TracksTracksTracks the monthly magazine of thethe monthly magazine of thethe monthly magazine of the

Inter City Railway SocietyInter City Railway SocietyInter City Railway Society

Volume 40 No.2

February 2012

Inter City Railway Society founded 1973

www.icrs.org.uk

The content of the magazine is the copyright of the Society No part of this magazine may be reproduced without prior permission of the copyright holder

President: Simon Mutten (01603 715701) Coppercoin, 12 Blofield Corner Rd, Blofield, Norwich, Norfolk NR13 4RT Chairman: Carl Watson - chairman@icrs.org.uk (07403 040533) 14, Partridge Gardens, Waterlooville, Hampshire PO8 9XG Secretary: Gary Mutten - secretary@icrs.org.uk (01953 600445) 11 Speedwell Road, Wymondham, Norfolk NR18 0XQ Treasurer: Gary Mutten - treasurer@icrs.org.uk details as above Membership Secretary: Trevor Roots - membership@icrs.org.uk (01466 760724) (07765 337700) Mill of Botary, Cairnie, Huntly, Aberdeenshire AB54 4UD Editorial Manager: Trevor Roots - editor@icrs.org.uk details as above Website Manager: Mark Richards - website.manager@icrs.org.uk 7 Parkside, Furzton, Milton Keynes, Bucks. MK4 1BX Publications Manager: Carl Watson - publications@icrs.org.uk details as above

Editorial Team: Sightings: James Holloway - sightings@icrs.org.uk (0121 744 2351) 246 Longmore Road, Shirley, Solihull B90 3ES Traffic News: John Barton - traffic.news@icrs.org.uk (0121 770 2205) 46, Arbor Way, Chelmsley Wood, Birmingham B37 7LD Wagons & Trams: vacant Europe (website): vacant

Publications Team: Combine / Pocket Book / Irish: Carl Watson - ukbooks@icrs.org.uk details as above Wagons: Scott Yeates - wagon.compiler@icrs.org.uk Name Directory: Eddie Rathmill / Trevor Roots USF: Scott Yeates / Carl Watson / Trevor Roots Contents: Officials Contact List .....................................2 Society Notice Board ................................ 3-5 Publications ................................................ 40 GBBG Advert .............................................. 24 Current News / Sightings: Gloucester / Stirling Sightings ......... 23-26 Light Rail & Metro News ....................... 31 Liveries ................................................. 31 Open Day News ................................... 11 Out and About Sightings ................. 16-17 Stock Changes / Transfers ............. 37-39

Traffic and Traction News ............... 12-15 Freight Corner ................................. 32-35 Feature Articles: Eastleigh Works Report ...................... 6-8 Infrastructure News ................................ 5 Network News ...................................... 17 Preservation Photo Spot ...................... 26 Preservation Scene ......................... 18-22 Railway Globetrotters ...................... 27-31 Ramblings of a Rail Enthusiast.......... 9-11

Front Cover Photo: On a cold, frosty but sunny 8th January 2012, diverted 67006 ‘Royal Sovereign’ + 9804, 6704, 10680, 1513, 10675 & 10526 passes Huntly signal box at 11.35 with the Caledonian Sleeper ecs from Aberdeen en route to Inverness (see Traffic & Traction News for more info). £1.50 where sold separately (post free)

Printed & distributed in the UK by Henry Ling Limited, at the Dorset Press, Dorchester DT1 1HD

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Society Notice Board

Editor’s Comments: On 10th January the Government finally announced their intention to build HS2 and so herald the largest civil engineering project seen in a very long time. Irrespective of the nimby objectors who have and continue to put forward spurious reasons for rejecting the scheme, HS2 will be a major asset to the national rail network. It is an essential project planned to ease overcrowding and capacity restrictions for the future generations and thank goodness that a government has had the guts to not take the easy option and plan long term for once. The good of the nation must sometimes outweigh the sensitivities of the few. The fact we are in financial meltdown and skint means it was doubly important that the decision was made as it will eventually generate jobs and future growth, both desperately needed. The £32 billion total cost of the scheme, one fact being thrown back by objectors as a huge sum to pay for a 45 min saving on journey time to Birmingham overlooks the fact it is for the entire Y network to Manchester and Leeds and is to be funded annually as a follow on cost to Crossrail. The only shame about the scheme is that we have to wait that long and the amount of tunnelling proposed, to overcome some objections, so negating one of the joys of train travel...the view. Why is it that the passing of trains is seen to be worse than that of automobiles. Would we could put the endless drone of motorways in tunnels !!

Unfortunately no one has yet come forward to help with Wagon News / Reviews etc, so yours truly has somehow found time to write an article. With wagons an important part of the railway, hopefully the Reviews will appear on a 2 or 3 month basis, but I really do need some help as I can’t do everything.

I have now adopted an innovation on membership where I now email all those who are due for renewals/reminders, so saving on the high cost of postage to both the Society and you the members and which will hopefully keep the subs from rising. This also saves time in waiting for post to go out and come back and saves the ‘waste’ where members then renew online by PayPal, which more of you are helpfully doing. Those without email will still be sent forms by post as will those whose email does not appear to have been answered. So please, if you have changed your email since last renewing, are going to or have gained an email for the first time then please let me know. As those who have renewed in recent months have found, I now also acknowledge receipt by email where I can. Please be assured for those without computers I am not discriminating against you, just taking advantage of helpful technology to improve admin and hopefully a better service to members.

Eastleigh Works Tour, Thur. 15th March 2012: There is one place left but it is first come first served. Please ring Carl on 07403 040533 to apply.

AGM, Sat. 21st April 2012: We have moved away from a preserved venue back to the ‘real’ railway this year at Derby. We have booked a pod on the balcony inside the old Carriage Shop adjoining the Roundhouse, part of the original works and now known as Pride Park. Access is simple from the footbridge over Derby station, where I imagine all those going will congregate for a bit of spotting. Likely traffic through the station will be made available in either March or April issue of Tracks. The date is 21st April, time 11.00-13.00. Tours will also be conducted around the buildings from 13.30 which last approx. 1 hour. Car parking is available and more details will be provided in the next issue. Can members attending or if you wish to record your apology for absence, please contact our Secretary, Gary Mutten.

As you will be aware from last year’s AGM, Gary notified us that he intended stepping down from the AGM but we have excellent nominations for both the Treasurer and Secretary roles in Peter Britcliffe and Stuart Moore. Gary has been responsible for both posts for some time so whilst it is sad to lose Gary it is great that Pete has a new role to play and we have ‘fresh’ blood injected into the small hard working committee. Hopefully as many of you will attend as possible, to send Gary on his way with thanks and to welcome the ‘new’ boys.

Errata: It has just been brought to my attention that on page 9 in the Nov. 2011 issue under Ramblings of a Rail Enthusiast the location for 46238 should be Crewe, an inadvertent typo I’m afraid, repeating Carlisle...even you missed that one Dave.

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In the Dec. 2011 issue under Stock Changes D2578 should read D2587. In Jan. 2012 issue under Stock Changes 47799 has been transferred to EDV not STR. New 2012 Books: For new members and those who missed the announcement last month two new 2012 books have been released and selling fast. The Wagon Book is updated to the 1st October 2011 and has one new helpful feature in that wagons known to be stored are shown with the suffix (s). The Name Directory last published in 2010 is updated to the 10th November and has been reworked to iron out the issues with advertising names and therefore better than ever. Duplicate numbers in Part 2 have also been removed. As it is the only such up to date book on the market it is an invaluable reference source and one used regularly by the editor. Full prices etc are shown on the rear cover. Order your copies now via PayPal or from Carl by post.

As promised the eagerly awaited 2012 Combine is now available. Prices are £12.00 (members), £15.99 (non-members). It is 264 pages long and updated to 1st January 2012. Order details on rear cover.

The next new book will be the 2012 Pocket Book at the start of March. Prices are £7.00 (members), £9.50 (non-members). Membership Matters: Subscriptions: Annual - £16.00, Five year - £75.00 (saving £5.00 & hedging against annual rise) ICRS Membership gives you: • a high quality full colour 40 page monthly magazine Tracks - covering all aspects of railways. • an informative website, with access to previous editions of the magazine. • up to 27% discount on all ICRS publications (8 published). • 10% discount on lan Allan books & first time mag subs (not additional to discount for IA Subs Club members).

New Members: Paul Gieron (Barnt Green), Andi Hall (Wolverhampton), Derek Humphreys (Solihull), Robert Hyde (Minsterworth), David Martin (Northampton), Harry Millar (Dyce), Richard Moynihan (Wroughton), Michael Stock (Shepton Mallet), Stephen Sumners (Leyland), Kevin Wright (Wolverhampton) - a warm welcome to you all.

Payment / Renewal: If paying by cheque / postal order, please make payable to ICRS. Please note we cannot accept credit card payments over the telephone, however you can pay by credit card through our online PayPal facility. In a few clicks you can be signed up for another year, or take advantage of the 5-year subscription, which not only saves you £5 but potentially beats any subscription rises in that time. Select ‘Join ICRS’ from the menu on the homepage at icrs.org.uk Please provide your first name whether joining or renewing and your email. If you renew at the very end of or in the first week of the month you may receive a renewal reminder form but do not worry as the admin process will naturally see things cross in the post. Please ignore the reminder if you have renewed. Please also note that cheques are not presented to the bank until usually the first week of the following month. Where possible please note that renewal / reminder forms will now be emailed. For those members without email, forms will still be posted but please return them promptly as it is costly to send reminders. All renewals whether online or by post will be acknowledged by email where possible. NB. When using PayPal, please remember to provide your home address and email via the comments box, but ONLY if different from the one used ie you may use your partners account or do it from work. Also use the comments box if buying or renewing a subscription for someone else.

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Membership Cards: Your membership is valid until the end of month as shown by the first two numbers. For those who joined from mid 2009, the second two numbers are the year. With the change in Tracks distribution, please note that cards will now be sent as soon as practicable following your renewal in a separate envelope.

Website Matters: Members Area: Access requires a username and password. From the start of 2011 the username is now your 6 figure membership number and the password a random word provided by Mark Richards. For new members this will be in the welcome letter. For existing members, email a request to Mark at website.manager@icrs.org.uk Please remember to include your ICRS membership number. NB. The username / password is personal to you and should not be given to a non-member.

