Indholdsfortegnelse for July 2023 i Railways Illustrated

The last few weeks have marked the end of another two BR-built electric multiple unit designs – the demise of the Class 313s on Southern’s Coastway services and the Class 321 Renatus EMUs that were in service with Greater Anglia until early April. Southern and Greater Anglia went to much trouble to hold commemorative charters using the trains, with both taking place on April 29. Sure, it wasn’t ideal that the farewell specials occurred on the same date, but this was beyond the control of organisers. Both trains proved to be popular with enthusiasts, with the Class 313 event a sell-out and the Class 321 attracting more than 300 passengers wanting to take a final trip in the EMUs. As you will see on page 14, the two tours raised…

GREAT WESTERN Railway has also got into the spirit of the coronation by launching the ‘Flying Carolean’ from London Paddington on May 5. The new name was applied to the side of GWR Class 802 Intercity Express Train 802103, with the 08.48 service from London Paddington to Swansea now operated using the name. The official coronation logo has also been applied to the bodyside. A short ceremony attended by Rail Minister Huw Merriman was held to mark the occasion when the train arrived at Paddington from Cheltenham at 07.59. Following its arrival in Swansea, the Welsh name of the train, ‘Y Carolean Hedegog’, was applied to the opposite side of 802103. The naming is especially in recognition of the King’s 59-year period as the Prince of Wales. GWR managing director…

THE REIGN of FirstGroup as operator of the TransPennine Express contract came to an end from May 28, following an announcement by Transport Secretary Mark Harper that TPE was to be brought under the control of a Government-backed operator of last resort. TPE has been subject to fierce criticism in recent months for poor levels of performance, service disruptions, and regular train cancellations as a result of an ongoing driver shortage. The situation was highlighted by statistics recently released from the Office of Road and Rail that showed in the four-week period from February 5 to March 4, TPE’s overall cancellation rate was 23.8% due to either a shortage of train crew or lack of available trains (Railways Illustrated issue 244). The contract to operate TPE expired on May 28,…

WHILE VENDING machines have long been an established feature at most larger railway stations, one with a bit of a difference has proved to be a popular addition to Exeter St David’s. A partnership between Great Western Railway, Penguin Books and Exeter UNESCO City of Literature has seen a book vending machine brought into use at the station’s main entrance, selling a variety of Penguin Books, including contemporary and classic titles. Titles will be changed on a regular basis, with the machine – supplied by Graddon Vending – also featuring new releases and favourite titles, as well as titles that mark key moments throughout the year. In less than a month, more than 200 books have been sold. Profits will support Exeter UNESCO City of Literature, a charity that champions…

APRIL 29 saw train operators mark the impending withdrawal of two popular designs of electric multiple units by operating special Farewell tours of their networks, with the two tours raising a combined total of more than £47,000 for nominated charity partners. The charters were operated as Southern and Greater Anglia marked the end of Class 313 and Class 321 operations respectively – both of which have been replaced by more modern fleets. The Class 313s operated by Southern were the oldest remaining EMU fleet in regular use, with the first of the British Rail York-built units dating back to 1976. Although it was rumoured the Class 313s would be withdrawn from traffic this year, this was only recently confirmed by Govia Thameslink Railway subsidiary operator Southern, with the remaining operational…

ANOTHER TWO Class 43 HST power cars have been stood down from service by Great Western Railway as the rundown of the operator’s shortformed Castle Class HSTs continues. However, despite initial indications that the HSTs would be retired from service by GWR before the end of the year, some of the sets are to be retained into 2024. There was always an intention that some of the HST sets would be retained for a period to assist on occasions when fleet availability might require them, but GWR has now clarified that some sets will remain in traffic beyond the new year. It is intended that the remaining sets will stay on mid-distance journeys in the region where they currently work. The power cars and coaching stock sets that are being…

