HNRC explores options for fleet of stored locomotives
LOCOMOTIVES owned by Harry Needle Railroad Company but not used on the main line have begun arriving at the company’s Worksop depot for assessment.
Despite hire contracts for shunters and some main line locomotives, a number of HNRC assets remain stored at various locations across the country. HNRC is now exploring options for these.
Already 25313 has moved by road from Leeming Bar to Worksop ( RAIL 909), but it has now been joined in recent weeks by three Class 20s.
First to arrive was D8069 (20069), which had been stored at the Mid-Norfolk Railway for a number of years. It was in regular use on the MNR until it was involved in a shunting accident with a steam locomotive.
Despite repairs being carried out, it was then barely used and was moved to Worksop by road on July 3.
It was followed by D8110 (20110) and 20087 from the
East Lancashire Railway. While the former had been used on commercial contracts in the past, the latter had not left the ELR since HNRC bought it several years ago. These also moved by road.
HNRC Managing Director Harry Needle told RAIL they have all moved for assessment, and that on July 9 he’d already restarted D8110 for the first time in five years. More locomotives are similarly expected to move to Worksop for assessment.
HNRC has 17 main line locomotives stored across eight sites (see panel), while some are at locations for commercial purposes, such as 47703 at Wabtec Rail, Doncaster, and 47714 at Old Dalby.
Three Class 20s (20066, 20168 and 20906) are based at Hope Cement Works, 37607/610/612 are on hire to Colas Railfreight, and 47715 is used to provide electric train supply for stored vehicles at Worksop.
In recent weeks 20118/132 and 20311/314 have all also been hired by Rail Operations Group, but these have now returned to Worksop. HNRC uses 08818 and 08904 for shunting at its site.