PRESERVATION

ScotRail push-pull ‘47’ is re-certified for limited deal with Locomotive Services Ltd.

Lady Di returns to main line on hire to LSL; Class 144 for Appleby Frodingham; Class 15 group launches bogie appeal; Mass event cancellations caused by virus outbreak.

THE Crewe Diesel Preservation Group’s No. 47712 Lady Diana Spencer made its first run on Network Rail lines in over eight years on March 4, when it undertook a test run from Crewe to Chester and back with No. D1935 (47805) Roger Hosking MA 1925-2013 for company.

Three days later it was back in passenger action, being used on the Shrewsbury to Crewe leg of Saphos Trains’ ‘White Rose’ steam tour to

York, also returning the train from

Crewe to Shrewsbury in the evening.

The push-pull ‘47’ has been hired by Locomotive Services Ltd for an 18-month period on a restricted use basis, limited to running at 75mph.

This means it is unlikely to be used on long-distance charters. It has recently undergone work at LSL’s Crewe depot to bring it back up to main line standards, as well as receiving a fresh coat of ScotRail colours.

No. 47712 was last used on the main line in 2012 when it was owned by Direct Rail Services. After a spell at Crewe LNWR, where it was confined to train heating and shunting duties, it was sold for preservation to its current owners in 2013 and moved to Crewe Heritage Centre.

■ Another preserved Class 47 that is main line certified, Vintage Trains’

No. 47773 (D1755), ran from Tyseley to the Severn Valley Railway on

March 3. The loco is now undergoing contract bodywork repairs at Kidderminster depot.

Doug Birmingham No. 47712 heads through Huyton on March12, with the0Z50/12.36 Wigan North Western to Crewe route training run. This was in connection with Saphos Trains’ ‘Pennine Peaks& Valleys Explorer Railtour’ onMarch 22, which was subsequently cancelled.