‘87’ to Paddington

A Class 87 becomes the first AC locomotive to haul a passenger train into Great Western terminus.

GB Railfreight ran its second fourday charity train across the UK on September 20-23.

The train - ‘GBRf 2018: Out of the Ordinary’ - departed London Victoria on September 20. It featured various locomotives used by the freight company, plus examples of hired-in traction. Funds raised were donated to the company’s two chosen charities: MacMillan Cancer Support and Headway (a brain injury charity).

As this issue of RAIL went to press, GBRf was unable to confirm exactly how much had been raised, but did say it topped the £125,000 raised by the first train that ran in 2016. Network Rail also waived access charges for the tour.

Some 17 locomotives were involved, including Class 50s hired from the Class 50 Alliance, a Colas Railfreight Class 56 and a pair of Freightliner Class 86/6s.

This year’s train featured a number of firsts, including the first AC locomotive to haul a passenger train on the Great Western Main Line into London Paddington, and the first AC locomotive to haul a passenger train into Blackpool North.

GBRf took a pair of original Class 73/1s to Fort William, with one locomotive (73141) becoming the first original ‘ED’ to haul a passenger train into the Highland town. A pair also hauled the charter across the Forth Bridge.

There were problems encountered with the charter, with some of the itinerary changed. For example, plans to use remote control-fitted Class 08s inside Celsa

Steelworks at Cardiff had to be cancelled after access to the site was denied at late notice.

In a post on the charter’s Facebook page, organisers from GBRf said: “We are not sure why this change of heart has occurred. The initial request was made and provisionally agreed way back in January, and while of course we have reviewed possible options, it was very clear that whatever had prompted this decision was not going to be retracted.”

It was still hoped that haulage from Class 08 shunters was possible through Tidal Yard, but DB Cargo informed GBRf it had insufficient time to properly evaluate the track condition. Following discussions with Network Rail, the charter instead ran to locations in south Wales, powered by a pair of Class 73/9s.

Meanwhile, in Scotland, the planned trip to Paisley Canal with a pair of Class 73/1s and a ‘47’ was cancelled. Instead there was a tour of the Glasgow suburbs before the train continued south as planned. Locomotives used on the tour were: 20132, 20311, 47749 City of Truro, 50007 Hercules, 50049 Defiance, 56113, 66728 Institution of Railway Operators, 66766/782, 73107 Tracy, 73141 Charlotte, 73961 Alison, 73963 Janice, 86637/86639, 87002 Royal Sovereign, 92033.

MATTHEW DODD. Preserved 87002 Royal Sovereign became the first AC locomotive to haul a passenger train into London Paddington on September 20, when it hauled the ‘GBRf 2018: Out of the Ordinary’ charter from Didcot. The ‘87’, which is used by GBRf for its Caledonian Sleeper contract, stands ‘at the blocks’ in Paddington.

MARK PIKE. Harry Needle Railroad Company 20311 and 20132Barrow Hill Depot pass Putney with the 0939 Wellingborough-Tonbridge West Yard leg of the second day of the GBRf charter on September 21. GBRf uses Class 20s on its contract to move S-Stock trains between London and Derby.

MARK BUGLER. Above: GB Railfreight 73141 Charlotte and 73107Tracy arrive at Preston on September 22, with the 0120 Blackpool North-Mossend leg of the four-day tour. On the rear was 92033, which took the train to Scotland. Below: Colas Railfreight 56113 leads 73107 Tracy through Achnabobane on the West Highland Line on September 22.

ROBERT FRANCE. On September 23, Freightliner 86639/637 head the 0957 Glasgow Central-Crewe leg of the GBRf charter through Galgate (south of Lancaster). The ‘86/6s’ replace 47749 City ofTruro at Carlisle, and gave way to 50007 Hercules and 50049 Defiance at Crewe. On the rear were 73107 Tracy and 73141 Charlotte.

JULIAN GAJEWSKI. Caledonian Sleeper 92033 stands at Blackpool North late on September 21, having hauled the charter from Waterloo International and become the first electric to haul a passenger train to the station.