MOD Smalmstown, Cumbria. DRS's strategic Dump.
Long before DRS bought into the modern traction scene with its purchase of class 66's in 2003 it was very much an English Electric traction user, namely class 20's. To ensure a ready supply of spares and stored locos suitable for rebuilding for any increased workload they bought a lot of redundant locomotives that were put into store at MOD Smalmstown out of the public eye. By 2005 the DRS traction policy had moved on so the surplus stored fleet was sold mostly to Harry Needle Railroad Co. These locomotives were then towed out of MOD Smalmstown and parked in the exchange sidings on the end of the freight branch that also served MOD Longtown.
The line up here from front to back are 20 072, 20 032, 20 081, 20 215 and RFS 2017 (ex 20 088) with 33 008 at the far end. 20 072, 032 and 215 had been sold to DRS as far back as July 1997. RFS 2017 was obtained in September 1997 and 20 081 was obtained in December 2000. The whole lot were moved by road in May and June 2006 to Long Marston for further storage. The class 33 ended up at the Battlefield Railway and awaits preservation.
MOD Smalmstown, Cumbria. DRS's strategic Dump.
Long before DRS bought into the modern traction scene with its purchase of class 66's in 2003 it was very much an English Electric traction user, namely class 20's. To ensure a ready supply of spares and stored locos suitable for rebuilding for any increased workload they bought a lot of redundant locomotives that were put into store at MOD Smalmstown out of the public eye. By 2005 the DRS traction policy had moved on so the surplus stored fleet was sold mostly to Harry Needle Railroad Co. These locomotives were then towed out of MOD Smalmstown and parked in the exchange sidings on the end of the freight branch that also served MOD Longtown.
The line up here from front to back are 20 072, 20 032, 20 081, 20 215 and RFS 2017 (ex 20 088) with 33 008 at the far end. 20 072, 032 and 215 had been sold to DRS as far back as July 1997. RFS 2017 was obtained in September 1997 and 20 081 was obtained in December 2000. The whole lot were moved by road in May and June 2006 to Long Marston for further storage. The class 33 ended up at the Battlefield Railway and awaits preservation.