! E N I Z A G A M S U sdigitalreaders N O B E E R F s e r p x E l i a R o t e v i s u l c x E
CONTENTS
Issue No. 281 October 2019
AUTUMN LOOMS: The first sign of railhead treatment train (RHTT) wagons out on the main line is a sure sign autumn is just around the corner. This was a rake being hauled from York to Stowmarket on September 3 by DRS Type 3 No. 37402, the working captured just north of its destination at Dagworth. Keith Partlow
FEATURES
NEWS
12
6
18
THE PENMANSHIEL TRAGEDY
How British Rail reacted when the East Coast tunnel collapsed and closed its premier line.
ROSCOS AT 25
The important role played by rolling stock leasing companies since Privatisation in the mid-1990s.
22
ANGLIA ‘SHORT SET’ FAREWELL
28
0-60: CLASS 707
A tribute to the Wherry Lines’ loco-hauled trains.
They might be new, but they probably won't be around for long – so how do they perform?
REGULARS 16 32
74
33
REVIEW
73
TIME TRAVELLER
Green diesels in the 1960s.
Headlines from decades past.
Dapol has unveiled a new Class 21/29 model in ‘OO’ gauge, while a limited edition Eastfield Class 37 has also been announced. Our technique feature shows how to convert a two-car Class 466 into a four-car Class 465, while reviews include Hornby’s ScotRail HST power cars and Bachmann’s sound-equipped Western Pullman set.
£21.50 NEVER MISS AN ISSUE... SUBSCRIBE TODAY – PAGE 16
RAILTOURS
80
POWER BY THE HOUR
82
POWERSCENE
90
UNITS
93
SHUNTERS & INDUSTRIALS
94
COACHES
95
WAGONS
96
IRISH ANGLE
MODELLING
FROM ONLY
A ‘Pacer’ farewell tour is announced, and it is goodbye from Great Northern ‘313s’ too.
PRESERVATION
The best ways to get Rail Express every month.
EXPRESS MAILBAG
Virgin displaced from British rail market as First consortium wins West Coast franchise; Greater Anglia ‘Flirts’ spread their wings; TPE introduces loco-hauled trains; EMR starts operations; ‘Pacer’ withdrawals get underway; HS2 paused for review; LNER in Devon; Former Hornby warehouse is a museum in the making; No. 37401 back in service but No. 37422 is in store.
76
SUBSCRIPTION OFFERS
‘Warship’ in Kent; Final Irish Mk.3s; G/WR '50'.
HEADLINE NEWS
Class 37/5 is saved; There are currently no working ‘Westerns’; LMS 10000 motor progress; ‘Teddy Bear’ stored at Wishaw; Glorious repaint completed; Gateshead Class 03s to be reunited; Brush Type 4 scrapped.
Ex-GWR HST update; GBRf ‘92s’ in action.
Notable workings, Name Game, and Spectrum.
First Stadler-built Class 755 bi-modes enter service around Norwich with Greater Anglia.
Two blues at RSS; Claytons for Tata.
New TransPennine Mk.5a stock put in store.
GBRf’s new box wagons start work.
Upgrade work closes Cross-Border main line.
Porterbrook has perhaps been the most visible of the three main rolling stock leasing companies (ROSCOs), with its purple-based livery carried at various times by ‘Deltic’ No. 55016, Type 4 No. 47817 and Class 57 No. 57601 – the latter pictured here at Bristol Temple Meads on June 20, 2001 when it was in service with First Great Western.
Editor’s Comment PRINT & DISTRIBUTION
Newstrade & distribution Marketforce UK Ltd, 5 Churchill Place, Canary Wharf, London E14 5HU. 0203 787 9001 Printed by William Gibbons and Sons, Wolverhampton Published Third Friday of every month This issue September 20, 2019 Next issue October 18, 2019 Advertising deadline October 4, 2019 ISSN No 1362 234X
Paul Bickerdyke Rail Express Editor
© Mortons Media Group Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage retrieval system without prior permission in writing from the publisher.
