Fleet Review
Additional Mk4 set for LNER
A set of Mk4 coaches was extracted from store at Worksop on August 9 and hauled to Doncaster West Yard by 37601 and 37611. Previously off-lease, the vehicles are due to receive a C4 overhaul at Wabtec to allow them to return to service with LNER, providing extra capacity and resilience.
This will return the number of sets retained by the operator to the originally expected figure of eight. The formation featured 10315, 11318, 11416/18, 12213, 12312, 12428/33/67 and 82215, along with 12202 and 82222, which are to become the new pair of maintenance spares.
Universal barriers completed
The 18-month project to overhaul four former Motorail vans and convert them into barrier coaches has been completed by Meridian Generic Rail. While the name will be unfamiliar to some enthusiasts, the company has been involved with rolling stock development for several years, including trialling vehicles at the Velim test track in the Czech Republic. Seeking its own barrier coaches for both European and UK movements, ex-great Western Motorail vans 96602, 96603, 96605 and 96607 have received a full overhaul, along with a height-adjustable Dellner coupling at one end.
They have also been repainted in a grey and blue scheme and named Henry, Oliver, Ernest and Philip respectively. Dubbed Universal Barrier Vehicles, the two pairs are now available for hire and are currently located at Burton Wetmore.
Castle exchange
With warranty bodywork repairs completed, 43004 and 43154 powered Castle set GW01 (4810103, 49101) away from Doncaster on August 12. Bound for Laira, the formation also included 48123 and 48124 from GW08, their release having been delayed.
Next for attention, GW07 headed north to Wabtec the following day, 48119-21 and 49107 being moved between 43154 once again and 43029.
ROG Mk3 transfers
Following their charter use on July 18, the Mk3 coaches in use with Rail Operations Group continue to swap regularly between Derby RTC and their stabling location at Castle Donington.
In some cases, they are only at Derby for a week or so for maintenance but some have remained there for longer. Of note, ex-welsh TSOS 12176, 12180 and 12182 were still at the RTC in mid-august, having arrived on July 24, July 31 and August 7 respectively.
A notable move on August 10 saw 37800 move HST barrier coaches 6330, 6340 and 6344 to Castle Donington, where they were left until required again.
Latest overhauls
An additional Mk3 FO for Locomotive Services’ Blue Pullman HST set has been completed at Eastleigh Works, 41183 having received internal refurbishment along with a repaint. Also newly overhauled is 1951-built Pullman Parlour First 99532 Cygnus, which has spent the last two years undergoing extensive refurbishment in France for continued use in the Belmond British Pullman.
Having earlier traversed the Channel Tunnel, 67021 and 67024 were provided to top and tail the coach from Dollands Moor to Stewarts Lane on July 20.
Riviera Mk2s for sale
Riviera Trains has put six Mk2 coaches up for sale, this including the quartet of Anglia Railways-liveried Mk2f FOS most recently hired to the Mid-norfolk Railway and still on the line, 3334, 3336, 3379 and 3417. Also included are Mk2a TSO 5292 and Mk2f TSO 6141, both of which are at Burton and unused for some time. Meanwhile, another acquisition by Eastern Rail Services is Mk1 GUV 95199 from the AC Locomotive Group, the Rail Express Systems-liveried van moving from Barrow Hill to Great Yarmouth in mid-august.