Flickr Photo Gallery: As previously stated, Mark Richards has established our photo gallery on Flickr, so please have a look www.flickr.com/photos/intercity-railway-society. However the success of this site relies on your support, so please send Mark your photos.

ICRS Yahoo Group: address is: finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/intercityrailwaysociety/ We have our own Yahoo Group, established in March 2004, open to members and non-members alike to post sightings and observations, share comments and debate about the current railway scene. To join please email Mark Richards at website.manager@icrs.org.uk

Facebook: For those of you who've become part of the social networking revolution online, ICRS now has a Facebook page. Search for ICRS and request us to be your friend and you'll be connected to what we do. We acknowledge that not all of our members have computers but if you can and want to get in touch then please do so and we'll see where it takes us.

Magazine: Submissions: Any information / article on any railway related item will be most welcome for inclusion in the magazine. Your visits, travel stories or anecdotes about any part of the railway network, past or present, home or abroad can give pleasure to others or inform of places to visit. This railway hobby of ours is made all that more enjoyable by the sharing of information, knowledge and experiences. Neatly hand written submissions are perfectly acceptable, but ideally a typed document is preferable. Better still, if you have a PC and internet connection then send an email. Good quality photographs are always welcome, either prints or preferably high res digital photographs via e-mail (not compressed please). Please include full contact details with any submissions, including your first name.

The latest date for articles / info for the next issue is Friday 24th February 2012 with delivery to members after Friday 9th March 2012

Magazine Distribution: Tracks is now distributed direct from the printers (as from Sep 2011) to members in a clear plastic wrapping with an address carrier sheet. If any member fails to receive their copy after one week from the above estimated delivery date then please contact the editor.

Magazine Contributors: Thanks to John Sheppard, Mike Rumens, Brian Derricote, Ian McAlpine, Geoff Hope, Paul Bright, Roger Francis, Dave Spencer, Mark Richards, Derek Sneddon, Nigel Hoskins, John Barton, James Holloway, Carl Watson & Trevor Roots. We are sorry if anyone has been missed. All photos by Trevor Roots unless shown otherwise.

Infrastructure News St Albans South Signal Box by Mark Richards: Over the weekend of the 14th / 15th January I was in St Albans for the Model Railway Show and beforehand a visit to St Albans South Signal Box, the largest preserved Midland Railway box. If you have never been, it is well worth a visit. The box is immediately adjacent to the Midland Main Line, very close to St Albans (City) station. They have a wonderful collection of signalling memorabilia and are in the process of restoring the lever frame and can currently offer demonstrations of how the signalling works. Being close to the MML, it is an excellent vantage point to watch the trains go by and the grounds have been attractively landscaped with an eclectic collection of signals of varying vintage on display.

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Eastleigh Works Report by Carl Watson

Miscellaneous Matters: New track is being laid at the south end of the site by Arlington Fleet Services with access to Bay 2 now almost completed, Bay 1 to follow. NR Cl.57s and GLVs continue to come and go for maintenance.

DBS had 66030 off the road in Eastleigh stone yard overnight on 15th / 16th with re-railing taking place on the afternoon of 16th. On 19th 57303 was despatched from the Works to haul 66030 from the yard to the depot. Locos: Preparation work has begun on 57310 for its repaint into NR yellow (as seen below with 47709).

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59101, 59102 and 59104 departed on 3rd January following repairs/maintenance (as seen below).

DRS 47853 has been rubbed down (see photo below) and entered the Paintshop.

Repairs are underway to return 01508 (MOD 428, Ruston 466617) to operational condition. Colas 66846 was on site for a few hours only on 27th January for an exam. The beginning of January was busy with NR Test Trains with 31602 on 3rd, 31465 on 10th and 73107, 73138 and 73201 also on the 10th. Kof 323 674-2 is now in regular use shunting around the Works. GBRf 66746 has arrived for repainting (see photo below left). The boiler for Schools Class 925 'Cheltenham' has arrived back from Ropley and will be refitted within days (see photo below right).

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Units: 444026/015/010/036/007/006/014 have all received replacement bushes with Siemens now turning round two units per week. The unusual liveried and little seen LUL 4-TC set 76297, 71163, 70823, 76324 arrived for bogie/underframe overhaul on 18th behind 66711 (see photo below with 76297 to the fore).

London Underground / Isle of Wight: Ex-LU Standard Stock vehicles L135 and 2 (ex-IoW 485041) and A Stock vehicles 5010, 5011, 5226, 5227, 6010, 6011, 6226 and 6227 have been disposed of. Coaching Stock: BFK 17159 now has replacement doors fitted and is being painted. Wagons / Track Machines: The Speno Rail Grinder DR79221-226 departed on 6th after stabling over Christmas and New Year.

Balfour Beatty GP Tramm MPV DR98217 (known as the Drain Train) (see photo above) arrived on 4th with KFAs 4574 009-4 and 013-6 for overhaul and returned to collect them on 25th. KFA 92616 has been overhauled and was ready to leave as of 31st January.

all photos by Carl Watson

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Ramblings of a Rail Enthusiast by David Spencer – 1964 Part 6

I try to provide extra detail on the items of traction shown in photos, other than number, date and location as provided by Dave…so it’s my fault if errors creep in, ed. July (cont): On Sunday 5th I began another week’s holiday, this time in Wales. I travelled again by DMU to Abergavenny where I walked back at Abergavenny Junction and down the 1 in 40 incline to Abergavenny (Brecon Road). Here the infrastructure was huge and mainly intact and the station still had name boards. The goods station and engine shed were all still standing and a great find but when I was back in town in July 2009, all trace of railway and station had disappeared. A took a bus to Beaufort where I began an LNWR day starting with an amazing half demolished viaduct then down the branch to Ebbw vale (High Level). I then returned to Beaufort and walked the MT&A line to Nantybwch then turned off down the Sirhowy Valley line through Tredegar where there was another engine shed and sizable station. I had never travelled on this line and it was all new as far as Bird In Hand Junction with seven stations and plenty of interest. Beyond Pontllanfraith I had travelled, but continued to Nine Mile Point where I decided to get a bus into Newport. I have commented before that me and stupidity are never far away and I let lots of buses to Cross Hands through before I realised too late that I needed to change bus and ended walking the last nine miles into Newport having walked over twenty five miles during the day.

Monday 6th started with D1054 into Cardiff and a bus to Cowbridge with the intention of walking to Llantrisant, so imagine my delight to see 4620 pottering about in the yard. Cowbridge was fascinating place with a both a terminal station and a separate through station built when the line was extended to Aberthaw. Having secured a lift in the brake van I took photos of the shunting and entered another branch in the book.

Churchward 2-8-0T 4285 (w/d 04/65) Llantrisant, 6th July 1964

From Llantrisant I walked up to Tonteg Junction and got a bus onto Pontypridd and a train to Dinas. From there I was able to walk up to Penycraig and began to walk back towards Llantrisant down the Ely valley line where I met two trains. The first an English Electric type 3 on trial then nearer Coed Ely I saw 3617 being banked by 9778 with coal empties up to Cambrian Colliery. For reasons I cannot

Collett 0-6-0PT 4620 (w/d 07/65) Cowbridge, 6th July 1964

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recall I got a bus back for the last mile or two into Llantrisant then a DMU to Port Talbot and back to Pyle. From there I walked the Porthcawl line and got a bus to Bridgend and D1011 to Cardiff. I returned to Bridgend the following day with D1054 and continued to Tondu by DMU where I began walking again to Brynmenyn where the line splits three ways. I chose the Ogmore valley line to Nantymoel first and on reaching the terminus I faced a dilemma, do I walk all the way back or go over the top to the parallel Garw valley and decided the later. I made the same decision in Swansea and found a bog on the top of the hill and sure enough I had to squelch over the top again and as I descended I found myself in the middle of Blaengarw Colliery to find an engine called ‘Marion’, a name I was familiar with due to a girl I was quite fond of back home.

above: NCB 0-6-0ST ‘Marion’ right: NCB Sentinel 0-4-0 ‘Invincible’

Blaengarw Colliery, 7th July 1964 I walked down the valley to Llangeinor Junction and went up the PTR line for a while before getting a bus back to Bridgend and train to Fishguard Harbour. From there I got the overnight Innisfallen ferry to Cork for my first and whirlwind figure of eight trip to Ireland in which time I got arrested and got someone else into trouble! ….that excitement is yet to come and will feature in a future Railway Globetrotters…ed.

After arriving back at Fishguard Harbour, Brush type 4 D1732 was haulage direct to Cardiff and a DMU up to Porth and a bus on to Maerdy. Although it was a branch I had travelled many times I wanted to walk it to photo the detail of the intermediate stations. Back in Porth I got a train down to Pontypridd and up to Quakers Yard and set off to walk the RR and GW Joint line through the now

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infamous Aberfan to where it met the Hirwain line at Joint Line Junction. The line had closed in February 1951 due to the condition of the viaduct at Quakers Yard but there were substantial remains of the station at Aberfan, but less so at Abercanaid. I then walked up to the mouth of Merthyr Tunnel, then returned to Rhydycar Junction and waited for the afternoon freight to Vaynor Quarry up one of the remaining bits of the B&M. Haulage was 3706 and 3690 and I went in the brake van up to Vaynor and back to Merthyr. I caught a bus up to Dowlais for what was planned as freights all the way to Newport but as often happened it did not work as planned. First I got a lift in the brake van hauled by D6935 down the Taff Bargoed Valley to Nelson and Llancaiach. From there 5613 took me in another brake van to Aber Junction and it’s here it all went wrong. I was advised to go to Caerphilly station to catch the Newport train which was due to go via Machen a much desired piece of track but a 56XX came storming through with no prospect of stopping and another good scheme went wrong.

