chris37422

Couple of pics of the 2 resident Gronks at the Alstom Technology Centre in Widnes, 08454 and Longsight favorite 08721. Both locos have their coupling equipment bagged over in the picture below, but I'm informed one loco is fitted with a dellner coupler and the other with an intermediate 'Muff' coupler (I think 454 is the Dellner fitted but would appreciate confirmation) 08454 was introduced in December 1958 from BR Derby Works as D3569 and delivered to Burton Depot. The locomotive was later transferred to Derby and operated in the area for the bulk of its early career. Post privatization the loco joined the Alstom Fleet. Whilst at Willesden it gained the attractive Silverlink Trains livery of Purple, Green and Yellow. Following the demise of the Silverlink franchise the loco was painted in to a plain black scheme whilst under repair at Manchester Longsight depot in 2006. It has since had spells at Longsight, Oxley, Wembley and more recently Edge Hill. Following a full overhaul including a repaint in to BR Blue at Eastleigh works in 2016, the loco returned to Edge Hill, Liverpool. With the depot having a reduced requirement for the 08 Shunter and the opening of the new Alstom facility in Widnes, the loco was transferred the short distance (by road) in June 2017 to which the loco is kept busy with the Pendolino repaint programme. 08721 was introduced in June 1960 from BR Crewe works as D3889 and was put to use in the Edinburgh area. However it has had a long association with Manchester, largely being allocated to Longsight since the 1980's. Perhaps more known for the Express Parcels livery it carried up until 2015, when it was outshopped in Plain BR Blue from Eastleigh Works. The loco has carried several names over the years. Under BR ownership when in its Parcels livery it was named 'Starlet'. The loco spent a period out of traffic in the early 2000's but was overhauled and returned to use, receiving a fresh coat of Express Parcels livery. The loco then was named 'M.A Smith'. Following transfer to Liverpool, the loco received the name 'Downside C.S' which it carried throughout its time at Edge Hill. Replaced as the Edge Hill Pilot by 08454 in 2015, it was given a full overhaul at Eastleigh Works. It returned north after a brief running in/cover period at Wembley. The loco was named 'Longsight 175' in early 2016 and took part in the East Lancs small engine event in April 2016. Continuing to go about its business as the Longsight Pilot for a further 15 months before it was surprisingly called to Ditton to assist 08454 in pilot duties. This has seen the loco denamed (at least for now).

A couple of pics of Wabtec/Freightliner combinations taken within 24 hours of each other last week. The first pair are 08724 and 08530 at the Freightliner depot at Midland Road, Leeds on 5th August 2017. Both were on site for tyre turning. 08530 had spent almost 12 months under repair at the LH Group (Wabtec) at Barton-Under-Needwood after arriving from Felixstowe. The loco has since moved on to Southampton Maritime Depot and has retained its original Freightliner Green/Yellow livery. 08724 is owned by Wabtec and is normally based at Doncaster works where a number of pilots are kept busy on a daily basis. At the time of writing I believe 08724 is still on site at Midland Road. 250 miles further south is Southampton Maritime maintenance depot operated by Freightliner. The shed is mainly used for 'Pitstop' style wagon repairs but also conducts light servicing/exams on locomotives. 2 pilots are normally based here, one based on the shed area for maneuvering wagons in and out of the depot and the other generally shunts within Maritime container terminal. On Sunday 6th August the residents here were Wabtec Black 08571 and Powerhaul 08624 'Rambo'. This combination had been in place since May 2017 when a double swap took place relieving long term resident 08785 and hired in 08873 back to Barton for some TLC. 08571 has since been replaced by 08530 which is back from its full overhaul/tyre turning as mentioned earlier. 08624 carries the nameplates 'Rambo - Paul Ramsey' in tribute to a former Freightliner employee who retired after an impressive 50 years in the Rail Industry and was named in December 2016 at Felixstowe.

What an absolute whopper.

