Diesel
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Rail Operations Group and Stadler in tri-mode loco plan
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THE creation of a tri-mode locomotive based around the Class 68/88 bodyshell and built by Stadler could come to fruition within two years if plans confirmed by the Rail Operations Group (ROG) take shape. ROG wants to combine the best elements of the mixed traffic ‘68’ and ‘88s’, but also add in battery technology to…
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Charity event planned for Crewe Diesel
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SOME 30 steam, diesel and electric exhibits are being lined up for a charity open day on June 8 at the former Crewe diesel depot, now the operational base of Locomotive Services Limited. The event is being organised by Virgin Trains staff based at Crewe station with the aim of raising money and awareness for…
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Class 50s’ 1994 Paddington farewell re-created
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With their horns blaring, Class 50s Nos. 50007 Sir Edward Elgar and 50050 Fearless drew to a stand at the stops at Paddington on March 26, 1994 bringing to an end the life and times of the ‘Hoovers’ on national metals. The aptly-named ‘50 Terminator’ tour was the last passenger service for the English Electric-built…
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German ‘Rabbits’ days numbered
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GERMAN Railways (DB) had hundreds of diesel-hydraulic locos introduced in the 1960s and 1970s to replace steam, but their days working passenger trains are now coming to an end. Of the several hundred ‘V160’ B-B design locos built, only the final variant – Class 218 – remains in use with DB for passenger services. They…
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Brush Type 2 Sister Dora moves to Spa Valley
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CLASS 31 No. 31430 Sister Dora has joined the Spa Valley Railway fleet on an extended visit. The loco is owned by Martin Staniforth and arrived on October 17 from the Mangapps Railway, where a comprehensive restoration had been undertaken. Running numbers carried previously by this loco have been D5695, 31265, 31430 and 31530. The name…
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Successful test run for West Somerset ‘Hymek’
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CLASS 35 ‘Hymek’ No. D7018 completed its first loaded test run over the West Somerset Railway on October 24. This was a significant landmark in the extensive overhaul being undertaken by its owners the Diesel & Electric Preservation Group (DEPG). No. D7018 failed at Williton station in August 1995 while heading a Saturday evening dining train. The…
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Weardale getting readyfor the Christmas rush
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THE Weardale Railway is again running the ‘Train to Christmas Town’ this year. An e.c.s. train was run on November 14 to move the Class 31s and coaching stock from Wolsingham depot to Stanhope. This comprised Nos. 31190 and 31459, 10 Mk2 coaches and No. 31465 on the rear. The train is seen with No. 31190 at the head,…
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Red ‘Crompton’ takes starring role at Churnet Valley anniversary gala
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CLASS 33 No. 33021 made its debut at the Churnet Valley Railway’s (CVR) October 19-21 gala following an extensive overhaul and repaint. The event marked the 40th anniversary of the North Staffordshire Railway Co (NSRC), incorporated on November 2, 1978. The charity provided the basis for the establishment of the Churnet Valley Railway, and continues to…
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‘Treatment’ season sees Class 111s out in the north
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THE annual Rail Head Treatment Train (RHTT) season got underway on Northern Ireland Railways’ (NIR) metals in October. And, for the first time in 12 years, the work did not feature the use of an old Class 80 DEMU ‘Thumper’ – the unit having been retired to the Downpatrick & County Down Railway. Instead, NIR’s…
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Electrified North Island main line to convert to diesel as more new locos arrive
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FIFTEEN more DL class locomotives ordered by KiwiRail in 2016 from CRRC in Dalian, China arrived at the port of Mount Maunganui, near Tauranga, on October 10. They were transferred to Te Rapa (Hamilton) for commissioning two days later. KiwiRail now has 63 of the Chinese-built locos and eight more are on order. The 108-tonne…
