NEW MOVES AND CHANGES

Class 33s D6575 and D6566 have both been active at the West Somerset Railway during the recent lockdown period working various stock and permanent way trains. On December 3, 2020 D6575 was out on an engineering train that would take in Stogumber, Norton Fitzwarren and Bishops Lydeard, with D6566 taking over at Bishops Lydeard on the return and D6575 to follow light engine. On December 5 D6575 was back out on crew refresher trains between Bishops Lydeard and Williton.

For the recent festive season both the Ecclesbourne Valley and Great Central Railways ran ‘Train of Lights’ winter specials, top and tail with steam and diesel. At the EVR Class 14 D9537 was used on the trains as well as the Santa Specials, while Class 20 D8098 was at one end of the Great Central’s trains. Another Class 14 seeing Christmas action was D9551 at the Severn Valley Railway, which was booked to work all 17 days of its Bridgnorth – Hampton Load ‘Train of Lights’, again top and tail with steam.

On November 30, 2020 50007 and 50049 were back in action again, this time taking a rake of Mk 3 coaches from Barrow Hill to Bishop Auckland for the Weardale Railway. Since the deal was signed between the Class 50 Alliance and GBRF the 50s have been racking up the miles on a variety of trains and have really shown their worth.