Crompton returns for WSR mixed traffic event

D6575 pictured in October 2011. It has received an overhaul and will return to service in June 2012 at the West Somerset Railway's Mixed Traffic event (photo: Grant Silvester)

Class 33 D6575 is set to return to service for the West Somerset Railway’s Mixed Traffic Weekend next month.

The Crompton (formerly 33057) is due back after a heavy overhaul and restoration in the event which will run from Friday June 15th to Saturday June 17th.

It will be accompanied by classmate D6566 and Hymek D7017, 50 years after the class was introduced.

GBRf is supplying a Class 66 and two Class 73s as the guest traction, and a visiting heritage diesel is also expected in the shape of  Deltic 55022 Royal Scots Grey.

Friday will see diesel haulage all day, while Saturday and Sunday will also see two round trips by steam locomotives 6960 Raveningham Hall and 7828 Norton Manor.

Warship D832 Onslaught, Western D1035 Western Yeoman, Class 47/8 D1661 North Star and a Andrew Barclay ROD 0-4-0DH will also feature.

For more information, please see the WSR’s website.

56094 makes debut in Colas colours

After failing the previous day 56094 was back working the 6E07 on Friday May 25th (photo: John Illingworth)

Class 56094 made its mainline debut in Colas colours this week as it became the first of the Class to enter service with the freight company.

The Grid looked well suited to Colas’s striking orange, yellow and black livery as it undertook a test run with Class 47 47739 “Robin of Templecombe” in tow on Wednesday May 23rd (see video below, uploaded by Chiltern 67013).

But its return to revenue earning service the following day did not last long as the Grid failed shortly after taking over the train from 47739 at Attenborough while working the 6MO8  Boston Docks to Washwood Heath.

It was back out on Friday May 25th, again with 47739 in tow, working the 6E07 Washwood Heath to Boston. This time it was detached before reaching Boston reportedly due to route availability issues beyond Sleaford which should be resolved shortly.

56094 was one of four of the Type 5 locomotives bought by Colas Rail earlier this year from European Metal Recycling, who themselves had purchased them from DB Schenker. The others were 56087, 56105 and 56113.

For more photos by John Illingworth please visit his Flickr page.

56094 works the 6M08 with 47739 on May 24th 2012 (photo: John Illingworth

Bodysnatchers in the Chilterns

57308 makes a rare trip through the Chilterns on a Nuneaton-Euston service at Banbury 06/05/12. 57315 is on the rear. (photo: Martin Coles)

Engineering works on the West Coast Mainline brought about the rare sight of top and tail Class 57s through the Chilterns today.

“Bodysnatchers” 57315 and 57308 worked two London Euston to Nuneaton diagrams on the Chiltern Line and one return leg, hauling the Pretendelino set of Mark 3 coaches.

They were scheduled to work the 1011 London to Euston service, although reportedly ended up working the 1111 instead.

They then worked the 1323 Nuneaton to Euston and the 1611 return, and were seen passing Denham Golf Club station at about 1710, running about 15 minutes late.

The workings came about due to the closure of the Southern end of the West Coast Mainline for engineering works. This also led to Virgin operating 15 coach Voyagers through the Chilterns.

The 57s were captured passing Princess Risborough by YouTube user TheTrainBoy43034

57315 tails 57308 on a diverted Virgin service via the Chilterns on 06/05/12 (photo: Martin Coles)

For more photos by Martin Coles visit his Flickr page.