NEWS ROUND-UP
DB CARGO
THE DBC active fleet was four locomotives lighter at the end of February, with the removal of
Nos. 67007, 67021 and 67028 (all now stored WQAA) and Grand Centralliveried No. 90020 (stored WFMS).
However, the latter swapped with ‘I am the backbone of the economy' No. 90039, which was reinstated to the WEDC pool, while Nos. 67013 and 67017 (from WQAA to WAAC and WAWC respectively) were both reactivated after being stopped for just a few days.
Two more locomotives have gained brandings related to the trials of 100% renewable hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) as a replacement for red diesel.
Unlike No. 66150, which gained ‘We are the future' decals (see
April 2020 issue), Nos. 60054 and 66085 now state ‘Powered by HVO – Reducing our carbon footprint' on the bodysides, a collaboration with Tata Steel that saw the pair work the Margam to Round Oak steel service on February 17. This was the first use of an HVO-fuelled Class 60 on the main line.
Finally, the WBRT-dedicated railhead treatment train pool is now disbanded for another year, with the transfer of No. 66155 to WBAE.
LNER
JANUARY'S mass storage and transfer of the Class 91 fleet to Doncaster Belmont and Neville Hill left just one locomotive and Mk.4 set in London, No. 91109.
This was removed on February
2 by No. 67001, which was notably the last duty of the King's Cross ‘Thunderbird' ahead of the station being remodelled. The pair, with ten Mk.4s plus DVT No. 82223 in tow, formed a 5Z60/10.10 Ferme ParkDoncaster.
This was not the only Class 91 move during the period under review, however, with No. 91107 and 91130 transferring from Neville Hill to Belmont, while No. 91127 headed in the other direction.
ROG/UKRL
OUT of action since November 2020, Rail Operation Group's No. 47812 was back in action on February 1, working a 0E68 light engine shakedown run from Leicester to Barrow Hill.
A similar test took place on February 18 when UKRL's No. 56312, sidelined since September 2020, worked a 0Z60 Leicester to Chesterfield and return after repairs – running with No. 56081 but missing out the booked stop at Barrow Hill.