Through July our diesel electrics Class 25 D7523 and Class 33 D6566 have continued to work scheduled passenger services in lieu of non-available steam locomotives during the Green Timetable. Thankfully the locomotives have proved reliable throughout this intensive period of operation that ended with the change to the peak Yellow timetable with full steam operation resuming on July 19th.
For the Saturday diesel diagram of the Yellow timetable we provided Class 47 D1661 “North Star” for the first Saturday to be followed by Class 33 D6566 on 2nd August. We had hoped to re-introduce Class 42 “Warship” D832 “Onslaught” to traffic but the additional engine repairs have still not been completed as at the end of July and you may have to wait until the end of August to see our visitor re-appear. Back at Williton Diesel Depot work continues on our many long-term projects with still no end in sight with the rebuilds of the Maybach MD655 and MD870 engines for D1010 and D7017 respectively. These are major investments in the future operation of our heritage diesel locomotives and the jobs cannot be rushed if they are eventually to be proved as “Right First Time”. Currently Class 14 D9526 has joined the list of non-available locomotives whilst we arrange the repair of a starter motor that failed as the locomotive was prepared for service over the weekend of the WSRA Steam Rally. The defective starter motor has been despatched to the Nene Valley Railway for assessment and hopefully a speedy repair.
(John Cronin)