Operations
INCREASING numbers of new IET units are being reported. On May 8, Class 801/1 No. 801101 worked 5X71, the 08.34 Newark North Gate-Newcastle test train, returning as 5X72, the 12.29 Newcastle-Doncaster Carr IEP Depot. Noted at the Hitachi depot Doncaster on the evening of May 13 was No. 800103. The pairing of Nos. 800201/02 worked north to Glasgow Central on June 6 returning via Carlisle and Newcastle.
CLASS 90 No. 90036 was noted on the rear of the 10.45 Leeds-King’s Cross, as it left Leeds on the morning of May 16. No. 90039 worked the 09.15 Leeds-King’s Cross on June 7.
SERVICES north of Peterborough suffered cancellations and delays on the afternoon of May 16 because a signaller had been taken ill, according to station announcements.
CLASS 73 Nos. 73107 and 73119 passed north through Peterborough light engine on the afternoon of May 16.
FURTHER reports of IET units included that on May 11 when nine-coach No. 800302 was observed at 12.30 on test at Hereford station. It came in from the south and remained around 10 minutes then left in the same direction. Observed on test at Reading during the afternoon of May 11 was No. 802101.
CLASS 800 Nos. 800005-36 have now all been accepted into traffic with GWR.
DELIVERIES of Class 802/0s from Pistoia in Italy found Nos. 802003/04 hauled from Dollands Moor to North Pole depot by GBRf Class 66 No. 66778 on May 8. These were followed on May 24 by Nos. 802005/06, hauled by No. 66767. Nos. 802007/08 were moved by No. 66745 on June 7 and Nos. 802009/10 on June 12, also hauled by No. 66745.
CELEBRITY Power Car No. 43002 Sir Kenneth Grange ran into trouble while leading GWR’s 19.57 Paddington-Plymouth service on June 10. The train arrived at Swindon with the whole downside covered in diesel from a leak on the power car. Not only were the windows misted over but the smell of fuel was seeping into the train and onto the platform. The train was eventually cancelled and passengers taken forward on the following 20.57 to Exeter St Davids, which made a special call. After a further 90 minutes the stricken train was moved to St Philips Marsh for attention and a deep clean.
AS A result of the new timetable introduction on Monday, May 21, ScotRail’s Class 156 No. 156503 ventured into North Yorkshire. The diagram started at Dumfries, then worked the 08.03 Carlisle-Nunthorpe, the 11.18 Nunthorpe-Hexham, the 13.57 Hexham-Newcastle, the 16.19 Newcastle-Morpeth, and then the 16.58 Morpeth- Carlisle.
CLASS 385 unit No. 385004 has been fitted with a modified new flat windscreen at Newton Aycliffe, and was hauled north to Craigentinny along with No. 385003 by Class 67 No. 67029 overnight