On Saturday 11th I got 5692 as haulage up to Merthyr but the weather was awful and I bottled out and went home by DMU all the way. After the line closed and before the preservationists took over, the Severn Valley Line had deteriorated and so I decided to walk and see what was left. Between Bewdley to Aveley Colliery the line was still open for freight, but totally disused thereafter. As I continued up the now familiar bit to Bridgnorth and then went beyond, I had a lucky escape as I had just walked through Bridgnorth Tunnel when D3115 came down the line with a demolition train. A few minutes earlier and I would have been stuck inside… a bit scary! It was a long, long walk then to Linley Halt and J Coalport and just after track lifting had started so I decided that I had had enough and at Jackfield halt I found a bus stop to Wellington and home.

all photos by David Spencer (to be cont)

Open Day News It is hoped that as details become known of forthcoming Open Days around the country then info concerning them will be notified to you. If anyone hears of any such events, please let the editor know. On 10th / 11th March 2012 London Transport Depot Museum, Acton is holding a open weekend. Location is 2 Museum Way, 118 – 120 Gunnersbury Lane, London, W3 9BQ. Opening times are 1100-1700. Tickets are valid on both days and cost £10.00 for adults, £8.00 for senior citizens, £6.50 concessions and £5.00 London Transport Museum Friends. Accompanied under 16’s go free. Nearest underground station is Acton Town (District / Piccadilly Lines), which is just across the road to the entrance. There is no car parking allowed in the area.

Collett 0-6-2T 5613 (w/d 05/65), Nelson & Llancaiach, 10th July 1964

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Traffic & Traction News by John Barton

January 4

90028 on the Caledonian Sleepers from Euston – Inverness and Aberdeen was seen heading northbound through Milton Keynes at 22.06 + coaches 10523, 10706, 10526, 10675, 10513, 10680, 6704, 9804, 10519, 10666, 10565, 10551, 10607, 10650, 1210 & 9807.

January 5 66606 headed westbound through Newport at 15.44 with a Stoke Gifford to Cardiff Pengam light engine movement to collect failed 66622. 60074 looking very smart in its new livery was noted on the 6Z50 test run past Sandiacre then back into Toton at 14.26.

January 6 317710 + 317732 + 317723 departed Ipswich 08.30 for London Liverpool Street. 390055 took a trip to Oxley today to have some catering equipment fitted before entering traffic on Monday 9th January. 66606 + 66622 working 0Z25 departed Pengam Sidings at 16.17 heading to Basford Hall.

January 7 47818 t&t 47828 with 3174, 3273, 1566, 3267, 3182, 3275, 3247, 325, 17167 & 10734 passed northbound through Milton Keynes at 20.51 working Kensington Olympia - Manchester Victoria. 66415 leading SRL95491 SRL95490 on 6Y70 Bletchley CS - Hanslope Jnct passed Milton Keynes at 19.58 with severe wheel flats on 95490.

January 8 66018 + 66012 + 66014 + 60096 passed Wilmslow at 16.55 on a Basford Hall to Doncaster Carr depot move. 66250 working from Margam to Hartlepool was noted passing under the M4 at 15.30 heading up the Tondu branch.

January 9 86101 ‘Sir William A. Stanier FRS’ & 86701 ‘Orion’, on ice breaking duties, were seen stabled in Carlisle station at 11.00.

January 9 (cont) The latest Cl.92 to receive DBS red, 92031 was seen in Carlisle Kingmoor Yard at 11.40.

66746 working 4Y81 Southampton - Mountfield passed Basingstoke at 21.21. 73107 t&t 73201 + 73138 passed Basingstoke at 19.43 heading for London on 1Q40 Eastleigh - Eastleigh.

January 10 The TEA tank wagons once used from Quidhampton and Burngullow are now working out of Aberdeen, These have replaced the French-registered ICA 87797 series, which are heading back to France.

January 11 66623 + 70017 + 4 HHA coal hoppers passed Stalybridge at 21.00 on 6E02 19.42 Basford Hall - Hunslet Yd / Midland Rd. 20905 + 20901 t&t 20227 + 20142 on 7X09 Old Dalby - Amersham through Leamington Spa at 20.47.

January 12 66746 + EMU 455849 passed through Strawberry Hill at 21.41. 20309 + 37612 passed Coppull near Wigan at 19.51 on Sellafield - Crewe flasks.

January 13 66507 + 66605 + 66554 passed Guide Bridge Station at 20.54 heading for Stalybridge and Huddersfield on Crewe Basford - Leeds Midland Road.

January 14 66002 departed Oxford at 22.32 heading southbound with the 5Z56 Oxford - Didcot Yard ecs. 90046 passed through Birmingham International at 20.45 with the 4M41 Ipswich - Crewe liner.

January 15 57602 passed through Lostwithiel at 22.34 on Penzance - London Paddington via Cholsey.

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January 15 (cont) 73212 + 73213 + Seacows + 66711 arrived at Tonbridge at 19.50. D5613 (31190) + 31601 in BAR livery passed through Walsall at 13.35 (photo below by James Holloway).

The chance to see daylight 3 loco hauled movements on the largely single track Aberdeen – Inverness line was scuppered by poor organisation and a signalling failure at Keith which messed up the timings. The 3 planned trains were all westbound and the following timings were for Huntly: 66107 on 6K01 booked to arrive at 11.12 to be looped for a service train at 11.18, 67006 on 5A25 Caledonian Sleeper ecs straight through at 11.42 and another Cl.66 on 6K02 at 12.26. Arriving at Huntly at 11.00 the preceding 10.49 Aberdeen – Inverness service train with SPT liveried 170473 was still in the station heralding a problem. Still lucky for me as it was the only SPT Cl.170 I didn’t have a reasonable photo of.

This was eventually released 23 mins late on its way at 11.12 to be followed by the sleeper at 11.36 which now looped until 11.47 (see front cover) to allow 170420 on the by now late running 11.18 Inverness – Aberdeen to pass at 11.45. Not wishing to risk going elsewhere for a better shot as by now the sun was not ideal I waited and 6K01 shortly turned up at 12.04, 56 mins down and passed through at speed (see photo below). Not knowing a driver had not been

found for 6K02, I waited at various other scenic locations until 15.00, slowly getting colder in the hard frost, which stayed all day out of the sun.

January 16 92019 passed through Bescot Yard at 23.07 with a Hams Hall - Mossend working. 90039 on 6L48 Garston - Dagenham DK empty cartics passed Barking eastbound at 22.44. 66711 + 455847 departed Clapham Jnct on a Wimbledon - Ilford move.

January 17 67019 and 67025 were seen in Dollands Moor number 7 road having had their A exam. 57306 working 6Z25 Derby RTC - Tonbridge ran round at 19.10 in Derby station.

January 18 Ex-LMT 150002 headed westbound through Didcot at 17.58 on 5Z19 Reading Depot - Bristol Barton Hill. 66108 passed southbound light engine through Carlisle at 16.31 on Carlisle Yard - Margam.

January 19 37038 + 37218 passed Coppull near Wigan at 19.24 working Sellafield - Crewe flasks. 66084 headed north through Carlisle at 15.36 with a Shap - Carlisle Yard loaded ballast.

January 20 390055 was seen in platform 13 Euston at 20.40 having arrived from Manchester. 70002 + 66560 + hoppers + 66505 on the rear passed Wilmslow at 20.23 on a Crewe Basford Hall - Midland Road move.

January 21 66075 + 66044 dead in tow arrived in Carlisle at 17.03 and departed at 17.05 heading north working Tees Yard - Carlisle yard light engine move. 66302 + 57008 + 57007 passed Cotmanthorpe, south of York at 11.13 with 0Z37 Carlisle - Whitemoor working.

January 23 70013 passed Carlisle at 22.28 on Fiddlers Ferry - Killoch empty coal hoppers. 67019 t&t 67025 top + 6 wagons departed Tonbridge at 20.53 on a Rye - Hoo Jnct working.

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January 24 ex-DRS 66416 reversed its train of loaded Bardon JGAs westbound past Foxhall Junction and into Didcot DC siding (Milton Park) at 18.57 on 6Z39 Avonmouth - Didcot DC. 66847 departed Didcot platform 4 heading eastbound at 18.12 with the 6O78 Margam - Dollands Moor steels.

January 25 20905 + 20901 departed Dorridge at 20.15 with 7X09 Old Dalby - Amersham working.

January 26 ex-DRS 66416 on 6L18 Bardon Hill - Harlow Mill loaded bogie hoppers departed Cambridge at 04.50.

January 30 70007 dispatched from Tilbury, came to the rescue of 4M87 Felixstowe - Trafford Park which had failed near Caledonian Road & Barnsbury on the North London Line. The train loco 86501 failed with smoke coming from the loco. The train got on the move two hours late.

None date specific News: The latest DBS tender list has seen the remaining Cl.47 47799 and all the remaining 33 stored 56s sold, leaving no Cl.47s or 56s on the books with DBS. With 47799 going into preservation at Eden Valley Railway, both the ex-royal Cl.47/8 locos have now been saved. Most of the Cl.56s (27) have been bought by European Metal Recycling (EMR), so many will go for scrap, though no doubt some of the better ones may yet be resold. Of the others, 56018, 56115 & 56117 were bought by Europhoenix for use abroad though 56018 has since been swapped for 56101 (see associated report in Preservation News). Devon & Cornwall Railways has gained 56091 & 56103. The only Cl.56 loco fitted with GSMR, 56007 has been bought by Ed Stevenson for spot hire. Further to the photo in the October 2011 issue, ex-DBS Cl.37s (another class no longer with DBS) can still be seen lined up to the south of DRS Kingmoor Depot, Carlisle. Yet to arrive in September 2011 and the last two to be transferred north from Stoke Marcroft and Margam respectively, 37410 and 37426 are seen on 9th January 2012. Behind 37410 are 37416, 37411, 20307 & 20303.

With more new Cl.70s arriving for Freightliner, DRS is not to be outdone and has ordered 15 brand new diesel-electric Vossloh Espana Eurolight locos, fitted with train heating and these will arrive by the end of 2013. As a more flexible mixed traffic loco than the Cl.66s it will be interesting to see how these will be used and whether they will ultimately replace Cl.47s used for passenger work.

15

In a much vaunted move, 60 of the 64 Cl.460 Junipers are to be rebuilt by Alstom to strengthen Cl.458s for SWT. It will be done over the next two years with an additional car being added to the existing 30 x 4 car sets and a further six 5 car sets created. It will mean that 12 of the 16 driving cars will lose their distinctive nose. As the DMFLO driving cars will require more conversion work, it will be four of these that will remain spare. Most of the Cl.460s are now in store at Bournemouth and Stewarts Lane, with only two sets diagrammed for daily use with Southern alongside the older Cl.442 usurpers. Following 170434 other Cl.170s are finally receiving the ScotRail Saltire livery. However 170425 the second to be so treated has blotted its copybook only weeks after leaving works. It is seen right on Inverness Depot with front end damage to 79425 on 27th January 2012. It is presumed this is due to hitting a tree, though I have not seen any report to verify this.

