Innehållsförteckning för December 2023 från Rail Express

PLANS to close up to 974 ticket offices at stations operated by operators managed by the Department for Transport (DfT) have been rejected. A consultation ran between July 5 and September 1, during which time independent passenger watchdog Transport Focus and London TravelWatch received more than 750,000 responses. The initial period was three weeks, but this was extended. The affected operators were Avanti West Coast, c2c, Chiltern Railways, East Midlands Railway, Greater Anglia, Govia Thameslink Railway, Great Western Railway, London North Eastern Railway, London Northwestern Railway, Northern, South Western Railway, TransPennine Express and West Midlands Railway. Stations managed by operators not controlled by the DfT were unaffected. Launching the consultation, Rail Delivery Group chief executive Jacqueline Starr said that the way tickets were being bought had changed, saying that 12%…

FIVE former CrossCountry Class 43 High Speed Train power cars have transferred to Colas Railfreight, where they will be used to power Network Rail test trains. This move will allow Colas to transfer Class 37s to freight duties. The first ‘43’ to transfer was No. 43285, which ran north as the 0Z30 11.50 Plymouth Laira-Derby on October 10, to commence modifications for its new role. This was followed by Nos. 43301/303/321/357 on October 13, running under a 0Z40 19.10 headcode to Exeter Riverside, before continuing to the Rail Innovation & Development Centre (RIDC) at Asfordby for warm storage on October 16, as the 0Z60 11.00 Exeter Riverside-Old Dalby. All five ‘43s’, leased from Porterbrook, have been transferred from the EHPC pool to COTS. The ‘43s’ will join Colas and Network…

PUT up for sale earlier this year, Class 14 No. D9513 has found a new owner and left its former home at the Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway. The ‘Teddy Bear’ has been bought by a director of the Wensleydale Railway and moved by road to the line on October 8. No. D9513 presently carries its NCB blue livery and identity (No. 38) which it carried when based at Ashington Colliery. Like many of the Class 14 diesel hydraulics, it spent less than four years in BR service and joined the NCB fleet in 1968. Initially located at Crigglestone and then Allerton Bywater, it moved to the north east in 1974. After being declared surplus, it entered preservation at the Yorkshire Dales Railway (as the line at Embsay was…

IARNRÓD Éireann (IE) and Northern Ireland Railways (NIR), which jointly operate the Belfast-Dublin Enterprise service, have invited train building companies to tender to construct new stock for the cross-border service. The tender document published on September 27 states: “a call to competition by IE and NIR for the establishment of an eight-year Single Party Framework Agreement for the procurement of new Enterprise vehicles for the replacement of the existing fleet. The scope of the process will also include a contract in respect of providing maintenance, technical support and spares during a term of up to 15 years”. Eight new trains are required as the companies plan to introduce an hourly service between the two capital cities during 2028 or 2029. The maximum length of each train is limited to 200…

RAILHEAD treatment trains (RHTTs) began operating across the country towards the end of September, taking various locomotives to locations often not usually visited by such traction. Colas Railfreight, DB Cargo UK, Direct Rail Services and GB Railfreight provided traction this year, while Network Rail has supplied multi-purpose vehicles (MPVs). The operations are due to operate until early-December, but this depends on the leaf-fall season and how many leaves are left on the trees. This will be a decision made by NR, after which the annual activities will, once again, finish for another year.…

MORE than 305 million miles have been covered by the Alstom Class 390 Pendolino fleet since they first entered traffic on the West Coast Main Line (WCML) in 2002. Indeed, in the 12 months up to September 30, 2023, the fleet had completed 14.5m miles. Understandably that has led to the trains requiring attention and, eventually, an upgrade. A partnership approach between Alstom, which built the ‘390s’ and Angel Trains, which owns them, has created what is claimed to be the biggest ever fleet upgrade, costing some £117 million. The fleet availability, on a Saturday-excepted service, is for 49 diagrammed sets plus one ‘hot spare’, which tallies roughly with the number in use before the pandemic. There is then one set undergoing routine maintenance at Longsight (an M exam), one…

