Railways Illustrated October 2022 (Preview)

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DELAYED AGAIN

TWO DECADES OF

LES ROSS THE RAILWAY WORLD – PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE

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£4.95 Issue 236 October 2022

Feel the Noise!

The ‘loud and proud’ preserved Class 31s

Model Spot Bachmann OO Gauge DBSOs

PLUS Rail Operations’ first Class 93 bodyshell is completed The end of the second-generation EMU era Heritage events continue to attract the crowds Happy 60th birthday to pioneer Class 47 D1500

Locomotive Services launches Friday Charter to London Euston

Welcome to Railways Illustrated

The sums simply don’t add up to me!

D

espite all the doom-and-gloom predictions about the post-pandemic rail recovery following the advent of working from home and predicted changes in travel patterns, the news that rail usage on the national network in mid-July is reaching 92-93% of pre-pandemic passenger levels is surely something to be welcomed.

While the recent rail strikes have been undoubtedly disruptive for rail users, the most recent Department for Transport figures prove that far from abandoning our railways, commuters and leisure travellers have returned and that confidence in the sector is strong once again.

What is concerning, therefore, is that service levels are still greatly reduced compared to those we enjoyed prior to the first lockdown in March 2020.

In theory, this means that more people are now being carried on fewer services, as the railway tries desperately to save costs and the DfT seeks to recoup some of the funds ploughed into it during the pandemic, when scores of trains were running around the country carrying very few passengers or none at all.

Before the arrival of coronavirus, our railways were enjoying something of a boom, with confidence in the sector at an all-time high and bold plans for growing the sector and investing in rail like never before. Now we appear to be running to standstill.

We all understand that Government support for the railway – and other public transport networks – during the pandemic was financially huge, but it was necessary.

There needs to be more focus on re-establishing pre-pandemic service levels as soon as possible to prevent it sinking under the level of demand.

It also has to be hoped that all parties – from senior Government, Network Rail, and train operating companies – get around the table with the various trade unions and try to reach a workable resolution to bring the current strikes to an end.

Far from being resolved, the stalemate continues, and I suspect the ongoing Conservative leadership contest – the winner of which is due to be revealed the day before this issue of Railways Illustrated goes on sale – isn’t helping to bring the strikes to an end, with a cabinet reshuffle imminent and ministers not knowing if they will still be in the same job in early September.

Under normal circumstances, I avoid political issues and opinions in this magazine, but only the intervention of the Government can address the need for investment in both the railway and its increasingly demotivated workforce. Our railway and its staff deserve to be treated better.

Coming up in this issue

As ever, this issue of Railways Illustrated is packed with all the latest news and developments from the national rail network and our heritage railways.

Also this month, Richard Clinnick takes a look at the second-generation British Rail EMU fleets that are now nearing the end of their working lives, as well as some of those that have recently disappeared from the rail network. Already this year, we have bid farewell to the South Western Railway Class 456s, Southern’s Class 455s, and, recently, the last of Greater Anglia’s Class 317s.

With several other fleets likely to follow them into the history books over the next few months, the advice to enthusiasts is to get them while you can. Their withdrawal can be swift when it finally arrives and once they are gone, they are likely to be gone forever.

Another once-common design now – largely – absent from the main line is the Class 31. With the oldest example now more than 65 years old, the Class 31s are remarkable for being unremarkable, but they are a solidly-built locomotive that still have a strong following.

Thankfully, we are fortunate that a large number of Class 31s survived beyond privatisation and we still have a healthy number in service throughout our network of heritage railways. In this issue we chart the survivors and look at what the future may hold for these versatile and popular workhorses.

Another significant anniversary falls in September, when this issue of Railways Illustrated goes on sale, for it is now 60 years since the first Brush Type 4 locomotive, D1500, emerged from Falcon Works in Loughborough and was delivered to British Rail.

A total of 511 followed D1500 out of both Loughborough and BR’s Crewe Works over a six-year period, making it the largest and arguably the most successful locomotive design to operate on the BR network.

Thanks to the 47401 Project, the pioneer Class 47 survives in preservation, based on the Midland Railway – Butterley. In this issue, Richard Clinnick looks back at the BR and preservation career of the locomotive to commemorate this significant anniversary.

An apology

Sometimes in the world of magazine production, things don’t always go to plan – and that was certainly the case with the last issue of Railways Illustrated. Never one to try and cover up any mistakes, I’m not afraid to admit that a couple of errors crept into the last issue of the magazine, for which I apologise.

Due to reasons beyond our control, we were unable to bring you the feature about Eastern

Rail Services and its collection of rolling stock based at Vauxhall Carriage Sidings in Great Yarmouth. A problem with the planned feature cropped up late in the production process and an alternative feature on the history of the Class 57 fleet, which was ready and awaiting publication, was hastily substituted.

However, both the editorial in the last issue and Richard Clinnick’s The Social Side column made mention of the ERS feature being contained in the issue when it actually wasn’t. I apologise to any readers who may have been confused and accept responsibility for the error.

The issues surrounding the ERS feature have now been resolved and Richard Clinnick’s excellent feature on this fascinating company will now appear in the next issue of Railways Illustrated, which is on sale from October 6.

Promise.

I also must apologise to Steve Sienkiewicz, whose photograph of Class 40 D345 at Boltonle-Sands was published on page 37 of the last issue but with a caption for another photograph submitted by Terry Eyres of the locomotive between Frodsham and Helsby. To redress the balance, Terry’s photo appears elsewhere in this issue and my apologies to both Steve and Terry for the mix-up with the photos.

Tell me about it

I recently received an email from someone asking why an event had not been featured in a recent issue of this magazine. The answer was simple – I wasn’t aware of it.

We have a great team of writers and photographic contributors, but we can’t possibly know about every event taking place on the national rail network or in the preservation sector.

