NEWS UPDATE
GB RAILFREIGHT
THE fourth Class 69 conversion has been released from Progress Rail/EMD at Longport for cosmetic attention at Eastleigh. The EMD 710-repowered former Class 56 was renumbered from No. 56069 in January and transferred to the GBRG pool, along with the other three members of the class. Its first job though was a test run to Hams Hall and back on the 17th with No. 66763 which was achieved without major issue. After completing the first stage of its journey behind No. 66722 (0F70 to Wellingborough) on the 24th, it continued south unaided the following day (25th) to Tonbridge under a 0Z65 headcode. The final leg to Eastleigh took place on January 28, No. 69004 working to Arlington appropriately as 0Y69.
Also receiving an image overhaul in January was No. 66799, which spent about two weeks at Toton after arriving on the 10th behind No. 66017. Released in standard GBRf colours on January 26 it was already at Tonbridge the following day (27th) ready to start work. During the same period it was reallocated from the GBBR holding pool to the GBRB extended range exEuro Class 66 pool. Making the same pool change was No. 66734, which was also transferred from Doncaster Roberts Road to Longport, via Peterborough and Hams Hall. After departing on the 10th it finally arrived at its destination on the 17th, sandwiched between Nos. 66763 and 69004.
Ex-Colas Rail Class ‘67’s Nos. 67023 and 67027 came a step closer to completing their transfer to GBRf to assist with Caledonian Sleeper duties during the period under review. The pair received exams and a clean at Rugby and returned to Toton via Doncaster Roberts Road on January 18 ready for a repaint.
DB CARGO
HVO modified No. 60054 was stored during the period under review, the Class 60 being downgraded from WCBT to WQAA. Meanwhile, No. 60007 stood down on January 25 after an electrical fire while working the 6A11 21.52 Robeston to Theale tanks and was rescued by Freightliner’s No. 66620. No. 60007 was later moved to Didcot for assessment by No. 66111.
Moving in the opposite direction were Nos. 66017 (WBAR) and 66190 (WBAT), the latter being the first of the repatriated ex-DB Cargo France Class 66s to return to work in this country after its sojourn abroad. Unlike its colleagues, Nos. 66032 and 66205, which now wear DB Traffic red, No. 66190 has only been treated to a freshen up of the cabsides in EWS maroon as well as the front warning panel and lower black pilot.
FREIGHTLINER
THE last two members of the former Greater Anglia Class 90 fleet still in GA livery were moved to Wolverton for repainting in January. No. 90012 moved from Crewe Basford Hall on the 5th behind No. 90008, and was released in orange on the 23rd, while No. 90013 made the same trip south on the 21st unaided. This leaves Nos. 90041 and 90046 in Freightliner green, Nos. 90042, 90043, 90045 and 90048 in Powerhaul, and long stored No. 90050 still in original Freightliner grey.
LOCOMOTIVE SERVICES
DELIVERED to Crewe from store at Nemesis Rail, Burtonupon-Trent, in May 2021, No. 43047 has finally started work for LS. The EMR-liveried and branded HST power car was assigned to a 5Z33 08.12 Crewe-Eastleigh Works empty stock move with the ‘Blue Pullman’ Mk.3 set on January 19. This was led by No. 43049.