Received mine yesterday - what a lovely model. Quick grab shot of it along with my 66711 'Sence' purchased from Widnes Model Centre a few weeks back. Kernow seem to be leading the way in terms of special commissions with some really good choices of loco and rolling stock. From the outside it looks like they have a solid relationship with Bachmann which can only be a good thing for all of us! Many thanks Kernow.

One of the most popular locos in the North West and Yorkshire at the moment is 66711 'Sence'. Below it is seen passing Winwick Junction on the late afternoon 6E24 Liverpool Biomass Terminal-Drax P.S loaded Biomass service on 27/07/2017. Increasing in numbers are DB sheds in Red. One of the recent recipients is 66082 and it is seen here at Walton Old Junction on the approach to Arpley Sidings with the 6F62 Runcorn Folly Lane-Warrington Arpley service on 21/07/2017. Many Thanks, Chris

A couple of shots of HN Rails 08818 'Molly' taken over the past 12 months. First couple were taken in September 2016 at Cardiff Celsa. The loco carrying the original HNRC livery, heavily work stained after years of deployment allover the country. The locomotive has been deployed at locations such as March Whitemoor, Flixborough Wharf, Norwich Crown Point, Trafford Park and as mentioned Cardiff Celsa. Its place in the queue for some well deserved TLC came in early 2017 with a return to Barrow Hill. The loco has since been repainted in to GBRf/HN Rail livery and retains its 'Molly' nameplates. Currently the loco is employed at Garston Car Terminal, South Liverpool alongside fellow HNRC gronk 08502. This is expected to be a short term arrangement however, as the loco carries a large number 4 on the cab sides which could indicate it is due to return to Cardiff Celsa at some point in the near future.

A couple of photos from Acton Bridge last Saturday 8th July. First is GBRf 66715 'Valour' powering through with the 6E10 11:23 Liverpool Biomass Terminal-Drax P.S loaded Biomass service. The second is of a work-stained 66413 on the 6J34 10:58 Runcorn Folly Lane-Brindle Heath Thanks, Chris

Reported over on WNXX that it suffered an exhaust fire and that there isn't likely to be any major damage to the loco. Thanks, Chris

A couple of Reference shots of 08703 at Springs Branch. The loco has now received large 'RSS' branding on both bonnet side doors where the 'EWS' branding used to sit. The loco had carried it on the WCML side for a number of weeks, obviously applied as and when it could be. The first image was taken on the 18th May showing it with debranded EWS livery. The second image was taken on 14th July with the RSS branding now in place.

Just got an e-mail to say the Colas 60 has arrived in stock at Hornby so should be in the shops shortly https://www.Hornby.com/uk-en/br-class-60-colas.html HTH

Hi All, Couple of pics of 08633. First of all seen in use at Axiom Stoke shortly after 'replacing' 08993 (visible in background) as Marcroft Pilot on 28/04/2015. 08993 would later return to action despite being up for sale and still saw use as 'First Choice' loco up until the day it was removed to Keighley. 08633 was offered for sale just 12 months later and now resides on the Churnet Valley Railway in preservation. The loco made its first passenger runs in preservation last weekend and is seen here at Kingsley & Froghall Station

Tragic post IMO However got my first 68 today and I'm really pleased with it, top quality.

Powerhaul 08 will do me nicely :-) (as will the Railfreight one to be fair) Not a bad range, more impressive than Hornby's anyway!

Ordered 66721 back in July. Received my red card from Royal Mail on Wednesday. Went down to Post Office yesterday and was surprised when the lady gave me 2 boxes. "Did I order 66718 as well?" I couldn't remember to be honest.... Got home unpackaged it and had 2 models of 66721 sent to me, it appears the order dispatch sheet was printed on both the 12th and 13th so subsequently picked and packed twice, although only charged the once as the order ID was the same on both print offs. Being an honest Scouser (yes there are some!) I called the Museum to inform them of their mistake. They were grateful and the loco is on the way back to them now. Unfortunately, whilst on the phone I accidentally ordered that model of 66718 and that is on its way to me now Really impressed with 66721, sure I'll be as impressed with 66718. Thanks to LTM for commissioning these fine models.

David, thank you very much. Chris

Can the slow running problems be rectified on the Class 17?