While a number of train workings and heritage diesel events will always guarantee a good response from contributors, not all of them do – particularly those taking place on lines that aren’t usually featured in these pages.

Railways Illustrated is always pleased to cover news and events from standard gauge railways, rail infrastructure, current-day operations, and heritage modern traction preservation. If you are organising an event or have some suitable news to share, please feel free to get in touch with full details and I will try to give it sufficient coverage in these pages. I can be contacted at rieditor@mortons.co.uk and always welcome information useful to our readers.

Andy Coward Editor

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October 2022 RAILWAYS ILLUSTRATED

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On Sale Date: First Thursday of the month This Issue On Sale: September 1, 2022 Next Issue On Sale: October 6, 2022 EDITOR: Andy Coward 01507 529566 ART EDITOR: Kelvin Clements PAGE DESIGNERS: Tim Pipes, Charlotte Fairman, Mike Baumber PUBLISHER: Tim Hartley PUBLISHING DIRECTOR: Dan Savage EDITORIAL ADDRESS: Railways Illustrated, Mortons Media Ltd, PO Box 99, Horncastle, Lincs LN9 6LZ WEBSITE: www.railwaysillustrated.com EMAIL: rieditor@mortons.co.uk CONTRIBUTORS: Alex Ayre, Steven Barker, Simon Bendall, Paul Biggs, David Bissett, Ben Bucki, Phil Chilton, Paul Clark, Richard Clinnick, Spencer Conquest, Kevin Delaney, Steve Donald, Kevin Dowd, Pip Dunn, Gordon Edgar, Ian Edmondson, Terry Eyres, Robert Falconer, Darren Ford, Chris Gee, David Goodyear, John Hales, Neil Harvey, Martyn Hilbert, Chris Hopkins, Andrew Jeffery, Brad Joyce, Steve Lee, Martin Loader, Tom McAtee, Andy Mason, Chris Milner, Graham Nuttall, Billy Palmer, Nick Palmer, Dean Parsons, Keith Partlow, Bill Pizer, Rob Reedman, Lee Robbins, Steve Sienkiewicz, David Staines, Martyn Tattam, Colin Wallace, Ben Warren, Andrew Watts, Ben Wheeler

Contents Regulars 3 Welcome 6 News 20 Fleet Review 28 Heritage News 38 What’s Happening To …

44 From the Front Coach 48 The Social Side 78 Book & Product Reviews 80 Railwayana

FRONT COVER: In this issue of Railways Illustrated we take a look at the Class 31s which have found their way into preservation on our various heritage lines. One of the most colourful survivors is EWS-liveried 31466, which is pictured leaving Mytholmes Tunnel on the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway while working the 16.20 Oxenhope to Keighley service on May 27, 2012. Phil Chilton

ADVERTISING Advertising representatives Craig Amess 01507 529537 camess@mortons.co.uk Fiona Leak 01507 529573 fleak@mortons.co.uk Group advertising manager Sue Keily skeily@mortons.co.uk CUSTOMER SERVICES General Queries and Back Issues 01507 529529 Monday-Friday 8.30am-5pm Answerphone 24H help@classicmagazines.co.uk www.classicmagazine.co.uk MORTONS MEDIA GROUP LTD Sales and Distribution Manager Carl Smith Marketing Manager Charlotte Park Commercial Director Nigel Hole ARCHIVE Enquiries Jane Skayman 01507 529423 jskayman@mortons.co.uk Origination and Printing Printed at Acorn Web Offset Ltd, Normanton, West Yorkshire Distribution Seymour Distribution Ltd, 2 Poultry Avenue, London, EC1A 9PU Enquiries Line: 0207 429 4000 EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS Contributions to this magazine should be clearly typed and ideally sent by email. Please contact the editor by email with any possible feature ideas before submission. Photographs submitted to Railways Illustrated are accepted on the basis that they are the copyright property of the person submitting them, or after they have received suitable permission from the copyright owner. Opinions expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the editor, or publisher. ©MORTONS MEDIA GROUP LTD All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage retrieval system without prior permission in writing from the publisher.

Advertising Deadline: September 15, 2022 4 RAILWAYS ILLUSTRATED October 2022

50 End of an electric era

56 The preserved Class 31s

A number of British Rail-built secondgeneration electric multiple units are facing extinction as the modernisation of our railway network continues.

Richard Clinnick takes a look at the EMU fleets that have disappeared recently, as well as those facing elimination over the next few months.

56 The preserved Class 31s

With a fleet size of almost 300 locomotives, it was inevitable that a number of Class 31s would find salvation in the preservation sector. Although several previouslypreserved Class 31s have since been scrapped, they are still one of the best represented heritage modern traction locomotive designs to survive. Andy Coward looks at the survivors.

62 10 Pictures: Chris Gee

Another eclectic and varied selection of images showing our railway

68 Happy anniversary, D1500!

A subscri ption to

68 Happy anniversary, D1500!

The Class 47 is, arguably, the most successful design of British Rail modern traction locomotive fleet. September marks the 60th anniversary of the emergence of the pioneer locomotive D1500 from Falcon Works in Loughborough. Richard Clinnick examines the BR working life and preservation career of this historic locomotive.

72 Model Spot

SU

50 End of an electric era

network at its very best. This month’s 10 Pictures features the excellent photography of Railways Illustrated regular contributor Chris Gee, who combines his love of walking and photography to capture some stunning images.

VE SA

Features

IBE AN R C D BS

This month Simon Bendall looks at the Bachmann OO Gauge DBSOs, focussing on the recently released Direct Rail Services example, to see how they measure up.

offers gre at saving s on the price. Se cover e pages 3 6 and 37 for detail s.

