I have to report a slightly ill 88005. Victim of Hurrican Callum I suspect !.
We had set off from Kent and Surrey to get our last 88 at Rugby on Friday nights 4M48 Mossend to Daventry, due Saturday morning South through Rugby at 01:30 (corrected). This had got later and later due to a late start and the speed restrictions (50mph between Carstairs and Oxenholm). Was about 80 minutes late but the service was nearly back on time by Nuneaton probably due to some good performance but also due to skipping any layovers. It then taunted us by stopping (with a green signal in front I seem to recall) a few sections before Rugby on the up fast. The signal eventually got turned to red and then various other freights passed it on the slow line. Then over two and a half hours later the signal went back to green but progress was imperceptible. Eventually a new section was entered and then 3 hours late 88005 finally crawled into platform 6 at Rugby. It was then clear from the very heavy thuds that there was one (probably) big wheel flat. It seemed to be on the loco.
I suppose the driver must have slowed down on a leafy stretch after Nuneaton and, when starting again, noticed one wheel was now square !. The current wet and windy weather is at just the right time of year to bring lots of dying autumn leaves down and stick them to the rails.
I now gather 88005 is still at Daventry this Sunday having been left behind by its train which favoured 88004 !. Wheel skates or a low loader anybody ?.
I have finally caught up with my sleep having got back to Croydon in daylight !. I think that is the most suffering for a loco I have ever subjected myself to.