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CLASS 33

DESPITE the slow and ongoing return to normality, the sight of a Class 33 on the main line was not expected imminently. On July 17, however, 'Crompton' No. 33207 accompanied its West Coast Railways classmate, No. 47804 on the SM43/10.19 Southall-Carnforth stock transfer, passing Nuneaton at 13.25. The last Class 33s on the main line were No. 33029 (with No. 47746) on the final leg of a Branch Line Society tour (Paddington to Lancaster) on March 9 and No. 33012 returning light engine to its base on the Swanage Railway the same afternoon.

CLASS 37

A YEAR to the day since its previous passenger work (a BLS tour to Kellingley and Drax) No. 37521 (D6817) commenced operating the thrice-daily return services between Skipton and Appleby with its Locomotive Services companion No. 47593 Galloway Princess on July 20 (see also pages 6/7). Both locomotives worked regularly throughout the remainder of July, only returning to Crewe during the evening of July 25 for servicing. 'Top and tailing' their five coaches, the duo returned north next day forming the 5247 /13.45 Crewe HS-Appleby. No. 37521 had previously ventured to Eastleigh on July 15 with HST power cars Nos. 43046+43055 and coach No. 10416 in tow.

Ready for the start of the 'Jacobite' steam service on July 15, Type 3 No. 37518 plus Stanier 'Black 5' No. 45212 took the 5259/05.39 Carnforth-Fort William empty coaches north two days beforehand. On August 2, three other West Coast examples, Nos. 37516+37669 and 37685, moved 14 empty BTA wagons from Mossend to Inverness Millburn Yard ready for the start of a flow of timber traffic from Georgemas Junction.

On July 17, the 0220/08.20 light engine transfer from Carlisle Kingmoor to Bo'ness (SRPS) comprised Nos. 37038+20302+20305+37424+37403 while, still in Scotland, Nos. 37402 and 37419 reached Kyle of Lochalsh (July 12) with a test train from Inverness.

Amongst the monthly plethora of test trains, two of the Network Rail Type 3s saw plenty of action during