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The easiest and cheapest way to get your copy of Railways Illustrated each month is to take out a subscription. Full details are on page 36-37. At the moment, a subscription by Direct Debit means you will beat any price rises, you usually receive the magazine earlier than the onsale date, and you won’t miss an issue.

THIS PAGE: DB Cargo’s 60015 brings a splash of colour to the coastal landscape as it hauls 6P55 through Hawthorn, working from Sunderland Docks to Tees Yard on July 13. Alex Ayre

NEWS

Rail Operations’ first Class 93 bodyshell is completed

THE COMPLETED bodyshell for the first Class 93 tri-mode locomotive being constructed by Stadler at Valencia for Rail Operations Group was unveiled at the end of July.

This now allows Stadler to begin work on installing the components and sub-systems required by the locomotives, including pipework, cabling, traction systems and other equipment.

Rail Operations (UK) and Stadler signed a framework agreement in 2021 for 30 Class 93s, with an initial batch of 10 ordered.

The Class 93 is a ‘Bo-Bo’ mixed-traffic locomotive based on Stadler’s Class 68 and Class 88s, which were built for Direct Rail Services and have been operating successfully in the UK for several years.

The Class 93 design is the first tri-mode locomotive to be built for the UK rail market and the first designed by Stadler.

The locomotives will be able to operate using overhead electrification in battery mode as well as a diesel engine.

They will be able to operate at speeds of up to 110mph, as opposed to the top speeds of 100mph for the Class 68s and Class 88s.

The completed bodyshell for 93001 is seen at Stadler’s plant in Valencia. The locomotive is expected to arrive in the UK next spring, ahead of an entry into traffic later in the year. Stadler

The Class 93s will feature an innovative hybrid coupler which will enable coupling via a draw hook and through automatic coupling.

Operating in electric mode, the locomotive can run on 25kV AC overhead lines. They also feature a Stage V 900 kW-engine and two Lithium Titanate Oxide traction battery packs, allowing them to be used on

non-electrified lines. The battery packs provide 400 kW of extra power to supplement the engine when the locomotives are running in diesel/ battery hybrid mode. Additionally, the battery modules can also work alone, enabling carbon-free operations.

Stadler says the advanced locomotives will significantly reduce exhaust

gas emissions, supporting net zero targets set in the UK. It is understood that 93001 is due to be completed by Stadler during October and will then undergo a period of testing, which is expected to take about four months, and this will be carried out in Valencia.

It is expected that 93001/002 will arrive in the UK in early March. The locomotives will undergo further testing and commissioning at Loram in Derby, although as the Class 93 design is similar to Direct Rail Services’ Class 88s, the process for acceptance into traffic is not expected to be complicated.

Rail Operations (UK) group president Karl Watts said: “We’ve been working with Stadler for four years now to specify and design a locomotive for the future. The end product, the Class 93 tri-mode, is a locomotive of great operating versatility, incredible energy efficiency, and packed full of technology which not only allows us to transform UK train operations but lead the way in UK rail decarbonisation. The locomotive also enables Rail Operations UK to penetrate new operating markets, in particular express freight, previously unavailable using its existing locomotive fleet.”

Northern’s 150269 makes an unusual sight as it crosses Porthkerry Viaduct on the Vale of Glamorgan line, working 2E48, the 17.41 Cardiff Central to Bridgend Transport for Wales service. TfW has loaned two Class 150 DMUs – the other being 150270 – from Northern after two TfW Class 150s were damaged in an incident at Cravens Arms in May (Railways Illustrated issue 234). Dean Parsons

6 RAILWAYS ILLUSTRATED October 2022

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NEWS

Diesel locomotives replace steam during heatwaves

DRS is currently in the process of disposing of its remaining Class 37s, although 10 of the locomotives are being sold on a leaseback arrangement to allow them to be used on Network Rail RHTT services in the autumn. In August, 37425 Sir Robert McAlpine/Concrete Bob was on hire to Colas Rail and is seen at Stockport on August 4, working 1Q44, the 21.00 Crewe to Derby Network Rail test train. Tom McAtee

The wait goes on for DRS Class 37 leaseback

AS THIS issue of Railways Illustrated closed for press, there had been no announcement on the results of the recent Direct Rail Services locomotive tender, which saw the company offering 12 Class 37s and 57002 Rail Express for sale.

Although DRS is disposing of 37069, 37602 and 57002 as outright sales, the remaining Class 37s – 37218, 37401/402/407/419/422-425, 37716 – were being offered by the freight operator on a sale and leaseback arrangement.

The deal will see the locomotives sold but then hired back by DRS to honour its autumn railhead

treatment train (RHTT) duties for the duration of its contract with Network Rail. Maintenance of the locomotives would pass to the new owner of the fleet as part of the leaseback arrangement.

Of the Class 37s available for sale and leaseback, 37407 Blackpool Tower is stored at Carlisle Kingmoor, while 37423 Spirit of the Lakes is on static display at Crewe Heritage Centre, with both removed from traffic in February this year. The other locomotives are still active but have not seen much use in recent weeks, although 37425 Sir Robert McAlpine/ Concrete Bob is on hire to Colas Rail.

AFTER THE record temperatures recorded in the UK in July and the disruption this brought to the rail network (Railways Illustrated issue 235), the hot spell continued throughout the first half of August.

Despite a period of wet weather in late July, the temperatures started rising again in August, leading to droughts being announced in various parts of the country due to falling water levels in reservoirs and parched ground conditions.

Although the effects of the latest heatwave on the railway have not been as disruptive as those experienced in mid-July, the dry ground conditions saw Network Rail ban

the use of steam locomotives on the main line due to the higher risk of lineside fires.

Additionally, many of our heritage railways chose to remove steam locomotives from their operational rosters, again due to the risk of lineside fires on tinder-dry ground, with diesel locomotives replacing their steam counterparts on heritage lines across the country.

