NEWS AND EVENTS
Extended News from around the Network.

57/3s in West Coast service on specials – DBS Class 90 on East Coast Charter – 56 302, 50 044, 37 109, 56 301 and 56 103 on convoy to Nene Valley – 37 on stock move to Aberdeen – D9009 on convoy to Swanage Railway with  31 466, 33 108, 37 521 and 55 019 – ‘mega-convoy’ of DRS locos from Eastleigh to Crewe – East Coast freight diversions – New Freight flow with GBRF power – Class 60s – West Coast 47s on moves around Carnforth – Great Central Ruddington Diesel Gala – Battlefield Line shunter weekend with Class 04 and Class 08s – Class 24 freight on NYMR – Scottish Railtours with ‘Lochalsh Highlander’ and ‘May Day Highlander’ on Highland and Kyle lines – Didcot Railway Centre Gala with 31 466 and Deltics plus 08 on auto train – Keighley & Worth Valley Gala with Class 20s, 26 038, 25 278, 37 075 & 37 264 – COLAS 47 on departmental to Taunton – 57 111 to Eastleigh for re-livery – 20 227 & 20 189 in new LT colours on move to West Ruislip – West Coast ‘Cromptons’ on stock move – 87 002 on main line move – Special Trains inc ‘Heart of Wales’, special on Midland Main Line, ‘Retro Welsh Dragon’ with Class 20s, Class 37s on ‘Easter Highlander’,   ‘The Welshpool and Llanfair Railway‘ with 67s at Shrewsbury,   ‘The Cumbrian Coast Statesman’  – Diesels standing in for steam specials – Class 31s on test trains including 31 190 on stock move and route learner – 37 405 on ‘Caroline’ on tour – Class 73s on test trains – Class 47s on ‘short set’ from Norwich – Yarmouth ‘drags’ – New Class 70 duty.

CLASS 56 HAULAGE  DRC ‘Grids’ on stock move from Barrow Hill to Crewe and on wagon moves to Eastleigh, on Didcot to Calvert flyash and Willesden to Calvert spoil.

COLAS ‘Grids’ on Hinksey to Eastleigh stock moves – on Crewe to Westbury departmental – on timber traffic from South Wales to Chirk and from Carlisle to Chirk.

SCOTTISH FREIGHT  Freight north of the border at Stirling and on the Highland main line and Aberdeen line.

SWANAGE GALA  The three day gala with a wide range of traction including 4VEP unit ‘Gordon Pettitt with various traction ,  33 108, 33 111, 31 466, 37 521, 20 142, LT liveried 20 189 and 20 227,  08 shunters, D9009 on display and Deltic  55 019 ‘Royal Highland Fusilier’. Plenty of action from various vantage point along the line from Norton through Corfe Castle to Swanage.

TOTON   A look at the railway centre of Toton and surrounding lines with a wide range of traffic including Class 56, Class 47, Class 66s from various companies, Class 67s,  Class 70s, Class 60s  and Totons 08s,  Includes oil traffic, MGR trains, Cement, Departmental duties and stone traffic. The main vantage points in the area are featured.

NENE VALLEY SPRING DIESEL GALA  with 56 303, 56 301,  56 103, 31 108, 37 109,20 311, 20 314,  the Swedish Railcar and a Class 14.

PARTING SHOTS    4 Class 73s in one train on a move to Tonbridge – D9009 on convoy from Mid Hants 57/3s on stock move – plus D9009 ‘Alycidon on ‘Elizabethan’ at Durham.

2 hours approx