Coaching Stock News
LSL plans Scotrail Mk.3s
The surprise appearance of two Mk.3a TSOS, fully-finished in 1980s Scotrail colours, outside Locomotive Services’ Crewe depot in mid-june has sparked speculation that the company is in the process of putting together a recreation of an Edinburgh-glasgow push-pull set.
Of the two, 12171 was previously repainted in Intercity colours during 2020 but had not seen any use since, while it has been joined by 12111 which also carried the livery.
The sighting would certainly explain the acquisition of Mk.2f DBSOS 9704 and 9707 from DRS back in March, and it would not be a particularly difficult job to reinstate the cab front gangway connection that was removed in 1990/91 to create the correct look.
Steam Dreams sold
June 1 brought the news that the Steam Dreams charter operation had been acquired by Locomotive Services Group, including LNER B1 4-6-0 61306 Mayflower. This departed from Southall for Crewe the next day, with Mk.1 BSK support coach 35479 and RBR 1666. The latter had its first outing for its new owner on June 16, accompanying LSL’S Intercity Mk.3 set from King’s Cross to Edinburgh with 47614 and 47593 top-and-tailing to Hellifield, where 46100 Royal Scot replaced 47614.
Another Mk.1 buffet returned to the main line is RMB 1863. Now finished in BR carmine and cream, it has been fitted with electronic central door locking and was first used on May 19, when D6817 (37521) and 37688 Great
Rocks took the chairman’s private train from Crewe to Llandudno. Similarly completed Mk.1 FO 3107 was released from Eastleigh Works on June 7, with D6817 taking it back to Crewe with Midland Pullman Mk.3 41182 and Mk.2f TSO 5991 acting as a barrier. The previous day had seen the Type 3 work south with TF 41059 for retention tank fitting.
Also newly acquired by Locomotive Services Group are ex-greater Anglia Mk.3s 10404, 11066, and 11082, these all arriving at Crewe by road from the Barry Tourist Railway on June 15.
More Mk.4s for TFW
Transport for Wales has purchased further Mk.4s from those stored at Worksop, giving it enough to form a further set for use on its expanded locomotive-hauled operations. The latest acquisitions are 10307, 11316, 12229, 12308, 12526, and a pair of DVTS in 82204 and 82206. Meanwhile, former Grand Central set GC03 (10330, 11321, 12222, 12323, 12461, 82227) was moved south from Crewe to Eastleigh on May 5 behind 37884 Cepheus before heading to Landore in the charge of 37510 Orion on June 18.
Early May also saw 10332, 11309, 12209, 12410 and 12423 moved by road from Worksop to Booth’s Rotherham yard for disposal, meaning Worksop is now almost clear of off-lease Mk.4s.
Cockshute revitalised
In a surprise development, haulier Reid Freight Services has begun using the sidings at Cockshute, Stoke, as storage space for numerous items of rolling stock. This is seemingly intended to reduce the pressure on its nearby Longton yard, where some items were previously stored.
By late May, Cockshute was housing a number of traditional two-axle wagons, along with Northumbria Rail-owned Mk.1 Propelling Control Vehicle 95301, Class 483 car 229 from 483009, and Mk.2f TSO 6141. The latter has most recently been in Riviera Trains ownership at Burton Wetmore but available for sale. It was joined by two further Riviera coaches in early June – 5910 and an unidentified Anglia Railways-liveried example, also coming from Burton.
DATS transfers
Making their first main line outing of the year on May 20 were eight of the Dats-owned Mk.3s transferred from the former Brush works at Loughborough to Leicester. Powered by 56091, this featured BR reversed grey/blue test coaches 11074 and 12092, along with former Virgin ‘Pretendolino’ vehicles 11018/048 and 12078/122/133/138. On the move by road, 40728 was collected from Chinnor and moved to Wishaw in mid-may, while long-stored Mk.3b DVT 82138 has arrived at Loughborough, having spent almost two years at the nearby Great Central Railway.
Sleeper return
Caledonian Sleeper Mk.5 15340 finally returned to service on May 19 after two and a half years out of traffic, it being included in the 1C11 23.42 Edinburgh-carstairs portion behind 92010 and going forward to Euston in 1M11 with 92018 for power.
Just six months after delivery at the time, it was hit by 73969 at Fort William on November 6, 2019, incurring damage that was finally repaired by Brodie Rail last year. Completed back in November, it has resided on Polmadie awaiting further work and recommissioning.