NEWS UPDATE

DATS

THE DATS fleet of HST power cars and Class 91s, previously used for ECML and MML overhead line testing, have been moved from Rectory Junction to the Brush Traction site at Loughborough. Having not turned a wheel in revenue earning use since April, Nos. 43050 and 43076, along with No. 91122 and a rake of former ‘Pretendalino’ coaches plus other Mk.3s, worked a 5Q11 to Loughborough on November 1. They were followed by Nos. 43054 and 43066 on the 5th, with No. 91128 in tow, the trio comprising a 0Z42 light engine move. The two power cars then continued south to Leicester depot under a 0Z45 headcode.

HANSON+HALL

AFTER 10 weeks of repairs at the Class 50 Alliance’s excellent facilities at Kidderminster, No. 50008 departed the SVR on November 18, working a 0Z50 light engine move to Leicester depot. Thunderer had arrived on August 1 behind Nos. 50007 and 50049.

HN RAIL

NO. 47714 was transferred from

HNRC’s Worksop storage site to Wabtec Doncaster on November 25, Nos. 20901 and 20118 doing the honours. The

Class 47/7 joins No. 47703 at Wabtec, the latter used to provide electric train supply to Mk.4 coaches.

LOCOMOTIVE SERVICES LTD

LSL welcomed Nos. 20107 and 43049 back to the fold during the period under review. The Class 20, which wears original D8107 numbers, had been taken to Barrow Hill on April 9 for repairs by No. 40145, finally returning to Crewe DMD on November 10 with No. 37688 (0Z20). On the same day No. 43049, newly repainted in InterCity ‘Swallow’ colours, ran light as an 0Z43 from the Leeds traction depot to Crewe (see Powerscene, p23).