00 GAUGE4mm:1ft 1985 to 1987ERA CLASS 25 locomotive featuring the later style of bodyshell with shoulder mounted air intake grilles were first introduced with No. D5233 or No. 25083 in TOPS numbering, with production starting in December 1963 at Derby. The change in body design removed the troublesome body side air intake grilles which became clogged with dirt and debris. The cab fronts were tidied up at the same time with the removal of the draughty communication doors resulting in an improved cab layout and cleaner external appearance. The last of the type to be constructed was No. D7677 (No. 25327), built at Derby and introduced in the summer 1967, bringing a long production run to an end. Sub-classes Class 25/2s and Class 25/3s were built primarily for freight duties…

DB Cargo UK, Britain’s biggest rail freight operator, has entered a formal consultation with drivers’ union ASLEF, regarding plans to make several traincrew roles redundant in areas it believes there is a surplus of driver resource. It is understood that around 10% of the existing traincrew could leave the business via the redundancy route, which is around 70-75 drivers. In a memo by DB Cargo UK CEO Andrea Rossi dated November 1, and seen by Rail Express, he states: “despite our recent and ongoing efforts to improve operations, financial efficiency and profitability, regrettably we remain on course to report yet another significant loss this year. “Significant softening of some of our core markets, our recent exit from some unprofitable contracts, and loss of business to our competitors means we are…

COACHES ANGEL Trains and Porterbrook, owners of the former CrossCountry High Speed Train Mk.3 coaches which went off-lease in September, have been quick to move the vehicles away from Laira, and many could be heading for Mexico or Nigeria. The last to depart were 18 coaches which left in two convoys of nine vehicles on October 14. The first rake of these to move were Nos. 42368/371-373/376/378, 44072, 45001/004 using RailAdventure power car Nos. 43468/480, and these were followed by Nos. 41193, 42234/290/366/369, 44052, 45002/003/005, which utilised power car Nos. 43465/484. Both ran initially to Chaddesden Sidings (Derby), from where they continued to Barrow Hill on October 15 for temporary storage. The 18 coaches are expected to move to Great Yarmouth in the coming weeks. Four other Porterbrook vehicles were…

NETWORK Rail has released the first eight examples of the original MLA low-sided box wagons for reconstruction at W H Davis’ Langwith Junction site. GB Railfreight No. 66780 The Cemex Express took the wagons for conversion on September 13, as the 6Z23 09.18 Doncaster Down Decoy-Shirebrook, with former GBRf/Metronet Nos. 503028/9/49/60/7/8/75/81. Davis will be working with recently acquired subsidiary Yellow Rail to produce a range of new vehicle types. This project follows NR taking delivery of close to 150 JNA-Y ‘Hawk’ and 260 Wascosa-leased MLA-W ‘Falcons’ over the past two years, which has enabled the infrastructure owner to release the wagons. Meanwhile, Davis has commenced production on the first tranche of 25 JNA-Z boxes (RE328). The wagons, which will be similar to the recently delivered 60m3 JNAs for Land Recovery,…

CLASS 37 West Coast Railways No. 37676 Loch Rannoch accompanied WCR No. 47804 on the 1Z41 08.25 York-Carlisle ‘Dalesman’ as far as Hellifield on October 5, later taking over the back working from steam locomotive No. 45699. That same day Rail Operations Group Nos. 37510 Orion and 37611 Denise sandwiched TransPennine Express electric multiple unit No. 397007 forming the 8Q08 14.46 Longsight-Kilmarnock Bonnyton. Five days later No. 37510 was in sole charge of the transfer of West Midlands Trains Nos. 730026/035 from Oxley Depot to Doncaster Belmont. October 16 found No. 37418 An Comunn Gaidhealach hauling saloon No. 975025 Caroline from Derby to Bournemouth, and the next day touring the south coast and visiting Weymouth and Portsmouth Harbour, before making tracks for London Waterloo and then Ferme Park. On October…