NETWORK RAIL’S stored 97301 moved from its long-term base at Loram, Derby, on May 2, being transferred by road to Boden Rail Engineering’s base at Nottingham Eastcroft, where it yielded components to aid the return to traffic of 97303 Dave Berry and 97304 John Tiley, which had both been stopped awaiting repairs. Following attention at Nottingham, 97303 returned to use on May 10, the same day that 97301 was once again on the move. However, it has not been returned to Loram’s Derby base, instead moving to Peak Rail for continued storage at Rowsley South. This is not the first NR-owned locomotive to be stored at Peak Rail, as 73138 is also stored at the same site.…

Marnham departures Although DATS has recently sold a number of its Mk.3 coaches to Eastern Rail Services (see page 19), of the Mk.3s remaining in DATS ownership, RFM 10237 and DVTs 82115 and 82306 departed Network Rail’s High Marnham test track on April 17 bound for Burton, with HST power car 43076 leading and 43050 and 43066 also in the formation. The ensemble had been present for further testing of the troubled prototypes for London Underground’s new fleet of Chinese-built infrastructure wagons, the coaches serving as coupling adaptors and brake force runners. However, the working got no further than Toton Yard, where it was halted with an issue. Burton was not reached until April 21. Meanwhile, the company’s third DVT, 82136, made the journey from High Marnham to Burton by…

Modified MRAs The first set of MRA side-tippers to be fitted with a dust suppression system was collected from Shirebrook by 37901 and 37418 on May 11 and taken to Toton. The project is a trial between Network Rail and WH Davis to reduce the amount of hazardous dust created when the wagons discharge large quantities of ballast to create track beds. Generator wagon 501305 has seen one of its ballast boxes converted into a 5000-litre water tank and pump with pipework installed to the rest of the wagons, 501325/353/354/355, in the fixed set. Prior to tipping, the ballast will be heavily sprayed with water which should eliminate the dust clouds. Biomass extras Construction of 30 additional IIA-D biomass hoppers for Drax Power was well advanced at WH Davis in…

THE NEWLY-REPAINTED Class 37 on the East Lancashire Railway made its debut in its new colours on May 13. Following bodywork repairs, the split-headcode 37109 has been repainted into Railfreight triple grey livery with Metals Sector branding, complete with cast BR double arrows on the driver’s cabside and cast Thornaby depot plaques on the secondman’s cabside. The privately-owned Class 37 has been based on the ELR since being preserved in 2007. Withdrawn by English Welsh and Scottish Railways in January 2004, 37109 arrived on the ELR in late 2007 carrying faded and weatherworn EWS colours, which it retained for its first year as a preserved locomotive. It was repainted into BR blue in early 2009 and remained in this livery until being stopped for bodywork attention and a repaint last…

THE GREAT Central Railway’s spring diesel weekend on April 22/23 proved extremely popular, with the railway stating that attendance went into the thousands. The event featured resident diesel locomotives Class 33 D6535, Class 37s D6700 and 37714 Cardiff Canton, Class 45 D123 Derbyshire & Leicester  shire Yeomanry and – returning to GCR service after almost 18 months out of use undergoing engine repairs – 50017 Royal Oak. They were joined by the Diesel Traction Group’s Class 17 D8568, which dropped in from its usual base on the Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway before moving on to take part in the Swanage Railway and the Severn Valley for their own diesel events in May. The Ecclesbourne Valley Railway’s Derby Lightweight railcar, ‘Iris’, is still currently on the line and was also in…

03162– Llangollen: There was more progress made on the Class 03’s overhaul on April 26. The front bufferbeam’s rust and flaking paint has been removed and, after a struggle, the air cylinder brackets were also removed. Both rotten cab door sills have been removed to use as a pattern for new recycled hardwood replacements. The bodywork inspection highlighted just five areas that need cutting out and new metal installed. Finally, one of the cab sliding windows was removed. The good news was that the expected severe corrosion around the frame wasn’t there – and certainly nothing that some rust killer and a good paint system won’t fix. 03179 – Rushden: The team reviving Clive has been busy during April. The outside roof has had two coats of green and now…

