Class 360/1s leave Greater Anglia

JANUARY SAW the formal end of the Class 360/1s with Greater Anglia in preparation for a new life on the Midland Main Line. The last two sets to leave Clacton were 360109 and 360119; both were hauled away to Cricklewood by 57305 during the evening of January 20. However, 360111 remained at Ilford for several more weeks undergoing repairs as part of the hand-back process.

Although the Class 360/1s are now nominally based at Bedford Cauldwell, the depot is not equipped to carry out more substantial repairs and exams. As a result, the units are now regularly visiting either Ilford or Northampton Kings Heath for this work to be carried out, this requiring haulage by GB Railfreight Class 47s due to the route taken in North London. For example, February 14 saw 47727 haul 360109/12/15 from Kettering to Northampton, while February 1 saw the same loco collect 360113/21 from Ferme Park and take them to Cricklewood, the Desiros having initially left Ilford under their own power.