Saturday 24/11/18
56312 to Peak Forest … More GBRf 56s to Longport? – Schedules have been inputted for a GBRf operated Leicester – Longport and also a Longport – Peak Forest movement this coming Monday (26th November), most likely conveying more class 56s to the EMD facility for re-engineering. The onward movement to Peak Forest is likely to feature 56312, which (as reported on here earlier in the week) should be moving there imminently. Timings as follows:
0Z56 1000 Leicester L.I.P. – Longport F.D.
0Z57 1540 Longport F.D. – Peak Forest Cemex Sidings (GBRf)
Colas Class 56 fleet survey – A snapshot of the current Colas fleet, as things stand at 23:30 tonight:
56049 (COFS) – Nottingham Eastcroft, out of traffic (awaiting parts)
56051 (COFS) – Nottingham Eastcroft, out of traffic (awaiting bogies, having donated original set to 56090)
56078 (COFS) – Nottingham Eastcroft, normal status
56087 (COFS) – Shrewsbury Coleham (RHTT, with 56094)
56090 (COFS) – Toton TMD (RHTT, with 56105)
56094 (COFS) – Shrewsbury Coleham (RHTT, with 56087)
56096 (COFS) – Gloucester Horton Road (RHTT, with 56302)
56105 (COFS) – Toton TMD (RHTT, with 56090)
56113 (COFS) – Grangemouth Ineos, normal status
56302 (COFS) – Gloucester Horton Road (RHTT, with 56096)
56312 rides again – Now unnamed and unbranded, DC Rail grey liveried 56312 returned to mainline service for new owners GB Railfreight earlier this week, working the 0Z56 Leicester LIP – Barrow Hill test run on Wednesday (21st November). 47749 went along for insurance and hauled it back to Leicester as 0Z57, the 47 itself fresh from receiving maintenance and in need of a test run ahead of charter train commitments this weekend.
EMDC ‘Grids’ return home – After the originally planned movement did not transpire last week, GBRf trio 56018, 56098 & 56104 finally returned home to Leicester Depot on Monday (19th November), with the Rail Operations Group hauling them from Castle Donington EMDC using 47812. Former EPS generator coach 96371 was also in the consist, meaning that the sidings at Castle Donington are now once again empty.