Arlington Fleet Group is responsible for the revival of Eastleigh Works, returning the huge complex from a semi-derelict site into a thriving centre of engineering excellence. Andy Coward was invited to take a tour of the vast site and find out more about the company and the work it does. June marked the 50th anniversary of the first charter to be operated by Peter Watts under the banner of F&W Railtours. Since rebranded as Pathfinder Tours, the company is now one of the leading rail charter promoters. Pip Dunn speaks to Peter Watts about his 50 years organising some iconic and memorable tours. Plus all the latest news from around the UK and the best in railway photography. Pre-order your copy of the next issue of Railways Illustrated or take…

PASSENGERS AT London Waterloo were treated to the remarkable spectacle of thousands of military personnel marching through the station on the morning of May 6. A series of nine specially-chartered Troop Trains were operated by South Western Railway, in conjunction with Network Rail, to help transport more than 5000 Armed Forces personnel taking part in the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla. Members of the Royal Navy, Army, Royal Air Force and Commonwealth forces used nine trains operating into London Waterloo – what is believed to have been the biggest movement of military personnel by the rail industry since Winston Churchill’s funeral in 1965. Members of the Royal Navy, Army and Commonwealth forces travelled on seven SWR trains, while the RAF used two West Coast Railways-operated trains chartered…

MID-MAY SAW a further series of strikes across many parts of the rail network, with both ASLEF and the RMT announcing new strike dates in their ongoing disputes with train operating companies over pay and conditions. Despite the RMT recently reaching agreement on its dispute with Network Rail (Railways Illustrated issue 244), the union announced further action for May 13 and June 2 in its ongoing dispute with the Rail Delivery Group, which is negotiating on pay on behalf of 14 train operating companies. The union has claimed that the Rail Delivery Group had reneged on part of the previous offer that was made to reach a resolution to the dispute that is now approaching its first anniversary. RMT union members have also voted to support further industrial action following…

EAST MIDLANDS Railway has launched its Luton Airport Express services between London St Pancras International and Luton Airport Parkway stations, linking up with the recently introduced DART electric shuttle service taking passengers for the airport to and from the railway station. The service operates every 30 minutes Monday to Saturday, with regular services also operating on Sunday. The journey between London and Luton Airport Parkway takes about half an hour, while the transfer between Luton Airport Parkway and Luton Airport by the DART shuttle takes about four minutes, providing a quick and direct link between the trains and airport. London Luton is one of the UK’s busiest airports, carrying more than 13 million leisure and business passengers in 2022 and serving more than 140 destinations in Europe, North Africa and…

THREE CLASS 37s and a Class 57 have been made available for sale by Direct Rail Services. The operator wrote to possible interested parties ahead of issuing a tender notice for 37069, 37402 Stephen Middlemore, 37423 Spirit of the Lakes and 57002 Rail Express. DRS stored 37069 in January this year, while 37402 was removed from traffic in February 2022, the same month as 37423. While the Class 57/0 has officially been in an operational pool, it has been out of traffic for several months and is currently located at Stowmarket Marsh Lane. The operator has recently returned 37407 Blackpool Tower to operational condition but previously announced that it could be interested in selling its Class 37 fleet and leasing them back, having cancelled plans for a similar deal last…

THE LATEST Class 69 has been completed by Progress Rail at Longport, with 69008 emerging on a test run from Longport to Doncaster Roberts Road on April 26, with 69002 Bob Tiller CM&EE in tow and collecting a wagon from Stoke Marcroft en route. The return working back to Longport saw the newly completed locomotive hauling classmates 69006 and 69007 Richard Trevithick. 69008, which was converted from 56038, is the first Class 69 to be fitted with Dellner couplers and translator equipment to allow for the movement of multiple units. As with previous Class 69s, it is expected that 69008 will be moved to Eastleigh Works for repainting before it enters revenue-earning service. It is understood that it will be repainted into standard GBRf orange and dark blue livery, as…

