ‘dedicated’ to the newBritannicExplorerluxury Belmond charter train and twotothe RoyalScotsman,sporting their respectiveliveries.These areexpectedtobe laterlocos, possibly 99027-030. 99003 is due in October and will havesome minor tweaks to the sizeand positioningofits logos and numbers. Then, from early 2026 two locosa monthare expected to be
Class 99 basic technical information
Locomotivetype
Axle arrangement Co-Co
Voltagesupply 25kV-50Hz
Electric power 6120kW (8200hp)
Diesel engine power 1800kW (2415hp)
Maximum speed 120km/h (option 140-154km/h*) 75-100mph*
Maximum starting tractiveefort 500kN (newwheels)
Continuous tractiveefort 430kN
Weight 113 tons RA7
Minimum radius curve in depots 100m
Length between bufers 21.500mm
Width 2.650mm
Height 3.860mm
Wheelbase 3600mm (1800+1800)
Engine Cummins QSK50
Traction motors Six asynchronous motors
Traction control Axle control
Electric braking Regenerative: up to 6000kW
Rheostatic: 1000-2000kW (TBC)
Wheel diameter(new/worn) 1.100mm/1020mm
Electric train supply (optional)* 1000V AC
Fuel tank >3000 litres
UREA (Adblue) tank >300 litres
*Versions available depending upon customer/operational reference.
On one of itsfirst outings on the main line fordynamic testing, 66313 Lucie passes Bramshall hauling 99001 and arakeofMk. 2 coaches as the 5Q41 CrewetoLeicesterLIP on June 25. Brad Joyce
delivered to Portbury, withsubsequentdeliveries of theinitial30 likely to end in late 2027. It is hoped thatlater deliveries will be literally docked and then move undertheir ownpowertoLeicester.
Morelocos?
Working the Caledonian Sleeper trai ni sb eing wi dely di scusse d, which could lead to an extension to the order ;possibly 99031-042 will be forthatwork,for which they will need ahigher topspeed, probably 90mph, but also uprated ETSto provideenough trainsupply to power atrain of 16 Mk.5s. These realistically could be 99/1s, and the 991xx number series has already been reservedwith the Rolling Stock Library, we aretold. Using a99for 1S25/1M15 would allowa99towork between Euston
and Inverness throughout with the p ortion sfor Aberd e e na nd Fo rt William detaching en route(and not necessarily at Edinburgh?)and being worked forwardbyexistingtraction The 99s arealready compliant to work with Mk.5s.
The Class 99 is amodular design –and one that canbebuilt to runat speeds up to 100mph, haveheadend powerondiesel and electric (ETS), and it could even haveatraction batterypackinplace of the diesel powerunit forfull electric bi-mode operation. In fact,should, as it inevitably will, the batter ytechnology improve, it may be thatthe Cummins diesel engine is replaced by batteries.
AClass 99 canhaul a2500-tonIntermodaltrain from Felixstowe to Ipswich at almost similar speed to Class 66. At Ipswich, the driver cancontinue
seamlessly under electric power, utilising 25kV all the wayuntil reaching non-electrified routes, when he drops the ‘pan’–whileonthe move or stationary–and continues to the destination. Thatcould gain abetter pathonthe GEML, which in turn would allowabetterpathonthe WCML.
Likewise, running 90% under the wireswon’t mean changing to adiesel forsome three-mile railhead line that isn’t wired, likethe London Gateway branch. Thatwill savetime and costs.
Thelocos also have improved adhesion performanceand enjoya high starting tractive efort, high power in electricmode, andahigh-performance electric brakewithenergy recovery.The three-axlebogie also ofersverylow track forces to keep track wear and tear to aminimum.
On arrival in the UK in mid-June, 99001 wastaken out ontothe network
to undergo dynamic ride tests, which is aNetwork Rail requirement beforeit could be signed of to run unassisted.
On June 23, 66313 Lucie towed 99001 and arakeofMk. 2coaches from LeicesterLIP to Creweand back.The next day, 66313 and 99001 worked back to Creweand then on to Carlisle, testswhich were repeated on June 26/27.
