DSC00225 Good spot for a break
And so it begins. If rumours are proved to be true, this will be the final year of the 20s which will be withdrawn from service at the end of this years RHTT programme with worn wheelsets. DRS's serviceable class 20 numbers have been reducing year on year for the past few seasons. Last year's programme saw 66s and 68s slipped into the schedule when availability of the five remaining locos for two diagrams could not be maintained and this year only three serviceable locos appear to be available - 302, 303 and 305 and as far as can be told other than a trip to Gresty they have been laid up pretty much for 9 months since the end of last years service.
So it was worthy of a late lunch to catch 20302s first daylight arrival into Sheffield from the east, suitably in welcome sunshine. The locos parked up in a decent location - they have been known to wait half in sun, half shade, and not being able to wait for the 1 1/2 hours for their departure on my flying visit and look back towards the station to see the reason for their arrival which the leaves turning from green to yellow before (like the locos) their impending fall from grace and doom. The leaves (albeit different ones) will return next year, but what will be the traction. The sticking point for 66s is the tunnel north of Chapeltown through only which 20s, 37s (without roof horns) and Black 5s may pass.And 68s can't run Sheffield to Meadowhall due to gauge issues.
DSC00225 Good spot for a break
And so it begins. If rumours are proved to be true, this will be the final year of the 20s which will be withdrawn from service at the end of this years RHTT programme with worn wheelsets. DRS's serviceable class 20 numbers have been reducing year on year for the past few seasons. Last year's programme saw 66s and 68s slipped into the schedule when availability of the five remaining locos for two diagrams could not be maintained and this year only three serviceable locos appear to be available - 302, 303 and 305 and as far as can be told other than a trip to Gresty they have been laid up pretty much for 9 months since the end of last years service.
So it was worthy of a late lunch to catch 20302s first daylight arrival into Sheffield from the east, suitably in welcome sunshine. The locos parked up in a decent location - they have been known to wait half in sun, half shade, and not being able to wait for the 1 1/2 hours for their departure on my flying visit and look back towards the station to see the reason for their arrival which the leaves turning from green to yellow before (like the locos) their impending fall from grace and doom. The leaves (albeit different ones) will return next year, but what will be the traction. The sticking point for 66s is the tunnel north of Chapeltown through only which 20s, 37s (without roof horns) and Black 5s may pass.And 68s can't run Sheffield to Meadowhall due to gauge issues.