With expenditure outstripping income it has been discussed that the Caledonian Sleepers could be in jeopardy. With the wish to reduce short haul internal fights and encourage more people from cars there is no logic in abandoning the sleepers. Fortunately Transport for Scotland is to match the DfTs offer of £50 million to either buy new coaches or upgrade existing stock, a more likely outcome. Good news, all Scotland needs now is a link to HS2 sooner rather than later. Another new loco hauled service along the Cumbrian coast has seen DRS begin a 6 week trial on the 9th January operating a Mon-Fri ‘work’ train for Sellafield workers. Hauled by a single electric train heated loco, the service leaves Carlisle at 06.15 with 4 coaches, of which 3 (TSOs 5929/6006/6042) are reserved between Carlisle and Sellafield, with the fourth coach (BSO 9527), available for public use. After arriving at Sellafield at 07.55, the service continues to Barrow with all coaches now in public use. After stabling it returns at 15.39 ecs to Sellafield, to form the 16.48 to Carlisle, arriving at 18.32. The first service was hauled by 37423 ‘Spirit of the Lakes’. 390055 is now in service as a 9-car set and is easily recognisable along with 390054 being the only two Pendo’s without Virgin branding. The Pretendolino still gets its regular outing on a Friday to Crewe via Birmingham New Street. The Cl.90 drops off at Crewe and a Cl.57 brings the ECS back to Wembley. Interestingly there is a regular working on a Sunday with a Pendo dragged ECS from Oxley to Euston by a Cl.57, presumably to retain route and traction knowledge as there does not seem to be any other good reason for it to be dragged! The Cl.57 then runs back to Wembley. LOROL have been trialling traction changeovers for 378s on the move. For those not familiar, the overhead line runs to the south of North Pole Junction, from where third rail is in operation towards Clapham Junction. Currently, all trains formed of electric multiple unit stock are required to stop to change over from AC to DC heading towards Clapham Junction or DC to AC going towards Willesden. The Class 395s of Southeastern can change from AC to DC or DC to AC whilst on the move as can Class 92 locomotives.

16

Out & About by James Holloway

To be more helpful for those interested in where stock was exactly, can I ask all contributors who list trip sightings en masse, particularly over long distances, to please add more detail when submitting to James…ed Ian McAlpine: 28th December: Hooton: 508120/140 Crewe: 86401/24, 90044, 175116, 2221116, 350130 Soho Depot: 08805 30th December: Peterborough: 70007 13th January: Peterborough: 66108/526/541/731, 91118, 158788, 170101 Doncaster: 66018/142, 321902 York: 47798, 57003 14th January: Darlington: 43310/11, 142015 York: 144004, 150206, 158757, 185108/25/39/41 15th January: Darlington: 142094, 156444, DVT 82203 York: 57003 Peterborough: 66071/712, 91124 21st January: Whittlesea: 158774, 170206/519 March: 66729 Cambridge: 170109/272, 317649/55/63, 365514/23 Brian Derricote: 28th December: Stourbridge-Marylebone and return: 165012/38, 172101/104/211-213/341/342 Willesden-Surrey Quays 10.45-13.15: 172102, 378135/137/138/140-142/144-149/153 378154/201/205-207/209/212/213/217/223/224 378233/234/255-257 Liverpool Street 13.45-14.00: 315818, 317892, 379005/18 St Pancras 16.00-18.15: 43049/66, 37 3021/022/201/202/213/214/223/224 395002/06/11/12/27/28 10th January: Stafford: 37602/3, 66096/097/184/432/505/537/554/555/562 66598/602, 70007, 86609/14, 90024/45/49, 92016 92019 Mike Rumens: 31st December: Nuneaton 14.25-15.15: 70002, 153356, 170518/22, 350256, 390024 1st January: Rugby: 66744/745/850, 390029, DR78730/77319/98307 999801

2nd January: Nuneaton: DR73947/73948 4th January: Nuneaton: 66011/414/571/593/702/849, 153356, 170105/115 170397/521/523/638, 221103/04/09, 350105/117 350243, 390005/10/12/22/42/47-49/54, DR73947 6th January: Nuneaton 09.14-10.40 & 14.20-16.05: 66526/572/702/716/738, 90016/47/48, 153366 170105/107/112/113/117/398/520/522, 221102/03 221111/13/16, 350124/250/257/263, 390001/03 390006-09/11/14-16/20/30/31/34/35/37/43/50/52 390053, DR73901/936/948/77002/98010 9th January: Nuneaton 14.20-15.27: 66057/525/591/711, 86607/28, 153375, 170102 170397/521/523, 350119/129/260, 390002/06/12 390021-23/27/31/34/35/42/49/53/55 10th January: Nuneaton 14.20-15.27: 66129/171/414/525/526/565/572/602/715, 90043 153375, 170108/398/518/519/636, 221109/15/32 221143, 350118/122/129/249, 390001/06/09-11/13 390015/18/21/24-26/31/32/34/36/37/42/47/52/54 13th January: Nuneaton 09.10-10.15: 66541/594/702, 70011, 90043, 153354, 170101 170105/08/12, 221103/07/13, 350103/15, 390016 390018/22/31/34/39/42/50, DR73806/999800/801 17th January: Nuneaton 09.58-10.45 & 14.08-15.50: 66002/039/126/182/543/565/591/620/702/735/742 86637/9, 70002, 153364, 170109/518-520/638/639 221106/43, 350101/124/253/258, 390004/13/17/18 390020/23/24/29/34/40/41/46/52, DR98009/10 20th January: Nuneaton 09.00-10.15: 66504/41, 70002, 90049, 153371, 170106/109 170638, 221119, 350109/119/256 Geoff Hope: 1st December: Crewe 08.45: 47790, 153353, 221112/18, 323227, 350113/118 350256, 390032 Wolverhampton: 66197, 323206, 390013 Soho: 08805, 323202, c.s. 6364/5 Birmingham Moor Street 10.00-14.10: 67015, 150106/9, 165008/17/19, 168002-004/106 168112/113/214/217/219, 172211-221/332-335 172337/338/340-342/344/345, DVT 82303 c.s. 10230, 12059/117/145/173

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Tyseley: 66009/160 9th December: Manchester Piccadilly 14.10-16.45: 57302, 66145/562/593, 142004/07/13/20/32/35/37 142040/44/45/48/52/54/61, 150103/115/139/144 150147/149/150/223/228/270/272/275/277 156427/40/60/68/72/91, 158773/774/777/788/799 158856/862, 170301/8/9, 175005/006/105/109/113 175115/116, 185104/05/07/09-13/16/17/24/26/34 185136/37/42-44/48-50, 220006/14/18, 221119/20 221126/41, 323224-38, 390001/03/04/06/12/13/19 390028/40 12th December: Bolton 09.15-09.31: 150111/148/150/204/218, 153331 Manchester Victoria: 150139/269/277 Manchester Piccadilly 10.25-14.45: 66020/564/571/589/741, 142005/07/13/32/33/37 142038/41/48/52/58/61/63, 150111/112/119/140 150143/147/204/206/215/228/270/275, 156424 156429/41/64/66/72/83/88/91, 158773/777/785 158799/840/846/847/854/857/862/863/866 170301/4/6/8, 175002/004/007/008/107/109/111 175113/115, 185102/03/07-10/12/14-16/18/20-22 185124/26/28/29/33/35/39-43/45-51, 220008-10 220018/20/22/31, 221128/40, 323224-31/33-36/38 390001-04/10/19/23/24/26/27/34/38/54 15th December: Manchester Piccadilly 14.05-16.45: 66542/572/741, 142007/11/13/28/34/36/41/44/45 142052/53/55/56/60-62, 150111/118/119/133/140 150201/204/210/211/214/218/225/228/270/274 150275, 156427/55/59/64/66/87/89, 158774/785 158788/847/857/863, 170301/3/4/7/9, 175001/011 175105/108/114/116, 185102/03/06/-09/11/13-15 185117/18/20/22/25/26/28/31/36/37/39/45/51 220001/14/16, 221130/34, 323224/25/27-37 390001/10/11/14/16/19/23/28/34/43 20th December: East Midlands Parkway 09.15-09.35: 66136, 158780

Leicester 09.55-13.30: 43043/045/046/048/049/054/055/058/064/075/076 43082, 66021/124/545/554/622/741, 156410/70/98 158812, 170103/106/110/113/116/519/523/637 222001/02/05/06/10-17/21-23/102/103 22nd December: Doncaster 08.25-15.30: 08853, 37601, 43206/208/238/239/251/257/272 43277/295/296/299/300/302/305/310/313/315-317 43319/320/367/423/467/468/484, 47237, 66013 66018/118/121/130/131/137-139/416/511/529/557 66565/566/703/715/719/722, 67021, 91101-08/10 91113/14/16/18/20-22/24-27/32, 142011/26/95/96 144002-04/06/09, 153302/32/63, 156410, 158792 158793/842/845/861/905/907/909/910, 170305/9 180101/03/05/09/10/12/14, 185115/18/21/29/39 220004/06/07/11/15/17/23/30, 221121, 321902 DVT 82200-04/07/08/10-12/14/16-19/22/24-29/31 DR 73934/46, c.s. 6378/9, 10214/28 James Holloway: 10th January: Water Orton 12.54-15.32: 60091, 66007/054/126/141/145/170/199/544/556 66567, 170101/103/106/107/110/113-115/397 170519-523/638/639, 220003/18, 221130/36 950001 21st January: Walsall 13.35: 31601+D5613 Bescot 13.45: 56091/115/117, 66016/053/056 Paul Bright: 22nd December: Blackpool-Coventry: 56311, 57309, 60039, 142019, 150113/50, 158754 170505/632, 185112/13, 221102/36, 323218 350110/111/234/256, 390013/17/42 28th December: Coventry-Blackpool: 66602, 142052, 150114/260, 156460, 220031 323241, 350102/118/238, 390004/22/50

Network News Peterborough Station: With work underway on enlarging Reading, Peterborough is now to set to follow with 3 more through platforms proposed. The southern bay platform 1 will be removed, 2 & 3 will be re-numbered to 1 & 2, a new platform 3 will be created on the un-faced western side of the current platform 3 and a new island platform 6 & 7 to be built to the west of existing 4 & 5. Together with a new freight loop line to the west all the existing through platforms are to be extended. National Express East Anglia (NExEA): The NExEA franchise comes to an end at the close of service on Saturday 4th February to be replaced by Greater Anglia. On commencement of the new franchise, 9 Cl.317 units are to be handed back. The new franchise will run for 39 months.