CLASS 153 19/4 – 153373 became the first Class 153 to work to Mallaig in passenger service, it forming the 18.23 Glasgow Queen Street-Mallaig with 156500 from Crianlarich, with 156450 detaching here for Oban. CLASS 156 29/4 – 156408 5N31 09.13 Derby Etches Park-Newton Heath, transfer to Northern. CLASS 180 20/4 – 37884 + 180103 + 37608 5Q72 14.43 Ilford-Wembley, 5Q18 23.38 Wembley-Crofton, set returning from an array of repairs after eight months at Ilford. CLASS 197 18/4 – 66541 + 197105 6Q98 10.03 Donnington RFT-Basford Hall, then 6Q50 10.38 Basford Hall-Wolverton the next day. 19/4 – 66541 + 197001 6Q51 16.50 Wolverton-Basford Hall. 25/4 – 66511 + 197046 6Q51 16.50 Wolverton-Basford Hall. 2/5 – 197048 CAF, Newport to Donnington RFT by road. CLASS 313 10/5 – 313201 + 313208…

Alstom After just six months in North London, 08887 was on the move again on May 11, departing from Alstom’s Wembley depot to Longsight. Beacon Rail The latest addition to the line of Class 18s at Wolverton Works is 18012, this arriving from the Clayton workshops in late April. HNRC A busy period for HNRC has seen 08706 sold into preservation, it arriving at the Colne Valley Railway on April 24 after being returned to working order at Shackerstone. Now at the Battlefield Line are Thomas Hill Vanguard 01547 and 08804, the pair arriving from Long Marston and the East Kent Railway on April 21 and 25 respectively. Another departure from the East Kent Railway but this time to Barrow Hill – was 08685, it moving on May 4. With…

THE FLEET of high speed train vehicles at the Colne Valley Railway has expanded following the delivery of another two Class 43 HST power cars in early May. The latest arrivals are former First Great Western MTU4000 engine fitted power cars 43023 and 43165, which now join the existing 125 Heritage fleet currently consisting of former FGW power car 43071, along with ex-East Midlands Railway power cars 43073 Neville Hill HST Depot 42 Years and 43082 Railway Children. 43023 was transferred from Ely to Castle Hedingham on May 2, followed by 43165 two days later. While 43165 has been bought by 125 Heritage founders Neil Bunt and Martin Smith, 43023 has been privately purchased by HST enthusiast and 125 Heritage volunteer Matt Golding. Mr Golding already owns former East Midlands…

THE LONG-HELD ambition of the 125 Group to operate main line charters using its preserved power cars and Mk.3 trailer coaches has passed an important point following the fitting and commissioning of controlled emission toilets (CETs) to former East Midlands Railway Mk.3 Trailer Standard 42111. When the Mk.3 stock was withdrawn, the vehicles were not fitted with CET tanks, which are now required by passenger vehicles operating over the main line network. Therefore, a suitable installation was designed, and the equipment fitted to 42111 has now been approved. The group intends to install CET tanks to at least another two of their Mk.3 coaching stock fleet, at which point they will be able to be operated on main line charters in the autumn of this year. This work will continue…

RECENTLY REPAINTED Class 73 electro-diesel E6040 The Bluebell Railway has been moved to its namesake line to join the resident diesel fleet. The privately-owned locomotive departed Arlington Fleet Group at Eastleigh on April 24 and was unloaded at Sheffield Park the following day. Now it has been delivered to the Bluebell, attention has turned to carrying out maintenance exams and commissioning, ahead of driver training. The BR blue locomotive was started for the first time at its new home on May 13, with various maintenance tasks carried out by diesel group volunteers. Subject to operational change, it was planned that E6040 would take part in the Bluebell Railway members day on June 3, as well as being in use the following weekend – June 10/11 – for the Bluebell on…

