RHTT Season 2025

[CDM Transport]

Hello,

I thought I'd start this forum rather early as the news has recently come through that the RHTT operators for the 2025 season have been narrowed down to just Colas and GBRf.

I was wondering if anybody had any ideas on which circuits were going to GBRf and which to Colas and any ideas on traction etc

Caleb

 

[loco2016]

Hello,

I thought I'd start this forum rather early as the news has recently come through that the RHTT operators for the 2025 season have been narrowed down to just Colas and GBRf.

I was wondering if anybody had any ideas on which circuits were going to GBRf and which to Colas and any ideas on traction etc

Caleb

Colas meant to have slateford rhtt

 

[CDM Transport]

Colas meant to have slateford rhtt

Is that the ex DB one?

 

[loco2016]

Yep

 

[47286Dan]

Is that the ex DB one?

Yes it was, ran as 3S93

These are all the RHTT from last year that were not Colas or GBRf.

Slateford (Central Scotland) - DB 66s


Margam (West Wales) - DB 66


Didcot (GWML) - DB 66s


St.Blazey (Devon and Cornwall) - DB 66s


Inverness (Dundee via the Highland Main Line) - DRS 68s


Peterborough (Lincolnshire) - DB 66s


Carlisle (Tyne/Tees) - DRS 68s


Inverness (Dundee via Aberdeen) - FL 66s


Kings Norton (Chilterns) - FL 66s


Carlisle (Cumbria) - DRS 68s or 66s


Toton (MML) - DB 66s


Toton (East Midlands) - DB 66s

Quite a lot for Colas and GBRf to cover as well as all the others that they already had between them.

Hope that helps.

Dan.

 

[_toommm_]

Who will be doing the 3S20/3S21 etc. circuit through Yorkshire, along with the 3J21 circuit; and what is the expected traction?

 

[CDM Transport]

Who will be doing the 3S20/3S21 etc. circuit through Yorkshire, along with the 3J21 circuit; and what is the expected traction?

I think Colas will keep the 3S20/21 diagram.

 

[_toommm_]

I think Colas will keep the 3S20/21 diagram.

Thank you. Is it Colas or DRS that are ditching their 37s (hoping it's the latter so we'll still see 37s on 3J21).

 

[CDM Transport]

Thank you. Is it Colas or DRS that are ditching their 37s (hoping it's the latter so we'll still see 37s on 3J21).

DRS ditched their 37s.

 

[RobotDaniel]

Last year colas used 67s on the Swindon Transfer to Cheltenham Lansdown Loop runs

 

[Stuart-h]

Im with gbrf and running out of springs branch wigan this year.

 

[70013NE]

Yesterday 56090 worked the 0Z56 Carlisle N.Y - Carlisle N.Y, I'm guessing on a route learning prep for Colas' RHTT diagrams for Tyne Valley and up the ECML for 3J77 and Tees for Northope.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 6 Jul 2025 ==

Yesterday 56090 worked the 0Z56 Carlisle N.Y - Carlisle N.Y, I'm guessing on a route learning prep for Colas' RHTT diagrams for Tyne Valley and up the ECML for 3J77 and Tees for Northope.

If possible could anyone confirm if this is the reasoning for it?

 

[Lewis LJ]

there have been a number of LE workings from Doncaster (both Colas sidings and West Yard) over the past week or so, 0Z39 visited Humberside, 0Z50 ran back and forth to sheffield and then up to Earles sidings and 0Z34 was meant to cover the Yorkshire coast but was cancelled, what is interesting is 3S11 appears every now and again as a WTT and it seems to now cover up to Earles sidings, this would explain why 0Z50 happened.

 

[BillStampy]

Margam (West Wales) - DB 66

This one has been taken on by Colas, by the looks of what they've sent down to train drivers up it'll probably end up also being Colas 66s. It'll also now be based in Port Talbot Up Sidings (where Colas used to stable their locos for the Baglan Logs but has been recently used by track machines).

 

[CDM Transport]

3J51 will be expected 37s, as nothing else is really appropriate for the line.

Not sure about 3S20-26 Leeds circuits, as they could be 37s if the 66s go elsewhere.

I'm sure the Sheffield / Grimsby circuit out of York will stay as 66s.

 

[Express380]

St Blazey won't have a circuit this year it seems instead ran by GBRF on Fairwater to Penzance then return to Westbury, no idea on traction but presume 66s,69s

 

[Lewis LJ]

3J51 will be expected 37s, as nothing else is really appropriate for the line.

Not sure about 3S20-26 Leeds circuits, as they could be 37s if the 66s go elsewhere.

