RHTT
RAILHEAD treatment train (RHTT) route learning is underway in East Anglia where GBRf has taken over the Great Eastern Main Line contract from DRS but is still using the facility at Stowmarket. To that end, Class 57s have been used in this aspect with No. 57310 Pride of Cumbria being noted light engine on 0S60 Stowmarket DGL-Stowmarket DGL at Harwich International on the mornings of August 16 and 17, working down to Shenfield and Southend Victoria but also beforehand working round to the northern branch line to Sheringham and the Norwich to Ely route. That was followed on August 30 when classmate No. 57306 Her Majesty’s Railway Inspectorate 175 made a similar 0S60 trip while the following day it worked 0Z80 Stowmarket to Stowmarket out to Peterborough.
RHTT sets are being assembled around the country for the impending autumnal season to commence. On August 18, a number of sets were assembled in Carlisle station, while further south a number of the MPV RHTT units stabled at Springs Branch Depot.
Avanti West Coast
A signalling and track fault between Carlisle and Penrith on the morning of Tuesday, August 22 caused problems on the West Coast Main Line. After departing from Glasgow Central at 06.30, the 1M07, worked by Class 390 No. 390128, for Euston was the last AWC service until Class 390 No. 390131 left Glasgow at 13.35.
The 15.02 Euston to Holyhead formed of Voyager No. 221108 was held at Chester on August 30 as a passenger had unfortunately been taken ill. After the emergency services had attended and removed the passenger, the train was terminated. Passengers were transferred to the 15.08 Birmingham International to Holyhead, which left at 18.00 (34 minutes late) formed of Class 158 Nos. 158829+158833. Also delayed behind this train was the 16.25 Manchester Airport to Llandudno formed of Class 197 No. 197007, leaving 20 minutes late.
Observations of Class 390 services on the WCML on September 6 produced the following: passing Hest Bank at 09.41, the 07.36 Glasgow Central to Euston worked by No. 390005; and at Cinder Barrow north of Carnforth at 10.21, No. 390114 working the 06.13 Euston-Edinburgh.
Noted at Hilderstone south of Oxenholme passing at 10.52 was No. 390044 on the 08.52 Edinburgh-Euston followed by No. 390107 working the 09.36 Glasgow Central-Euston at 11.32.
The next location was at Pyes Bridge, south of Oxenholme where No. 390039 passed at 12.47 with the 10.52 Edinburgh-Euston. The final location was at Salterwath south of Shap where No. 390128 working the 11.20 Euston-Glasgow Central, passed 16 minutes late at 14.01; No. 390126 worked the 13.35 Glasgow Central-Euston at 15.15; No. 390132 on the 12.30 Euston-Glasgow Central at 15.21 and No. 390104 working the 15.38 Glasgow Central-Euston at 17.16.
LNER
A visit to King’s Cross on August 7 saw Class 91 No. 91105 leaving on the 1D17/14.03 to Leeds. A little later No. 91106 was seen alongside platform 8 preparing to form the 1D19/15.03 to Leeds. A further visit by a correspondent on August 30 saw the following Class 91 departures with No. 91127 at 11.15; No. 91110 at 12.45 and No. 91107 at 13.15.
Great Western Railway
OBSERVATIONS at Bristol Parkway on August 21 found the 14.20 Weymouth to Gloucester with Class 166 No. 166207 running seven minutes late and the 14.27 departure for London Paddington with Class 800 Nos. 800008+800006 was running five minutes late. Meanwhile, the 14.35 for Cardiff Central was on time with five-car Class 802 No. 802012, but the 14.47 for Frome was cancelled due to a fault with the train.
The following day the 12.16 for Bristol Temple Meads was formed of five-car No. 800006 and arrived two minutes late, followed by the 12.25