THE demise of the CrossCountry High Speed Train fleet and reduction in requirements for Great Western Railway Castle 2+4 sets (RE330) has resulted in a plethora of moves of redundant stock in recent weeks. With the previous CrossCountry contract expiring on October 15, all the XC fleet had to leave Laira by that date, resulting in a mass exodus of vehicles. As this issue of Rail Express went to press, no former XC Mk.3s had yet been exported, however they were slowly migrating east either to Great Yarmouth or heading that way. The first rail departure was on October 11, when Nos. 43239 and 43366 ran to Ely from Laira with Nos. 41026/035, 42037/051, 42342/379. This formation later moved to Eastern Rail Services’ site at Great Yarmouth on October 16,…

00GAUGE4mm:1ft 1997-presentERA A little history TWELVE CLASS 37s from the Railfreight sector were allocated to European Passenger Services (EPS), and fitted for use on long distance trains working to the Channel Tunnel, along with use in a service role for the operator. Nine locomotives were drawn from the Class 37/5 fleet which were split headcode box locomotives originally refurbished for Railfreight. The boxes and communication doors were removed during refurbishment to be replaced by two marker lights which were retained along with the door cover plate. After conversion for EPS, these basic features remained until the fitting of Wipac light fittings by DRS. The remainder were allocated from the Railfreight Class 37/6 (numerically 376xx sequence) which are also referred to as Class 37/5. They were centre headcode box locomotives and…

IN THE FIRST of two technical features for this month, the brand-new ‘OO’ gauge model of No. TDB975025 Southern Region General Manager’s Saloon (also known as Caroline) makes a visit to the workbench to convert it to ‘EM’ gauge in a minimalist project. Being a completely new model, it was a bit of an unknown where its wheel sets and current collection system were concerned. When it arrived and was first examined, a clear height discrepancy was noted. But of more importance was the design of the bogies and wheel set assemblies. Would there be enough room between the bogie side frames for regauged wheels? How is the current for the internal lighting circuits collected? Can the existing wheel sets be modified, or would new ones be needed? Certainly, ‘P4’…

CLASS 68s and Mk.5As will remain leased by TransPennine Express (TPE) until the end of May 2024, however the plan remains for them to not be in traffic from the new December timetable. TPE was nationalised on May 28, joining the Department for Transport’s Operator of Last Resort (DoHL) portfolio. A subsequent deep dive into the business to identify ways in which the operator can be improved decided that removing the locomotive-hauled trains from traffic is the best option. This is based on the backlog of training and availability of competent staff. Although the operator has 13 rakes of five coaches, TPE only ever has a maximum of six sets available, but there can often be only two in use per day. The trains (66 coaches and 14 Class 68s)…

THE decision to send one of the two Class 08s owned by West Midlands Trains (WMT) for an E exam brought about the now rare sight of a shunter being hauled over Network Rail metals in mid-October. Normally based at Soho, the ongoing need for No. 08805 Hunslet has persuaded the passenger operator to put the shunter through a full overhaul, which will be carried out by Nemesis Rail at its Burton upon Trent depot. The work will also include a fresh application of its existing Railfreight Red Stripe livery as well as main line recertification, which should entail the fitting of Train Protection Warning System (TPWS) and other cab equipment. Normally such transfers would be made by road but with the entrance road to Soho restricted by a low…

