To be or not to be ......

Edinburgh 22nd August 2017

East Coast could return to public sector, Chris Grayling admits

East Coast mainline on brink of collapse, admits Grayling

Update on the East Coast, West Coast and East Midlands rail franchises

Video Message from Stagecoach Group Chief Executive Martin Griffiths (a well scripted message, explains about a maximum loss pre-agreed with DfT)

WNXX Forum: ECML Announcement

 ..... that is the question?

Dunbridge and Romsey, 3rd February 2018

66555 4O14 07:33 Lawley Street - Maritime.

70005 4O27 05:21 Garston - Maritime.

66956 4O90 05:27 Leeds -  Maritime. 66956 is leased from JP Morgan / Beacon, and may be a loco for selection for shipment to Poland.

66416 4O29 08:20 Basford Hall - Maritime.

66102 + 66024 + 66155 0O12 10:55 Margam - Eastleigh.

66752 The Hoosier State 4Y19 10:35½ Mountfield - WesternDocks  (no 2nd loco on rear).

Damaged 37884 at Eastleigh, 4th February 2018

Coupled to 47848, as it arrived, the damaged 37884 awaits repair actions at Eastleigh Works.

Two views showing the detail of damage in the nose area, although the frame is understood to have integrity.

37884, which was new from Robert Stephenson & Hawthorns as D6883 on 7th November 1963. and which spent some time in storage at Eastleigh.

New lightweight signals

Noted at Filton, 26th January - appearing to use plastics, with limited hoods.

They may be of Unipart Dorman pattern.

Unipart Dorman Integrated Lightweight Signal.

A competing manufacturer is VMS.

60039 workings through Newport, 25th - 26th January 2018

60039 Dove Holes, previously Glastonbury Tor, was new to traffic on 9th May 1991. Refurbished as a 'Super 60' and returned to traffic on 7th February 2013, then named again on 30th April 2015.

The first two pictures are of the locomotive on the rear of 6H36 1444 Birdport - Margam steel empties, on 25th, being led by 66181.

On 26th, leading 6H25 09:22 Margam - Llanwern with loaded steel.

The two final shots are of the return 13:04 Llanwern - Margam, steel still being loaded on this return to Margam.

29th January - 3rd February 2018

70004 with 4O70 09:56 Wentloog - Maritime passes 66140 on the shed exit road at Eastleigh, 29th January.

Monday 29th January: 
Tuesday 30th January: 37608 0O86 20:30 Wembley - Eastleigh
Wednesday 31st January: 66250 entered Eastleigh Works (to be 66789) one. This will be painted after 66238 but before 66058.
Thursday 1st February: 37608 +442410 5Y85 12:20 Eastleigh - Bournemouth one two three four, 37608 +442419 5Y86 14:40 Bournemouth -Eastleigh one; 47848 + 37884 0O86 10:12 Wembley - Eastleigh (37884 for repair) one two three four five six seven
Friday 2nd February: 66781 0Y63 09:42 Eastleigh - Hoo Junction one; 37608 6xxx 12:12 Eastleigh -Willesden one
Saturday 3rd February:

70002 (one) is being reinstated, but 70007 (one two) has been placed into storage at Leeds.

37025 returned to Derby one, and is now resting at Barrow Hill.


Watching 66595 - which may be heading to Poland.

Monday, at Eastleigh, in consist of 4O14 0558 BasfordHall-Maritime behind 66543.

Tuesday 30th: Maritime - Wentloog - Maritime

Wednesday 31st: Maritime - Leeds - Maritime

Thursday 1st: Maritime - Garston - Ditton - Ipswich
Friday 2nd: Felixstowe - Ditton
Saturday 3rd: 

NMT at Newport, 26th January 2018

1Q20 07:50 Crewe - Newport (half an hour in platform 4) - Derby

43062 John Armitt, having led the consist into Newport. Note the pitot tube at the front. New from BREL Crewe in September 1977.

977984 is a Staff Coach, with generator capabilities. Originally Trailer Kitchen First 40501 of  Lot 30884 completed at Derby in 1976-77. Leased to Network Rail by Porterbrook.

975814 is a Conference Coach, originally a prototype HST TF coach 11000, later 41000, built to Lot 30848 at Derby in 1972.

977993 is an Overhead Line Equipment Test Coach, originally TGS 44053 built to Lot 30949 at Derby in 1982. Leased to Network Rail by Porterbrook.

977994 is a Track Recording Coach, earlier TGS 44087 from same lot and ownership as 977993.

975984 is a Lecture Coach, formerly  Laboratory 15 "Argus" and later "Test Car 4". Built as Trailer Buffet Second 10000, later 41000, for the prototype HST to Lot 30849 at Derby in 1972-73.

43013 was the other power car, new from BREL Crewe in May 1976.