GBRf to buy Colas 47s

[TimboM]

Thanks, didn’t realise DRS had 12 of them! 305 and 312 in Northern Belle colours iirc?

Yes, correct.
57302 is stored, the other 11 are officially active.

The WCR ones have had the actual Dellner fittings removed (although still have the “housing” for them).

I’m also not sure the Dellners on these would necessarily be at the correct height for the new stock. If the Dellner height on the Pendos these were designed is different from the new stock being moved then I don’t think they’re compatible.

 

[TimboM]

That's correct. DRS also have 9 57/0s as well, but they don't have dellner couplings but they are still found stabled in stations, Norwich is an example

Only 002 and 007 are currently active of the 57/0s - the other seven are stored at Longtown or Eastleigh.

 

[E_Reeves]

Yes, correct.
57302 is stored, the other 11 are officially active.

The WCR ones have had the actual Dellner fittings removed (although still have the “housing” for them).

I’m also not sure the Dellners on these would necessarily be at the correct height for the new stock. If the Dellner height on the Pendos these were designed is different from the new stock being moved then I don’t think they’re compatible.

Why is 302 stored? I remember seeing it at Kingmoor Yard in july so surely if they need it they can use it, or does it have to be officially 'unstored' or something like that?

 

[alexl92]

Thanks! I always forget about the 57/0s...

 

[E_Reeves]

Storing of locos confuse me. What's the point of painting a 57/0 in new DRS colours and storing it? Also, where are 008, 009 and 012 as my train logger says they haven't been seen in over 6 months?

 

[Suraggu]

Storing of locos confuse me. What's the point of painting a 57/0 in new DRS colours and storing it? Also, where are 008, 009 and 012 as my train logger says they haven't been seen in over 6 months?

It is a viable way of keeping assets that have no work available at short notice to be reactivated. Keeping locomotives in what they call 'warm store' means they are kept in an operational condition.

 

[TimboM]

Back to the "Colas" Class 47s - all three are as of today in a new GBRf pool - GBDF ("GB DuFfs"????)

 

[cj_1985]

you've got to love GBRf's sense of humour

 

[TimboM]

you've got to love GBRf's sense of humour

Apparently the pool has been used before when they had the HNRC 47s (that went to Riviera). And it does stand for GB DuFfs...!

 

[TimboM]

Why is 302 stored? I remember seeing it at Kingmoor Yard in july so surely if they need it they can use it, or does it have to be officially 'unstored' or something like that?

302 was stored in July and is currently at Eastleigh Works - it moved their last week from Longtown MOD (just down the road from Kingmoor) via Kingmoor and Willesden DRS. It's at Eastleigh for overhaul which is probably why it's been "Stored" as not operational currently. Here's a pic of it in the works on Tuesday (not mine): https://flic.kr/p/EyLc11

Storing of locos confuse me. What's the point of painting a 57/0 in new DRS colours and storing it? Also, where are 008, 009 and 012 as my train logger says they haven't been seen in over 6 months?

008, 009 and 012 are all stored at Longtown MOD - and have been stored for 2 years now (since Dec 2015) - which is why they haven't been seen for a good while.

 

[TimboM]

Not sure if significant or GBRf just tidying things up a bit on the system, however the statuses for 47727 and 47739 were changed on TOPS on Thursday (28th) from "D" (pending decision) and "N" (normal/in traffic) respectively to "T" (Transfer to depot) for both locos. Possible move to one of the GBRf sites (or repair/repainting facilities) on the cards in the New Year??

Their official depot is now listed as Peterborough I understand, although they may be taken elsewhere first.

 

[E_Reeves]

Not sure if significant or GBRf just tidying things up a bit on the system, however the statuses for 47727 and 47739 were changed on TOPS on Thursday (28th) from "D" (pending decision) and "N" (normal/in traffic) respectively to "T" (Transfer to depot) for both locos. Possible move to one of the GBRf sites (or repair/repainting facilities) on the cards in the New Year??

Their official depot is now listed as Peterborough I understand, although they may be taken elsewhere first.

Where are they currently?

 

[ScottDarg]

Where are they currently?

727 and 739 are both showing at Washwood Heath. 749 at Polmadie.

 

[E_Reeves]

727 and 739 are both showing at Washwood Heath. 749 at Polmadie.

Is the depot at Washwood Heath hidden from the mainline because whenever I go past I can only see the 08 and maybe a tamper?