As this issue closed for press, temperatures had fallen and rain and thunderstorms brought some relief from the hot weather. However, the initial rainfall on August 16 brought ground flooding to some areas, affecting some railway lines.

West Coast Railways 33029 and 33025 were employed on the ‘West Somerset Steam Express’ tour on August 13, replacing the Bahamas Locomotive Society’s Stanier 4-60 Jubilee steam locomotive 45596 Bahamas, which had originally been booked to work the tour. 33029 and 33025 await departure from Minehead station on the West Somerset Railway with 1Z51 to London Paddington. Lee Robbins

No end in sight as rail disputes continue AUGUST SAW further strikes take place across the rail network, with no end in sight for the ongoing dispute involving members of the RMT, ASLEF and TSSA unions, bringing widespread disruptions on a number of days throughout the month as rail workers walked out in disputes around pay, changes to working conditions and the protection of railway staff from the threat of redundancy.

Members of the RMT went on strike on July 27, with further strikes taking place on August 18 and 20. In addition ASLEF members employed by a large number of train operators

walked out on July 30 and August 13.

TSSA members also went on strike on August 18 and 20.

Although many scheduled timetabled services were cancelled across the country during the August 13 ASLEF strike, a number of charter trains were operated, with these unaffected by the dispute.

At the time this issue closed for press, no further strike dates had been announced, but with no resolution announced by either the unions, Network Rail or the various train operating companies involved in the disputes, further strike dates are expected.

LEFT: The only train to work in Cornwall on August 13 was Locomotive Services Group’s popular Midland Pullman HST, which was operating the ‘Cornish Coastal Pullman’ from Eastleigh to Penzance. The train, headed by power car 43046 Geoff Drury 1930-1999 comes off Weston Mill Viaduct, with 43047 on the rear of the train – the first appearance of 43047 on the Midland Pullman since it was repainted into the attractive blue and white livery. David Goodyear

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October 2022 RAILWAYS ILLUSTRATED 7

NEWS

InterCity Tours is operating a series of weekly trains over four Friday afternoons in August and September. The trains will run between Crewe and London Euston, with a later London Euston to Manchester Piccadilly service, with the trains being promoted as ‘The Friday Charter’. On December 12, 2020, 90002 Wolf of Badenoch hauls the InterCityliveried Mk.3 coaches through Bay Horse in torrential rain. John Hales

LSG launches ‘The Friday Charter’ to and from Euston

LOCOMOTIVE SERVICES Group’s subsidiary charter company InterCity is running a series of four weekly afternoon charter services along the West Coast Main Line between Crewe, London Euston and Manchester Piccadilly.

‘The Friday Charter’ is scheduled to run every Friday afternoon for four weeks between August 19 (just after this issue closed for press) and September 9.

The southbound service leaves Crewe at 14.29, running non-stop to London Euston with a scheduled arrival time in the capital of 16.12.

Heading north, the train departs London Euston at 17.27, calling to set down passengers at Birmingham International (18.40 arrival), Birmingham New Street (18.54), Wolverhampton (19.14), Stafford (19.40), Crewe (20.04) and Wilmslow (20.24), before arriving in Manchester Piccadilly at 20.45. It is only possible to join the train at Crewe heading south and London Euston for northbound passengers.

The fare for each train – which consists of all first class accommodation in LSG’s ex-Greater Anglia Mk.3 air-conditioned coaches – is a

flat fare of £75, and return fares are not being offered.

Passengers wishing to travel on both south and north workings need to book each leg, as they are treated as separate charters rather than one return trip.

LSG has four electric locomotives in its fleet capable of reaching a maximum speed of 110mph – 86101 Sir William Stanier FRS, 87002 Royal Sovereign, 90001 Royal Scot and 90002 Wolf of Badenoch – although it is widely expected that one of the Class 90s will be employed on the charters.

Two Mk.3 buffet coaches will be included in the train formation.

The move comes at a time when principal West Coast Main Line operator Avanti West Coast has been forced to cancel numerous services and amend its timetables due to driver shortages.

Although ‘The Friday Charter’ is only due to operate on four consecutive Friday afternoons, it is expected that a number of commuters heading north at the end of the working week may book to travel on the InterCity charter to use it as an alternative to their normal commute.

Next phase of Barmouth Viaduct refurbishment announced NETWORK RAIL’S major project to undertake a full refurbishment of the Grade II-listed Barmouth Viaduct is continuing, with two further closures announced for the autumn period as the next refurbishment phase gets underway.

The final stage of the refurbishment – originally planned to take place in a single phase this autumn – will now be split across the next two years to reduce the impact on rail services operating over the Cambrian Line, where the timber viaduct carries trains over an estuary.

Network Rail and contractor Alun Griffiths are working to maintain the viaduct’s appearance by replacing the

timber and metal elements on a likefor-like basis.

As well as upgrading the metal elements and laying new track, additional repairs will include strengthening work to the north abutments and further upgrades of some of the timber elements of the viaduct. These repairs did not form part of the original restoration plan, but the 154-year-old structure was found it to be in a much worse condition than originally anticipated.

The Cambrian Line will be closed between Machynlleth and Pwllheli for five weeks from 20.00 on September 11 until October 15. It will then be reopened for four weeks, including the half term holiday period, before

8 RAILWAYS ILLUSTRATED October 2022

closing again from on the evening of November 13, reopening on December 10. The closure dates for 2023 have yet to be announced.

Network Rail has worked closely with Cadw, Gwynedd County Council, Transport for Wales and others over several years to develop plans to upgrade the iconic bridge.

During the closures Network Rail will carry out further work elsewhere along the Cambrian Line, including laying new track at Felga Fach and Pwllheli Station. Additionally, repairs will be made on seven other viaducts along the line.