Thereafertheymade anumber of other testsbut had yettoventureout on the main line without aClass 66 or 47 chaperone. However, thefirst main line test runs wherethe 99 is poweringweredue to startonJuly21, just afer this issue of Railways Illustrated went to press, andevery night from Peterborough to Doncaster on the ECML. An insurancediesellocowas to be included in thetrains, butthe 99 would be working unassistedfor the first time.
No.1end of 99001. The first locos have no train supply and a75mph capability,but themodular design means they caneasilybechanged to 90 or 100mph if required. Some locoswill also appear in customer colours. Pip Dunn
On July 1, 99001/002 were out on theECML undertaking dynamic testsand even ventured intoPeterborough station. MarkBridel
The interior and driver’s desk of the cabin99002, which is very similar to thatofa Class 93. Pip Dunn
Therumourmill
Suggestions that89001 wouldbe ready to makeits first mainline test forLSL in July havebeen dismissed. “There’sstill alot to do on the loco,” says one source * Butitwill be cleared to places it rarely,ornever, went in itspreviously main line days, including Eustonand GlasgowCentral *With the 701 debacle, and it is adebacle, still ongoing, thereistalk thatthe five-carsetsmay nowbeusedbySouthernratherthan SWR * Issues with EMR’s810s overheating while on test means their entryintotrafic could be put back, which could havesevererepercussions forLumo,which is waitingin the wings forsome Class 222s to become free *Class 66swill work
the Britannic Explorer for“justtwo years,”and then Class99s will take over * The first 10 Class 99s with ETScouldstillhave99/0s numbers –99021-030 –but anew sub-class could be in the ofing; we see no reason why 99/1or99/4s could notbeused *The plan foradozen moreClass 99s with higher output ETShas notbeen discounted.“We could run the sleeper throughout from Inverness to Eustonwith one loco,”says an insider* The arrival of Class99s will seeGBRf’sten 60s likely to be binned… *…Andpossibly some 66/7s as well * But as that is some wayofjustyet.GBRf is to take four Class20s –but on hire, notan outright purchase – foruse
on RHTT turns. *But from whom? 20142/189 and 20007/ 205 fr om theOwen/Romiccamps remains oneoption. * Or couldtheycome from Swietelsky? 20302/311 are alrea dy go od to go,b ut co uld 20303/305/309 be battered back to main line co mpliancea nd resurrected? *Oreven20314? * But if GBRf takesSwietelsky’s 20s, wheredoes thatleave Rail Adventurewhen it needs hired in traction? *It’snot lookinggood for the 37/0s in the Swietelsky fleet we hear,but 37424 is next to be fettled * DB Cargo has scrapped plans to regear fivemoreClass 66s, while some in the planningofficeare calling forsome 60s to return.
Really? *Freightliner is still interestedinpossible hiring Class 93s * Could therebea Type 3for 4 hydraulic swap between tworailways both with strong WR connections? *There could also be some locos leaving Peak Rail soon * Could Nemesis Rail really be on the verge of sending 37255 forscrap? *WCR may scrap the second ‘The Jacobite’ trip –and even relinquish thepath? * Talk of WCR taking HSTs is still being mooted, but itsseems Romic “has plans”for the twosetsthat were at heritage railways* Could Italian exiled Class 03, 03156, be on itsway back home. Talk is it’salready landed at the NYMR, but therailway denies it….
Thenewsyou probably haven’theard yet…
compiled
by Ar tieJustsits
Shock as Deltic runs without any headbords… in public!
TheDelticPreservationSociety has launched an investigation afer one of itslocos wasseen hauling atrain without asingle headboard. The incident occurred at arecent Great Central Railway diesel gala, when 55019 RoyalHighland Fusilier was seen without the mandatory plethoraofheadboards,some of which mean absolutely nothing to the majority of passengers.
The DPSapologised forthis oversight and is putting procedures in place to ensurenoClass 55, even when satonshedorinbitsundergoing overhaul, is ever allowedtobe seen again without aheadboard.
It has arranged ad ea ltotake thecab from scrappedclassmate 55021, which will be the test bed fordeveloping anew system that will prevent driversfromapplying powerifatleast twoheadboardsare notinplace.