 

[TimboM]

Is the depot at Washwood Heath hidden from the mainline because whenever I go past I can only see the 08 and maybe a tamper?

47727 is almost certainly inside - still under-going overhaul etc I believe - here's a pic of what is almost certainly it in early Nov (not mine): https://flic.kr/p/21nMc8H

Pretty sure 47739 is there too - had a brief foray out from Washwood Heath to collect some errant 56s the same day that other photo was taken and returned to Washwood Heath https://flic.kr/p/Df8oy1 (not mine) - pretty sure it's not gone anywhere since.

There were some rumours that there's a bit of parts sharing between 727 and 739 going on (e.g. not enough of certain spares/parts for both to be running at the same time) but that may be wibble!

 

[cj_1985]

So what's the likelihood that all 3x of the 47s will be returned to mainline use?

 

[TimboM]

So what's the likelihood that all 3x of the 47s will be returned to mainline use?

Pretty high I'd say as they've been bought for specific purpose(s) as per posts above.
47749 is in mainline use and 47739 has been fairly recently; with 47727 identified as the one to take over as the Sleeper support loco, so that would suggest it's totally feasible all three could be in mainline use fairly soon.

 

[433N]

008, 009 and 012 are all stored at Longtown MOD - and have been stored for 2 years now (since Dec 2015) - which is why they haven't been seen for a good while.

Youth of today !

When I were a lad, I would have 'sneaked' the shed to 'cop' 'em.

 

[xotGD]

Youth of today !

When I were a lad, I would have 'sneaked' the shed to 'cop' 'em.

Getting around a BR depot in the 80s was probably slightly easier than an MOD facility in 2017!

 

[433N]

Getting around a BR depot in the 80s was probably slightly easier than an MOD facility in 2017!

Pah !


Wish it was in the 80s.

 

[cj_1985]

I see posted over on wwwrail.net (by Tomblebee) a schedule for movement from Bescot to Eastleigh Works later this week. could this be related to the 47s?

 

[ScottDarg]

I see posted over on wwwrail.net (by Tomblebee) a schedule for movement from Bescot to Eastleigh Works later this week. could this be related to the 47s?

Headcode showing 0Z47 for a move from Bescot to Eastleigh on Wednesday. Service code matches with that used for GBRf light loco moves.

No prior moves from Washwood Heath to Bescot from what I can find.

 

[TimboM]

I see posted over on wwwrail.net (by Tomblebee) a schedule for movement from Bescot to Eastleigh Works later this week. could this be related to the 47s?

Headcode showing 0Z47 for a move from Bescot to Eastleigh on Wednesday. Service code matches with that used for GBRf light loco moves.

No prior moves from Washwood Heath to Bescot from what I can find.

The Bescot-Eastleigh GBRf working on Wednesday goes via Washwood Heath (aka "Heartlands Park Wagon Repair Point") with an hour there 09:36-10:36, presumably to pick up a Duff or two. There's also an 0M68 light loco move Tue evening from Peterborough GBRf to Bescot (another STP put in the system at pretty much the same time).

So would appear very much like the paths are for a 66 that'll run from P'Boro on Tue evening then pick up the 47(s) on Wednesday from Washwood Heath and take them to Eastleigh GBRf. All subject to it running/driver availability etc. etc.

There's also the possibility the moves are used to get other locos currently at P'boro to Eastleigh for repair/painting - e.g. ex-EWS 66132/184. 59003 is also at P'boro and was sat with those two 66s the other day. Could end up being quite an interesting consist of 'new' GBRf locos in other FOCs' colours...

0M68 P'boro GBRf-Bescot on Tue: http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/R01686/2018/01/02/advanced
0Z47 Bescot-Eastleigh GBRf on Wed: http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/R01870/2018/01/03/advanced

 

[ScottDarg]

The Bescot-Eastleigh GBRf working on Wednesday goes via Washwood Heath (aka "Heartlands Park Wagon Repair Point") with an hour there 09:36-10:36, presumably to pick up a Duff or two. There's also an 0M68 light loco move Tue evening from Peterborough GBRf to Bescot (another STP put in the system at pretty much the same time).

So would appear very much like the paths are for a 66 that'll run from P'Boro on Tue evening then pick up the 47(s) on Wednesday from Washwood Heath and take them to Eastleigh GBRf. All subject to it running/driver availability etc. etc.

There's also the possibility the moves are used to get other locos currently at P'boro to Eastleigh for repair/painting - e.g. ex-EWS 66132/184. 59003 is also at P'boro and was sat with those two 66s the other day. Could end up being quite an interesting consist of 'new' GBRf locos in other FOCs' colours...