18

Preservation Scene A complete class 107 3 car DMU is back together at the Tanat Valley Railway (TAN), Nantmawr Quarry with recently arrived centre trailer 59791 joining driving cars 52031 & 52005 previously moved from the Nene Valley Railway. In the photo below taken by Roger Thomas on the 22nd January 2012 the cab of ex-Embsay & Bolton Abbey Railway 52012 can also be seen coupled to 52031. With 51993 also at TAN this means there are now 5 out of the 11 extant Cl.107 DMUs present at TAN.

Former DMU Cl.101 driving trailer 54356 used as a loco hauled observation car on the Kyle of Lochalsh line from 1984 - 1994, has moved from the Gloucester & Warwickshire Railway (GWR) to the Nottingham Heritage Centre, Ruddington (NHC) where it is to be restored as an observation car.

Stored since 1996 it is still in the green & white Hebridean coaching livery and numbered 6300, as seen on 17th April 2011 at Winchcombe, GWR.

19

With the preserved status of many items of rolling stock constantly changing these days, 56101 is the latest to lose its preservation status having been bought by Europhoenix for an intended future abroad. Initially it has moved to Burton and just days before its move it is seen at Barrow Hill late on Sunday 8th January in the company of 89001. Happily 56018, originally earmarked for life abroad, has entered preservation in place of 56101. 56018 has been stored in Warrington Arpley yard since 2009 as seen here right on 16th July 2009.

56006 the first Cl.56 to be accepted into service by BR in 1976

has been bought off the latest DBS tender list by European Metal Recycling (EMR) and is in danger of being

scrapped. Formerly part of the EWS heritage fleet, 56006 has been stored at Barrow Hill for 9 years, as seen here on 8th January 2012 and It may

yet still have a future if a fund raising effort to buy the loco from EMR is successful.

20

Following the successful first move under its own power on 29th November 2011, Stanier 4-6-2 46233 ‘Duchess of Sutherland’ is undergoing final fitting out at its home West Shed at Swanwick, MRB where it is seen on 8th January 2012. The chalked message where the worksplate should be, reads “Plates being painted...don’t panic !!”

Following poor usage, Weardale Railway ceased its commuter operation using Cl.141 DMUs 141103 & 141113 between Bishop Auckland West and Stanhope on the

31st December 2011. It is to concentrate on running more heritage services as asked for by passengers. 141103 is seen manoeuvring

back into the Stanhope following the running round of a steam service on Saturday 22nd October 2011.

21

Cl.117 DMU DMBS cars 51341 & 51398 are to be stripped to provide spares for other needy projects around the country. These two cars along with seven others were originally bought by Dorset CC to provide a commuter service on the Swanage Railway. That never materialised and alongside with four other cars they were moved to the Midland Railway Butterley where they have suffered severe damage from vandalism, these two being the worst of the stored vehicles. Both still in NSE livery, 51341 is seen below outside the DMU shed on 8th January 2012 at Butterley after being brought up from storage alongside the running line at Swanwick. I presume 51398 was inside the shed as I never saw this vehicle anywhere at MRB on the day I visited.

On 8th January 2012 on the Midland Railway Butterley, 08590 ‘Red Lion’ was called into action to rescue the service DMU of 51591 + 59609 +

51625 on. Due a baffling brake failure on the DMU, the 08 was summoned after the DMU failed at Swanwick. It is seen on the first service back to Butterley passing the DMU shed at 13.15.

22

After 4 years open storage at Swanwick on the Midland Railway Butterley, the former BR and LT Cl.491 4-TC set is now undergoing restoration work. Formed of cars from various units (former sets in brackets), 76298 (415), 70855 (413), 70824 (412) & 76322 (427) are notionally numbered as set 413. With 76298 leading the set is seen at Swanwick outside the carriage repair shed and alongside the running line on the 8th January 2012.

Not reported before, newly refurbished and re-liveried 33035 finally entered passenger service on the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway over the weekend of 22nd / 23rd October 2011. Here it is after recently arriving from Barrow Hill looking all sparkly in its new BR blue livery at the Wirksworth base on 14th August 2011. It was formerly painted in NSE livery, one of only two Cl.33s to be so treated.

Following a notice to quit, the two Cl.502 EMU cars stored at Tebay are to move to safe undercover storage in an industrial unit at Burscough which belongs to the Merseyside Transport Trust. After all the troubles suffered by the Gloucester & Warwickshire Railway it is a pleasure to report a success with the opening of a passing loop at Gotherington at the very point where the first landslip occurred. This means trains can now operate simultaneously from Cheltenham Racecourse and Winchcombe. The first trains passed on the 4th December 2011.

23

Gloucestershire Sightings by Nigel Hoskins

The following sightings are mostly from Gloucester Station, but also include workings on the avoiding line southeast of the station between Barnwood and Gloucester Yard Jncts. Only freight and notable loco hauled workings are shown with the diagram code, time (if known) plus origin and destination (see location codes). 20th December 09.05 66847 6Z50 GL-Teigngrace 66510 4V47 RG-SG 66423/303 6M67 BR-CE 60091 6E41 WH-LY 66419 6V05 RO-MG 66185 4E66 MG-RA 66105 6V06 KY-CT 66065 4V32 TO-ON 21st December 03.40 66717 6Z31 CT-HD 04.15 66201 6V11 IM-CF 04.15 66192 6V62 HL-MG 09.19 DR77903 6U16 LD-GL 10.59 66165 6A36 AH-DT 11.10 66124 4E66 MR-RA 13.13 66097 6E31 MG-HL 70002 4V61 RG-SG 60054 6B47 WH-RN 66717 6Z30 HD-CT 22nd December 11.06 60054 6B13 RN-WH 13.02 66112 6V67 RA-MG 14.58 66510 4V47 RG-SG 16.06 66717 6Z31 CT-HD 20.38 70002 4V61 RG-SG 60091 6E41 WH-LY 23rd December 07.03 66012 6B16 RN-WH 08.40 DR77903/73114 6U12

LD-GL 11.01 60054 6B13 RN-WH 11.19 66003 4E66 MG-RA 13.03 66054 4Z32 RC-MG 13.39 66012 6B25 WH-RN 16.03 66717 6Z31 HD-CT 22.35 66108 6V66 RA-MG 24th December 60091 6E41 WH-LY 66622 4V20 FF-SG 25th December 150121/122/128/247, 153373/77 at GL 27th December 04.34 60071 6B16 RN-WH 11.18 60054 6B13 RN-WH 11.27 66114 4E66 MG-RA 12.08 60071 6B25 WH-RN 19.00 60054 6B47 WH-RN 19.03 66705 6Z97 BN-CT 29th December 00.45 66066 6E49 CT-RM 01.01 66125 6E39 CT-SC 10.57 60054 6B13 RN-WH 12.30 60091 6E41 WH-LY

29th December (cont) 12.58 66585 4V06 RG-SG 13.50 57007/11 6M67 BR-CE 19.07 66705 6Z97 BN-CT 19.10 66139 6Z44 AW-LY 20.15 66050 6E30 MG-HL 22.21 66201 6V35 RM-CT 22.33 66019 6V29 LC-CT 30th December 19.55 66018 6E11 CF-IM 60091 6E41 WH-LY 66585 4V06 RG-SG 31st December 11.10 60091 6E41 WH-LY 11.55 66618 4V06 RG-SG 14.45 66595 4V46 RG-PG 15.25 66846/9 0Z66 RY-EH 18.25 66515 4V56 RG-SG 19.56 66094/193 6V35 RM-CT 20.10 66069 4Z33 RC-AV 66133 4Z32 RC-AV 2nd January 16.10 66005 6V55 BD-RN 19.50 70010 4V61 RG-SG 60049 6E41 WH-LY 66183 6V67 RA-MG 3rd January 13.20 66847 6Z50

ChIrk-Teignbridge 15.59 66054 6M41 MG-RO 19.00 66050 6V07 RO-MG 19.15 66127 6V69 BS-AD 66849 0Z67 LL-RY 60049 6E41 WH-LY 66011 6V92 CY-MG 66122 6V66 RA-MG 70011 4V47 RG-SG 66183 4E66 MG-RA 66197 6V05 RO-MG 4th January 14.00 70011 4V47 RG-SG 16.00 70006 4V22 FF-SG 60054 6B25 WH-RN 60071 6B13 RN-WH 66122 4E66 MG-RA 66109 6M96 MG-CY 66011 6V92 CY-MG 66705 6Z97 BN-CT 66164 6M41 MG-RO 5th January 05.45 66197 6M81 MG-RO 09.04 66054 6M96 MG-CY 12.19 60091 6E41 WH-LY 12.52 66122 6V67 RA-MG 15.06 70011 4V47 RG-SG

