800111 released from Eastleigh Works, 22nd July 2026

LNER Azuma 800111 entered Eastleigh Works on 20th May, and has received the full crack repair programme, noticeable above the yaw dampers. 

5X80 12:21 Eastleigh Works Gbrf - Reading.

800111, lead by PDTA 811111.

A closer view of 800111 as it ran to a stop in platform 2, showing the repair work above the first yaw damper. There is a missing unit number, which should be close to the yaw damper mount, about below the LNER logo.

MS coach 815111.

Detail of the repair above the yaw damper on PDTRBF 819111.


Leaving the station, heading for Allbrook and Shawford, and a return to LNER service on the East Coast Main Line.

Scotland, June - July 2026

 

The longer evenings around the solstice give the chance to see 6B36 19:25 Craiginches - Oxwellmains cement empties in the daaylight. 70813 is seen with this task at Aberdour on 25th June.

801226 and 801218 at Edinburgh Waverley, 27th June.

92018 was tucked away between workings of the Caledonian Sleeper, and platform access was by ticket at the time I was there.

In EWS colours, but marked for DB, 66028 passing Aberdour with  6K01 04:05 Auchterarder - Millerhill, 29th June.


A short while later came 37418 An Comunn Gaidhealach + 975025 Caroline ...


... working as 5Z55 06:03 Slateford Depot - Inverness C.S.D. (Carriage Servicing Depot). It is understood that Loram may be relinquishing their operating licence in September.

37418 was new from English Electric Vulcan Foundry in March 1965 as D6971, later 37271, then Heavy General Overhaul and ETH conversion to 37418 was completed in November 1985. 975025 Caroline was built at Eastleigh in 1958 as Hastings DEMU buffet 60755, but laid aside in 1964. Converted to the Southern Region General Manager's Saloon as DB 975025 in 1969.

43169 (+ set HA20 + 43182) 1B80 12:07 Aberdeen - Edinburgh. at the former Donibristle Halt, 3rd July.

At the same location, 66746 Piper Major Iain Grant with 'Royal Scotsman' 1H79 13:45 Edinburgh - Keith.
 

Edinburgh, 16th January 2025

 

800108 1W02 07:08 Leeds -Aberdeen.


800113 arrives with 1E11 07:52 Aberdeen - Kings Cross.


800113 departs into the Calton Hill tunnels.


801220 is prepared for 1E12 11:00 Edinburgh - Kings Cross.


Another view of 801220 with Lumo 803001 to depart later as 1E84 11:24 Edinburgh - Kings Cross.


801228 CENTURY 1E17 13:30 Edinburgh - Kings Cross.


43031 HA10 (+43003) had arrived with 1B78 11:01 Aberdeen - Edinburgh, leaving as 5B24 13:41 Edinburgh - Haymarket Depot, later working1A87 15:30 Edinburgh - Aberdeen

43031 in platform 16, ready to work 1H17 13:32 Edinburgh - Inverness.

43152 at the other end of this train, with 40611 of set HA11.

Another view of 43031 as the Inter7City working departs.

LNER Azumas in Fife, December 2024

Murky skies or long shadows as the Solstice passed. 

800107 1W02 07:08 Leeds - Aberdeen, passing Aberdour, 19th December.

Decorated with poppies and THANK YOU, 800111 1E15 09:50 Aberdeen - Kings Cross, Aberdour, 19th December 2024.

First of class, and effectively 10 years old, 800101 with  1W11 10:00 Kings Cross - Aberdeen, Dalgety, 20th December.

800110 1W02 07:08 Leeds - Aberdeen, at Dalgety, 23rd December.

800108 1E15 0952 Aberdeen - Kings Cross, Aberdour, 24th December.

800102 1E15 09:52 Aberdeen - Kings Cross, passing through Dalgety Bay, 27th December.

A wave from the driver of 800102 1E11 07:52 Aberdeen - Kings Cross, running slowly behind a late stopping train, Aberdour 30th December. The LNER drivers on these turns are based in Newcastle.

To Edinburgh, 21st August 2024

 

43144 passes through Dalgety Bay leading 1A79 09:30 Edinburgh - Aberdeen, with 43163 at rear.


158719 stopping at Dalgety Bay 2K58 09:15 Leven - Edinburgh, specially finished in a Levenmouth scheme.

43012 had arrived with 1B20 06:38 Inverness - Edinburgh to later work  1A81 11:30 Edinburgh - Aberdeen.


385007 ready to work 2Y49 10:25 Edinburgh - Glasgow Central

801225 positioned to work 1E12 11:00 Edinburgh - Kings Cross.

801225 bears the name ELEANOR as a marketing play upon LNER.

43037 arriving on the rear of 1B74 09:05 Aberdeen - Edinburgh

57306 brings 801202 to Eastleigh. 14th October 2024

801202 started at Doncaster Carr, then was dragged by 57306 from Ferme Park to Reading and then Eastleigh, where the final leg was 5X82 13:04 Reading - Eastleigh Works.

57306 was 47814, originally D1919 delivered on 22nd November 1965.

Further pictures: one two three Flickr for the day

Dusk cement train at Aberdour, 20th June 2024

The solstice was 20:51 GMT(21:51 BST) on 20th June, with nominal sunset at 21:04 (22:04 BST) at 56° N, although it was overcast, which made the light more difficult.

In the pre-amble, 800102 passes with a late running 1W24 16:00 Kings Cross - Aberdeen.


158731 departs with 2K81 21:07 Edinburgh - Leven as 170433 passes through with 1L32 20:44 Dundee - Edinburgh.


In the minute of solstice, 70802 passes through with 6B36 19:25 Craiginches - Oxwellmains.

70802 spent a lot of time in 2022 and 2023 in Eastleigh and then Doncaster, while work was performed on engine issues.

Eastleigh Works and T&RSMD, 14th July 2024

 

A clearer view of PDTS 811105 of 800105, with completed yaw damper mount repairs, but still awaiting numbers.

50026 Indomitable.

50007 Hercules has been sanded down as part of its repaint.

701046, retrieved from Marchwood on11th, 701006 and 701510.