Blast from the Past
For the first time since GBRf took over the Frethun (Calais) to Irvine Caledonian Paper china clay slurry flow at the start of 2017, a DB/EWS-liveried locomotive hauled 6S94 north of Dollands Moor. This wasn't a hire-in, though, but the last of the ten Class 66s bought by GBRf from DB Cargo in December 2017 to be in its former owner's colours.
Class 66, 66 008 - soon to become 66 780 - powers its load of twenty tanks north through Hartford station. After an earlier delay in Kent, 6S94 had left Wembley 74 Late, however by Hartford (and with the help of missing out some loopings) 66008 and reduced the delay to just 7 Late.
These tanks were due to run the previous Thursday, but after some issues getting the tanks through from France the load was eventually brought through the tunnel on the Monday night (by GBRf's 92 032 + 92 044) and then ran in its "usual" Wednesday path - via the Settle & Carlisle as it has done regularly in recent months.
Evidence of some of the modifications GBRf are making to the ten "GBOB" 66s to bring them into line with their existing 66/7 fleet can be seen with the windows having been replaced with double-glazed units. This mod, along with the fitting of air-con, are key driver comfort improvements and done at Longport EMD.
66008/66780 will go into Eastleigh in the coming weeks to receive its new livery - but will that be standard GBRf blue and orange, or something a little different...??
Blast from the Past
For the first time since GBRf took over the Frethun (Calais) to Irvine Caledonian Paper china clay slurry flow at the start of 2017, a DB/EWS-liveried locomotive hauled 6S94 north of Dollands Moor. This wasn't a hire-in, though, but the last of the ten Class 66s bought by GBRf from DB Cargo in December 2017 to be in its former owner's colours.
Class 66, 66 008 - soon to become 66 780 - powers its load of twenty tanks north through Hartford station. After an earlier delay in Kent, 6S94 had left Wembley 74 Late, however by Hartford (and with the help of missing out some loopings) 66008 and reduced the delay to just 7 Late.
These tanks were due to run the previous Thursday, but after some issues getting the tanks through from France the load was eventually brought through the tunnel on the Monday night (by GBRf's 92 032 + 92 044) and then ran in its "usual" Wednesday path - via the Settle & Carlisle as it has done regularly in recent months.
Evidence of some of the modifications GBRf are making to the ten "GBOB" 66s to bring them into line with their existing 66/7 fleet can be seen with the windows having been replaced with double-glazed units. This mod, along with the fitting of air-con, are key driver comfort improvements and done at Longport EMD.
66008/66780 will go into Eastleigh in the coming weeks to receive its new livery - but will that be standard GBRf blue and orange, or something a little different...??