TRACTION 2008 Part 1
FREIGHT
TRAFFIC & TRACTION:
56
057 returns to the main line re-numbered as 56 311, Riviera Class 47s and
Virgin Class 57s hauling GB Railfreight Royal Mail trains, 37 401 working
the Sinfin tanks, 37 401 + 37 422 hauling a rake of HAA coal hoppers from
Millerhill to Mossend, 47 818 rescuing an EWS stone train in Suffolk,
Colas Rail’s 47 727 hauling a rake of Mega-Fret wagons from Aberthaw to
Dollands Moor, the first coal train over the newly re-opened
Stirling-Alloa line, freight traffic returns to the Tolworth branch, 37
422 on the Daventry-Bescot intermodal, 47 848 hauling a Royal Mail Class
325 unit to Ayr, Royal Mail and DRS diversions following the new year
Rugby engineering fiasco.
PASSENGER
TRACTION, RAILTOURS & SPECIALS:
86
259 Les
Ross returns to the main line, 47 712 + 47 802 launch the short-lived
‘Stobart Pullman’, Riviera Class 47s & Virgin Class 57s & EWS
Class 67s on hire to Grand Central, Cass 87s going into store at Long
Marston – and then emerge to head for Bulgaria, Class 25 D7628 working
NYMR service trains to Whitby, DRS Class 20s rescuing a steam charter on
the Cumbrian coast, 55 022 ventures to Oban and Penzance, 40 145 travels
to Lowestoft and Aberystwyth, 37 069 + 37 423 working to Oban with the
Stobart Pullman, ground-breaking trips to Edinburgh and Whitby for D1015 Western
Champion, the ACTS Class 58 farewell tour in Holland.
THERE’S
ALSO:
40 145 at Marsden with a RHTT in tow, 67 005
hauling the Royal Train over the Severn Valley Railway, Class 31 + DBSO
testing, the first two Network Rail Class 97s (formerly Class 37s) on main
line test runs, 31 601 + 31 454 venture to Largs, Chiltern Trains
‘bubble car’ visits London Euston, D9009 Alycidon
in action at Quainton Road, 73 204 going for a spin on the M25, 57 009 +
57 010 hauling a ‘stoneblower’ to Wymondham, 73 107 arriving at
Moorgate GN underground station, D1023 Western
Fusilier returns to action at the Keighley & Worth Valley
Railway…and 07 007, 37 275 and 37 906 star at the Swanage diesel gala.