5th January (cont) 15.09 37612/08 6M67 BR-CE 15.14 66106 6V92 CY-MG 16.16 66164 6M41 MG-RO 19.10 66194 6Z44 AW-LY 66847 6Z50 Chirk-GL 60071 6B13 RN-WH 60011 6V05 RO-MG 6th January 03.15 66616 0Z66 EA-FR 11.05 60071 6B47 WH-RN 14.05 66186 0V07 RO-MG 20.14 66011 6V55 BD-RN 20.35 66705 6Z97 BN-CT 22.20 66097 6V61 RO-MG 66075 4E66 MG-RA 66197 6V05 RO-MG 66106 6M96 MG-CY 66122 6V92 CY-MG 70006 4V47 RG-SG 66137 6E11 CF-IM 66193 6Z88 CT-SN 7th January 13.07 70011 4V20 FF-PG 14.25 66108 4E66 AV-SC 19.26 66053 6V35 RM-CT 60049 6E41 WH-LY 66555 4V56 RG-SG 66122 6V05 RO-MG 8th January 66250 6E30 MG-HL 66197 6E47 LL-TS 9th January 09.11 66169 6M96 MG-CY 10.10 37606/7 5Z17 DY-EX 11.05 66100 6V05 RO-MG 11.58 66009 0A36 AH-DT 12.30 60091 6E41 WH-LY 12.56 66034 6V67 RA-MG 14.00 60054 6B13 RN-WH 14.58 66419 4V47 RG-SG 15.11 66122 6V92 CY-MG 19.05 66506 4V57 RG-SG 20.53 60054 6B47 WH-RN 21.56 66087 6V66 RA-MG 10th January 07.15 66169 6M81 MG-RO 09.05 66847 6Z50 GL-Teignbridge 11.08 60054 6B13 RN-WH 11.27 66005 4E66 MG-RA 12.03 66063 6V05 RO-MG 12.28 60091 6E41 WH-LY 12.50 66162 6V67 RA-MG 12.55 66009 6A36 AH-DT 15.05 66034 6V92 CY-MG

24

10th January (cont) 16.02 66506 4V47 RG-SG 19.06 66122 6V06 HD-CT 20.02 66735 6E11 CF-LY 20.21 66063/187 6E30 MG-HL 22.38 66006 6E09 SS-IM 23.03 66015 6E47 LL-TS 66186 6M41 MG-RO 11th January 10.11 66186 6M96 MG-CY 66506 4V47 RG-SG 66169 6E31 MG-HL 66197 6M81 MG-RO 66005 6V67 RA-MG 60054 6B13 RN-WH 66087 6V05 RO-MG 66100 4E66 MG-RA 66034 6V92 CY-MG 12th January 06.38 66140 6M81 MG-RO 11.10 60054 6B13 RN-WH 11.30 66005 4E66 MG-RA 19.18 66847 6Z50 Chirk-GL 60091 6E41 WH-LY 66506 4V47 RG-SG 66034 6V92 CY-MG 66186 6M41 MG-RO 66197 6V05 RO-MG 66169 6V64 HL-MG 13th January 09.11 66050 6M96 LL-CY 10.33 66161 6Z55 BS-AD 11.01 60054 6B13 RN-WH 11.18 47727/49 0Z47 WW-WY 11.26 66041 4E66 MG-RA 12.07 66063 6V05 RO-MG 12.53 66005 6V67 RA-MG 13.59 66161 6Z56 AD-BS 15.15 60071 6V92 CY-MG 15.58 66132 6M41 LL-RO 17.15 66121 6O42 Halewood-SO 19.01 66158 6Z44 AW-LY 19.37 66705 6Z30 HD-CT 20.06 66031 6V55 BD-RN 66011 7X36 DT-AH 66558 4V47 RG-SG 14th January 66617 6Y27 Hackney-AH 66506 4V06 RG-SG 60091 6E41 WH-LY 66054 4E66 MG-SC 66005 6V05 RO-MG 66059 4Z33 TO-AV 66558 4V46 RG-PG

14th January (cont) 66100 6V02 HL-LL 66132 6V07 RO-LL 66847 0Z49 GL-EH 15th January 14.20 47727/49 0Z47 WY-WW 66100 6M75 MG-CL 66186 6E30 MG-HL 66106 6E47 LL-TS 16th January 07.30 66618 6Z25 FR-RY 07.30 66075 6M81 MG-RO 09.11 66050 6M96 MG-CY 11.00 60071 6V05 RO-MG 12.52 60049 6E41 WH-LY 12.52 66116 6V67 RA-MG 14.00 60054 6B13 RN-WH 15.02 66087 6V92 CY-MG 17.00 66525 4V47 RG-SG 17.03 66162 6M41 MG-RO 19.01 66075 6V07 RO-MG 19.07 66705 6Z97 BN-CT 19.45 66519 4V57 RG-SG 20.22 66136 6E11 CF-IM 20.30 66169 6E30 MG-HL 21.35 60054 6B47 WH-RN 21.55 66197 6V66 RA-MG 23.45 66132 6W51 WY-GL 17th January 09.05 66847 6Z50 GL-Teignbridge 11.03 60054 6B13 RN-WH 11.27 66075 6V05 RO-MG 11.29 66197 4E66 MG-RA 13.00 66952 4V06 RG-SG 13.15 37606/20309 6M67 BR-CE 13.15 66004 6V67 SC-MG 14.55 66525 4V47 RG-SG 15.00 66087 6V92 CY-MG 67029 0Z63 GL-CF 18th January 21.22 66109 4E93 AW-MF 22.00 66187 6V66 RA-MG 66095 6E47 LL-TS 66004 6V07 RO-MG 66087 6M94 MG-CY 66114 6E11 CF-IM 66075 4E66 MG-RA 66169 6V92 CY-MG 66152 6M81 MG-RO 60054 6B13 RN-WH 66525 4V47 RG-SG 66705 6Z30 HD-CT 66100 6V55 BD-RN 66116 6E30 MG-HL

19th January 60049 6E41 WH-LY 66525 4V47 RG-SG 66087 6V92 CY-MG 66051 4E66 MG-RA 66096 6V67 RA-MG 60054 6B13 RN-WH 66197 6V05 RO-MG 66847 6Z50 Chirk-GL 67002 0Z63 CF-GL 66016 6V81 RM-CT 66197 6E30 MG-HL 66098 0F63 TO-AV 20th January 05.35 66169 6M81 MG-RO 09.08 66096 6M96 MG-RO 10.20 66068 6Z55 BS-AD 11.01 60054 6B13 RN-WH 11.10 66078 6V05 RO-MG 11.26 66113 4E66 MG-RA 12.57 66051 6V67 RA-MG 14.57 66525 4V47 RG-SG 15.58 66162 6M41 MG-RO 17.00 66111 6O42 Halewood-SO 18.35 66705 6Z30 HD-CT 19.00 66169 6V07 RO-MG 21.45 66092 6V66 RA-MG 66068+67029 0Z55 AD-BS 66598 0Z26 SG-RY 21st January 11.45 60091 6E41 WH-LY 12.35 66618 4V06 RG-SG 13.35 66523 4V22 FF-SG 15.28 66419 4V46 RG-PG 21.40 66618 6Y27

Hackney-Stoke Works 22nd January 12.59 66040 4E68 East Usk-SC 23rd January 06.52 66085 6W40 Bridgend-BS 09.04 66114 6M96 MG-CY 09.56 66016/118 0W40 BS-AD 10.20 66847 0Z69 GL-LL 10.53 DR77901 6J88 WS-ST 11.35 60054 6B13 RN-WH 11.52 31285 1Z06 DY-AD 12.11 DR73935 6J42

Port Talbot-RY 13.27 97301 1Q13 DY-TY 14.55 66548 4V47 RG-SG 66051 6M81 MG-RO 66003 6M41 MG-RO 66100 6V92 CY-MG

Advertisement – GB Bus Group (GBBG) Belonging to ICRS tells us you have an interest in vehicles involved in travel, whether it is to do with their design or simply number-crunching. That being the case, have you also got an interest in buses in the UK ? GBBG may already be known to you from its link with ICRS in the past, but if you haven’t thought about joining us before, why not reconsider? Our annual membership subscription has now been reduced to a modest £13.60, so why not visit our website www.gb-bg.co.uk or write to our Secretary, Hazel Roberts, at 37 Abbey Place, Crewe CW1 4JR for further information? It could well be of benefit to you as a fellow transport enthusiast.

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Stirlingshire Sightings by Derek Sneddon

The following sightings are from Camelon Station & nearby Carmuirs Junction with an occasional sighting from Falkirk. Only freight and notable loco hauled workings are shown together with the diagram code, time, origin and destination (see location codes) . 16th December 05.45 66433 4H47 MN-IS 13.00 66429 4A13 GM-AB 13.30 66107 6S36 DS-GM 17th December 02.30 66101 6Z48 MN-IS 05.45 66433 4H47 MN-IS 10.05 66185 6A32 MN-AB 10.35 66530 6G05 RV-LT 11.20 66429/421 4M16 GM-DV 13.00 66431 4A13 GM-AB 13.30 66144 6S36 DS-GM 14.07 47802/832 1Z17 ED-PH 18th December 13.00 66431 4A13 GM-AB 19th December 05.45 66433 4H47 MN-IS 10.30 66304 4N66 GM-ML 10.35 66530 6G05 RV-LT 20th December 05.45 66421 4H47 MN-IS 06.00 66152 6A31 GM-AB 07.00 66431 4R75 GM-EE 10.35 66530 6G05 RV-LT 13.00 66305 4A13 GM-AB 13.30 66107 6S36 DS-GM 18.15 66101 6N44 PW-GM 21st December 05.45 66421 4H47 MN-IS 07.00 66429 4R75 GM-EE 08.30 66518 6A65 OX-AB 10.35 66530 6G05 RV-LT 13.00 66305 4A13 GM-AB 13.30 66101 6S36 DS-GM 22nd December 05.45 66421 4H47 MN-IS 06.00 66107 6A32 MN-AB 07.00 66433 4R75 GM-EE 10.35 66530 6G05 RV-LT 13.00 66302 4A13 GM-AB 23rd December 05.45 66426 4H47 MN-IS 07.00 66302 4R75 GM-EE 10.35 66530 6G05 RV-LT 13.00 66301 4A13 GM-AB 13.30 66142 6S36 DS-GM 18.15 66107 6N44 PW-GM

24th December 05.45 66426 4H47 MN-IS 09.30 66432 4A66 GM-AB 10.05 66002 6A32 MN-AB 27th December 05.45 66426 4H47 MN-IS 13.00 66301 4A13 GM-AB 28th December 05.45 66426 4H47 MN-IS 13.00 66301 4A13 GM-AB 29th December 05.45 66426 4H47 GM-IS 06.00 66009 6A32 MN-AB 13.00 66433 4A13 GM-AB 13.30 66165 6S36 DS-GM 30th December 05.45 66426 4H47 MN-IS 06.15 66121 6S04 MN-AB 13.00 66424 4A13 GM-AB 13.30 66165 6S36 DS-GM 31st December 02.30 66110 6Z48 MN-IS 05.45 66304 4H47 MN-IS 09.30 66301 4A66 GM-AB 10.05 66107 6A32 MN-AB 13.30 66174 6S36 DS-GM 1st January 09.40 66009 6K01 DL-MN 11.20 66152 6K02 DL-MN 2nd January 12.10 66110 6Z50 IS-MN 13.00 66301 4A13 GM-AB 3r January 05.45 66304 4H47 MN-IS 4th January 05.45 66431 4H47 MN-IS 07.00 66421 4R75 GM-EE 10.30 66432 4N66 GM-ML 13.00 66302 4A13 GM-AB 13.30 66174 6S36 DS-GM 5th January 05.45 66431 4H47 MN-IS 06.30 66110 6A32 MN-AB 07.00 66302 4R75 GM-EE 13.00 66432 4A13 GM-AB 13.30 66099 6S36 DS-GM 18.15 66107 6N44 PW-GM

