Preserved ‘40’ to join LSL fleet

A Class 40 has been added to the Locomotive Services Limited (LSL) fleet, joining at least two Class 37s, four Class 47s and two Deltics.

Preserved D213 Andania (40013) will be on hire to LSL for three years, and the company will exclusively operate the Type 4 for that period.

Before it can return to the main line, the ‘40’ must be fitted with GSM-R signalling equipment, Train Protection Warning System (TPWS) and On-Train Monitoring Recorders (OTMR). LSL expects to fit this in the near future, and that when this is complete, it hopes to run charters using the Type 4 later this year.

The Class 40 was preserved in 1988, but did not haul passenger trains until attending the Swanage Railway diesel gala in May 2016, having undergone a detailed restoration by its current owners. They had taken it on after the death of Trevor Dean, who had bought the ‘40’ from British Rail.

It also appeared at the East Lancashire Railway’s September 2016 gala, but has not worked since. There was a previous plan for it to return to the main line, operated by Direct Rail Services, but this did not come to fruition and the ‘40’ is currently at Barrow Hill.

It is due to return to the ELR to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Class on April 13-15, when it will run alongside the only other main line-registered ‘40’ - 345 (40145). Others in action should be 40012 Aureol, 40106 Atlantic Conveyor and 40135, while pioneer D200 (40122) should be moved from the National Railway Museum for static display.

The ‘40’ joins 37610/667, 47501, 47790, 47805/810/811/ 816/841, 55016/022 in the LSL fleet. So far 47501 and 47805 have returned to traffic, with 47790 the next to be restored. Both Deltics have arrived at LSL’s Crewe depot for return to main line condition, while 47810, recently acquired from Arlington Fleet Services, is being overhauled at the latter’s Eastleigh Works.

LSL has no current plans to return 47811/816 to the main line, with these bought from Freightliner for spares.