TOTON: The Works
The
ultimate diesel depot documentary
TOTON
TRACTION MAINTENANCE DEPOTin Nottinghamshire is the single largest locomotive workshop in
the UK. In the summer of 1998 (when this programme was filmed) the depot
had an allocation of more than 200 locomotives and it undertook a
variety of work ranging from A Exams and re-fuelling to engine re-builds
and general overhauls. Under the early years of English, Welsh &
Scottish Railway, Toton became the centre of the company’s diesel
locomotive maintenance operations and had its role extended to include
work previously carried out at major works. This programme provides a
unique and comprehensive insight into the UK’s premier traction depot,
including:
*
TOTON SPOT CHECK: You’d be amazed at what goes on at Toton at
any given time…..like engine repairs to Virgin’s 47 825, the
overhaul of Freightliner’s 47 308, fuel leak attention to 58 001, an A
exam for 37 116, a B exam for 31 163, a bogie swap for 37 798, fire
damage repairs to 60 056…and the arrival of a graffiti-covered 56 011.
*
CLASS 56 GENERAL OVERHAUL: from start to finish, 56 094’s three
month residency at Toton. Includes the power unit removal, cleaning and
re-painting the engine room, re-fitting the overhauled power unit, load
bank testing, the application of EWS livery and the re-fitting of the
locos Eggborough Power Station nameplates.
*
THE NIGHT SHIFT: the depot goes into overdrive as a seemingly
endless queue of locos visit the refuelling point throughout the night,
while inside the depot fitters ensure repairs and exams are completed in
time for the morning shift.
*
MAINTENANCE ASPECTS: Toton’s Production Engineer provides a
fascinating insight into the pros and cons of each loco class maintained
at Toton. Find out how classes 08, 31, 37, 47, 56, 58 and 60 are really
rated by the professionals!
*
THE NEW CLASS 66:
The first of EWS’ Class 66s had only just arrived from Canada.
The project engineer responsible for their introduction provides a
detailed and authoritative guided tour of 66 001 before it had even
entered traffic.
*
THERE’S ALSO:
locomotive performance statistics, the 2 converted Class 37
‘transporter units’, the Toton traincrew operation, how locos are
called for exams, power unit overhauls, the wheel lathe….and the
nameplate storeroom!
TOTON : The Extras
During
the filming of this programme we amassed many hours of footage, much of
which is now history. This DVD has a 25-minute bonus feature of
previously unseen footage from the days when Toton was not only a hive
of activity but hosted many of the older 
classes
of locomotives. Included here are the general overhaul of 37 401, a last
look at Large Logo 37 408, Load Banking 58 041 and pressure washing the
empty engine room of 47 339.
This
programme was filmed at a time when there was just one Class 66 in the
UK and the depot was busy maintaining the ‘old order’. Sadly, many
of the featured locomotives are now history. From minor repairs to major
overhauls, no other depot provided as much variety of work as at Toton.
Produced in association with EWS and presented by David Maxey, this
digitally re-mastered DVD is the ultimate diesel depot documentary!
Produced
in association with EWS.
"This really is first-rate material and enormous
effort has obviously gone into its production. It is riveting."
RAIL EXPRESS
