HST coaches for AFRPS & Colne Valley

THE Appleby Frodingham Railway Preservation Society, which operates special trains round the network at Scunthorpe Steelworks, has acquired five former GWR Mk.3 HST coaches from Angel Trains.

The vehicles, Nos 40713, 42504/511, and 44015/059, arrived behind No. 66736 Wolverhampton Wanderers on March 15, the GM Type 5 forming the 5E75/14.30 Ely PapworthScunthorpe Anchor Sidings.

The AFRPS says the coaches have been acquired for a future project, although this is dependent on events over the next year or so. For the time being, they will be stored with corridor connections sealed and all systems checked and maintained regularly.

Three vehicles from the former LNER fleet have also been purchased for preservation and are being moved to the Colne Valley Railway in Essex. Two of the coaches (Nos. 40706 and 44058) had arrived by March 24, with the third (No. 41088) to follow from Ely. It is planned to create an air-braked set of stock with DVT No. 82121.

A list of preserved HST coaches, some of which have been saved after conversion to loco-hauled stock, can be found in the accompanying table.

Excluded are the coaches disposed of to the Scottish Fire Service (Nos. 42205/10) and West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue (No. 42324).

■ The AFRPS is restarting its

‘Pacer’ driver experience courses, using No. 144017, and has introduced some mid-week slots for the benefit of those who work or are unable to attend at weekends.

For details on availability, see www.afrps.co.uk.