4630

I haven’t seen a recent list on any of the usual forums, but shortly after finishing with TPE they were split between Crewe South Yard and Longsight, with one set also at Wolverton. I’m not sure if there are any left at Gascoigne Wood Sidings.

As mentioned in the article; ”But who on earth in HS2 thought it was remotely credible to do this?”

Interesting piece in the Sunday Times today about the cost implications of a variation order to the contract to build the HS2 rolling stock. The piece isn’t available to read on the website unless you’re a subscriber, so I can’t post a link. The gist of the printed article is that “…the carriages were being designed with one set of doors per side, as opposed to the conventional for inter-city carriages of two sets (one at each end), are now having to be re-designed due to concerns about the impact on dwell time at stations”.

It’s interesting isn’t it. Through usage and custom we get familiar and comfortable with something that to us feels ‘safe’. Or at least, safe enough. Then we’re introduced to a potentially ‘better way’ and in the case of platform edge doors an intrinsically safer way. You then wonder why there isn’t more of a push to introduce them subject, of course, to the necessary funding being available. Leaving funding to one side, which I know is a perennial issue, and a political one too which I’m not going to dwell on, but I’m surprised that there isn’t more of a push to fit platform edge doors on more of the central London Underground stations. Particularly on those lines where new rolling stock has been introduced in recent years and there is now an homogenous fleet, so further changes are unlikely in the short to medium term. The Victoria line is one candidate. And I’d add the Piccadilly line into the equation too once its new fleet, currently under development, has been introduced and the existing fleet all withdrawn.

By way of illustration, here's a photo of the cab of 46100 Royal Scot also showing its TOPS number 98702 in the top left corner of the photo. For anyone needing a list of the class 89 and 98 numbers, these links to the Railway Correspondence & Travel Society might help; TOPS class 89 TOPS class 98 I don't know if the lists are 100% accurate as neither list is dated, but as the publisher is the RCTS I'd be reasonably confident.

For those interested in details beyond what appears in the media, here is the Approved Judgement from the Royal Courts of Justice published earlier today. https://assets.caselaw.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ewhc/admin/2023/3338/ewhc_admin_2023_3338.pdf

Following the completion of this years schedule of Rail Head Treatment Trains, a convoy of Direct Rail Services locomotives pass through Deighton on 21st December 2023, working 0Z05 from York Thrall Europa to Crewe Coal Sidings, with 66425 Nigel J Kirchstein 1957-2021 bringing up the rear.

Following the completion of this years schedule of Rail Head Treatment Trains, a convoy of Direct Rail Services locomotives pass through Deighton on 21st December 2023, working 0Z05 from York Thrall Europa to Crewe Coal Sidings. The consist comprised; 37425 Concrete Bob, 37266 Victorious, 37716, 37419 Driver Tony Kay 1974-2019 and 66425 Nigel J Kirchstein 1957-2021.

What an interesting piece of work. Thanks for posting the link.

Interesting. I wonder if the fitting of this type of axle/wheel/bearing monitoring equipment will become more widespread (mandatory?) on freight vehicles, particularly those carrying dangerous cargo? The derailment and subsequent spillage and fire of a TEA wagon loaded with diesel fuel in the consist of 6A11, Robeston to Theale, near Llangennech on 26th August 2020 springs to mind. The immediate cause of that derailment is similar to the cement tanker derailment at Petrill Bridge.

It’s an escutcheon plate.

Through the gloom and drizzle at Deighton on 18th December 2023, Rail Operations Group 37510 'Orion' with 331107 in tow working as 5Q36, Neville Hill T&RSMD to Allerton Depot, unit transfer.

If I’m in the right frame of mind to wind up Mrs4630*, my admittedly pedantic reply to a similar request is usually along the lines of; ”What!” ”You want me to boil the kettle? “ ”Ok, if that’s what you really want me to do, but I promise you it won’t make a nice cup of tea”. Before, of course, then producing a perfect brew. *It doesn’t happen that frequently as it usually brings about some retribution.

BBC link - Maersk has said it is pausing all journeys through the Red Sea A perfectly sensible business decision given the risks to those at sea in that part of the globe. It's not a new situation I know, but this has the potential to get messy and lead to wider economic and other consequences. Lets hope it doesn't .

He's showing no fear and like nearly all the cats that we've had in the past, he seems to have been born 'streetwise'. He's terrorising our two year old cockapoo.

Some months ago I reported the sad passing of 'Buttons'. Despite the loss, as expected, we servants now had a lot of time on our hands so we couldn't be without an attention seeking, seemingly ever hungry and needy a cat around the house for too long. So it gives me pleasure to belatedly introduce you all to Oscar. Exploring his new surroundings... ...and not taking too long to settle in.

On 12th December 2023, Locomotive Services Limited's D1935 (47805) 'Roger Hosking MA 1925-2013' passing through Brighouse on the rear of Saphos Trains 'The Christmas White Rose', which was steam hauled from York to Crewe by 46100 'Royal Scot'*. *Photo of 46100 on this working here:

The return leg of Saphos Trains 'The Christmas White Rose', steam hauled from York to Crewe by 46100 'Royal Scot', passes through Brighouse on 12th December 2023.

Colas 56105 approaching Brighouse on 13th December 2023 with 6E44, Colas Ribble Rail at Preston to Haverton, discharged bitumen tanks. Always good to see a class 56 for a change as in recent months this working has been a solid class 70 duty. Colas however currently has at least five (possibly six) of its class 70s out of action for maintenance/repair. Even drafting in Freightliner 70009 from store at Leeds Midland Road on loan hasn't helped so far.

For those who may be interested, there's a report in another forum that there are tentative paths in the schedule on Thursday (13th) and Friday (14th) this week for a trip in passenger service with the 701 units from London Waterloo to Windsor and return. 2U91 1025 Waterloo to Windsor (1119) and 2U92 1130 Windsor to Waterloo (1228) Calling at normal Windsor line stops. Associated empty stock paths are also in the schedule as follows; 5U91 0953 Wimbledon Park Depot Sidings to London Waterloo (10.13) 5Y89 1240 London Waterloo to Wimbledon Park Depot Sidings (1325) Information given in good faith, so the usual caveats apply.

DRS 68002 'Intrepid' top 'n' tailing a single FNA-D with 66428 'Carlisle Eden Mind', approaching Deighton on 11th December 2023 working 6Z79 from Crewe Coal Sidings to Leeds Balm Road.

DRS 66428 'Carlisle Eden Mind' bringing up the rear of 6Z79, passing through Deighton on 11th December 2023, working from Crewe Coal Sidings to Leeds Balm Road, top 'n' tailing a single FNA-D with 68002 'Intrepid'.

Well I’m more than happy, in this instance, to have been proven wrong and I apologise for having passed on what appears to have been duff information. Pleased to say that according to Realtime Trains 68030 and set TP06 is out today working a number of services between Manchester Piccadilly - Leeds - York and Scarborough.

Still operating this season, but I'm guessing not for much longer, DR98912/DR98962 pass through Deighton on 8th December 2023 working 3S08, Wigan LIP to Wigan LIP. Either this set hasn't been used much this Autumn, or it's already been treated to a power wash session, as it looks unusually clean.