Farewell old friends
I
T has been another month of significant change across the network, as the railways prove once again that what can sometimes seem like a permanent fixture never really is. On the franchising front, Abellio’s East Midlands Railway has taken over from Stagecoach’s East Midlands Trains, promising new and upgraded units and a possible extension of the wires north of Corby, while Stagecoach and Virgin Trains are to lose the West Coast franchise to rivals First Group and Trenitalia from December. This means that Stagecoach and Virgin – both seemingly permanent rail brands that have achieved much in their time – will no longer be involved in running any of our passenger services for the first time since the late 1990s. The incoming West Coast Partnership has been tasked with integrating existing inter-city services out of Euston with those of the future HS2 line, but that side of the deal now looks in doubt with the high-speed project in review and a delay seemingly unavoidable. Trains may not now be running to Birmingham until 2029, and Leeds could be another 10 years
Rail Express is pleased to consider contributions for publication
after that! The railway engineers in France, Spain and China must be chuckling to themselves at these vast timescales. For enthusiasts, there are changes too. The first ‘Pacer’ trains have been withdrawn as replacements enter service in the North, while in East Anglia the loco-hauled ‘short set’ – a ‘temporary’ fixture since 2015 – may well have worked its last run by the time you read this. On the plus side, however, Class 68s have finally entered service with TransPennine Express, shuttling across the country between Liverpool to Scarborough. DRS ‘68s’ now dominate much of the remaining loco-hauled map (working for Chiltern, ScotRail and TPE), but as they look and sound so great it is no bad thing. Check them out if you haven’t already. Paul Bickerdyke
Please do not send images that have already been sent to other publications. Prints & slides are sent at the owner’s risk and must be accompanied by a SAE for return. Digital images can be sent by email, but please bear in mind we may not be able to reply to every one, as we receive hundreds of images each week. Although care will be taken with submissions, Rail Express assumes no responsibility for loss/damage, however caused. Submitted material may also be used in connection with other Mortons Media Group projects or as content on the internet. Payment for material used will be made promptly. Please send digital submissions to RailExpressEditor@mortons.co.uk or via CD or DVD to the editorial address. IMPORTANT: Images should be ex-camera with no Photoshop manipulation.
ADVERTISING
Group advertising manager Sue Keily skeily@mortons.co.uk Advertising Fiona Leak Tel: 01507 529573 Email: fleak@mortons.co.uk Publishing director Dan Savage Publisher Tim Hartley Production editor Sarah Wilkinson Designers Charlotte Fairman, Mike Baumber, Jake Sidebotham Reprographics Jonathan Schofield Subscription manager Paul Deacon Circulation manager Steve O’Hara
EDITORIAL
Want to know when your next edition of Rail Express is on the shelves?
Editor Paul Bickerdyke Tel: 01507 529540 Email: RailExpressEditor@mortons.co.uk Editorial address Rail Express Magazine, Mortons Media Group Ltd, PO Box 99, Horncastle, Lincolnshire LN9 6LZ
Scan this QR code for a reminder.
Having trouble finding a copy of this magazine? Why not just ask your local newsagent to reserve you a copy each month
Independent publisher since 1885
Like us on facebook facebook.com/RailExpressMag Follow us on twitter@railexpress Visit our website railexpress.co.uk
Nigel Burkin Editor Rail Express Modeller
Alistair Grieve Shunters
David Russell
Preservation Units Coaches
Gareth Bayer Power by the hour Wagons
David Rapson Powerscene
William Watson Irish Angle (with Alan McFerran)
Christopher Westcott LU World (with Piers Connor)
‘Industry Witness’ News Writer
SPECIAL READER OFFER
GREAT REASONS TO SUBSCRIBE TO >> Free UK delivery to your door or instant download to your digital device >> Save money on shop prices >> Never miss an issue >> Receive your issue before it goes on sale in the shops
SAVE OVER 45%
when yyou take out a subscription p to Rail Express p
EACH ISSUE FROM £2.42
VISIT www.classicmagazines.co.uk/redps
TERMS & CONDITIONS: UK orders only. Subscriptions will start with the next available issue. Offer closes 31/10/19. After your first direct debit payment your subscription will continue at the price you paid on this offer every six issues thereafter unless you are notified otherwise. You will not receive a renewal reminder and the Direct Debit payments will continue to be taken unless you tell us otherwise. Quoted savings are based on a 12 issue digital subscription when compared to the cost of 12 full price printed issues.
Take advantage of these SAVINGS and don’t miss an issue of
FIVE GREAT OPTIONS TO CHOOSE FROM...
