Recent content by spudfan

Fair enough, bit behind the times!The article says the order was confirmed on September 3rd, which would lead one to believe that it was all speculation up until the 3rd of September.

Confirmed more class 66 diesels for GB Railfreight http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/gb-railfreight-expands-class-66-fleet.html

Spotted in Derry/Londonderry station this morning. Two NIR blue GM Co-Co 111 class locos coupled with three ballast wagons. Locos were at the station end of things with the wagons facing the Belfast end of things. Last time I looked there was no track. Was this set up low loaded in to assist...

Regarding earlier comments. As far as I remember the class 31 locos were originally fitted with a Mirlees diesel engine but it was not a great success in the loco so was changed. Some 66's have been sent abroad it is true. This may in part be explained by a down turn in business but also it is...

Yep, that is mine too. The entries are the same as in the t.v. series. Like I said, the only thing it lacks are the maps which would really finish it off. Great for browsing and using with the t.v. series.

Bought one of the new Bradshaw's Handbook reprints. Unfortunately ,unlike Michael Portillo's original used by him in the t.v. series it does not have any maps in it.Nicely done etc but if you want one with the maps you will have to go the EBAY route. Thought I'd mention it incase anyone was...

Reviewing their options.... http://www.railwaygazette.com/nc/news/single-view/view/chinese-firm-fails-in-european-bid.html

Possible future rolling stock from China.... http://www.csre.co.uk/.

http://www.railwaygazette.com/nc/news/single-view/view/direct-rail-services-orders-15-vossloh-eurolight-uk-locomotives.html Some more info and links.

"Meanwhile, EMD is no longer actively developing the 66EU, which was to have been an updated version of its popular Class 66 freight locomotive specifically adapted for the Continental European market". Got that from a Rail news site. Does this mean no more new 66 diesels in Europe?

As they are now being assembled in Turkey, how about "Turks" or even "Turkeys"?

Might seem odd but I have found the best way to keep track clean is regular use. The more it is used the less it will need cleaned. I have been running locos for over 25 years, many of them Lima with the much maligned traction tyres. I have never seen black deposits on my mainlines. Never had...

According to Railway Gazzette, DB Schenker are to spend 410 million euro on fleet modernisation including 167 million euro on 71 locos throughout Europe. Wonder if any of these locos will be seen in the U.K.?

My daughter will be competing in the special olympics in Limerick. We have been told that a train will operate specially from Derry to Limerick. No changing will be involved and no messing about with hauling luggage at a change over. It is a special arrangement for the occasion.

Regarding classes 47 , 37 and others of the Br era. Lots of these were built in large numbers. However how long in BR days could a loco sit awaiting repair? Some locos sat for months and were covered by another loco from a vast pool, a lot of which probably stood idle for large periods of time...