PRESERVATION
A1A Locomotives to build shed at Butterley Purpose-built facility should open next summer with space for four Class 31s. PLANNING permission has been granted for A1A Locomotives Ltd to construct a shed on the Swanwick site at the Midland Railway – Butterley. Work on clearing the land prior to levelling and piling has already taken place, after which construction work on the two-road building will be carried out. It is hoped to have work completed by June 2015. A1A Locomotives is one of a growing number of diesel groups that are investing in purpose-built accommodation for its fleet of locos. In 2003, the Deltic Preservation Society
constructed a depot at Barrow Hill, and the SRPS Diesel Group has a similar facility at Bo’ness. A diesel shed project is also underway at the Severn Valley Railway, and this is a joint effort by a consortium of loco owners and the railway itself. Building work is due to start before the end of this month.
WORK ON CLASS 31/4 TO BE COMPLETED
The construction of the new facility at Swanwick will enable A1A Locomotives to complete the rebuilding of ‘skinhead’ No. 31418. The loco, which entered
preservation in 1993, joined the A1A fleet in 2002. Although much work has been carried out since then, it is currently stored in the Princess Royal Class Locomotive Trust’s shed. Although A1A Locomotives owns four Class 31s, not all are normally on site at the Midland Railway – Butterley, and one example is normally outbased at the Nene Valley Railway. Since 2009, this has been No. 31108, but, following its movement to the NVR for the gala in late September, it has now been replaced by No. 31271. A1A’s fourth loco, No. 5580, is presently operating at Ruddington.
DIESEL DIARY
Barrow Hill to hold ‘Rarities’ diesel event in 2015 A MAJOR diesel event returns to Barrow Hill in 2015, with the roundhouse staging a ‘Rarities’ gala on April 18/19. Full information will be available in due course, but the event is planned to feature representatives of classes rarely seen at Barrow Hill. A late addition to the 2014 programme is an event at the Swindon & Cricklade Railway on October 18-19. Classes 03, 08, 09 and 73 should all be in action along with the line’s Class 207 DEMU. The East Lancashire Railway has an Eastern Region theme day on November 8, with two visitors (Nos. 31466 and 55019 Royal Highland Fusilier) expected to be in action along with appropriate locos from the home fleet. This event could be the last chance to travel behind Brush Type 4 No. D1501 for some time, as it is due to be stopped for a top end power unit overhaul before the end of 2014. At the end of the year, the Mid-Norfolk Railway is holding a Christmas diesel event, with free mince pies on offer and the possibility of visiting traction.
Diesel Galas October 18-19: Battlefield Line October 18-19: Swindon & Cricklade October 19: Buckinghamshire Railway Centre October 24-26: Spa Valley Railway (Beer festival) November 8: East Lancashire Railway (Theme Day) November 8-9: South Devon Railway December 27-28: Bo’ness & Kinneil Railway December 27-28: Mid Norfolk Railway
Mixed traction December 29-30: Gloucestershire-Warwickshire Railway
2015 events March 27-29: Mid Norfolk Railway April 18-19: Barrow Hill May 8-10: Swanage Railway June 12-14: North Norfolk Railway July 17-19: Wensleydale Railway July 24-26: Gloucestershire-Warwickshire Railway September 10-12: Mid Norfolk Railway October 10-11: Gloucestershire-Warwickshire Railway
DMU buffet back in action A CLASS 111 centre car has been returned to its original function after more than 40 years of alternative use as hauled stock, static display, or out of action. Trailer Buffet Second Lavatory (TSLRB) No. 59575, which was withdrawn from normal service at South Gosforth in July 1973, undertook its first public runs since its restoration on September 13, operating services on the Great Central Railway sandwiched between power car Nos. 50321 and 51427. After withdrawal by British Rail in 1973, No. 59575 – which is the only survivor of six such vehicles ever built – was purchased by the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway, where it was used as hauled stock until it passed to the Manchester Museum of Science & Industry as a static buffet. It was sold to MC Metals for scrap in 1995 but acquired for preservation before cutting took place. Following spells at the Mid-Norfolk Railway and Butterley, it was sold again to its current owners and moved to the Great Central Railway in 2006. Much work has been undertaken, including the rebuilding of the interior after asbestos removal. Further work is still required to complete the buffet counter area. No. 59575 is one of only three surviving DMU buffet cars and the only one to operate this century. Of the other two, Class 120 No. 59276 is also at the Great Central Railway but has been stored out of use at Swithland sidings since the late 1990s. The third vehicle is Class 126 No. 79443, which is undergoing a major rebuild at Bo’ness. It was stripped to a shell during asbestos removal at the NYMR in 1994 and is still some way off being completed.
UKRL LOCO VISITS NENE VALLEY:
Taking part in the Nene Valley Railway’s diesel gala on September 27/28 was Type 5 No. 56081, which is now owned by spot hire firm UK Rail Leasing. The loco has been repainted in Railfreight grey livery, making an incongruous sight at the head of the line’s continental rake of stock heading for Peterborough at Longueville Junction Crossing on September 28. Colin Pottle
November 2014 RAIL EXPRESS 35