Operations
RHTT
The RHTT (Rail Head Treatment Train) operating over the southern section of the Midland Main Line continued in November with the 3J92/23.42 Toton TMD-West Hampstead Thameslink and 3J93/12.01 return top-and-tailed by DB Class 66 Nos. 66174+66111 on November 1 and 6. It was back to the regular pairing of Nos. 66111+66121 when observed on November 12, 13, 15, 18, 19 and 22. When viewed passing through Luton on November 17 the service was powered by Nos. 66111+66149. A further change on November 23 found Class 60 No. 60017 working with Class 66 No. 66194, and the following day Class 66s Nos. 66119+66194 were on the diagram.
The RHTT up the Midland Main Line was seen arriving at West Hampstead Thameslink behind Class 66 No. 66194, with No. 66015 at the rear of the train on Thursday, November 25. The train then reversed and now with No. 66015 at the head formed train 3J93 West Hampstead Thameslink to Toton Traction Maintenance Depot. Both locomotives were filthy.
On Monday, November 1, an RHTT formed of Multi-Purpose Vehicles Nos. DR98972 and DR98922 was seen pausing at Barnes station when working from Effingham Junction CHS to Effingham Junction CHS via Wimbledon, Chessington South, Shepperton, Kingston, Weybridge, Windsor & Eton Riverside and Clapham Junction. Two days later, on Wednesday, November 3, the same pair of Multi-Purpose Vehicles were seen between Raynes Park and Motspur Park, on the same working from and to Effingham Junction CHS.
The same pair of Multi-Purpose Vehicles was seen yet again at Virginia Water on Wednesday, November 17 standing alongside platform 1. They then passed over the crossover to access the down line before passing through platform 2 while working from Effingham Junction CHS to Effingham Junction CHS via Guildford, Reading, Aldershot and Alton.
The RHTT from York Thrall Europa to York Thrall Europa was noted from a passing train at Hunmanby on Tuesday, November 9. The RHTT was headed by Class 37 No. 37401, with No. 37402 at the rear.
Noted at Marks Tey on November 19 were two Class 66/4s on RHTT duties heading north towards Colchester in the hands of a thoroughly dirt-encrusted No. 66421 Gresty Bridge TMD with a much cleaner No. 66434 on the rear.
On Sunday, November 21 the 3J04 from Kings Norton On Track Plant Depot to Banbury Depot was seen at Marylebone station top-and-tailed by Class 66 Nos. 66507 and 66510.
Observation of the 09.22 ex-Stowmarket RHTT at Cromer on December 2 and 3 produced Class 37s Nos. 37425 and 37069 on the 2nd, followed by Nos. 37422 and 37218 on the 3rd. Judging by the clean appearance of No. 37218 it would seem that the loco had only recently come onto sandite duties. It was also interesting to see No. 37422 bearing the number 37266 on one cab side
The 1A49/15.15 Avanti West Coast Manchester Piccadilly to London Euston on November 14 worked by No. 390010, was heavily loaded due to the cancellation of the preceding service, so much so that south of Macclesfield the train manager announced that the service was running at reduced speed and if the standing passengers in carriage F could redistribute to adjacent carriages E and H then the service could return to tilt mode and full line speed.
On November 17 the 07.46 from Peterborough (1S05/06.59 from London King’s Cross) in the hands of Azuma No. 801202 arrived on time, but then spent 10 minutes at platform 4 with what appeared to be a door-closing issue. That
