Wagon News
New FFAS make debut
The new generation of FFA-G container twins began to enter traffic in late September, these being mixed in with other types on services to Southampton and Felixstowe rather than working in block trains.
On October 5, another 20 twins arrived in the UK, with GBRF’S 92032 provided to work them forward as the 4B92 02.55 Dollands Moor-wembley, where Freightliner was booked to collect them. However, the locomotive expired around North Pole Junction, blocking the West London Line for some time until 92014 arrived from Euston to recover it. Once again featuring mixed pairs, on this working were 81 70 4846 004+035, followed by 000+ 001, 070+071, 069+074, 014+015, 017+020, 164+203, 171+196, 168+207, 162+205, 172+191, 189+206, 169+192, 177+190, 163+182, 176+193, 002+003, 053+056, 043+048 and 066+067.
With the new order much in evidence, older flats have begun to be stored. For example, on September 29, 66587 had charge of the 4S52 07.51 Basford Hall-barassie Yard that featured FSA 608301/30/39/43/85/86, FTA 607013/25/30/33/48/53 and FEA 640365/66.
More shortened hoppers
Ten more IIA hoppers were left at WH Davis on September 1 to be reduced in length, 66726 bringing in 37 70 6791 012/16/26/32/41/43/44/54/60/69 from Doncaster seven days later. 66713 made the same journey to Shirebrook with just HYA 371079, but headed back to Doncaster with newly completed IIAS 37 70 6791 017/22/23/29/49/57/ 62/84/87/91.
Meanwhile, former RMC JGA hoppers RMC13708 and RMC17224 were delivered to Booth’s from Knottingley on October 13, with DB Cargo 60062 being the choice of power.
Rare ground for aviation TEAS
With additional aviation fuel supplies required, somewhat ironically, at Prestwick ahead of the 26th United Nations COP26 climate conference 2021, being held in Glasgow, some of the TEA tankers that are usually employed on the Grain-colnbrook traffic had a long distance outing on October 13.
Powered throughout by Railfreight Construction-liveried 66793, the 6Z94 01.30 Grain-wembley and 6S94 04.28 Wembley-prestwick employed 81 70 7836 002/06/07/18/21/22/24/29/35/37.