PRINT ONLY
BES OFFERT
50 6thenissues FOR £21.50 £21.50 every six months Direct Debit » 12 issues FOR £45 Credit/debit card » 24 issues FOR £84 Credit/debit card »
DIGITAL ONLY
6Credit/debit issues FOR £15.99 card » 12 issues FOR £28.99 Credit/debit card »
No. 50008 at Kidderminster, Severn Valley Railway, on October 3, 2018.
or PHONE 01507 529529 QUOTE REF: REDPS LINES OPEN 8.30am-5pm (Mon-Fri)
FLEET SURVEY
25 years of ROSCOs
Much of Britain’s rolling stock is owned by three main leasing companies, which have now notched up 25 years in the rail market.
A
T the time that train operations in Britain were privatised in the 1990s, it was decided that asking the new franchised operators to purchase the rolling stock would discourage bidders wishing to operate services. With the length of franchises being set at much less than the service life of the vehicles, it was clear that the ability to lease rather than buy the rolling stock would be needed to allow effective business plans to be formulated. As a result, three rolling stock leasing companies (‘Roscos’) were formed, which took over ownership of British Rail’s rolling stock in April 1994 with the intention of a future sale. The Roscos initially remained subsidiary companies of BR, so the change was reflected in an asset transfer agreement that did not place a monetary value on the assets. The three names adopted for the leasing companies were Angel Train
Contracts Ltd, Porterbrook Leasing Company Ltd, and Eversholt Leasing Ltd. Ownership was transferred to the Government in August 1995 so that tenders could be issued to potential purchasers. An exception to the arrangements was the InterCity Special Trains business, where the assets were sold to Waterman Railways. This comprised a fleet of eight locomotives (a Class 46 and seven Class 47s) plus 115 vehicles that included 84 Mk.1 coaches and 15 Mk.3 sleeping cars. Railtrack also assumed responsibility for the Royal Train, which at that time had 14 vehicles available. Separate arrangements continued for the use of privately-owned rolling stock, such as the Orient Express, which had 19 vehicles owned by Sea Containers (the later operator of the East Coast franchise). Besides leasing vehicles to the new Train Operating Companies, the
At Privatisation, the remaining first generation DMUs passed to Angel Trains ownership – including No. 101681, which is pictured at Conwy on July 31, 1998, with a stopping service from Bangor to Llandudno.
18 RAIL EXPRESS October 2019
Porterbrook, one of the three main leasing companies, financed the overhaul of (and later acquired) preserved ‘Deltic’ No. D9016 (55016) in the late 1990s with a view to using it on main line services, the work including a repaint into Rosco purple and white house colours. The loco is pictured at York on April 6, 2002 heading the ‘Napier Navigator’ from Crewe. DC Collection
Roscos generally had responsibility for heavy maintenance work (workshop overhauls), whilst the TOCs took care of day-to-day servicing. This structure subsequently changed for some rolling stock types owned by the Roscos, with some TOCs opting to pay for a total package of maintenance and servicing in deals that have involved vehicle manufacturers such as Siemens and Alstom.
INITIAL ALLOCATIONS
The traction and rolling stock transferred to Rosco ownership was based on fleet type rather than vehicles used by an individual TOC, so operators were typically using trains owned by more than one leasing company. In the years immediately prior to the creation of the Roscos, BR’s passenger sector businesses had invested heavily in new rolling stock, which meant the average age of the fleet was 16 years. In total 11,300 locomotives and individual vehicles were transferred, leaving a fleet of a further 500 that were mainly used for mail and parcels. At the time of the ownership change, leasing terms had been agreed with each of the future TOCs, with the typical lease length of 7/8 years that reflected the expected length of the relevant franchise – but an element of the fleet, in particularly first generation DMUs and locomotive-hauled coaches, were covered by shorter contracts.
At the top of the list of vehicles not expected to remain in service for more than five years were the first generation DMUs operated by five franchises and the DEMUs operated by South Central. For EMUs, the Class 302 units used on LTS routes (Fenchurch Street-Shoeburyness) were also listed for early withdrawal. It was also thought that all sleeping car services would be withdrawn, but this was before a concerted campaign managed to persuade the franchising director to list the trains in the Passenger Services Requirement, which ensured their retention in the timetable. In terms of providing future capacity, TOCs could not compete to hire rolling stock unless it was returned ‘off-lease’ to a Rosco where permitted, but there was no restriction on leasing new trains direct from manufacturers. There was also effectively no spare rolling stock in the mid-1990s, other than the early Class 141 ‘Pacer’ units, and there was a large fleet of Mk.1-based EMUs that BR planned to withdraw because their crashworthiness was not up to modern standards. It was thought that Class 365 ‘Networker Express’ units would be built in substantial numbers after the initial construction of 41 four-car units in 1994, which were divided for use on King’s Cross suburban and South Eastern routes. Although the Government made funding available for this, the opportunity was not taken up by BR.