6th January 05.45 66431 4H47 MN-IS 13.00 66429 4A13 GM-AB 13.30 66107 6S36 DS-GM 7th January 02.30 66113 6Z48 MN-IS 05.45 66421 4H47 MN-IS 10.05 66116 6A32 MN-AB 10.35 66512 6G05 Killoch-LT 11.20 66429 4M16 GM-DV 13.00 66423 4A13 GM-AB 13.30 66152 6S36 DS-GM 14.05 66107 6K08 MN-Carnoustie 18.10 66110 6K01 MN-NL 18.40 66112 6K02 MN-NL 20.05 66152+66002 6K03 MN-NL 9th January 05.45 66421 4H47 MN-IS 07.00 66423 4R75 GM-EE 10.35 66524 6G05 RV-LT 11.20 66301 4N66 GM-ML 13.00 66433 4A13 GM-AB 10th January 05.45 66421 4H47 MN-IS 10.35 66524 6G05 RV-LT 13.30 66113 6S36 DS-GM 18.15 66152 6N44 PW-GM 11th January 07.00 66423 4R75 GM-EE 08.30 66615 6A65 OX-AB 10.35 66524 6G05 RV-LT 13.00 66432 4A13 GM-AB 12th January 05.45 66431 4H47 NM-IS 06.30 66113 6A32 MN-AB 06.30 66601 6H51 OX-IS 07.00 66432 4R75 GM-EE 10.35 66524 6G05 RV-LT 13.00 66421 4A13 GM-AB 13.30 66110 6S36 DS-AB 13th January 05.45 66431 4H47 MN-IS 07.00 66432 4R75 GM-EE 10.35 66524 6G05 RV-LT 13.00 66426 4A13 GM-AB

Stirlingshire & Gloucestershire Sightings Location Codes: AB Aberdeen AC Achnasheen AD Alexander Dock Jnct AE Attercliffe AH Ashchurch AJ Awre Junction AL Alston

AN Acton AP Appleford AR Abercynon AT Abbotswood Jnct AV Avonmouth AW Aberthaw AY Ayr BA Blair Atholl

BD Bedworth BE Berkeley BH Brierley Hill BI Burntisland BL Bristol BN Beeston BO Bo’ness BP Bath

BR Bridgwater BS Bescot BT Barton Hill BW Barrow Hill BZ St Blazey BY Barry CA Calvert CB Coatbridge

CE Crewe CD Charfield CF Cardiff CH Chaddesden CL Carlisle CM Chalmerston CN Carnforth CP Chepstow

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CQ Croft Quarry CR Cadder CS Cheltenham CT Cardiff Tidal CV Cliff Vale CY Corby DC Dyce DL Dalmeny DM Dollands Moor DR Doncaster DS Dalston DT Didcot DV Daventry DY Derby DU Dundee EA Earles Sidings ED Edinburgh EE Elderslie EH Eastleigh EL Elgin EU Euston EV Evesham EX Exeter FB Ferrybridge FF Fiddlers Ferry FG Fishguard FO Forres FR Fairwater GC Glasgow Central GL Gloucester GM Grangemouth GR Grange Sidings

GS Gleneagles GY Grimsby HA Hayes HD Handsworth HF Hereford HH Holyhead HL Hartlepool HR Harwich HS Hunslet HT Hastings HV Haverfordwest HW Heywood Jnct HY Hinksey IM Immingham IB Ironbridge IS Inverness JM Jersey Marine KB Kittybrewster KC Kirkcaldy KK Kilmarnock KL Kyle of Lochalsh KN Kennethmont KS Kingsland Road KY Kingsbury LA Laira LB Ladybank LC Lincoln LD Lydney LG Lairg LH Leith LI Linlithgow LK Lackenby

LL Llanwern LM Long Marston LN Laurencekirk LO Longsight LS Leeds LT Longannet LW Linkswood LY Lindsey MC Machen ME Montrose MF Milford MG Margam MH Millerhill MN Mossend ML Motherwell MO Moreton MS Maesteg MT Mountsorrel MV Manchester Vic MW Moorswater NA Nairn NE Neath NG Nottingham NH Newton Heath NJ Norton Jnct NL Newtonhill NT Newport NV Neville Hill NW Nantwich OB Oban ON Onllwyn OO Old Oak Common

OX Oxwellmains OY Oxley PA Paisley PC Port Clarence PF Peak Forest PG Pengham PH Perth PM St Philips Marsh PN Paddington PO Polmadie PR Preston PT Paignton PW Prestwick PY Portbury PZ Penzance RA Redcar RC Ratcliffe RD Reading RE Redmire RG Rugeley RM Rotherham RN Robeston RO Round Oak RR Rowley Regis RV Ravenstruther RY Rugby SA Saltley SB Stourbridge SC Scunthorpe SD Standish Jnct SG Stoke Gifford SH Slough

SI Stirling SK Shirebrook SN Stockton SO Southampton SP Spetchley SR Stourton SS Swansea ST Severn Tunnel Jnct SV Stevenage SW Swindon SY Shipley TD Tyne Dock TE Trostre TH Theale TK Tavistock Jnct TL Tilbury TN Taunton TO Toton TR Trishington TS Tees Yard TY Tyseley VA Victoria WB Wembley WH Westerleigh WP Worksop WR Warrington WS Worcester WV Wolverhampton WW Washwood Heath WY Westbury YT Yate YK York

Preservation Photo Spot

Continental Traction in the UK There are many preserved railways in the UK with continental rolling stock, none more so than the Nene Valley Railway (NVR). On the 22nd November NVR took delivery of Swedish Y7 railcar 1212. It was based on the railway from 1984-89 but has been on Tweedle Farm, Fleggburgh in County Durham for the past 6 years. It is hoped to have it in service by Easter. It is seen at Wansford on 20th December 2012.

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Railway Globetrotters by John Sheppard

Havana, Cuba 24th May 2010: On a visit to Cuba, just under 2 years ago, I was wandering around Havana and happened to pass what appeared to be a scrapyard full of rusting old steam trains. As a very keen photographer I was eager to get a closer look.

looking eastwards with 1502 to the fore and a tender numbered 1707, El Capitolio can be seen towering above across Industria

I gave the guard on the gate a couple of pounds and was then free to wander around at my leisure. I was told that the trains were mostly Russian due to the close ties between the then USSR and Cuba and that there was a restoration project underway to save the best of them.

four locos facing the northern boundary of the compound including 1358, left foreground

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numbered 10 marked on the cabsibe and possibly 2342 on the dome nearest the cab, this loco is with others lined up against the northern boundary of the compound

a closer view of the loco tucked in behind the blue cab in the first photo with a smokebox plate that reads ‘The Baldwin Locomotive Works Philadelphia USA’

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A freshly painted loco E1334 sat at the top of the yard on an isolated set of rails and appeared to be setup as a tourist spectacle as seen in the photo below.

1358 with CAI PEPITO TEY marked on the cabside, the tender appears to be numbered 1164 As you can see from the photographs most of them are in a very dilapidated state and beyond any hope of ever breathing again. There were a large number of locos, tenders and some carriages from an extensive period of the stream era and it was delightful to see them, even if they were old and toothless.

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a closer view of locos on the extreme left in the first photo with 1351 behind a tender numbered 1708

1413

1326

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The site is in Centro Habana on the north side of Dragones between Amistad to the west and Industria to the east and is also close to Chinatown. Amazingly it is right next to one of the most imposing building in Havana, Le Capitolio (National Capital Building), the dome of which can be seen in some of the photos. Built in 1929, this was the seat of government until the 1959 Cuban Revolution when it lost its prominence and is now the home of the Cuban Academy of Sciences. The site is not that far northwest of the main Central Railway station, La Coubra...ed.

all photos by John Sheppard

Light Rail, Metro & Tram News Edinburgh: Following the first trial runs using car 277 at Gogar depot test track on 12th December 2011, the depot was officially handed over to Edinburgh City Council. It was also accompanied by a revised plan for opening of various phases with March 2013 being the proposed timetable for the Airport – Gogar section...time will tell !! Tyne & wear Metro: The second refurbished and re-liveried car 4072 returned to South Gosforth depot in November. Blackpool: Flexity2 tram 002 arrived on 16th December after its journey from Saxony. Manchester Metrolink: Car 1003 has been re-liveried in yellow & silver, the first of the T68 trams to be so treated. Track laying has started at the new East Didsbury terminus.

Revised Liveries

British American Railway Services owned 56303 with DCR (Devon & Cornwall) branding Barrow Hill Roundhouse, 8th January 2012

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Freight Corner WAGON UPDATES by Scott Yeates (to UKRS No.3 UK Wagons 2012): To allow members to keep their copy as up to date as possible, it is intended to provide changes via this spot every month. It is known that various wagons reportedly withdrawn or missing from previous editions are still in service so if any member can provide information please let Scott know, contact details on page 2. Scrapped: (assumed) The following stored OTAs have all been removed from Elgin Yard on or shortly after 19th January: 112161/178/183/207/255/310/329/341/391/396/399, 200675/736/930/933/934/945, 210144 plus an unidentified 112xxx FREIGHT NEWS The 8 mile freight line has been re-opened to enable DBS to haul coal from the Unity drift mine at Cwmgrach, near Neath to Aberthaw Power Station. Three trains a week are initially planned. Europorte’s 11 operational Cl.92, have like DBS been given clearance to work along HS1 and intend to operate from Calais Fréthun through to Barking. WAGON REVIEW by Trevor Roots: With the start of a new flow of timber traffic I thought it was appropriate to look at timber wagons with this issue concentrating on the OTA conversions.

