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Locomotive Services Fleet (LSL) updates

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Isle of Mull

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Today's return leg from Edinburgh to Crewe will be 2 x 37 instead of the 45 due to a broken spring allegedly, not good for both legs to be hauled by" not as advertised traction"
Quite poor by LSL 1 loco missing is fine but both is a bit disgraceful
 

31160

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....unless you're a tractor boy (or girl)! ;)
Anybody would be probably on the vintage job to Pompey with the advertised 37, not booked on a train with no 37 involvement, or at least no advertised 37
 

Harpo

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Anybody would be probably on the vintage job to Pompey with the advertised 37, not booked on a train with no 37 involvement, or at least no advertised 37
Had 37s been advertised (instead of a wagon) via Berwick, the Tyne Valley and Carlisle avoider, things might have been different.
 

31160

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Had 37s been advertised (instead of a wagon) via Berwick, the Tyne Valley and Carlisle avoider, things might have been different.
That won't trump a 0 to Pompey surely, a pair of refurbs on tbf track that's not THAT rare really
 

Forty29

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Parts for these old locos aren't available 'off the shelf' so readily now so out of traffic they have to be until sourced.
Luckily the 45's spring identified before the loco got on the mainline.
 

31160

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Parts for these old locos aren't available 'off the shelf' so readily now so out of traffic they have to be until sourced.
Luckily the 45's spring identified before the loco got on the mainline.
Hopefully there will be some sort of communication from srps regarding the future tours so peeps can book with confidence, also they have posted pictures of 50050 at boness after arrival earlier, can't help thinking the now confirmed combo of 37025 and 50050 on the Scarborough trip now might get some more bookings in
 

fgwrich

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Rail Article regarding the current situation (largely what we already know).

Locomotive Services Ltd (LSL) has acquired one of the four Class 57/3s put up for sale recently by Direct Rail Services.

57308 was collected from Crewe Gresty Bridge by 20118/132 on July 8 and taken to LSL’s nearby Crewe Diesel Maintenance Depot.

Of the other three ‘57/3s’ offered for sale by DRS, 57304 has been bought by West Coast Railways, while Romic has acquired 57307/309 for spot hire use in the UK.

The addition of 57308 to the LSL fleet was timely, as it was struggling with availability of its Type 4 fleet in early July, especially its Class 47s and 57s.

In its fleet, LSL has six Class 47s; 47593 Galloway Princess (stopped for a major exam), 47712 Lady Diana Spencer, 47805 Roger Hosking MA, 47810 Crewe Diesel Depot and 47853 (stopped for a major overhaul).

They were joined on July 1 by the return to traffic of ex-Freightliner 47830. It also has four Class 57s (57002/003 and ETH-fitted 57302/311). Of these, 57302 has only recently returned to traffic. It has three other Type 4s; Class 40 D213 Andania, 45118 The Royal Artilleryman and 50050 Fearless. The former has been stopped for its annual major exam.

The shortage of Type 4s became apparent on June 24 when 57302 failed on a Paignton-Shrewsbury charter. 47810 on the rear was run round to assist and the return train was worked by 47712 as 47810 was low on fuel.

All LSL trains run with two locomotives for insurance and contingency measures, but no other ‘47’ or ‘57’ could be sourced so 20118/132 were provided to bring up the rear.

The following day, they worked the Paignton-Crewe ECS move as there was a minor issue with 47712.

On June 26, 57311, working the ‘Three Peaks’ Challenge train, was supported by 45118 for the leg to Holyhead but when the ‘57’ failed with low coolant on the 1856 Ravenglass-Fort William leg, the ‘45’ continued to Carlisle where 37401 Mary Queen of Scots was added to the rear.

The Peak then continued and made the debut of the class at Fort William, just three weeks after the locomotive had reached Oban on a charter, another first.

The ‘45’ then worked the 1232 Fort William-Crewe, again with the ‘37’ on the rear.

With repairs to D213 taking longer than expected, 50050 was booked to replace it on an InterCity Crewe-Edinburgh charter on July 18, and again the following weekend on a Dundee-Scarborough trip on July 25 and a Dundee to Stirling one-way charter with 37025 Inverness TMD the day afterwards.

 

NeakPed

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Had 37s been advertised (instead of a wagon) via Berwick, the Tyne Valley and Carlisle avoider, things might have been different.
Corrcted for you :
Had NosePeds & a Log been advertised instead of a Peak it would have been a definite no, no.

(Two can play at being derogatory about other loco classes).
 
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Steam4Max

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Rail Article regarding the current situation (largely what we already know).
I wonder how 40012 is getting on? As I believe its supposed to run for LSL when complete, meaning most likely they can have 1 40 available at all times, which could help matters.
 

D6130

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You do have to wonder whether 45 118's broken spring was caused by its exploits on the extremely sharp curves of the West Highland and Oban lines.
 

Harpo

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Corrcted for you :
Had NosePeds & a Log been advertised instead of a Peak it would have been a definite no, no.

(Two can play at being derogatory about other loco classes).
Why on earth is wagon ‘derogatory’? Every class has nicknames and I don’t think any are a slight, even ‘duff’ a loco I had zero interest in bashing but huge regard for as a railway professional.

You can call my favourite stuff (usually EE) absolutely anything you like. Maybe I’m not thin skinned?
 
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Forty29

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You do have to wonder whether 45 118's broken spring was caused by its exploits on the extremely sharp curves of the West Highland and Oban lines.
That's what I was wondering, still plenty of jointed bullhead rail l expect although slowly being replaced by cwr.
 

gazthomas

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First public tour of 89001 following restoration is available for booking.

Crewe to Glasgow, 18 August 2026.

 

HertiageFan

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First public tour of 89001 following restoration is available for booking.

Crewe to Glasgow, 18 August 2026.

It’s on a Thursday, surely a Friday or Saturday would attract more people
 

JonathanH

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It’s on a Thursday, surely a Friday or Saturday would attract more people
It is on a Tuesday actually. People may already have plans for a Friday and Saturday at this short notice, so there is no necessarily perfect day.

Interesting matter as to whether to book for the first trip back, or to take the risk on a future trip being a better opportunity. A case of one in the book worth two in the plan?
 

31160

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It is on a Tuesday actually. People may already have plans for a Friday and Saturday at this short notice, so there is no necessarily perfect day.

Interesting matter as to whether to book for the first trip back, or to take the risk on a future trip being a better opportunity. A case of one in the book worth two in the plan?
It's only going to be a matter of time before they do a Euston to Glasgow run, so it all depends on your patience, at £180 it is on the pricey side of things
 

43096

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It's only going to be a matter of time before they do a Euston to Glasgow run, so it all depends on your patience, at £180 it is on the pricey side of things
Is it that pricey though? A Crewe - Glasgow off-peak standard class return is £142.70. An extra £37.30 for first class in Mark 3s with 89001 doesn't look such bad value.
 

xotGD

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It's only going to be a matter of time before they do a Euston to Glasgow run, so it all depends on your patience, at £180 it is on the pricey side of things
King's Cross to Bradford would be more appropriate.
 

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