4630

There are around 12 engineers' trains, all operated by GBRf, scheduled to run over the next six days in connection with TransPennine Route Upgrade work between Dewsbury and Huddersfield. The return working of the first of these approaches Brighouse on 29th March 2024, with recent acquisition from Europe now GBRf 66308, in charge. 66308 6G80 Marsden to Doncaster Belmont Down Yard.

I would suspect that the issue for the ORR will be to ensure that in the (probable/likely/inevitable)* future incident, that they are not left in the legal firing line for having granted some form of exception. Particularly so if they do come under political interference as you can guarantee that the politicians will make sure that they’re not left embarrassed. Plausible deniability is everything here. * delete as appropriate.

On 21st March 2024, 4079 Pendennis Castle makes an energetic start from Keighley as it tackles the 1 in 66 gradient on the curve out of the station, before the longer climb of 1 in 58 towards Ingrow West.

Watching the road ahead. BR Standard 2 78022 shunts ahead at Keighley to wait for its next working on 21st March 2024 during the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway's steam gala.

Not sure if you're wanting a rural or an urban location particularly, but try Leeds in West Yorkshire. Google maps reference below. Leeds Station and Neville Street

A hive of activity at Haworth engine shed on the morning of 21st March 2024 as the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway steam gala gets underway.

Interesting and perhaps clause 1.6 'Passenger Service Performance' within Chapter 9.4.1, on page 359, perhaps goes someway to explaining the current news story that Avanti is to pay train drivers £600 a shift for overtime, which I note is a time-limited arrangement with ASLEF (until 13th March 2025). A last ditch attempt to avoid falling foul of the provisions within that clause. I would surmise that Avanti has already been shown the metaphorical 'yellow card' by its minders at the DfT...probably several times.

After an overnight rail drop on the other side of the Pennines, Colas 70816 heads east at Colne Bridge on 24th March 2024 working from Bolton to Doncaster Belmont Down Yard.

L&Y Railway 52044 immortalised in a pencil sketch at Haworth engine shed on 21st March 2024. Photos taken with permission.

The crew of 6990 Witherslack Hall* share the responsibility of topping up the water at Keighley on 21st March 2024, during the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway's steam gala. * A visiting loco courtesy of David Clarke Railway Trust & The Great Central Railway.

I can't come out to play today as it's a steam gala. Relegated to a siding adjacent to the engine shed at Haworth Sc51803, paired with M51189 and both looking very smart in their BR corporate blue livery, has a few days off whilst the steam gala is held at the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway.

On 21st March 2024 GBRf 66728 ‘Institution of Railway Operators’ passes through Keighley, currently being refurbished, with loaded aggregate bogie hopper wagons working 6D25 from Rylstone Tilcon to Hull Dairycoates. Image taken from over the fence from the adjacent Keighley & Worth Valley station as I was there for the steam gala.

I think I know where I’ll be placing my bet on the options that you’ve suggested.

Hitching a lift through Brighouse on 17th March 2024 DRS 66427, led by Chiltern Railways liveried 68014, working light locomotives as 0Z14 from Crewe Gresty Bridge to Leeds Balm Road, presumably for tyre turning at Freightliner's Midland Road facility.

A stranger in West Yorkshire on 17th March 2024, Chilternrailways liveried 68014 with DRS 66427 pass through Brighouse working 0Z14, Crewe Gresty Bridge to Leeds Balm Road, presumably for tyre turning at Freightliner's Midland Road facility.

It certainly gives it a unique look - almost like a black eye. I wonder if Bachmann will reproduce this oddity in their forthcoming model?

GBRf 69005 'Eastleigh' was the chosen class 69 for this weeks 0Z08, 0Z09, 0Z10 driver training/route training trips in West Yorkshire, passing through Deighton on a dull and drizzly 15th March 2024, with 0Z09 Marsden to Marsden via a reversal at Wakefield Kirkgate. Northern 150228 also getting in on the act, with 2W06 Huddersfield to Bradford Interchange via Halifax.

On 8th March 2024 a Schweerbau High Speed Milling Machine, comprising three vehicles DR 79602 to DR 79604, passing through Deighton in the consist of 6X69, York Skelton OTM Sidings to Crewe Basford Hall.

On 8th March 2023, GBRf 66784 'Keighley & Worth Valley Railway 50th Anniversary 1968-2018' passing through Deighton, top 'n' tailing with 66767 'King's Cross PSB 1971-2021', 6X69 York Skelton OTM Sidings to Crewe Basford Hall. The consist of 6X69 was a Schweerbau High Speed Milling Machine, comprising three vehicles DR 79602 to DR 79604.

It’s getting to be a bit of a soap opera now. BBC - Helmut Marko at risk of suspension

I would suggest that the stolen caravan and its possible intended future use is the significant factor in this particular incident.

Leaving aside the aftermath of the nuclear accident at Chernobyl on the local population, the abandoned town there and also the nearby city of Pripyat also provides a living example of what happens when nature takes back over.

I'd like to think that Red Bull's HR team and legal advisers have had some involvement with this decision. From my HR notes; When an employee does something which potentially constitutes misconduct, the common reaction is to suspend employees on full pay, pending any investigation and possible disciplinary hearing. However, a recent case (2017) calls this approach into question; Typically, employee suspension has been widely regarded as a ‘neutral act’, meaning it causes no detriment to the employee. The perception is that the employee’s absence allows any investigation to be conducted fairly. However, in the recent case of Agoreyo v. London Borough of Lambeth 2017, doubt has been cast on this. The High Court stated that, contrary to popular belief, employee suspension is not a ‘neutral act’, particularly when it concerns qualified professionals as it automatically brings into question their competence. The Court went on to stated that the suspension had been the employer’s “default position” and that it had been a “knee-jerk reaction” which had been sufficient to breach the implied term relating to trust and confidence. The High Court held that the employer’s decision to suspend Ms Agoreyo amounted to a repudiatory breach of her contract, and that her resignation amounted to a constructive dismissal. In light of this finding, employers need to ensure that any employee suspension is always justified. It should not be a routine response to an act of misconduct that requires investigation. This case highlights the importance of giving due consideration to the question of whether to suspend an employee when allegations of misconduct are raised. If the decision is taken to suspend, employers need to ensure they have acted reasonably and have a clear explanation as to why this course of action has been taken.

A closure of the Huddersfield line over the weekend of 2nd-3rd March 2023 for Transpennine Route Upgrade work resulted in a few engineers' trains - all GBRf operated. On 3rd March, 66767 'King's Cross PSB 1971-2021' taking the line towards Healey Mills and Wakefield Kirkgate at Thornhill LNW Junction with 6G83, Heaton Lodge East Junction to Doncaster Up Decoy Yard. In the area under engineers' possession at Colne Bridge, 66307 'Ipswich Town' idles away with what will be 6G84, Heaton Lodge East Junction to Doncaster Up Decoy Yard... ...with in the distance another engineers working... 66307 slowly moves to exit the worksite towards Heaton Lodge East Junction... ...allowing the other engineers' train headed by 66708 ‘Слава Україні Glory to Ukraine’ to slowly edge forward... ...coming to a stand to receive further instructions. It will later depart the worksite as 6G85, Heaton Lodge East Junction to Doncaster Up Decoy Yard.

A pair of Ardwick's finest speed round the curve from Dewsbury, approaching Ravensthorpe on 3rd March 2024. <wish_list> Oh how I'd like a class 185 to be available from one of our esteemed RTR manufacturers </wish_list>