It is also lookingatadding an extra fivelamp irons to each nose end of its three locomotives to allowmaximum headboard coverage,although there arefears from some in the engineering department,who feel this could makethe locomotives overweight,and they have requestedthattheystick to a‘three boards only’ policy, although theremustbeanequal number at each end to keep theweighteven.
ADPS spokesman said:“We canonly apologise that 55019 didn’t at leastrun with awinged thistle headboardonits recent GCR run and we willensure such nakedness will neverhappen again.”
Deathrow ‘better than NewStreet’ Asur veyofpassengershas found 85% think being on Texas’sDeath Rowispreferable to changing trains at Birmingham NewStreet.
It seems living a6fx9fcell for23 hoursaday in soaring heat with no air-con and awful food andalooming date with aneedle and some highly poisonous chemicals is better than trying to getfromPlatform 3b to Platform 9a at the world’sworst station.
One passenger said: “Well, at least on deathrow,the food is better than aPumpkin coffee shop,and you won’thavetochangeplatformthree times due to platform alterations announced at the lastminute.You probably haveagreater lifeexpectancyaswell…”
Railtour promoter‘pleased’ with NR planning team’s idea of a‘path’ Acharter promoterisecstatic with the revelation thatNetwork Rail hasbeen abletopathits latest train to coverthe 30 miles from Burton to Birmingham NS in only 101 minutes.
“Considering we only asked to stop at Tamworth, to getsuch apath is pretty impressivebyNetwork Rail, and the 27 minutes we spend held at ared signal fora non-existent ‘as required freight train’tonot pass in front of us at WhitacreJunction is a sublime pieceofplanning. And looking at the sceneryinElfordloop for 15 minutessurelyhas to be ahighlight forany passenger on the train.”
The Burton to Paignton train took 8½ hourstoget to itsDevon destination, wher ep unter se njo ye d a25-minutebreak in therain, 22 of whichwerespent queuingfor icecream.
Ma ns pe nd s£ 11 ko nB ri ta nn ic Explorer trip for‘dud’ 66 haulage An enthusiastisdismayedtohavespent £11,000for acabin on the Britannic Explorer to get66748 ‘inhis haulage book’– only to endurea ‘massively dud’ 66744 forseven days, visiting places he neverreally wanted to go to in the first placeastheyhad no craf ale microbreweries justa45-minutewalk away HenryMcMordie, from Lufenham, needed the dedicated66748 forhaulage, and as he lives at home with his mum and has no outgoings other than spendingmoney on countless railtours, galas, foreign bashing trips andobscure real ales, decided it wasthe safestway to gethis ‘big winner’inhis haulagebook It wasn’t all in vain, however, as two weeks later, 748 appeared on the Fort William sleeper and he wasableto travel up to Dumbarton to haveitall the waytoDalmuir.Job Done! Annoyingly forMrMcMordie wasthe revelation thatthe following week’s BE wasworkedby‘winners’ 66314 and 66315.
RAIL ART 2025
Coaching Stock News
Transport forWalesrepairs
damagedMk. 4coaches
Following the levelcrossing collision near LeominsteronMay 22 that involved Transport forWales Mk.4set HD02, damaged DVT82229was transferred by road from CrewetoWorksop in early June. Amonth lateritwas still in the yard with itscab sheeted over, awaiting repairs. The twoMk. 4 coaches thatwereimmediately adjacent to it in the set, 11324 and 12447, subsequently made the same journeyfor drawgearrepairs
DB disposals
All the remaining vehicles from DB Cargo’s company train havebeen disposed of following the sale of ‘s leeper ’1 0546 to Lo co mo ti ve Ser vices earlier in theyearand its transfer to Crewe. On June 17,silver DVT82146 wasremoved from Toton
by road to the AtterclifeyardofEuropean MetalRecyclingtoawait scrapping, while July 9saw 66315 haul FO 11039 from TotontoStewartsLane afer it wasacquired by Belmond. The fate of former bufet 10211 wasstill to confirmedatthe time of writing, it having lef Totonby road on about thesamedate.
LSLadditions
Former Virgin ‘Pretendolino’Mk. 3a bufet 10212 wasfinally released from Eastleigh Works onJune 24, returningtoCrewe behind 57002 Winston Churchill.Repainted in InterCity colourslastyear, it wasimmediately put to work by LocomotiveServices, being included in the Three Peaks charity train to Bangor,Ravenglass and Fort William.
