Coaching Stock News
Midland tests
Four of the former Crosscountry Mk.3s stored at Great Yarmouth – 42097, 42376, 44012 and 45003 – were collected by newly-reinstated Colas-operated HST power cars 43301 and 43303 on April 5 and transferred to Leicester. It is understood that the formation will be used on further overhead electrification tests on the Midland Main Line in the coming weeks, which may also involve 91117. Network Rail is currently completing an extension of the 25kv AC catenary between Kettering and Wigston, as well as upgrading the wiring south of Bedford. On an unrelated note, but also concerning the ERS fleet at Yarmouth, Mk.3s 10237 and 12091 were delivered to the East Anglia resort from Castle Donington on March 26, with traction coming from 37901.
Long Marston swaps
The exchange of Mk.5s set between Longsight and Long Marston continued throughout March and April. With the coaches still officially on lease to Transpennine Express, exams still have to be carried out as scheduled until they formally go off-lease during May. As a result, March 28 saw 68027 deliver set TP06 to Long Marston and return to Longsight with TP07, moves which were repeated on April 4 by 68031 with TP04 and then a de-branded TP12.
On April 9, a still-branded TP07 was returned to Long Marston by 68027 before the locomotive headed back to Manchester with a plain grey TP05. Late March also saw the spare driving trailer 12802 arrive at Long Marston by road from the CAF assembly plant at Newport, where it had resided since Jun 2021.
April 11 found 68032 atop 5Q94, the 08.56 Longsight to Long Marston with TP03 when it suffered power problems at Stafford and had to be recovered back to Crewe by 57304, the formation duly being able to limp into Crewe South Yard. Three days earlier, 68023 had taken TP10 from Crewe to Longsight. As of mid-april, the Mk.5 sets were located as follows: Crewe South – TP02/03/08; Long Marston – TP04/06/07/09/11/13; Longsight – TP05/10/12; and Wolverton – TP01.
TFW lengthening
Two more of the Mk.4 sets operated by Transport for Wales have been extended to feature five passenger coaches, with HD06 returned to traffic in late March formed of 12222, 12323, 10330, 11321, 12461 and 82227. By mid-april, HD02 had similarly received its extra TSO and was awaiting re-entry to traffic after shakedown runs, now featuring 12219, 12304, 10328, 11324, 12447 and 82229. Only two sets, HD04 and HD05, now await the additional vehicle.
Riviera repaints
A mixed set of Riviera Trains coaching stock was transferred from Burton to Carnforth by 47812 and 57012 on April 3. Of the consist, Mk.1 kitchen car 80042, Mk.1 generator van 6310 and Mk.2f TSO 5921 are all due to be repainted into BR blue/grey by West Coast, 6310 already being in undercoat in preparation. Also included were Mk.2e BSO 9507 for tyre turning and Mk.1 buffet 1671 to serve as a painting template for 80042.
Scotsman return
The Royal Scotsman landcruise set commenced its 2024 operating season on April 3, with 66746 heading the 1H89 1345 Edinburgh-boat of Garten. This marked a return to Aviemore, where last year’s programme was prematurely curtailed on September 29 by a shunting collision with 60103 Flying Scotsman, several coaches requiring repairs and internal cleaning as a result. While the set’s formation remains unchanged, observation car 99965 has received replacement double-glazed windows over the winter, these being noticeably larger than the original Mk.1 Pullman windows.