Coaching Stock News

DRS Mk.2 sales

The winners of the recent Direct Rail Services Mk.2 tenders have become clear with the transfer of the coaches to their new owners. Late March saw DBSOS 9704 and 9707 moved by road from MOD Longtown to Crewe to join the Locomotive Services fleet. April 6 saw 68018 transfer TSOS 5787, 5937 and 6173 from Motherwell to Kingmoor, this move also including 37425. The next day and with 57002 now in charge, the three TSOS continued onward to Barrow Hill with the addition of Mk.2f 6064 and DBSOS 9705 and 9710 to the train. At Barrow Hill, 9705 was removed and this is now understood to be owned by Europhoenix. The ‘body-snatcher’ then continued on to Great Yarmouth in order to deliver 5787, 5937, 6064, 6173 and 9710 into the ownership of Eastern Rail Services. A start was soon made on removing the DRS branding, with 5937 the first to be done. Of the remaining DRS coaches, DBSO 9709 still resides at Longtown, while Mk.2d BSO 9488, currently at Motherwell, looks set to be retained by the company for non-passenger use.

Network Rail Mk.2 replacements

The first of the former DRS Mk.2s acquired by Network Rail for use in test trains was noted in action on March 22. Still carrying full DRS livery, 5995 was included in the formation of 3Z08, the 14.15 Derby RTC to Darlington, and 3Q08 21.33 return ultrasonic test train, with 37612 acting as power. The rest of the set featured brake force runner ex-motorail van 96604, generator van 6262, ultrasonic test vehicle 999606, and remote train operating vehicle 9702.

Two more of the six acquired TSOS were transferred from Cardiff Canton to Derby on April 11, 6001 and 6122 being sandwiched between HST power cars 43274 and 43257, leaving 5971 and 6008 in South Wales.

New uses for Mk.4s

Five of the redundant Mk.4s stored at Worksop have found new roles, with early March seeing 12415, 12417 and 12443 moved by road to the Fire Service College at Moreton-in-marsh for use as training vehicles. Donated by Eversholt Rail, these have replaced the two Pendolino cars that were disposed of at the start of the year for use in exercises.

Meanwhile, March 28 saw 37601 haul 12230 and 12468 from Worksop to the National Railway Museum, from where they were transferred by road to the York Rail Operating Centre over the next two nights. These are to be the centrepiece of a new practical training site that will be used to simulate incidents such as derailments and dewirements, and instruct railway staff and emergency services in carrying out evacuations.

Mk.3 disposals

With Rail Operations Group having pulled out of running charter trains, its fleet of Mk.3s have begun to be sent for scrap.

MOD Bicester was the first to be cleared on March 29, with 37884 taking former Arriva Trains Wales TSOS 12177-79/81/83-85 to Sims, Newport, along with DVTS 82107, 82307 and 82308. The coaches stored at Castle Donington are also due to be sent for scrap.

Meanwhile, four HST trailers belonging to First Rail Holdings departed Long Marston on April 13 bound for Newport, with 37601 hauling 42167, 42231, 42563 and 42565. However, locomotive problems saw the working terminated at Worcester, with 37800 arriving the next day to assist its resurrected sister through to South Wales.

Barrier debut

March 29 brought the main line debut of two of Meridian Generic Rail’s universal barrier vehicles, these being converted Motorail vans 96603 and 96605. Partnered with Colas Rail’s 56096, the barriers were taken from Burton Wetmore to Derby Litchurch Lane to collect new SWR unit 701043 and take it to Eastleigh. However, problems saw a four-hour late departure that had been reduced to less than three hours by the time Eastleigh was reached, the ‘Grid’ then returning the barriers to Burton on what was said to be a one-off working.

PCV for scrap

Locomotive Services sent Mk.1 PCV 94335 for scrap on March 24, the former mail van leaving Crewe for EMR, Kingsbury, after a second career as a stores vehicle.

Meanwhile, the latest exchange of Blue Pullman HST trailers for fitting of retention tanks saw 41169 hauled from Crewe to Eastleigh by 37521 on March 29 with Mk.1 BSK 35465 as the barrier coach.

The return working the next day featured 41176 along with Intercity-liveried power car 43049.

TFW latest

The former Grand Central Mk.4 sets destined for use with Transport for Wales continues to tour the country for modifications. The latest to move is the erstwhile GC04, 37510 hauling 10301, 11322, 12210, 12316, 12452 and 82230 from Eastleigh to Doncaster for more attention by Wabtec on March 28.

West Coast mods

In a surprise move, three West Coast Mk.2s were delivered to Hamilton on March 30 for the fitting of retention tanks by Assenta Rail.

The oddball trio encompassed Mk.2c TSOT 6528, Mk.2f TSO 6000 and Mk.2 Pullman Parlour First 99675, with power from Carnforth being the equally rare 33029, along with 37706 for support.

Phil Chilton The last remaining Direct Rail Services Class 57/0, 57002 Rail Express, passes North Staffs Junction with 5Z38, the 07.00 Carlisle Kingmoor to Barrow Hill stock move, on April 7. The train featured former DRS stock 5787, 5937, 6064, 6173, along with DBSO 9710 and 9705. All of the coaches except 9705 were later moved to Great Yarmouth to their new owners at Eastern Rail Services; 9705 has remained at Barrow Hill for Europhoenix.

Steve Goodrum The latest addition to the private train of Locomotive Services chairman Jeremy Hosking is former Mk.3 Trailer Composite 46014. This was returned to Crewe in late March after spending some five months undergoing conversion at Independent Rail Engineering, Chesterfield. The work has included reconfiguring the windows on both sides, including fitting some ovals, electrical modifications, and full internal rebuilding. Now finished in carmine and cream and named Moidart, 46014 made its debut in its new form on April 14 when working from Edinburgh to Lincoln on the first leg of a multi-day private tour. It is seen stabled in Norwich Low Level Sidings two days later.