Transport for Wales’ planning and performance director, Colin Lea,

said: “We are pleased to see that Network Rail is safeguarding the future of the iconic viaduct at Barmouth and the wider Cambrian Coast route through substantial track and bridge works all along the line this autumn.

“This investment sits alongside our own in transforming services throughout Wales and Borders, including brand new trains for the Cambrian Coast in the years to come.

“Services will be disrupted while the work takes place but, working closely with Network Rail, we have been able to agree to reopen the line for four weeks from mid-November – which was not possible during last autumn’s works.” www.railwaysillustrated.co.uk

NEWS

Edinburgh Festival’s 75th anniversary brings the crowds to Waverley NETWORK RAIL reported that more than 800,000 people passed through Edinburgh Waverley station during the first week of the annual Edinburgh Festival, which took place in the city throughout August.

In the first seven days of this year’s festival, 806,136 people travelled through Edinburgh Waverley, up from a figure of 446,936 during the first week of the 2021 festival.

Network Rail interim station manager Chris King said: “We are very proud to be playing an essential part in the city hosting the highly-anticipated 75th anniversary of the Edinburgh Festival.

“We saw huge numbers passing through Waverley during the first week and would expect that to continue over the coming weeks.”

The Festival closed on August 29.

It’s a wrap: GB Railfreight’s 69001 Mayflower heads 5Q55 from Stewarts Lane Depot to Sims Metals at Newport Docks, conveying the final pair of former Southern Class 455 EMUs for scrapping – 455804 and 455819. The train passes Bishton Crossing on the final stretch of the journey towards Newport on August 16. Dean Parsons

Final ex-Southern Class 455/8s head for scrap behind GBRf Class 69

A busy scene at Edinburgh Waverley during the annual Edinburgh Festival. The number of passengers using the station during the first week of the event was almost double the number using train service during the 2021 event. Network Rail

East Midlands Railway’s £2.56m Eastcroft depot improvements completed EAST MIDLANDS Railway has completed the £2.56 million upgrade of Nottingham’s Eastcroft depot.

Increased capacity has been provided to allow more trains to be stabled at the depot, which is located within sight of Nottingham station.

Other improvements at the depot include more fuelling facilities and an upgrade to the train cleaning facilities. EMR has also worked with Network Rail to fit a new lighting system.

Nottingham Eastcroft provides day-to-day maintenance for the EMR Regional fleet, which now consists of Class 156s, 158s and 170s. EMR says that the investment made into improving the depot will help the company deliver its current timetable while supporting further developments of EMR Regional services.

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EMR fleet director Neil Bamford said: “On behalf of EMR, I would like to thank all the staff and partners who have worked so hard over the last few months to complete this important project to time and budget.

“The improvements are a significant upgrade to the city’s depot and will help to improve the overall service we can provide to EMR Regional customers – providing our teams with more flexibility and resilience.”

Network Rail’s senior sponsor, Deborah Fairweather, said: “It’s been a pleasure to work with East Midlands Railway on this significant upgrade at Eastcroft Depot.

“We are now providing better facilities for railway workers and more space for trains – a benefit which is ultimately passed on to passengers through a more flexible and reliable service.”

JUST THREE months after their final day in traffic, August 16 saw the last pair of former Southern Class 455 EMUs depart from Stewarts Lane on their journey to Sims Metals at Newport Docks for scrapping.

Hauled by 69001 Mayflower, 455804 and 455819 made up the final 5Q55 10.38 departure from the South London depot.

This was the only scrap move of the ex-Southern Class 455s to be undertaken by one of GB Railfreight’s Class 69s throughout the disposal of the fleet, which were retired from service in May. The journey was also the first time a Class 69 had visited South Wales.

Earlier movements of the scrap EMUs had seen 66734 Platinum Jubilee take 455817 and 455820 to South Wales on July 26 and then, two days later, 455833 and 455834. Two weeks

later, it was the turn of 66726 Sheffield Wednesday to do the double trip, firstly taking 455801 and 455807 on August 9, and then 455812 and 455836 on the 11th.

A third South Western Railway Class 455 unit has also made its final journey for scrapping, with 37884 Cepheus hauling 5907 away from Wimbledon depot to Newport on August 5, this being the first full Class 455/9 set to meet its end.

Meanwhile, the exodus of Class 456s from Long Marston to Sims has continued, with the second half of July seeing 456003/04/08/11/13/14/21 all moved to Newport by road, while 456002/06/24 followed in the first two weeks of August.

See Pages 50-55 for a detailed look at the BR-built second-generation EMUs that are gradually disappearing from the rail network.

Freightliner’s 66503 The Railway Magazine was rededicated to our sister title in a ceremony at Leeds Midland Road Depot on August 15, with the wording ‘Celebrating 125 Years 1897-2022’ applied on cast plates beneath the main nameplates. The event was attended by editorial staff from the magazine, past and present, as part of the title’s 125th anniversary celebrations. Mortons Media/Chris Milner

October 2022 RAILWAYS ILLUSTRATED 9

NEWS

Network Rail prepares for the 2022 RHTT season

DESPITE HIGH temperatures in the UK throughout July and the first half of August, which saw parts of the country declared as being in drought, Network Rail’s preparations for the autumn leaf fall season are in full swing – with the first Railhead Treatment Trains heading away from their base at York.

The RHTTs were introduced by Network Rail to deal with the problems caused by decaying leaves falling from trees and settling on the rails.

Through the passage of trains and autumnal weather, the leaves become ground onto the railhead and form a mulch, leaving a thin black layer on top of the rail.

This mulch can create hazardous conditions for trains, similar to the effects of black ice on the roads, making it difficult for braking trains to stop and also creating wheelslip for trains trying to accelerate when travelling over affected sections of line.