Also collectedfromArlington at the same time wasanother long-term
Liveries
Repaintstomark the ongoing Railway200 celebrations continueto makeh ea dlines, none mores o than the debut of the Inspiration exhibition train formed of five Mk.3 coaches. With GB Railfreight having already repainted 66710 to haul the train, it wasjoined by classmate 66719 in late June, itsmatching all-red liver yonceagain being applied by Arlington FleetServices at Eastleigh.
DB Cargo’s contribution to the festivitieshas seen 66200 receive standardred an dg re yatToton but with the addition of Railway 200 branding.
As detailed lastissue, 66748 has been selecte da st he dedicated locof or the Britannic Ex plor er and thisappearedfromEastleigh in matching blue liver yatthe end of June.
Meanwhile, 91105 has received colourful pictorial vinyls overmuch of itsLNER liver ytomark the50th anniversar yofthe National RailwayMuseum, these being diferent on each side.
Indeed,the useofvinylscontinues to create ne wl oo ks am ong the multiple unit fleet, with Northern’s 158844 nowfinished in an attractive two-tone blue livery to promotethe reopened Northumberland Line.
Notsoclassy arethe numerous graphics applied to the blue livery of Lumo’s 803004 to promote the
resident in Mk.1 BSK35333, this havingreceivedanextensive overhaul and repaint intocarmine and cream.
Mk.3 news
Acquired by Eastern Rail Ser vices, Mk.3bufet 40728 wasdelivered to GreatYarmouth by road on about June 21, it having latterly been in storeatBurton followingits use as a test coach by DATS on Midland Main Line electrification trials.
Meanwhile, former CrossCountr ytrailers44021 and 45001 were returned to storeatthe Mid-Norfolk Railway by 43468 and 43480 on June 15 following their trip to Scotland on a filming job earlier in the month.
With afresh coat of GWRgreen applied,RFM 10225was returned to Reading depotfromEastleigh by 50008 Thunderer on June 14, with similarly repainted sleeper 10534
Locos
Britannic Explorer: 66748
DB Cargo with Railway 200 branding: 66200
DRSblue with GBRf logos: 57303
LNER NRM 50th anniversary: 91105
Railway 200 red: 66719 Units
making the same journeyonJune 28, thistimebehind 50049 Defiance On July 8, 10590 wasdispatched to Eastleigh forits turn, D6515 Lt Jenny Lewis RN being the motivepower this time.
‘The Jacobite’ swap
The latest exchangeofvehicles between Carnforth and Fort William for‘TheJacobite’ operation saw 37685 Loch Arkaig and 37518 Fort William head north on June 27 with Mk.2SO 5229,Mk. 2b TSO5487 andMk. 2f FO 3326. Twodays later, 47826 and 57315 worked back south with twoair-cons in the form of FOs3350 and 3417.
Translatordisposal
With translatorcoaches increasingly out of favour in preferencetosuitably equipped locomotives, converted Mk.1s6376 and 6377 made their final journeyonJune 19, having lain out of use at Leicesterdepotfor some time. 66314 Katie and 66776 Joanne were provided to top-and-tail theduo to EMR’sAtterclifeyardfor scrapping.
late st Smurf sm ov ie, w hile c2 c
‘Electrostar’ 357016 has lostits blue British Transport Policegarb following repainting at Ilford.
Las t ly,a ll of Ne tw ork Ra il ’s videosur veyClass 153s nowcarry the light blue liver yfollowing the repainting of 153379.
Preser ved43023 has also been repainted back intothe original BR InterCity 125 liveryofthe mid-1970s at the Colne Valleyrailway
c2c: 357016
EastMidlands Railway purple: 158866
GWRgreen: 150219
London Overgroundrevised: 378207/218
Lumo with Smurfsgraphics: 803004
Network Rail blue: 153379
Northumberland Line two-tone blue: 158844
Southeastern blue: 376015/016/020/033 Coaches
BR carmine/cream: 35333
Railway 200 Inspiration: 10406, 11092/093, 11101, 96371