THE EMBSAY & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway marked the 25th anniversary of train services operating to the Bolton Abbey terminus with a celebratory Mixed Traction Gala Weekend on May 7/8. The heritage railway, which runs through the Yorkshire Dales between Embsay, near Skipton, and Bolton Abbey, was brought into use in the autumn of 1997. The extended line was officially reopened by the late Sir William McAlpine on May 1, 1998. The event saw Class 20 D8110 and 37294 join the railway’s steam locomotives in working a combination of passenger and freight trains along the five-mile route. The Class 20 was working its first passenger services on the line following its purchase by the Yorkshire Dales Railway Museum Trust from Harry Needle Railroad Company earlier this year (Railways Illustrated issue…

THE PLYM Valley Railway operated its first test trains using recently purchased Class 101 diesel multiple unit ‘Lab 19 Iris II’ on May 7. The two-car DMU arrived on the line in mid-April from its former home on the Barry Tourist Railway. The two-car unit – consisting of driving motor brake standard 53222 and driving motor composite lavatory 53338 – spent its final years of service on the rail network as a radio survey unit in departmental service. The unit was initially preserved on the West Somerset Railway before moving to the Barry Tourist Railway, where it was refitted for passenger use once again. The PVR said it is pleased with the condition of its new arrival, which is seen as being more in keeping with a heritage railway. The…

LONDON NORTH Eastern Railway has launched a new daily named service – and it was officially ‘crowned’ at London King’s Cross station at 11.00 on May 6, King Charles III’s coronation day. The 11.00 LNER service between London King’s Cross and Edinburgh Waverley is now named the ‘Carolean Express’, joining the other named service trains already operating over the LNER route. It operates daily, calling at York, Darlington, Newcastle, Berwick-upon-Tweed and Edinburgh Waverley. The weekday ‘Flying Scotsman’ operates in the opposite direction, leaving Edinburgh Waverley at 05.40 for London King’s Cross, calling only at Newcastle en route. There is a long tradition of naming trains operating over the East Coast Main Line in connection with royal events. This began with ‘The Silver Jubilee’ in 1935, which was launched to celebrate…

HIGHLY RESPECTED and renowned railway photographer Brian Morrison, whose images have graced countless publications since his first picture was published in 1951, died on April 30 at the age of 93. Following the launch of Railways Illustrated in 2003 by Ian Allan Publishing, Brian was an important part of the team, supporting editor Colin Marsden as the magazine became established following the closure of its predecessor, Railway World. He also contributed to a number of other titles for almost seven decades and was most recently the contributing editor of Railway Herald. Such was the prolific nature of his time at the lineside and at events, Brian amassed a huge library of more than 200,000 images and compiled 50-plus books for a variety of publishers, which he either wrote directly or…

WITH THE city of Liverpool chosen to host the 2023 Eurovision song contest on behalf of Ukraine, the run-up to the event has seen three train operators getting into the spirit of the popular competition, which saw thousands of visitor descend on the city in the week before the final on May 13. Trains in Merseyrail’s, TransPennine Express’s and London Northwestern’s fleets were given special vinyl wraps ahead of the event. First to appear in late April was Merseyrail’s recently introduced 777013 electric multiple unit with a colourful blue, yellow and magenta vinyl wrap along the whole length of the four-coach train, promoting the contest with ‘United by Music’, Eurovision and BBC branding. A few days later, TPE 397011 appeared with a partial vinyl wrap to the cabsides of the…

Now withdrawn from service, original prototype Metrocar 4001 is to be preserved at the Stephenson Railway Museum. Its move from Gosforth to its new home is expected to take place over the next few weeks. The 1975-vintage vehicle – which carries a commemorative vinyl wrap celebrating the various livery schemes applied during the working lives of the Metro fleet – had been subject to some component recovery after being taken out of traffic, but it has now had most of its missing glazing replaced and will be tidied up prior to being handed over to its new owner. It will be displayed as a cosmetic exhibit at the museum, and there are no plans for it to be returned to operational condition. It has been confirmed by Nexus that Metrocar…

