NEWS ROUND-UP

COLAS RAIL

THE last pair of Colas Class 56s to be reactivated from store, Nos. 56087 and 56090, were both moved to Nottingham Eastcroft on July 8, recently repaired No. 56078 performing the honours (as the OK60 move from Cardiff Canton). The reactivation of No. 56090 was swift and it was operational just two days later (July 10) when it was sent out on a test run to Barnetby and back. This leaves just No. 56087 from the nine-strong COFS Class 56 roster to be returned to traffic (the others being Nos.56049,56094,56096,56105, 56113, 56302), with long-stored No. 56051 at Eastcroft being the sole 'Grid' in the COLS storage pool.

Former 1960s-green No. D6757 /37057 has emerged from its overhaul and repaint at Eastcroft with most of its carefully reapplied 'as-built' features (bufferbeam skirts, bodyside water filler panel and steps), courtesy of its original overhaul by HNRC, removed.