Accrington Railways - Robert Kenyon

EMUs later. The order specifies that the MMUs are capable of being converted to either EMUs or BMUs and vice -versa. Thursday the 6 th saw Northern 's156:416 on the Headbolt Lane to Blackburn service with 156:417 on the Blackburn to Headbolt Lane service. This has been another disastrous week for Colas. On Monday 56:078 failed on Preston Docks and was unable to return, so 66:847 brought the train back on Tuesday with the failed locomotive on the rear. On Wednesday the 12 th the train was cancelled again, having only reached as far as York on its outward journey. However, it was rescheduled to operate onwards but was half-an-hour late through Accrington at 14:54 behind 66:847 named ' Terry Baker '. (This locomotive was previously numbered 66:574. Towards the end of the month Colas had reverted to using double-headed Class 56s. A combination of 56:302 ' PECO the railway modeller 2016 – 70 years ' with 56:051 ' Survival ' were on duty on Tuesday the 25 th and Wednesday the 26 th . In the very early hours of Wednesday morning an engineering train passed through en route from Healey Mills to Blackburn. It returned an hour later at 04:50. A conversation with an employee of SSI contractors, revealed that they are the firm who are working for Northern to keep the stations on the East Lancs Line clean and tidy. They are also responsible for changing any material displayed in the cases including any advertisements and notices. This particular individual is responsible for all the stations between Colne and Rishton and including Burnley Manchester Road. He also revealed that he works alongside those groups who go under the heading of 'Friends' of railway stations who work under the guidance of the of the local East Lancashire Railway Partnership to adopt a station. Members of these groups are rewarded with free rail travel, something that is not available to their contractors. July It appears as though Colas are having difficulties with its locomotive stock, as on Wednesday and Thursday the 3 rd and 4 th of the first week they were having to obtain their engines from Freightliner to operate the Preston Docks to Haverton bitumen tanks. The loco on these occasions was again 70:009. The timings have also been inconsistent with both late and early appearances through Accrington. On Thursday there was also an empty stock working from Steamtown Carnforth to Saltburn Sidings in Cleveland. This was topped-and-tailed by a pair of 47s with 47:802 on the front and 47:826 bringing up the rear. This was probably to operate one of West Coast's expensive day tours. Number 802 was new in September 1966 as D1950 and was allocated to West Coast mainlines and was previously named ' Pride of Cumbria ', and numbered 47:552 in the TOPS series. It was obtained from Direct Rail Services. Number 826 was new in November 1965 as D1976 and allocated to Haymarket Sheds in Edinburgh. In the TOPS series it was first numbered 47:274 then 47:637, and was named ' Springburn ' after the locomotive works in Glasgow. Neither loco is currently named. Class 37:706 from West Coast Railway's was commandeered to travel light engine from Carnforth to York, in order to take 60103 ' Flying Scotsman ' to the railway museum at Shildon. New from the Vulcan Foundry in June, 1961 as D6716 and allocated to Stratford Sheds in East London it also carried TOPS number 37:016. It had previously been named but no longer carries one. Although the Colas Rail tanker train has been running inconsistently and to anther schedule, on Tuesday the 16 th , it was double-headed by 56:105 with 56:090, to be followed the following day by 56:302. On Tuesday the 23 rd , two HST power cars 43:357 and 43:301 passed through Accrington on an unusual working between Derby and Blackburn and return. Owned by Porter brook they were in the mauve livery of Cross Country their last operator. 43:357 was formerly 43:157 and 43:301, 43:101. They were allocated to Network Rail's Old Dalby near Melton in Leicestershire, where the test track is located. August On Monday the 5 th , the Colas Rail tanker train was back to being double-headed. On this occasion 56:302 with 56:078 were in charge. The following day 56:302 was on its own and running fifteen minutes early. Originally numbered 56:124 it has also carried the name ' PECO The Railway Modeller 2016 – 70 years '. On Saturday the 10 th Locomotive Services Ltd ran their North West Wanderer excursion, using a number of locomotive types including Class 50, 47 and 40 on circular legs of a tour around the lines of the region. The final leg brought the train through Accrington in the early evening powered by double headed Class 37s, 37:409 in ScotRail livery with green liveried 37:521, with, bringing up the rear 'Peak'

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