DEVELOPMENTS
■ DB CARGO:
There were three new WIA (UIC code Seefoors) car carrier arrivals at DB Cargo’s workshops in Stoke-on-Trent during the period under review, none of which have visited the former Marcroft Engineering site for overhaul in recent years. On September 29 it was the turn of No. 85 70 4971 006-7 and this was on site for two weeks, departing on October 13. It was replaced on the same day by No. 85 70 4971 020-8, which in turn left on the 22nd, being swapped with No. 85 70 4971 050-5.
■ FREIGHTLINER:
A further 80 Greenbrier-built FFA-G 40ft container ‘twins’ arrived in the country in October, bringing the fleet strength up to just over a half (230 have been ordered). As per the first batch (see November issue) these two sets included a seemingly randomly numbered selection of examples with vehicles from the 000, 100 and 200 series all being matched together out of sequence. The first group of 40 to arrive were as follows: Nos. 81 70 4846 000-004/014/015/017/020/035/043/ 048/053/056/066/067/069-071/ 074/162-164/168/169/171/172/ 176/177/182/189/190-193/196/ 203/205/206/207.
They were hauled to Crewe Basford Hall on October 8 by No. 90047 working a 4Z90 14.34 from Wembley Terminal Complex Wheel Lathe sidings. Just a week and a half later (19th) a similar move took place with No. 66567 and the following wagons: 81 70
4846 009/029/031/034/050/ 055/064/065/072/079-084/086/ 099/132/133/136/138-141/143/ 144/147/175/179/183/197/198/ 200/202/208-210/212/213/215/216. All are now reported to be carrying the TOPS design code FF002A.
Meanwhile, DBC at Stoke-onTrent has been undertaking overhauls on Freightliner’s Touax Rail-leased intermodal fleet. On October 7 it was the turn of KTA ‘pocket’ wagons Nos. GERS 97726/47/9/50/7/66 and these swapped with KFA No. TIPH 93461 and KTA Nos. GERS 97702/18/37/53.
■ GB RAILFREIGHT:
An interesting move took place on October 13 involving 10 Colnbrook aviation fuel TEAs. Nos. 81 70 7836 002/006/ 007/018/021/022/024/029/035/ 037 formed a special train carrying fuel to Scotland to replenish the aircraft carrying world leaders visiting Glasgow for the COP26 environment summit. GBRf laid on Railfreight Construction branded No. 66793 (sadly not Petroleum sector liveried No. 66794) to work a 6S94 04.28 Wembley-Prestwick service, which ran via the Settle & Carlisle line in the path of the Wednesdays only Wembley-Irvine china clay slurry flow.
■ NETWORK RAIL:
As well as
No. ADRC 96713, which was reported exported to Egypt in the November issue, fellow Cowans Sheldon 75-tonne crane No. ADRC 96710 has followed, heading to the same destination. With No. ADRC 96714 preserved at the
Gwili Railway (see February issue), this leaves No. ADRC 96715, which has been acquired by Nemesis Rail at Burton upon Trent, and will be retained for hire.