It can also cause detection issues for signalling equipment.

Adhesion aid

The RHTTs are fitted with high-pressure water jets that blast away any built-up contaminants from the railhead to improve adhesion for trains.

They also apply an adhesion modifier to the rails, which is made up from a mixture of suspension gel, sand, and steel or iron shot, again to help improve adhesion.

In addition to the RHTTs, Network Rail also operates a fleet of Multi-Purpose Vehicles (MPV) which do a similar job during the autumn period, but these do not have the capacity or range of the larger RHTT’s.

Network Rail’s autumn fleet consists of 29 RHTTs and 32 MPVs, which are deployed throughout the country, operating intensively during the autumn season to cover as much of the network as possible.

Network Rail has begun dispatching its RHTT trains around the rail network in preparation for the start of the autumn leaf fall season. In scorching summer temperatures, Direct Rail Services 37422 Victorious heads a train of RHTTs through Sunderland Bridge on August 11, working from York to Carlisle. These RHTT sets will form the basis of the autumn circuits working off Carlisle Kingmoor Depot when the trains begin operating over the next few weeks. Alex Ayre

Decision is imminent on Great British Railway HQ as the public vote closes THE PUBLIC vote for the location of the new Great British Railways headquarters closed on August 15, with the six towns and cities selected to go through to the final awaiting a decision from the Secretary of State for Transport on which has been chosen.

Birmingham, Crewe, Derby, Doncaster, Newcastle and York were the locations selected to go through to the second stage of the national competition, in an announcement made on July 5.

The final decision as to where the new headquarters will be based is being considered on the basis of the following criteria: ■ Great British Railways Transition Team’s assessment of the

applicants’ Expressions Of Interest against the selection criteria.

■ Understanding gained from visits (as is relevant to the selection criteria).

■ The result of the public vote.

■ Other public duties (such as managing public money).

Many of the towns and cities shortlisted for the second stage of the have been mounting active publicity and marketing campaigns to win support from the public and to attract votes.

Whichever location is chosen, it is expected that the new Great British Railways headquarters will also bring economic growth and additional employment opportunities to that area.

10 RAILWAYS ILLUSTRATED October 2022

Derby-based railway engineering company Loram has thrown its weight behind the high-profile campaign by the city to become the new home of the Great British Railways headquarters, with Class 08 shunter 08756 receiving a special ‘Vote for Derby’ vinyl wrap. The shunting locomotive, which is on lease to Loram from RMS Locotech, runs on Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (HVO), which reduces carbon emissions by up to 90%. Loram

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NEWS

LNER’s 91111 For the Fallen gets new memorial vinyls FOLLOWING THE completion of maintenance and the fitting of new vinyls to LNER’s 91110 Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, the second Class 91 to carry a commemorative vinyl wrap livery – 91111 For the Fallen – has also undergone attention at Wabtec Doncaster, before having a refreshed version of its special livery re-applied. As with 91110, there are minor differences in the livery to the vinyls applied previously.

LNER’s active fleet of 12 Class 91s and eight rakes of Mk.4 coaches are currently passing through Wabtec at Doncaster for essential maintenance, which includes bodywork repairs and repainting. While most of the locomotives and all coaches will receive LNER’s new InterCity 225-inspired Oxblood colours, the three Class 91s

that received commemorative special vinyl wraps – 91110, 91111 and InterCity Swallow-liveried 91119 Bounds Green InterCity Depot 1977-2017 – will retain their special liveries, new versions of which are being reapplied as part of the works.

91105 has emerged from Doncaster as the second Class 91 to be repainted into Oxblood colours and returned to service with LNER on August 10, joining 91127, which was completed earlier in the year (Railways Illustrated issue 234).

Mk.4 coaching stock rake NL15 has also become the second of LNER’s eight Mk.4 rakes to be completed in the new colour scheme, with the set observed marshalled together at Wabtec in mid-August and expected to have moved to Neville Hill for a

Work on the re-application of new commemorative vinyls to LNER’s 91111 For the Fallen nears completion at Wabtec Doncaster. The Class 91 is the second of three specially-liveried LNER locomotives to have its vinyl livery reapplied during essential maintenance of the operator’s Class 91 and Mk.4 fleets. LNER

re-entry into service by the time this issue of Railways Illustrated goes on sale.

Meanwhile, 91101 Flying Scotsman is the latest Class 91 to be admitted for attention to Wabtec, and it is

expected that this locomotive will be repainted into LNER Oxblood colours, losing its hybrid red, white and purple Flying Scotsman livery when it emerges from Doncaster over the next few weeks.

GB Railfreight mourns manager and charity champion Paul Taylor STAFF FROM freight operator GB Railfreight, and friends and colleagues from across the rail industry, are mourning the loss of GBRf contracts manager Paul Taylor, who died of prostate cancer on August 9 at the age of 51.

Mr Taylor was a much respected senior member of the GBRf team, having worked for the company for the last 20 years. However, he will perhaps be best remembered for the organisation of countless charity fundraising charter trains, both before and after he worked for GBRf. The trains organised during his time

with GBRf are understood to have raised more than £500,000 for various good causes.

Following his diagnosis three years ago, Mr Taylor set about raising funds for Prostate Cancer UK, culminating in the marathon four-day GBRf2021 ‘This time its personal’ charter in September last year, which raised over £147,000. The start of the tour saw GBRf’s 66769 named League Managers Association, and the locomotive was unveiled in a special Prostate Cancer UK livery, featuring the charity’s ‘Man of Men’ logo on the bodysides.

Plaques were also fitted to the cabsides stating ‘Paul Taylor Our Inspiration’ in recognition of Mr Taylor’s fundraising efforts and the respect he had from colleagues.