AFTER BEING released from its use with Govia Thameslink Railway operator Southern following 57 years based at Stewarts Lane (Railways Illustrated issue 244), 73202 has been released from exam at St Leonards, making its way to Tonbridge West yard for entry into service with GB Railfreight. The Class 73/2 still retains the green and white colours of its former operator but has been stripped of its Southern branding and cabside fleet numbers, which have been replaced by large GBRf branding and numbers in orange, set against the white background on the bodyside. It is expected that the locomotive will be repainted at some point in future now that its transfer has been completed.…

EMR modifies former Southern Turbostars The three former Class 171 Turbostars that joined East Midlands Railway last year all underwent coupling modifications in late April to make them compatible with the rest of the EMR fleet. These had initially retained their Dellners upon transfer from Southern, restricting their usefulness and bringing renumbering as 170922-924 to highlight the different coupling type. First to emerge after receiving BSI couplings was 170424, the now renumbered former 170924 forming 2S27, the 17.48 Nottingham to Skegness on April 19, while 170422 (ex 170922) was completed three days later. With the units no longer restricted to certain duties, 170424 formed 1Z13, the 17.42 Nottingham to Norwich on April 23, and 170422 on 1L10, the 10.51 Liverpool Lime Street to Norwich and 1M82, the 16.56 Norwich to…

EASTLEIGH WORKS was once again the centre of repainting activity during April, Arlington Fleet Group first outshopping 37611 in the blue Rail Operations Group livery already carried by 37800. This was then followed by the emergence of newly imported and renumbered 66307 and 66308 in standard GB Railfreight blue and orange. Over at Toton depot in Nottinghamshire, 66168 has become the latest DB Cargo Class 66 to be repainted out of the obsolete EWS maroon and gold into the company’s bright red and grey colours. With 73202 now part of the GBRf fleet, its Southern colours have been suitably adorned with large orange numbers and lettering following a visit to St Leonards. Also with new branding is Colas Rail’s 56051, it now carrying ‘Green Fuel for a Greener Future’ branding,…

MORE THAN 23 years since it last worked a passenger train in preservation, 50021 Rodney returned to action at the Swanage Railway’s annual diesel gala on May 12-14. However, its appearance at the popular event was a close run thing, with majority shareholder and restoration coordinator Paul Spracklen telling Railways Illustrated that the movement from its base at Eastleigh Works had only been possible due to cooperation between various companies and individuals. “We owe a huge debt of thanks to the team at Arlington Fleet Group and everyone else who pulled out all the stops to ensure that 50021 could be inspected and moved to Swanage,” he explained. “The Arlington team, led by John Campbell and Andy Key, went out of their way to arrange for the Class 50 to…

JUNE IS a busy month for heritage modern traction enthusiasts as several major railway lines host diesel events. Kicking off the month is the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway’s first Rodz Day on June 3, featuring KWVR diesel shunters D2511, D32 and D0226 Vulcan alongside visiting Class 14 D9520, which is on the railway throughout the month and is also expected to take part in the railway’s main diesel event three weeks later. The following weekend is particularly busy. The West Somerset Railway’s diesel event takes place from June 8-10, with an impressive line-up of visiting locomotives joining the railway’s resident operational diesel fleet. Expected to be visiting the line are newly-overhauled Class 14 D9551 from the Severn Valley Railway, Waterman Railways Heritage Trust’s Class 25 D7659, South Devon Diesel…

It was November 2019 when Accurascale first announced it was following up the Class 55 Deltics with another immensely popular English Electric design, in the form of the Class 37s. At the time, there was a clear opening for a next-generation model of the Type 3s as the Bachmann rendering was a hotchpotch of different tooling, with some sub-classes being better than others, while the ViTrains model had quietly slipped into oblivion and Hornby’s reheating of the old Lima offering was for the budget end of the market. However, with various delays occurring in the development of the Accurascale version, this allowed Bachmann the time needed to release a completely re-tooled Class 37 last summer, as the manufacturer was unwilling to surrender one of the cornerstones of its diesel range.…