67023 and 67027 Thunderbird ECML Duties

[fgwrich]

In case anybody is wondering what has happened to it, Colas operated GBRf liveried 67027 is currently in the Arlington Fleet Services paintshop and due to emerge back in Orange and Black within the new year.

 

[ExRes]

In case anybody is wondering what has happened to it, Colas operated GBRf liveried 67027 is currently in the Arlington Fleet Services paintshop and due to emerge back in Orange and Black within the new year.

And was hauled by a filthy 66850 from Eastleigh Arlington to Westbury Down TC on 1135 0Z72 today, the 67 has had a paint refresh (or simply a damned good clean) and the addition of 'East Coast Operations Response - Thunderbird' to the side

 

[Ciderking]

And was hauled by a filthy 66850 from Eastleigh Arlington to Westbury Down TC on 1135 0Z72 today, the 67 has had a paint refresh (or simply a damned good clean) and the addition of 'East Coast Operations Response - Thunderbird' to the side

It was in GBRf blue with Colas logos.

 

[gazthomas]

It was in GBRf blue with Colas logos.

 

[fgwrich]

And was hauled by a filthy 66850 from Eastleigh Arlington to Westbury Down TC on 1135 0Z72 today, the 67 has had a paint refresh (or simply a damned good clean) and the addition of 'East Coast Operations Response - Thunderbird' to the side

Definitely a full repaint. As @Ciderking has mentioned, 027 was in GBRf before. And last pictured, by Carl Watson, on the 18th of December partially sanded down in the paintshop.

67023 remains in unbranded Colas with Stella nameplates - that escaped the trip to the paintshop during its short time with GBRf. I did wonder after its trip to Swanage for ETS recertification if it would head to Eastleigh after but it’s made it up to Derby so perhaps not just yet.

67027 Eastleigh Works 18th December 2025

 

[ExRes]

It was in GBRf blue with Colas logos.

Right, trust me to get the two mixed up

 

[Jacob Porrett]

67027 has been painted back to the Colas Yellow/Orange livery after it was in GBRF livery. It's supporting a new logo on the side as well saying "Operations Response Thunderbird".

 

[D1511]

"East Coast Operations Response - Thunderbirds"

Can't make out what the graphics underneath are though.....

 

[47286Dan]

The graphics underneath are supposed to be East Coast Main Line landmarks. Not quite sure what they are tho

Dan

 

[hexagon789]

"East Coast Operations Response - Thunderbirds"

Can't make out what the graphics underneath are though.....

The graphics underneath are supposed to be East Coast Main Line landmarks. Not quite sure what they are tho

Dan

Looks like:

Royal Border Bridge
Angel of the North
Clifford's Tower
Peterborough Guildhall
London King's Cross

 

[D1511]

The graphics underneath are supposed to be East Coast Main Line landmarks. Not quite sure what they are tho

Dan

Looks like:

Royal Border Bridge
Angel of the North
Clifford's Tower
Peterborough Guildhall
London King's Cross

Ah yes, I see that now, cheers both. They're not great though.......looks like primitive clipart from an early graphics package from the 90s!

 

[Harlequinuk]

Will both of the colas go to thunderbird? will they get anymore from DB for the duties?

 

[Jacob Porrett]

Do you think 67023 will receive similar treatment at some point considering?

 

[fgwrich]

Do you think 67023 will receive similar treatment at some point considering?

Given its been running around in debranded Colas livery since its GBRf days, and the paint has faded somewhat, I’d say it’s likely it’ll visit the paintshop at some point.

Some Better side profile images can be seen here.

67027 in ECML Thunderbird scheme, Romsey, 7th January 2025.

66850 David Maidment OBE + 67027 0Z72 11:35 Eastleigh Arlington (Zg) - Westbury Down T.C. A pause was made at Romsey, while awaiting a gree...

www.47soton.co.uk

 

[47286Dan]

67023 now at Newark for Thunderbird duties

67027 at Westbury

67023 COTS NEWARKNGS NEWARKNGS F N
67027 COTS WESTBURYY WESTBRYDY N

Dan

 

[Viper]

It's great to see some images of the fresh paint, thanks for sharing these. I understand 70814 is also at Newark as part of the Thunderbird service.

 

[47286Dan]

It's great to see some images of the fresh paint, thanks for sharing these. I understand 70814 is also at Newark as part of the Thunderbird service.

70814 COLO NEWARKNGS NEWARKNGS F N

Correct

Dan

 

[D1511]

That's a relatively low speed choice for a rescue loco......is that just temporary?

 

[47286Dan]

That's a relatively low speed choice for a rescue loco......is that just temporary?

Will be temporary until 67027 arrives from Westbury

Dan

 

[43096]

That's a relatively low speed choice for a rescue loco......is that just temporary?

But handy for moving a failed freight - a 70 will shift anything.

 

[D1511]

Cheers Dan. Didn't seem like a long term solution given a 70s gearing and speed. It shouldn't have any trouble getting the failed emus moving again though.....just not terribly quickly!

 

[Davester50]

Looks like:

Royal Border Bridge
Angel of the North
Clifford's Tower
Peterborough Guildhall
London King's Cross

Will they replace the locomotive before Marshall Meadows then?

 

[47286Dan]

Newark Thunderbird out on route learning

67023 COTS PETERBORO 450Z692N09 F DONSDGCLS N

Dan

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 12 Jan 2026 ==

Newark Thunderbird out on a route fresher but has gone off route and ended up in York Parcel Sidings

67023 COTS PETERBORO 450Z682K12 F DONCASTER N

70814 still at Newark

70814 COLO PETERBORO NEWARKNGS F N

Dan

 

[Viper]

It had been called out to assist something in the North East but was stood down which why it diverted and then ended up in York.

 

[47286Dan]

56049 has now swapped with 70814 to partner Thunderbird 67023 at Newark. The pair are working to Neville Hill and back this afternoon for rescue and recovery training

56049 COFS NEWARKNGS 440Z752F14 F NEVHILL D N
67023 COTS NEWARKNGS 440Z752F14 F NEVHILL D N



Dan

 

[D365]

Which of the 'Thunderbirds' has been deployed at Shipley this week as per Class 91s thread?

 

[Viper]

67023 is being put to work today

 

[DesDobramento]

23/1/2026 Newark Thunderbird out on route learning

67023 COTS PETERBORO 450Z692N09 F DONSDGCLS N

Dan

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 12 Jan 2026 ==

Newark Thunderbird out on a route fresher but has gone off route and ended up in York Parcel Sidings

67023 COTS PETERBORO 450Z682K12 F DONCASTER N

70814 still at Newark

70814 COLO PETERBORO NEWARKNGS F N

Dan

56049 at Newark Fri 23/1/26 in the normal Thunderbird location. No other Colas loco seen here at 1030.

 

[47286Dan]

Thunderbirds out today

56049 COFS DONCARIEP 230Z781N27 F NEWARKNGS N
67023 COTS DONCARIEP 230Z781N27 F NEWARKNGS N

Dan

 

[E27007]

Wednesday 28th January 26 mid-day , Thunderbird 67023 scrambled to Leeds area for a rescue mission, platform end sources say the mission aborted and 67023 returned passing through Doncaster towards Retford light engine.
Does anyone have the information as to the failure, an Azuma or a 91?

Postscript: 1D05 diagram a KX to Bradford service for a 91 was revised to 0959 Leeds to Bradford, the return working of 1A19 Bradford to KX was delayed at Leeds West Junction for 119 minutes, was 1A19 the failure raising the scramble of 67023?
Which loco or unit allocated to 1D05 and 1A19? I hope 91119 was not the cause.