LU WORLD ORIGINALLY planned to haul a heritage trip in January 2023 (RE322), in the end the Metropolitan Railway electric locomotive No.12 Sarah Siddons has been inactive all year, with no announcements regarding any railtours across either London Underground or the national network, where it had previously operated. This will have come as a huge disappointment for enthusiasts who may rue having lost the opportunity to enjoy the locomotive during its centenary year. LU has invested in the heritage locomotive in the past two decades. Back in 2008 it was repainted into its 1930s maroon livery, and it was also refitted with vacuum brakes at Eastleigh Works. No.12 was displayed during Railfest 2012, held at the National Railway Museum in York. Then, two years later, electrical modifications were undertaken at…

UK RAILTOURS is planning to have more charters aimed at the enthusiast rather than the upmarket dining clientele. UKR has found in 2023 that the ‘Forgotten Tracks’ tours, which involves charters traversing freight-only lines or rarely visited branches, have done well compared to the traditional excursion to a tourist hot spot with full dining option. The cost-of-living increase, together with the increasing competition aimed at the dining market are contributory factors. Liz Morris, UK Railtours managing director, told Rail Express that its experience of the rail enthusiast-based tours have performed well and that UKR is intending to see more such tours in its 2024 programme. “There are still many such unusual lines we wish to traverse” she said. The Branch Line Society had made touring freight lines and loops a…

THERE is something vaguely familiar about No. 08308 as it moves almost silently from the turntable in the Barrow Hill Roundhouse on October 19. Yet this locomotive is very different from the one delivered to Royston as No. D3378 in August 1957. It’s a lot quieter for a start, and there are no emissions. The familiar bonnet has been removed, while the cab has been significantly upgraded with more windows fitted. However, it does still retain a bonnet (albeit a different shape). And, beneath the solebar at least, it retains its original equipment. However, the modifications above the solebar could enable the humble Class 08 to remain in traffic for even longer than anticipated. The locomotive is the prototype for the ‘08e’ project, which replaces the English Electric 6KT engine…

SOUTHERN Railway ‘Booster’ 1470hp Co-Co electric locomotives in ‘OO’ gauge are the surprise of Bachmann’s winter announcement. Designed by Raworth in the late 1930s and encouraged by Bulleid, the locomotives were known for a booster flywheel device which helped the locomotive to cross long gaps in the conductor rail. Three locomotives were constructed at Ashford with No. CC1 arriving in 1941. Two more arrived, one in 1943 and 1949 and all three were numbered under the BR numbering system as Nos. 20001-20003. It is the first two locomotives which feature the attractive domed roof of EMU stock that are represented by the five differently liveried models. The third locomotive, No. 20003 differs in having a flat front reminiscent of 4SUB EMUs. The ‘booster’ locomotives enjoyed a 30-year life span which…

0GAUGE7mm:1ft 1965 to presentERA PHOTOGRAPHY does not do justice to this masterpiece from Heljan – which raises the bar in ‘O’ gauge ready to run locomotives – one which will be hard to beat. The model and choice of liveries is clearly the brainchild of a manager who knows how to hit the enthusiast right in the nostalgia funny bone and have them reaching for their wallets. The sample model featuring No. 73126 Kent & East Sussex Railway, finished in Network SouthEast livery is a replica of an icon of those heady days of Chris Green’s drive to improve the railways in the south east corner of the UK. It is an excellent choice for one of the first runs of this model which includes classics such as Pullman No.…

CONTINUED DEVELOPMENT of a ‘OO’ gauge Speyside line-themed layout called for an additional Class 20 locomotive in 1960s condition, as operated in the Scottish Highlands. Bachmann released a suitable version of its Class 20 several years ago, fitted with the larger cab windows and a ‘bird’s beak’ tablet catcher device for collection of single line tokens. Finished in BR green without yellow warning panels, and numbered as No. D8028, it modelled an early Class 20 (32-044). It is ideal for a Highland and Speyside layout theme because the full-size locomotives were regularly used on pick-up and light freight duties. Occasional passenger work when railbuses were unavailable was also not uncommon. No. D8028 was allocated to Kittybrewster (61A) between 1960 and 1966 before it was sent south to Haymarket. The model…