Shunter News

HNRC

The return of 08630 to Cardiff Tidal in mid-january was short-lived as February 14 saw it being unloaded at Barrow Hill for repairs.

By early March, it was outside the HNRC workshops, devoid of its roof and body panels, along with its generator.

Newly overhauled 08799 left the roundhouse site on the same day as 08630 arrived, it being taken to Worksop to assume yard pilot duties.

Railway Support Services

Now owned by Valley Rail Preservation, 09004 has become the latest shunter to be hired to RSS, it departing the Avon Valley Railway on March 24, bound for the intermodal terminal at Hams Hall.

Earlier in the day, the low-loader had delivered BR green-liveried 08927 to the Bristol line from Wishaw, this being destined for contract repairs.

Completing the sequence of transfers, 08460 was returned to Wishaw from Hams Hall following 09004’s arrival.

The last full week of February saw Beacon Rail’s 18001 end its year-long stay at Whitemoor Yard and trial with GB Railfreight, at least for now. Taken to the former Brush works at Loughborough, it is due to undergo maintenance and upgrades to match its more recent sisters. To fill the gap left by the departure of the Beacon Railowned hybrid, RSS dispatched 08511 from Wishaw to Whitemoor on about March 3 to join stablemate 08699.

RMS Locotec

With 08622 in need of engine repairs, March 1 saw 08762 moved south from its hire to Eco-power Environmental at Rossington, near Doncaster, to Ketton cement works, with its ailing sister locomotive departing north later that day. Delivery of 08622 to the RMS Locotec workshops at Wolsingham was made early the following morning, allowing the low-loader to head to Teesport and return with 08423 on the same day, as this locomotive was also needing attention.