Wednesday, 4 March 2026

Tucson, April 2000 (part 1)

It is now rather a long time ago, a business trip to Tucson which lasted just over two weeeks. These pictures were probably taken on Saturday 8th April 2000.


Union Pacific GP38-3 2417 (EMD builder number 33367). New as B&O GP-3849 in November 1967, later CSX 2049). Rebuilt as GP38-3 by MPI for UP, delivered January 1998. Returned to lessor Helm Financial November 2007, and ran as HLCX 2417. More recently South Branch Valley Railroad (in West Virginia) 101.


SP 8680, a SD40M-2, by then in Union Pacific ownership through acquisition. Bult as D&RGW SD45 5327 (EMD builder number 33759) delivered in March 1968. Rebuilt to SP 8680 by Morrison Knudesn, completed in November 1994. Renumbered to UP 2756. Retired in October 2010,  sold to National Railway Equipment Co as NREX 2756 in 2013, and scrapped at Metro East Industries, East St Louis, in 2014.


SD40-2 UP 3037. Delivered to C&NW as 6872 in September 1974 (EMD builder number 74639-7), and to UP via acquisition. "was the first unit in this group to be repainted to Union Pacific, completed on 30 June 1995". Retired by UP in December 2008, assumed scrapped. Location.


At this time, SD60Ms were established road power across many railroads. UP 6330 with 2nd generation North American Safety Cab leads this eastbound train, at West Ina Road, near a Motel 6 which I had used on a previous visit, when I was funding my own travel. Now developed with storage units, and in 2019, an upgraded intersection and overpass. 6330 was delivered to UP in September 1992 (EMD builder number 926302-15 ), later renumbered to 2485. At some time, UP retired it, and it now is listed in the roster of Larry's Truck & Electic (LTEX 2485), seen working for Indiana & Ohio RR (IORY).        

The second locomotive was SP 9349, a "Tunnel Motor" SD45T-2, built in January 1975 (EMD builder number 73674-6). By this time a rough looking late survivor, later retired under UP ownership in August 2001. Noted as stored at Larry's Truck & Electric in December 2004.


UP 650 was next, a GE C36-7 (builder number 45090) originally delivered to Missouri Pacific in October 1985. Retired in April 2001, when all 58 surviving locomotives were sold for use in Estonia, becoming EVR 1553.


UP 644 has a similar history to 650. GE C36-7 (builder number 45084 ) originally delivered to Missouri Pacific in October 1985. Retired in March 2001, to Estonia, becoming EVR 1531.

UP 6103, a SD60M (EMD builder number 886010-19) delivered in January 89, with 1st generation North American Safety Cab.  Renumbered in 2003 to 2258, and still on the current roster.

Saturday, 28 February 2026

HSTs in Fife, December 2025 - January 2026

Scotland is now the holdout territory for regular HST workings, here seen in a snapshot over the Christmas - New Year period.


43152 at Dalgety Bay with 1A81 11:30 Edinburgh - Aberdeen, 31st December 2025.


43145 at Aberdour with1A81 11:30 Edinburgh - Aberdeen, 24th December.


43181 1A81 11:30 Edinburgh - Aberdeen, Inverkeithing, 2nd January.


43144 at Aberdour, with 1A87 15:30 Edinburgh - Aberdeen, 2nd January.


43177 again at Aberdour, 1B84 14:03 Aberdeen - Edinburgh, 2nd January.

23rd - 28th February 2026

 

Monday 23rd February: 66710 0Z24 18:00 Eastleigh - Salisbury, 66719 + 66710 3Z24 19:45 Salisbury - Redbridge - Eastleigh
Tuesday 24th February: 67021 0Z25 07:15 Stewarts Lane T&R.S.M.D to Eastleigh East Yard, 67025 (+ 99537 / 280 AUDREY) 5Z25 09:52 Eastleigh East Yard - Didcot - Stewarts Lane one two three, 37423 + 37611 0O37 09:25 Wembley - Eastleigh Arlington one two three four, 37611 (+ 94515) + 37423 5M38 14:45 Eastleigh - Rectory Jn (Colwick Colas) one two three four five
Wednesday 25th February:
Thursday 26th February:
Friday 27th February:
56051 + 66544 0Z56 11:50 Eastleigh East Yard - Eastleigh East Yard (was to run to Basingstoke, but 56051had an incident with flames coming from loco between Shawford and Winchester, followed by return to origin)
Saturday 28th February:

GB Railfreight announces locomotive availability as part of fleet modernisation programme
 - Viewing date for 59003 at Eastleigh is 10th March 09:30 – 14:30.


