CLASS 20
With the Network Rail ‘Linsinger’ milling machines in tow, Nos. 20189 and 20142 Sir John Betjeman formed the 6Q01 18.00 Harwich-Rugby OTPD on April 9. Once back at Kings Norton, Nos. 20189 teamed up with No. 20205 and Rail Adventure Nos. 43484+43465 to head to Warrington on April 17. There they collected new Merseyrail electric multiple units Nos. 777038/051 for movement on the 5Q77 22.14 Walton Old Junction-Kirkdale prior to taking the barrier vehicles back to the West Midlands next morning. Following a repaint into Balfour Beatty white and blue livery, Nos. 20901/905 ran light from Bristol Barton Hill to Barrow Hill on April 21. Few English Electric Type 1s have been to Blackpool North station in recent years but that changed on April 23 when Locomotive Services Group Nos. D8096 (20096) and D8107 (20107) Jocelyn Feilding 1940-2020 arrived at the Fylde coast resort having run light engine from Crewe. They stayed for just 11 minutes before returning to base.
CLASS 33
On April 5, No. D6515 (33012) Lt Jenny Lewis RN undertook a brief main line jaunt when running light from Swanage to Eastleigh to collect No. 50026 Indomitable. Later the pair formed the 0Z50 14.30 departure from Eastleigh Works to Swanage. This was only the second use of a Class 33 on the network this year after No. 33029 ran from Southall to Carnforth at the end of January, although as this issue of Rail Express went to press, No. 33012 was earmarked for several tours in early May leading up to the Swanage Railway diesel gala.
CLASS 37
After more than five years out of use, No. 37508 returned to the main line in the company of No. 37418 on April 18, the pair running light as the 0Z38 12.30 Burton Wetmore-Derby Railway Technical Centre. Now sporting the early style of large logo Railfreight grey livery, No. 37508 has regained the number it lost when renumbered as No. 37606 in July 1996, ostensibly for European Passenger Services ‘Nightstar’ operations. The locomotive began life in January 1963 as D6790.
With the start of the summer ‘Jacobite’ service delayed, West Coast Railways Nos. 37676 and 37685 undertook a crew training and No. D6851 (37667) in ‘top and tail’ mode at either end of four Mk.3 coaches. The same LSG locomotives and stock operated the diagram once again on April 19. The scheduled ‘Jacobite’ passenger service commenced on April 15, however Stanier ‘Black Five’ No. 45212 slipped to a stand on wet rails at Glenfinnan and required rescuing by No. 37676. Such was the sudden climatic change, however, that No. 37685 powered the 2Y61 10.15 Fort William-Mallaig on April 22, in place of the rostered steam locomotive to counter the fire risk. Steam motive power returned for the remainder of the week albeit with No. 37685 assisting at the rear.
