CLASS 20
August 9 found Harry Needle Railroad Company (HNRC) Type 1s Nos. 20901 and 20905 hired by Rail Operations Group (ROG) to haul five Mk.3s as the 5E61 08.20 Gascoigne Wood-Great Yarmouth (see Coaches). The following morning the Type 1s ran from Norwich to Ely Papworth where they picked up two translator coaches and failed English Electric ROG Type 3 No. 37608 Andromeda prior to handling the 5M57 10.00 Ely Papworth-Derby RTC. Nos. 20901/905 returned to Worksop on August 11. With Type 1 main line sightings at a premium of late, the appearance of Class 20189’s Nos. 20142 Sir John Betjeman and 20189 at Birmingham Snow Hill on August 16, is worthy of mention, running light from Tyseley to the Severn Valley Railway at Kidderminster.
CLASS 33
West Coast Railways’ ‘Cromptons’ Nos. 33025/029 operated Pathfinder Tours’ 1Z25 07.58 Salisbury-Tenby and on to Pembroke Dock, and back via the Vale of Glamorgan line on August 6 with WCR Type 4 No. 47813 at the rear for drawback purposes. This was the second tour this year for the two Class 33s after they ventured to Paignton in May. Stable companion No. 33207 Jim Martin made a brief reappearance on August 26, when hauling the 5Z90 06.50 Southall-London Paddington empty stock with No. 45690 Leander at the rear ready to haul the ‘Cotswold Venturer’ to Gloucester. The ‘Slim Jim’ Class 33 later retired to Southall depot to await the tour’s evening return.
CLASS 37
Prior to their railtour use, Direct Rail Services Nos. 37401 Mary Queen of Scots and 37425 Sir Robert McAlpine/ Concrete Bob had attracted much attention on freight work. For example, on August 16 the pair were in charge of the 6K05 12.32 Carlisle Yard-Basford Hall before hauling the 6G94 12.22 Basford Hall-Bescot the following day. They completed the diagram with the 6D95 14.56 Bescot-Toton and 6K97 19.33 Toton-Basford Hall and covered it again as far as Toton on August 24 this time in the company of DRS No. 66428. The Branch Line Society’s ‘Garsdale Growler’ tour on August 27 initially ran as the 1Z62 08.49 Derby-Ribblehead Virtual Quarry with Nos. 37401/425 in charge and DB Cargo UK No. 67005 at the rear, going forward as the 1Z63 14.10 to Carlisle.