I'm sure the Sheffield / Grimsby circuit out of York will stay as 66s.

I've given up wishing for 37s on the Sheffield circuit, looks like 2020 was the first and only year for them, however i am really hoping for 56s this year. also tomorrow 0Z33 Barnetby To Barnetby is planned which covers Humberside and sheffield up to Earles sidings and back, its either gonna be a 56 or 70.

[edit] 0Z33 was cancelled but is booked for tomorrow (31/07/25)

 

[Stuart-h]

Hello,

I thought I'd start this forum rather early as the news has recently come through that the RHTT operators for the 2025 season have been narrowed down to just Colas and GBRf.

I was wondering if anybody had any ideas on which circuits were going to GBRf and which to Colas and any ideas on traction etc

Caleb

I cant vouch for what traction or routes colas are running.
gb rail freight are I think are running the following tractionout of the following depots :
Tonbridge west yard: 69 and 73
tonbridge east yard mpv’s. I think it’s a partnership with weed free.
totton (southampton routes) 66’s
kings norton 66’s Think they’ll have mpv’s as well.
Toton (Nottingham / Derby) should be 66’s
peterborough and doncaster 66’s
wigan mpv’s

think they are also running the glasgow and Edinburgh routes. Im not not sure what traction is running out of there.

 

[smithy_37688]

Colas still have the RHTT circuits based out of Swindon Transfer this year, presumably 66's for the 3S59 again?

 

[BillStampy]

Colas still have the RHTT circuits based out of Swindon Transfer this year, presumably 66's for the 3S59 again?

Should be. Same as last year. The only changes are for ones which weren't previously operated by either Colas or GBRf, such as DB cargo RHTTs.

 

[jaysnerz007]

Does anyone no how it will work this year with Colas and GBRF running it . As DB use to run theres from Toton Nottingham so will they let GBRF use there yard ?

 

[smithy_37688]

Should be. Same as last year. The only changes are for ones which weren't previously operated by either Colas or GBRf, such as DB cargo RHTTs.

Thank you.

Yes I did see an extra one based at Swindon Transfer this year, presumably replacing the one DB used to have out of Didcot?

 

[Class15]

I cant vouch for what traction or routes colas are running.
gb rail freight are I think are running the following tractionout of the following depots :
Tonbridge west yard: 69 and 73
tonbridge east yard mpv’s. I think it’s a partnership with weed free.
totton (southampton routes) 66’s
kings norton 66’s Think they’ll have mpv’s as well.
Toton (Nottingham / Derby) should be 66’s
peterborough and doncaster 66’s
wigan mpv’s

think they are also running the glasgow and Edinburgh routes. Im not not sure what traction is running out of there.

Nothing at Broxbourne this year then?

 

[Gordonman]

Does anyone no how it will work this year with Colas and GBRF running it . As DB use to run theres from Toton Nottingham so will they let GBRF use there yard ?

They will just run the services from Peterborough or Kings Norton I would think

 

[Stuart-h]

Nothing at Broxbourne this year then?

Im not sure on whos running the sets out pf broxbourne or stowmarket

 

[Intercity_225]

GBRF is running the Broxbourne/Whitemoor runs again this year. 69014 and 016 both brought the wagons down from York on Thursday.

 

[Class15]

GBRF is running the Broxbourne/Whitemoor runs again this year. 69014 and 016 both brought the wagons down from York on Thursday.

View attachment 186973View attachment 186972

Does this mean we might get 69s back this year? Last year was 66s.

 

[Intercity_225]

Does this mean we might get 69s back this year? Last year was 66s.

Hopefully! The weird thing is, 69s were used on RHTT training runs from Whitemoor - Stowmarket and back, but were never used in actual service. It wouldn't be surprising if it happens again this year.

 

[delayedby7mins]

0Z56 is scheduled to run again tomorrow on a round trip from Barnetby Sidings via the Scarborough branch from York.

It's scheduled as a light loco, so is this likely to be a 56 again? Is the clue in the headcode..?

It's been ages since I've seen an original, non-class 69 on the mainline!

Realtime Trains | 0Z56 0730 Barnetby Sdgs Colas Rail to Barnetby Sdgs Colas Rail | 25/08/2025

Real-time train running information for 0Z56 0730 departure from Barnetby Sdgs Colas Rail to Barnetby Sdgs Colas Rail on 25/08/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[E B]

the news has recently come through that the RHTT operators for the 2025 season have been narrowed down to just Colas and GBRf.

So what will operate the RHTT services down the metropolitan line and towards aylesbury where tripcocks are needed? Previously there was 4 Freightliner 66’s fitted with tripcocks to do this route.