455721 was moved to Derby on 26th, for eventual disposal. Seen at Eastleigh on 24th February 2017.

Tuesday, 24 February 2026

Test Train at Aberdour, 30th December 2025

43257 (+ 6261 + 72631 PLPR1 + 975091 MENTOR + 72612) + 43274
1Q26 13:45 Edinburgh - Aberdeen - Thornton - Perth - Dundee - Perth - Ladybank - Slateford Depot


Colas orange colours on 43257.


72631 and generator 6261.


975091.


72612 Radio Survey Coach / Brake Force Runner.


43274 on the rear.


A further view of 43274 as it heads away towards Burntisland.

Saturday, 21 February 2026

SRPS Winter Diesel Gala, 29th December 2025 Part 3: Resident fleet

 


Starting the day, seen about the time of sunrise, 26038 has been started to work 1M37 09:00 Bo'ness - Manuel.   


37261 sits on accommodation bogies while its restoration steps forward.


37403 Isle of Mull returning with 1M42 11:30 Manuel - Bo'ness, seen at Corbiehall.


The dmu, led by 51405, 2M44 12:30 Manuel - Bo'ness.


26038 was added to the rear of 1M47 14:00 Bo'ness - Manuel, with some reports that 37403 was poorly.

16th - 21st February 2026

 
Sunday 15th February: 66710 + 66719 3Z20 15:44 Derby - Eastleigh (Rail 200 exhibition train) one two
Monday 16th February: 66710 + 66719 3Z21 05:37 Eastleigh - Corfe Castle one, 66719 0Z21 09:34 Corfe Castle - Eastleigh one
Tuesday 17th February: 66710 at Corfe one
Wednesday 18th February: 37521 + 37401 0Z31 07:17 Crewe - Eastleigh one two three four five, 37401 (+ 6394 + 3140 + 41162  +  9479) 5Z32 15:20 Eastleigh - Crewe; 73962 + 73964 1Q14 10:59 Woking - Laverstock - Eastleigh - Marchwood - Eastleigh - Salisbury - Ludgershall - Woking; 66719 0Z22 14:43 Eastleigh - Corfe Castle one, 66719 + 66710 3Z22 19:20 Corfe Castle - Alton one 
Thursday 19th February:
Friday 20th February: 66710 0Z23 22:02 Salisbury - Eastleigh (earlier one two)
Saturday 21st February:

57311 rubbed down for paint refresh at Eastleigh Works, 19th February.

455871 made a 'secret' move into preservation.

"An accumulation of failings": West of England Line problems laid bare

CrossCountry makes the case for extra ‘221s’


Tuesday, 17 February 2026

ScotRail Inter7City, May 2025

 


43133 passing Aberdour with 1A75 07:30 Edinburgh - Aberdeen, 9th May.


43031 at Aberdour with 1B68 05:57 Aberdeen - Edinburgh, 9th May.


43177 approaching Dalgety Bay with 1B78 11:01 Aberdeen - Edinburgh, 9th May.


43149 at Aberdour with 1B80 12:07 Aberdeen - Edinburgh, 15th May.


43126 at Aberdour  with 1B80 12:07 Aberdeen - Edinburgh, 20th May.


43032 at Aberdour with 1B80 12:07 Aberdeen - Edinburgh, 26th May.


43032 at Inverkeithing with 1B88 16:04 Aberdeen to Edinburgh, 27th May.


43035 near Dalgety with 1B80 12:07 Aberdeen - Edinburgh, 30th May.

1B80 is dominant here, since it passes close to the time when the northbound 'Royal Scotsman' is expected.