NEWS

55 022 is seen in action on the Alcan tanks heading towards Lynemouth on the 19th April 2011. Harry Savage

In one of the most remarkable events of the year so far, national freight operator GBRf has hired preserved Class 55 Deltic 55 022 Royal Scots Grey to haul Alcan tanks on two return trips a day between North Blyth and Lynemouth.

The hire has come about following an increase in demand for work at GBRf, which caused a temporary locomotive shortage. Whilst Deltics have been known to work freight trains during their time in use with British Rail, such workings were relatively rare. It is however, not the first time a preserved diesel locomotive has been used to haul freight trains, with D1015 Western Champion, 40 145 and Class 50s belonging to the Class 50 Alliance all having previously been hired to haul freight workings.

55 022 moved from its East Lancashire Railway base on 10 April and is expected to remain on hire to GBRf until early July, although it did return to the ELR at Easter to take part in the railways ‘Deltic 50’ event, where it worked a variety of services along with D9016 Gordon Highlander.

Members of the Class 40 Preservation Society (CFPS) are appealing for funds to assist them with essential repairs required to both their locomotives.

D335 has been out of traffic for the past two years following damage to the locomotive’s segmental bearings and was moved to Barrow Hill in January to allow the Class 40 to be lifted to establish the extent of the damage. Contractors from Harry Needle Railroad Company have identified a number of cracks on the bogie frames that will require specialist welding, along with the necessary repairs to the segmental bearing damage. It is thought that the bogie repairs will cost in the region of £15,000.

The society are also having to find around £30,000 to cover the costs of specialist generator repairs for 40 145, which suffered a main generator failure in December. The failed generator has been stripped down, but extensive repairs are required before it can be made serviceable again.

A number of fundraising initiatives are currently under way and the CFPS has already raised funds by selling a number of headboards carried by 40 145 on recent main line tours. Three members of the group have also recently climbed Mount Snowdon to raise funds for the CFPS’s appeal.

With the power unit and main generator removed from the locomotive, the opportunity is being taken to clean up the engine room of 40 145 at Barrow Hill. Electrical and roof repairs are also being done to the Class 40, which is not expected to re-enter service until towards the end of this year. CFPS

NEWS UPDATE

A busy year is in prospect for the Western Locomotive Association (WLA) and D1062 Western Courier, which will be in use throughout the year. Following a winter of routine maintenance, the Western was one of the locomotives visiting the annual diesel event at the Swanage Railway, before returning to its Severn Valley Railway base to take part in the SVR’s popular ‘Sounds of the 60s Gala’ in late May, which featured a combination of diesel and steam hauled trains, along with tribute 1960s singers and bands.

Running days for D1062 on the SVR have been set for 11 June, 23 July and 10 September, with the locomotive also due to take part in the railways annual diesel event which is held from 6-8 October. The locomotive will also be in use for driver experience courses on the railway on 3 June, 22 July and 9 September.

The WLA is still raising funds towards its £125,000 main line running appeal which, if successful, could see D1062 re-registered for running on the national network. Although the target is still some way off being reached, a range of fundraising initiatives are being considered.

Work on the major overhaul of D1013 Western Ranger continues at Bridgnorth, although no date has been set for its return to service.

Rail-Blue Charters are to run a charity fundraising train along the length of the West Coast Main Line from London Euston to Glasgow Central in memory of their former Commercial Director, Mark Honey, who died in December 2010.

The ‘Mark Honey Memorial’ charter, which will be hauled by the AC Locomotive Groups 86 101 Sir William A Stanier FRS, will run on 6 August 2011, with pick-ups at various points along the route. 86 101 was one of Mr Honey’s favourite locomotives and he was actively involved in assisting with its return to the main line in March 2007. All profits from the tour will be donated to the Sarcoma Trust and Macmillan Cancer Support. The Sarcoma Trust is a charity, which sponsors the research into this rare form of cancer.

The train will be formed of the Cargo-D Mark III first class carriages for premier dining and first class travel, whilst Mark II carriages will be used for standard class accommodation. Fares for the charter are £159 for premier dining, £89 for first class and £58 for standard class, with reductions available for children under 10 years of age.

More information on the tour can be found at:

www.rail-bluecharters.co.uk

The future of Class 25, D7541 has been secured following its purchase by South Devon Diesel

Traction in an exchange deal, which has seen 20 118 Saltburnby-the-Sea transferred into the ownership of Harry Needle Railroad Company. The Class 25 has been stored out of use on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway for the past decade, awaiting a major overhaul. It was moved from the NYMR to the South Devon Railway in mid-April, with 20 118 moving to the North Norfolk Railway at the same time where it will be used alongside the NNR diesel fleet.

Class 14, D9516, has been sold by the 1306 Mayflower Group to a member of the Wensleydale Railway and the locomotive has moved from the Nene Valley Railway to Leeming Bar. The Class 14 is in excellent condition and fully serviceable and is expected to see regular use on the WR, alongside the other diesel locomotives based at the railway.