GBRf chief executive officer John Smith said in a briefing issued to staff following the passing of Mr Taylor: “Paul joined GBRf in the early days as a team leader in our Control in London. His enthusiasm and passion for the railways was evident from the start. His knowledge was vital as the business grew, particularly when he took over the contract management of our Network Rail agreement.

Without doubt he was one of the main contributors to the success and growth of this part of the business.

“Paul moved on to lead rail services and, once again, his efforts and detailed knowledge of operations enabled a rapid growth of this work, culminating in us winning the Caledonian Sleeper contract.”

Mr Smith concluded his statement by saying: “I’ll miss him. Once the grief has subsided, we will celebrate his life.” ➔ See From the Front Coach on pages 44-46 for Pip Dunn’s tribute to his friend Paul Taylor.

LEFT: Network Rail’s Inspection Saloon Caroline was out again on August 10, in the company of its nowusual traction of Loramoperated 37418 An Comunn Gaidhealach.

The Class 37/4 is seen propelling Caroline through Garsdale on the Settle and Carlisle line. The train operated a circular route from York, taking in the S&C, Tyne Valley, East Coast Main Line to Berwick, before returning to York.

Ian Edmondson

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October 2022 RAILWAYS ILLUSTRATED 11

NEWS

GB Railfreight’s latest Class 69 takes to the rails THE LATEST Class 69 to emerge from Progress Rail’s Longport plant has moved to Arlington Fleet Services at Eastleigh for repainting, ahead of joining the growing fleet in use with GB Railfreight.

The new locomotive, converted to 69006 from 56128, departed Longport on August 11 for the move south, running light engine to the Hampshire works.

Just over two weeks earlier, on July 25, the locomotive was used alongside 66739 Bluebell Railway from Longport to Hams Hall as a test run before it returned to Longport light engine later in the day.

It is more than 23 years since 56128 was withdrawn from traffic by EWS in 1999, and several ownership changes have occurred in the intervening period.

Once owned by Hanson Traction and becoming part of the BARS-operated Devon & Cornwall Railways, it was originally planned to return the locomotive to service at one point, but it was instead used as a spares donor.

It was subsequently sold to CF Booths in Rotherham for scrapping before being acquired for GBRf’s Class 69 programme, joining a number of derelict Class 56s for conversion.

LEFT: The sight of a Class 69 in primer making its way between Longport and Eastleigh is now becoming common, as 69006 makes the familiar journey for painting at Arlington Fleet Services following completion of its rebuild and conversion from a derelict 56128 into one of GB Railfreight’s new Class 69 locomotives.

On August 11, the ‘new’ locomotive heads through Tilehurst station on its way to an appointment with the Arlington paint shop.

Spencer Conquest

Use of the other five completed Class 69s is increasing, with the type now regularly in service on gypsum and other workings. All are currently operated out of GBRf’s Tonbridge West Yard.

GBRf has now confirmed that its Class 69 fleet will eventually number 16 locomotives and will be taking its remaining operational pair of Class 56 locomotives – 56081/098 – out of service so they can be added to the Class 69 conversion programme.

GB Railfreight Class 69 locomotives as at August 2022 Number

Original ID

Name

Livery

69001

56031

Mayflower

GBRf Orange/Blue

69002

56057/56311

Bob Tiller CM&EE

Large Logo Blue

69003

56018

GBRf Orange/Blue

69004

56069

Research Red/Blue

69005

56007

69006

56128

Eastleigh

BR Green Unpainted

The Crewe Diesel Depot site has been completely transformed since being taken over by Locomotive Services Group and is now the maintenance and operating base for LSG’s growing fleet. In this drone image of the depot on August 8, plenty of operational and stored traction was on view. Recently acquired ex-DRS 20302/305 and 57003/007 closest, with D8096, D8107 Jocelyn Fielding 1940-2020 and D1944 Craftsman beyond, alongside spares donors 47811/816. Class 37 D6817 and 47828 are also visible at this end of the yard, with 43046 Geoff Drury 1930-1999 at the head of the Midland Pullman HST beyond, while the top of the former RCS Staycation Express HST set with 43058 can also be seen on this side of the InterCity Mk.3 coaching stock. At the other end of the depot building, 37688 Great Rocks, 37059 and D3948 Zippy are also visible. Tom McAtee

12 RAILWAYS ILLUSTRATED October 2022

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NEWS

Network Rail request-stop kiosk goes on trial on the Far North Line THE FIRST request-stop kiosk on the Far North Line has been installed at Scotscalder station, with the new technology going on trial from August 15.

Network Rail announced the initiative earlier in the year (Railways Illustrated issued 229), with the equipment planned to be installed at Altnabreac, Kinbrace, Kildonan, Dunrobin Castle, Rogart, Invershin and Culrain, should the trial at Scotscalder prove successful.

Due to their geographical remoteness, patronage at these stations is among the lowest in the UK and they currently operate on a requestto-stop basis, requiring the need for waiting passengers to hand-signal approaching trains to stop at the stations.

The kiosks will allow passengers to request an approaching train to stop using a radio system to send a message to the driver’s cab. Passengers on board trains wishing to alight will still speak to the conductor.

Dual running

Scotscalder has been selected as the trial location and it will be closely monitored to ensure safety and reliability of the new kiosks.

Information will also be available on platforms initially to highlight the change to passengers, and a period of dual running will be in place to test the system before it is installed at the other stations.

As well as the installation of the kiosk, Network Rail has upgraded

Network Rail has started a request-stop kiosk trial on the Far North Line in Scotland, with the new equipment being installed at Scotscalder station ahead of a planned roll-out to a further seven stations on the route should the trials be successful. The new system went live from August 15. Network Rail

existing radio communication masts and antennas and installed new equipment at Muir of Ord, Invergordon, Kildonan and Wick stations to enhance radio coverage, which has improved the reliability and resilience of the communications network throughout the route.