OTA Timber Wagons: With an upsurge in timber moving from the Scottish highlands to processing plants south of the border, BR began converting redundant 45t open goods wagons coded OBA & OCA in 1985 from the following batches.

Number Code Lot No Design Code Built Manufacturer 100001-110500 OBA 3909 1977-79 Ashford Works 110501-110800 OBA 3930 OB001C/E 1978-79 Shildon Works 112000-112399 OCA 4014 OC001A 1981-82 Shildon Works

The OBAs/OCAs have a 20’9” wheelbase, FAT 7 / Brunninghaus leaf springs (the original 15 leaf springs of the first batch being modified) and SKF roller bearings. Some OCAs had Timken roller bearings but from photographic evidence the OTAs seem to have only been converted from those wagons with SKF bearings. The OBAs had wooden side doors whilst the OCAs were all steel. Both had steel ends but one difference is that OBAs had angled bottoms to the corner stanchions whereas the heavy longer OCA stanchions were square, clearly seen in the left hand photo on page 34. In addition to adding side stanchions and straps to retain the load, the OBAs/OCAs simply had their sides and drop hangers removed and the ends extended upwards. Numbers are generally carried on the solebars though some had them also on the ends.

OTAs 112318, 112387, 112302 & 210170 showing the various differences in ends and stanchions, Elgin Yard, 23rd January 2012

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The first examples had a short square cornered section end section added, roughly 2ft in height. This design appears not to have been used on that many and altered to the much widely used second design of extension. This was roughly 4ft in height, depending on whether it was an OBA or OCA which had different height ends, but the top corners were angled. Interestingly there are some odd examples where the shorter OCA extension has been used on an OBA, possibly as a repair so the total height is shorter. This is more striking with the livery variation as can be seen with 112387 in the photo above.

110208 an example of an OBA conversion from lot 3909 but with the later style of tapered stanchions, Elgin Yard, 23rd January 2012

112341 an example of an OCA conversion from lot 4014 in blue livery showing the wooden floor and square style stanchions, Elgin Yard, 3rd August 2011

All the conversions feature removable stanchions of two designs which retained either 3 or 4 stacks of timber. The original square hollow style fit into pockets welded to and protrude above the floor edge.

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They have hooks on the top to enable them to be lifted out easily. Though only 9 stanchions were provided for each wagon there were between 9 and 13 pockets fitted to allow the 9 stanchions to be moved to suit the load. The second type of stanchion is a tapered and fluted design painted red and appears to have been provided for the later VDA conversions though earlier OBA/OCA conversions also have them. These stanchions fit into a double set of pockets welded to the solebar so once removed leave nothing protruding above floor level. Confusingly and I have knowledge of why or whether wagons were retrospectively altered but there are therefore several permutations of wagon type and stanchion.

examples of lot 4014 OCA worksplates no worksplates appear to be visible on OBA wagons built to lots 3909 or 3930

The photos above show the variations discussed earlier between wagon type and stanchion type. In the left hand photo the tapered style of stanchion is fitted to ex-OBA 110208 whilst the square style stanchion sporting the top hook is fitted to ex-OCA 112389. Note also the different end stanchions and varying heights between the two different lots 3909 and 4014. The right hand photo again shows the square section stanchions fitted to similar ex-OCA (lot 4014) wagons 112384 and 112371 and also shows the pockets and web strapping reels in more detail. One other variation is the floors, which are either wooden as built or adapted to chequer plate.

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Liveries over the years have varied, with BR Railfreight red used initially for the majority but either blue or light green for those wagons diagrammed for Thames Board traffic. When sectorisation came in they were all allocated to Transrail but retained their original liveries. Some have received EWS maroon livery. With the increased traffic brought about by the hurricane of 1987 more conversions were carried out using redundant 45t VDA vans from the following batches. Number Code Lot No Design Code Built Manufacturer 200550-200999 VDA 3855 VD001A 1976 Ashford Works 210100-210399 VDA 3908 1977-78 Shildon Works As with the OBAs/OCAs it was a simple conversion involving removing the roof and sides. This left the rounded end profile as seen below and a similar height to the extended OBAs/OCAs.

200975 & 112241 showing the different profiles of the VDA (left) and OCA (right) conversions, Elgin Yard, 23rd January 2012

examples of the two different VDA lots, 3855 (left) and 2908 (right) As with the OBAs/OCAs both stanchion types were used within the same batch with no apparent reason. I can only reason this was due to conversion at different works, does anyone know ?

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The VDA conversions either carried EWS maroon or Kronospan blue. Unlike the OBA/OCA conversions, data panels and numbers were carried on the ends. Numbers also carried in various places on the floor edge or solebar depending type of stanchion pocket fitted.

both these photos show VDA conversions from lot 3855 (above) and 3908 (below)

In total there were 171 conversions and were all eventually put in store at various locations, if not having been scrapped earlier, when the KFA conversions came into use in 2007.

Hopefully I’ve done justice to these wagon types, if not let me know and I’ll pass it on. A future Wagon Review will feature the later KFA Ferrywagon conversions and the latest Rover cube conversions, the latter though I have yet to see.

210144 showing the square section stanchion and faded Kronospan blue livery

Elgin Yard, 3rd August 2011

200731 showing the tapered stanchion and EWS maroon livery

Elgin Yard, 3rd August 2011

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Stock Changes It is hoped that all major changes recorded below will help you keep the Combine, Pocket Book and Name Directory up to date, (numerous pool code changes will not be recorded). In order to compile as accurate and up to date list as possible, can members please pass on their observations, particularly name changes and multiple unit reformations to the editor, Trevor Roots Locos returned from abroad: (DBS - France) 66045 New: 70017 70018 DVTs Re-numbered: 82144 to 82306 DMUs disbanded & re-formed: ex-LMT 3 car units reverted to 2 car 150012 to 150112 150015 to 150115 150018 to 150118 150019 to 150119 150206 from 150012 & 150015 150220 from 150018 & 150019 Namings: (* previous names re-applied) 319008 Cheriton* 319009 Coquelles* Locos Transferred: (* into preservation) D4195 GWR to SDH 08393 EMR Kingsbury to LHG 25265 GCR to BU D6737 NNR to SDR

25265 Quorn, GCR 1st May 2011

D6737 Weybourne, NNR 2nd October 2011 37227 BAT to BU 37275 GCR to BH 47799 * to EDV (correction from last month) 56018 * Warrington Arpley Yd to ? 56302 MNR to BU Units Transferred: 54356 (6300) GWR to NHC (ex- Kyle of Lochalsh line loco hauled observation car) 51909/54271 LM to SDH 51363 /51405/59510 MHR to GWR 3CIG 1496 (part) – 76747/62385 PON to DMR Cl.421 1498 SWR to EOR Locos for Scrapping: Booths, Rotherham 08909, 09203 EMR Kingsbury 56046, 56073, 56112 56133

New Stock

having arrived for driver training 70016 is seen stabled in Wapping Sidings south of Carlisle station on 9th January 2012. With 70017 yet to arrive, this still had 2 days to enjoy as

the newest loco in the UK

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More Loco Transfers

03180 seen (above) on 8th January 2012 has now transferred to the Heritage Shunters Trust, Rowsley South from the Battlefield Line and long term storage at Market Bosworth,

where it was seen (below) on 1st May 2011 in the sorry state in which it arrived minus engine having been saved from the cutters torch....but only just !!

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transferred from the Heritage Shunters Trust at Rowsley South, 07013 and D2587 now reside at Barrow Hill Roundhouse, 8th January 2012

the loss of these two means that HST no longer has a full set of BR shunters with no examples of Cl.05, Cl.07 or Cl.06 as

06003, the sole survivor, has also moved from HST to the Manchester Museum of Science

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ICRS Publications The 2012 UK Combine has recently been released and follows on from the 2012 versions of UK Wagons and UK Name Directory. The latter has been reworked to be even more comprehensive than before and is the only such book currently on the market. It is also a small print run as are the current 2011 editions of UK Locomotives, Diesel Units, Electric Units and Irish Railways, so if you don’t want to miss out, order yours now. The individual books have additional carriage number to unit number cross ref tables, not found in the Combine and are very useful. As for future titles, an eagerly awaited updated Ultimate Sighting File is in preparation for release during 2012 and will combine all locos into one book rather than the 3 previously published.

Books can be ordered online via PayPal at www.icrs.org.uk or by post from Carl Watson, ICRS Publications, 14, Partridge Gardens, Waterlooville, Hampshire PO8 9XG (please made cheque / PO payable to ICRS).

All books, except A6 Pocket Datafiles, are A5 wire bound printed on 90gm paper with laminated card covers allowing them to be laid flat.

Book Titles (all Members receive a 20% discount on 2010/11 & up to 27% discount on 2012 ICRS books) non-member member New: (2012 – red) Price UKRS02A UK Combine 2012 (264 pages) (updated to 1st Jan12) £15.99 £12.00 UKRS03 UK Wagons 2012 (164 pages) (updated to 1st Oct11) £12.99 £9.50 UKRS04 UK Name Directory 2012 (172 pages) (updated to 10th Nov11) £12.99 £9.50

Current: (2011 – blue) UKRS01 Pocket Book 2011 (240 pages) (updated to 1st Jan11) £8.99 £7.19 UKRS05 UK Locomotives 2011 (81 pages) (updated to 1st May11) £7.99 £6.39 UKRS06 UK Diesel Units 2011 (64 pages) (updated to 1st May11) £7.99 £6.39 UKRS07 UK Electric Units 2011 (116 pages) (updated to 1st May11) £8.99 £7.19 UKRS19 Irish Railways 2011 (53 pages) (updated to 1st May11) £7.99 £6.39

Previous 2008-11: check online for availability as some are now SOLD OUT

In Preparation: (due early March 2012) UKRS01 Pocket Book 2012 (240 pages) (updated to 1st Jan12) £9.50 £7.00

In Preparation: (publication date to be confirmed) UKRS21 Ultimate Sighting Files - Locomotives TBC TBC

Proposed: UKRS22 Ultimate Sighting Files – Diesel Units TBC TBC UKRS23 Ultimate Sighting Files – Electric Units TBC TBC

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