SCOTRAIL INTER7CITY HST T
No. 186 DIESEL AND ELECTRIC ERA MODELLING
Ultima Sound Pullman Western Pullman with sound reviewed 5
Newsdesk: Class 21/29 from Dapol
6
Newsdesk: Limited edition Class 37
Various versions of the North British Type 2 locos in ‘OO’ gauge are revealed, together with news of Accurascale’s 'OO' gauge PFA wagons.
Mickleover Model Railway Group’s has announced a limited edition model of Scottish Type 3 No. 37026 Loch Awe and Eastfield Mk.1 re-railing tool van.
10
D&E Files: Met-Camm 'Networkers'
An overview of the Class 465 and Class 466 EMUs with modelling in mind.
14
Modelling: Cut and shut 'Networker'
27
Review: Inter7City power cars
16
Exhibition diary
30
Review: Fife Circle coaches
20
Review: Western Pullman in ‘OO’
33
Review: Rolling stock round-up
Chopping the Hornby 'OO' Class 466 two-car EMU to build a Class 465 four-car set.
An advanced digital train set featuring Bachmann’s Ultima sound-equipped Western Pullman reviewed.
24
Review: ‘N’ HIA aggregate hopper wagon
Dapol’s brand new ‘N’ gauge Freightliner HIA hopper wagon examined.
A critical eye is run over Hornby’s much anticipated 'OO' gauge ScotRail HST power cars.
Attractive ScotRail ‘Saltire’ Mk.2f TSO and BSO stock arrives from Hornby.
Taking a look at the Hornby Class 156 decorated in RAF commemorative livery, plus Dapol’s 'OO' gauge Version 2 of its Class 73 model.
RAIL EXPRESS MODELLER EDITOR Nigel Burkin
REMeditor@mortons.co.uk
ENJOYED THIS PREVIEW? THE BEST ACTION IN TRIALS AND MOTOCROSS
DIRTb bike ke
VELO MAC MA S SPECIAL PECIAL NORTON RT RTON INTER AJS SCEPTRE SCEP E SPORTS! SCEPTR SPORTS POR ! PORTS
CLASSIC
#48
ISSUE
Forty-eight Autumn 2018
OCTOBER 2018
No. 330 October 2018 £4.30 UK Off-sale date 31/10/2018
MOTO MEMORIES // TECH TALK // MONTESA COTA 200 // BULTACO MATADOR
3.60
Running, Riding & Rebuilding Running, Rebuilding Real RealClassi RealC Classic C lassi Motorcycles
BOXER CKS TRIC
HOW THE LEGEEND BEGAN
SUPERMAC’S TRIUMPH DRAYTON
PRINTED IN THE UK
PLUS MOTO MEMORIES TECH TALK MONTESA COTA 200 BULTACO MATADOR AN HOUR WITH: GERRIT WOLSINK
£3.60 US$9.99 C$10.99 Aus$8.50 NZ$9.99 PRINTED IN THE UK
HOME, JAMES!
UNIVERSITY GRADUATE
#48
001 Cover_OCT.indd 1
AT THE CASTLE
DRUMLANRIG 2018 D 20
WINNER
SUPER PROFILE: ARIEL’S HT3
GREEVES ESSEX TWIN BUYING GUIDE // STRIP YOUR TWOSTROKE // BSA B31 RESTORATION // MALLE MILE // CAFE RACER CUP // SHETLAND CLASSIC // THE CLASSIC TT // MIKE HAILWOOD REPLICA
CLASSICS
65 PRE65 PRE
PRINTED IN THE UK
R 2018 ISSUE 174 OCTOBER
N48 2018 US$15.99 Aus$14.99 NZ$18.99 UK£5.50 UK Off-sale date 15/11/18
BUY SELL RIDE RESTORE
13/09/2018 10:34:50
001 CDB Cover_048.indd 1
02/08/2018 14:53:55
001 Cover_174.indd 1
03/09/2018 10:18:26
•SINGLE ISSUES •SUBSCRIPTIONS
CLICK HERE
www.classicmagazines.co.uk
ENDOFPREVI EW
I fy oul i k ewhaty ou’ v e r eads of ar ,whynot s ubs c r i be,ort r ya s i ngl ei s s uef r om:
www. c l as s i c magaz i nes . c o. uk