ScotRail’s service delivery director, David Simpson, said: “We are delighted to welcome request-stop kiosks on to the network, with the improvements they will offer to ScotRail passengers using this rural line.

“Enabling the driver to be alerted in advance to the need to stop in the station, rather than being reliant on hand-signalling, delivers a safer and more reliable system, and means that trains don’t need to slow down at stations where there are no passengers waiting.

“This will improve performance, and it is a really positive step for the operation of the route.

“We look forward to a successful trial and the technology being rolled out to other stations on the Far North Line.”

Pride 158 for East Midlands Railway EAST MIDLANDS Railway has created a rainbow livery to celebrate Pride and to promote diversity in its workplace, which will be applied to two trains from within the EMR fleet.

The rainbow ‘swoosh’ design and tagline #LetsRollWithPride has already been applied to 158773, which was launched into service in its new guise in early August.

‘Stronger Together’ is one of six employee network groups within EMR set up to represent LGBTQIA+ employees, as well as promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

EMR duty depot delivery manager and LGBTQIA+ network lead Jacob Lane said: “The idea for a Pride train came about after a discussion in one of our network meetings. We thought this would be an awesome way of showcasing our commitment as a network to set EMR on the right path to promoting diversity and www.railwaysillustrated.co.uk

Like several other public transport operators, East Midlands Railway has applied Pride livery vinyls to 158773, with the new-look train being launched into service in early August. On August 9, 158773 heads through Little Downham with 1L11 from Liverpool Lime Street to Norwich. Billy Palmer

inclusion. It’s also a great way to show our support to the Pride events taking place on our network, two of which we are sponsoring.

“Alongside the Pride train, we have created pronoun badges for any

employees who would like to wear one, and Amanda Elkin, our organisation development and culture manager, has created a video on the importance of getting pronouns right.”

IN BRIEF South Western Railway is trialling cutting-edge technology that enables people with sight loss to navigate stations with greater ease. The myEyes app uses near-field technology to provide audio directions to the user. These directions guide customers from the station entrance to the SWR’s assisted boarding points on platforms, where they can get help to board their train. The trial, which started on August 1, will run for three months at Vauxhall and Putney stations.

Thirty-six stations operated by Northern in South Yorkshire are to be equipped with defibrillators by the end of the September. The scheme is funded by the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority and means that every station run by Northern in South Yorkshire has the life-saving equipment available for use by the community.

An exhibition supported

by LNER, Northern, Network Rail and the Harrogate Model Railway Group was held at Harrogate station at the end of July to celebrate the 160th anniversary of the opening of the station on August 1, 1862. Organised by the Harrogate Civic Society, the display on the concourse told the story of Harrogate station and the history of its surrounding railways.

LNER is taking applications from communities, customers and charities for its annual Customer and Community Investment Fund. The fund supports projects where there is an identified social need and that focus on mental health, education, and employability skills among marginalised groups within 15 miles of the LNER route. It also supports projects promoting diversity and inclusion, as well as environmental sustainability.

London Northwestern Railway enhanced its services on the Marston Vale Line on July 23/24 to assist spectators attending the Bedford River Festival. Up to 250,000 people were expected to attend the popular free family event that’s held each year to highlight and celebrate what Bedford has to offer. Services on the route between Bedford and Bletchley were enhanced throughout the weekend. The additional services were provided in collaboration with the Marston Vale Community Rail Partnership.

October 2022 RAILWAYS ILLUSTRATED 13

NEWS

Thunderbirds are go for the Commonwealth Games NETWORK RAIL hired two Class 37s from Rail Operations Group to act as ‘Thunderbird’ locomotives during the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham between July 28 and August 8.

The two locomotives – 37510 Orion and 37800 Cassiopeia – which are sub-leased by ROG from owner Europhoenix, were hired to Network Rail for the duration of the games in case they were required to rescue and recover broken-down trains in the West Midlands that could have resulted in serious disruptions to services at a time when trains in the region were particularly busy.

The pair were based at Birmingham’s Soho Depot and had special branding applied to the cabsides while they were being used on the Thunderbird duties.

The Class 37s also played a vital role in recovering stranded trains around Birmingham New Street during the recent record-breaking temperatures, when overhead power lines suffered damage due to the heatwave.

‘Key role’

Speaking prior to the start of the games, Network Rail Central route director Denise Wetton said: “We hope they’re not needed but having these locomotives based in

Complete with Birmingham Commonwealth Games 2022 and Soho Depot branding, Rail Operations Group 37510 Orion stands at Soho Depot while on hire to Network Rail, where it and fellow ROG 37800 Cassiopeia acted as ‘Thunderbird’ locomotives to rescue and recover any stranded trains in the West Midlands as part of NR’s contingency planning for the sporting event.

Network Rail

Birmingham means we will able to remove stranded trains much more quickly and get passengers moving again.”

ROG chief operating officer Dave Burley added: “We are proud to play a part in the preparation and support of the games. These locomotives play a

key role in the national railway and it’s fitting they are branded and ready to be called into action during one of the biggest sporting events in the world.”

A million extra journeys were predicted by Network Rail to take place during the games. Across Birmingham and the West Midlands,

15 venues played host to 20 different sports, with trains and stations much busier than usual. Birmingham New Street, Birmingham Moor Street, Birmingham International, Coventry, Leamington Spa, Perry Barr, and Warwick stations were among the busiest stations during the event.

Locomotive Services Group’s immaculate BR green liveried Class 47 D1944 Craftsman (47501) passes Bay Horse with 1Z60, the 06.52 ‘The William Shakespeare’ charter from Carnforth to Stratford-upon-Avon, on August 3. Steve Sienkiewicz

14 RAILWAYS ILLUSTRATED October 2022

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