Wagon News
Colas timber in the news
The latest trial into expanding railborne timber operations took place on April 29, with Colas Rail operating a loaded service from Aberystwyth in conjunction with Kronospan and Network Rail. This was the first such working on the Cambrian line since the Mpv-powered experiment back in 2005 and was once again to assess the feasibility of using rail to reduce carbon emissions and remove lorries from local roads.
The inbound empties departed Chirk behind 56113 as the 6C54 04.07 to Aberystwyth, with Etcs-fitted 97303 and 97304 taking over at Shrewsbury. Loading to 10 wagons, these were KSA 33 70 4739 026/65/66/72/74/76/78, IWA 83 84 3523 032 and 041, and KFA GERS97153. The loaded return to Chirk departed at 19.56, with 56113 taking charge of 6C56 from Shrewsbury.
May 9 saw the spotlight on the 6Z51 16.02 Baglan Bay-chirk loaded timber working, again in the care of 56113, but for less positive reasons. The train was stopped south of Shrewsbury after passing the manual box at Marsh Brook, with the logs loaded aboard IWA 83 84 3523 041 reported as smouldering. The line was blocked while Shropshire F&RS attended to the issue. After initial examination, the train continued to Shrewsbury at 22.50 for further checks before being allowed to proceed. Amazingly, the logs on a second wagon were then noted on fire passing Rossett, north of Wrexham at 02.00, with North Wales F&RS responding. 6Z51 finally moved forward to Croes Newydd at 04.00 for a thorough inspection!
More arrivals
The latest batch of 30 Vtg-owned JNA box wagons were forwarded from Dollands Moor to Tonbridge West Yard on May 3, 73128 and 73141 providing the traction for 81 70 5932 461 to 490.
Here they remained for 10 days before BR green-liveried 69005 made its revenue-earning debut when, partnered with 69001, it worked the 4Z69 09.30 Tonbridge West Yard-acton Lane via Redhill with 25 of the blue wagons, those not included being 462-1, 464-7, 465-4, 474-6 and 475-3. Later on, May 13, Freightliner’s 59203 then took the rake to Milton Sidings, Didcot, for stabling.
Next through the tunnel was a further 30 Wascosa MLA ballast wagons, 66748 transferring them to Eastleigh in the small hours of May 14, the consist being 81 70 5932 281 to 310.
‘Slinger’ no more
The nine former Transplant FEA-S stored at Eastleigh Works since 2017 are to be returned to service as regular container flats.
Work was well underway during April to strip off the ‘Slinger’ rail handling equipment from 640931 and 640936-43, with the necessary exams also in progress.
Davis departures
May 4 brought the departure of a mixed sets of wagons from WH Davis, 66724 being in charge of the 4D21 12.15 departure to Doncaster Decoy. This featured shortened HYAS 37 70 6791 031-7 and 050-7, new-build JNA box wagons 81 70 5932 119/29/3133/35/37-40 and equally shiny FWA Ecofret triple sets, featuring outers 83 70 4520 340-345 and inners 83 70 4521 106-108. Another FWA was also included, this being the out-of-sequence 83 70 4520 199-8, 83 70 4521 035-3 and 83 70 4520 198-0.
Latest disposals
Internal user 024500 was finally scrapped at Toton by Euro Demolition & Dismantling in late April after some 35 years spent in the depot’s training compound, part of the time lying on its side. Previously TEA SUKO83122, the tanker was initially acquired for rerailing training before being abandoned. EMR’S Attercliffe scrapyard continues to be the destination of choice for surplus DB Cargo wagons, with late April and early May seeing the arrival of more two-axle ballast boxes, namely MFA 391137/144/227/436/617, MHA/MPA 394002/09/12, 394118/31, 394200/40/67, 394330, 394516/70, 394662/81, 394741, 394843, 394927/94, 396013/59, 396108 and MTA 395020/24/38/43/51/61/80/97/98, 395107/18/19/21/37/53/54/67/75/7 8/87/95/99 and 395201/12/37. Also sent on their last trip were meshsided OBA 110076/100, OCA opens 112099/177, RRA runners 110640/770 and ZCA Sea Urchin DC460641.