D1015 freight working ends in despair for DTG
THE MAIN line debut of D1015 Western Champion following extensive engine repairs ended in despair for the Diesel Traction Group (DTG), when the locomotive suffered an engine seizure to one of the Maybach MD655 engines fitted inside the Class 52.
The locomotive had been due to work a main line charter for Pathfinder Tours on the ‘Champion Torbay Express’ on September 25.
Following extensive works to the BR blue liveried ‘Western’, it was arranged for D1015 to be used piloting a GB Railfreight on a cement empties train on September 17, accompanied by 66719 Metro-land.
The use of the Class 52 on a freight service has to be THE freight working of 2021, although it has now been overshadowed by the failure.
D1015 ran light engine from Kidderminster to Avonmouth, where it then powered 6M42 from Avonmouth to Gloucester, before the diesel-hydraulic locomotive was detached and returned to its base at Kidderminster TMD on the Severn Valley Railway, where it was announced shortly afterwards that the locomotive had suffered a seized engine during the trip.
As we prepared to go to print, DTG chairman Tom Sawyer told Railways Illustrated: “I can’t give much information except that the engine seized during the loaded test run. We won’t know the extent of the damage until the engine is removed, allowing our engineers to begin investigations. “We are all, of course, hoping that it isn’t too serious.”
Following the failure of D1015, Pathfinder announced the locomotive would be replaced on the charter with the Class 50 Alliance’s 50007 Hercules and 50049 Defiance.