The other 1306 Mayflower Group Class 14, D9523 has also been sold, with this being

4 TRACTION 198 July/August 2011 HERITAGE TRACTION

ABOVE: D5061 to the rescue! On the 14th April 2011 one of the North Yorkshire Moors Railway’s steam locomotives failed and had to be replaced with D5061. Looking almost as though it’s 1960, when the locomotive entered service, it is seen about to leave Grosmont for Pickering. Steve Hall

LOWER LEFT: 37 254 is seen standing in Eridge Station on 9th March 2011 on the first working over the Spa Valley line between Tunbridge Wells West and Eridge; the DMU trailer was used for the people who weren't loco crew, and the working was an Officers Special for Network Rail and Southern. This was the first Spa Valley Railway-based locomotive to run over the new track between Birchden and Eridge. Douglas Barrow

LOWER RIGHT: At the Wensleydale Railway’s Diesel Gala 55 019 is seen crosses Aiskew Level Crossing near Leeming Bar with 2R03 the 10:25 Leeming Bar to Redmire on the 9th April 2011. Other locomotives in use were 20 020, 20 166, D5310 and 47 715. Brian Sherrington

14 901 is seen shortly after arrival and in the company of D2178. Andrew Briddon

Andrew Briddon’s Class 14, 14 901, has moved from its Peak Rail base to the Gwili Railway on a two year hire, where it is expected to see regular use during its stay. The locomotive is no stranger to the South Wales area, as during its short career with British Rail, when operating as its original identity of D9524, it was withdrawn from Swansea Landore depot in September 1969. Following withdrawal by BR, the locomotive along with a large number of other Class 14s was sold on to industry before being preserved in the mid-1980s.

purchased privately by two members of the Derwent Valley Light Railway, being delivered to their Murton base on 21 April.

The pro-diesel WR has also recently launched an appeal to build an engine shed at Leeming Bar to assist in the maintenance and restoration of its growing fleet of locomotives and coaches. Work is currently carried out in the open and the railway wishes to improve the facilities for its volunteers and owners of rolling stock based on the line.

The new shed will consist of two roads capable of housing four locomotives, coaches, or a combination of both, and an appeal for funds was launched in early April, prompting more than £12,000 of donations in the first week alone. The supporting Wensleydale Railway Association has also pledged £25,000 towards the appeal and the WR operating company Wensleydale Railway PLC is also setting aside some share capital towards the essential facility.

Online donations can be made by visiting the WRA’s website at: wensleydalerailwayassociation.com

On Saturday 12th March 2011, the sole remaining Clayton Class 17 D8568 successfully completed a test run to Thame Junction and back on the Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway with a four coach rake. The Clayton will be in action during the Steam and Diesel Gala on Sunday 5th June 2011 and also the Annual Gala day on Sunday 7th August. Otherwise it may well be seen on the occasional Saturday or Sunday performing shunt release duties at Chinnor.

The Llangollen Railway’s Heritage Railcar Gala on Saturday 25th June 2011 will follow the pattern of the very successful 2009 and 2010 weekends with 14 trains each way on each day and with a timetable designed to enable almost continuous travel for those who wish to enjoy this feature. Of particular interest is the visit of the unique railbus RB004, which was built in 1984 by British Rail Engineering and Leyland Vehicles as an export demonstrator, principally for work in the USA.

As well as the railbus four DMU sets will be used, as will a steam push-pull train. These are expected to be as follows:-

• Class 104 DMBS 50454+DMC

50528 • Class 108 DMBS 51907+DTC

54490 • Class 109 (Wickham) DMBS

50416 + DTC 56171 • Class127/108 DMBS

51618+DTC 56223 • GWR Pannier tank 6430 and autotrailers

DIESEL GALA RETURNS TO NORTH NORFOLK RAILWAY, JUNE 25/26 The first NNR diesel gala for some years promises a real feast for the enthusiast. The strong line-up scheduled to appear over the weekend of June 25/26 is headed by HNRC’s latest acquisition, 20 118; the class 20 came over the Sheringham level crossing at the end of April, and will stay for about three months.

Other locos will be D6737, 47 367, 25 057 and one of the class 37s from the DRS fleet. The unique Leyland railbus LEV1, which was originally trialled in East Anglia, adds a special (even quirky!) touch, and the line-up is completed by the NNR’s recently refurbished 101 DMU.

NNR managing director Hugh Harkett said: “We hope for renewed success with this gala, in which case it will again become a regular event.”

All day hop-on, hop-off Rover fares are £16 adult, £15 senior citizen, £10 child and £45 family (2 adults + 2 children, one 3 adults + 1 child). There is a 15% discount for tickets booked before June 17th.

For bookings and lineside photo passes, call: 01263 820 800, or go to: www.nnrailway.co.uk www.traction.co.uk

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