0M68 P'boro GBRf-Bescot on Tue: http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/R01686/2018/01/02/advanced
0Z47 Bescot-Eastleigh GBRf on Wed: http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/R01870/2018/01/03/advanced

Thanks for pointing out the stopover at Washwood Heath, hadn't noticed it.

The 0M68 service code matches up with that used for engineering train loco moves, whether that's the actual purpose of it is anyones guess.

Could be the loco for an engineering train brings another loco(s?) bound for Eastleigh with it, which then goes on to do the Bescot - Eastleigh path.

 

[TimboM]

The 0M68 service code matches up with that used for engineering train loco moves, whether that's the actual purpose of it is anyones guess.

Could be the loco for an engineering train brings another loco(s?) bound for Eastleigh with it, which then goes on to do the Bescot - Eastleigh path.

The move is planned for just one of the 47s I understand.

My guess is it will by 47727 as last time that was “seen” (see photo linked above) it still required work/livery. 47739 was operational (allegedly).

The 0M68 may be for a loco for engineering work as well as/instead of - however a tow loco will need to get to Bescot somehow to work 0Z47 and this is the obvious path (...may be 2+2=5, but the STPs also went in at the same time). It’s fairly likely they’d use an existing path that can be “copied & pasted” rather than come up with a brand new one.

 

[ScottDarg]

The move is planned for just one of the 47s I understand.

My guess is it will by 47727 as last time that was “seen” (see photo linked above) it still required work/livery. 47739 was operational (allegedly).

The 0M68 may be for a loco for engineering work as well as/instead of - however a tow loco will need to get to Bescot somehow to work 0Z47 and this is the obvious path (...may be 2+2=5, but the STPs also went in at the same time). It’s fairly likely they’d use an existing path that can be “copied & pasted” rather than come up with a brand new one.

With you on that guess if it's only one.

0M68 certainly looks like the obvious path. I see it's also been noted elsewhere that 0M68 usually runs on a Sunday for Monday engineering. Assuming there aren't any engineering works this week, it looks like this is a copy + paste path to get a loco there, as you suspect.

I guess it's a matter of waiting to see what happens over the next couple of days...

 

[Mag_seven]

With you on that guess if it's only one.

0M68 certainly looks like the obvious path. I see it's also been noted elsewhere that 0M68 usually runs on a Sunday for Monday engineering. Assuming there aren't any engineering works this week, it looks like this is a copy + paste path to get a loco there, as you suspect.

I guess it's a matter of waiting to see what happens over the next couple of days...

0M68 has run today:

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/R01686/2018/01/02/advanced

 

[Spirit555]

0M68 is a regular working on a Sunday or Monday Peterborough to Bescot for Cliffe Hill, Stud Farm workings to/from Bescot.

That's not to say that there was more than one engine on 0M68 today. Or that the Stud Farm working are not running this week either

 

[TimboM]

0M68 is a regular working on a Sunday or Monday Peterborough to Bescot for Cliffe Hill, Stud Farm workings to/from Bescot.

That's not to say that there was more than one engine on 0M68 today. Or that the Stud Farm working are not running this week either

Logically something has to be in Bescot for first thing tomorrow to work 0Z47 and there were no GBRf locos there at lunchtime today. 0M68 was also put in as an STP at the same time as 0Z47. Could well have been used to take other locos for the other regular workings, however I'd hazard a guess the 0Z47 tow loco(s) was/were on 0M68.

The following were at P'boro late morning per TOPS:

59003
66132/184 (ex-DBC/EWS liveried)
66701/710/717/720/730/739/751/764/774/779

...so plenty of options for 0M68, including a couple of other locos that will need to go to Eastleigh at some point.

 

[Spirit555]

Thanks for the info.

0M68 was an STP as it's Tuesday and it normally only runs on Sunday/Monday.

Living quite local to Bescot I get to see the loco off this quite regular on a Sunday. But not today as obviously dark and weather is quite poor in Birmingham at present. 66779 would be nice though.

Of course another STP could go in from Hams Hall, only a thought though. Locos have worked without showing on RTT. The last delivery of 70's from Crewe to Bescot immediately springs to mind. No one knew where they were until sightings were logged in other ways. Waited at Bescot for hours for those, not knowing if it was running or not.

This working could be a total surprise tomorrow then or predictable

Wait with baited breath as they say.