STOP PRESS: CFPS Class 40 returns to Bury after LSL agreement ends

THE HIRE agreement between the Class 40 Preservation Society (CFPS) and Locomotive Services Ltd (LSL) has been ended by mutual agreement, with main line-registered Class 40 D345 due to have returned to Bury by the time this issue of Railways Illustrated goes on sale.

The agreement between the CFPS and LSL for the hire of D345 had been due to expire at the end of February (see story on page 24, which was completed before this news broke), but negotiations were to be held between the two organisations with a view to a possible extension. However, it appears that comments made on social media have caused problems between the CFPS and LSL, with CFPS chairman John Stephens confirming in a statement that the agreement between the two organisations had been ended and the locomotive would be returned to them. The Class 40, which was returned to BR green livery at Crewe last year, was due to move back to its home base on the East Lancashire Railway on January 24.

We will bring you more on this story in the next issue of Railways Illustrated, which will be on sale from March 3.

Paul Berry Main line-registered Class 40s D345 and D213 Andania approach Grayrigg summit on the West Coast Main Line, working ‘The Double Scotch’ charter from Crewe to Edinburgh on November 13, 2021. This was the last train to be operated by D345 while on hire to Locomotive Services.