Crewe Locos (Stored/Withdrawn)

[59CosG95]

In all honesty, the thread may as well be called "Operational status of the Class 67s"

 

[TimboM]

In all honesty, the thread may as well be called "Operational status of the Class 67s"

That or "Will we ever see some of these 67s again...?"

 

[59CosG95]

That or "Will we ever see some of these 67s again...?"

Indeed, unless you go around the depots!

[WIBBLE]In all seriousness, I would love it if DB Cargo were to open Toton or Crewe Electric to the public once a year again. Back in the early days of EWS, open days to CE and TO weren't an uncommon occurrence, but (IIRC) someone fell down one of the maintenance pits one year and then EWS put the foot down, outlawing Open Days therein.
Freightliner's 3rd-party organised trips to Basford Hall (and I THINK Midland Rd) seem to be successful, along with DRS' Crewe GB/Carlisle Kingmoor Open Days.
GBRf seem to manage fine without them, as they do their railtours instead, but DB seem to be the Black Sheep in this respect.
It would certainly give the company some good publicity from the enthusiast community, and, if proceeds went to a charity, from the wider community as well![/WIBBLE]

 

[TimboM]

Indeed, unless you go around the depots!

[WIBBLE]In all seriousness, I would love it if DB Cargo were to open Toton or Crewe Electric to the public once a year again. Back in the early days of EWS, open days to CE and TO weren't an uncommon occurrence, but (IIRC) someone fell down one of the maintenance pits one year and then EWS put the foot down, outlawing Open Days therein.[/WIBBLE]

I've been thinking that too - a charity open day at CE (particularly for me as nearby) and/or Toton would be very popular I'm sure. Although not sure if it would be mixed feelings seeing all those 60s/92s etc growing weeds. Maybe that's another reason they don't open the doors...?

You'd also think providing supervised access would reduce those who feel inclined to trespass / put themselves in danger to try and see what's going on in these places.

 

[59CosG95]

I've been thinking that too - a charity open day at CE (particularly for me as nearby) and/or Toton would be very popular I'm sure. Although not sure if it would be mixed feelings seeing all those 60s/92s etc growing weeds. Maybe that's another reason they don't open the doors...?

You'd also think providing supervised access would reduce those who feel inclined to trespass / put themselves in danger to try and see what's going on in these places.

I'd agree with you on all those scores! Certainly more people try to bunk CE (without success due to the weeds and trees everywhere) than they do Gresty Bridge.

 

[6Gman]

Yesterday 67010 and 67015 were both at Crewe, sitting alongside each other in Platforms 7 & 8. Most curious.

 

[59CosG95]

Yesterday 67010 and 67015 were both at Crewe, sitting alongside each other in Platforms 7 & 8. Most curious.

Interesting...perhaps 010 is finally getting its DB logos?

 

[6Gman]

On the Crewe IEMD thing, as a (semi) local:

The row of 90s (including 17 22 23 30 32 33 38) can be seen from Crewe - Chester trains. Sometimes other things can be seen (depending what's been shunted around) near them. The depot can "sort of" be glimpsed but walls, window heights, trees etc can make identification tricky. (I managed to id 66011 from a passing 150 yesterday for example.)

Some locos can sometimes be glimpsed from Wistaston Road - the ramp at the start of the BMX track can be useful in giving a raised viewing position.

I've been told (never tried it myself) that with a bit of elevation (stepladder? stand on the roof of your car? ) and binoculars the depot can be viewed from the Morrisons car park on Dunwoody Way!

 

[6Gman]

There is a small gap in the fence which you have to duck through to get a decent shot of 025 up close and personal; 60055 is there as well.

This location can be viewed from the access road/ car park of a business centre. If you're in a car just have a drive in (nobody will challenge you).

If you are challenged just apologise and leave.

 

[6Gman]

I THINK you have to be on Freightliner property to see it, but may be wrong. Sure someone will know for definite.

Looking at the video it appears to be here: https://goo.gl/maps/YvEFCjDBdLu ...which looks like a private service road to me.

It is a private service road. There used to be a public footpath which could be used to get to the fenceline to view, but there's been major works in the area (roads, landscaping, drainage work) so not sure if the footpath is still there and where it runs.

But you'll need willies!

... or even wellies.

 

[TimboM]

On the Crewe IEMD thing, as a (semi) local:

The row of 90s (including 17 22 23 30 32 33 38) can be seen from Crewe - Chester trains. Sometimes other things can be seen (depending what's been shunted around) near them. The depot can "sort of" be glimpsed but walls, window heights, trees etc can make identification tricky. (I managed to id 66011 from a passing 150 yesterday for example.)

Some locos can sometimes be glimpsed from Wistaston Road - the ramp at the start of the BMX track can be useful in giving a raised viewing position.

I've been told (never tried it myself) that with a bit of elevation (stepladder? stand on the roof of your car? ) and binoculars the depot can be viewed from the Morrisons car park on Dunwoody Way!

Thanks for that info - might do a Crewe-Chester return trip in the near(ish) future. I live (sort of) in between the two, so never have need to use that particular line.

Failing that, will hire a cherry-picker, take it to Morrison's car park with some binoculars and charge enthusiasts £5 a go...

 

[PHILIPE]

Yesterday 67010 and 67015 were both at Crewe, sitting alongside each other in Platforms 7 & 8. Most curious.

67015 had arrived light from Cardiff Canton and booked into Platform 7 arriving 1410. 67010 alongside in Platform 8 to run 1440 light to Canton. Changing over one of the two locos (1 work and 1 spare) on the Cardiff to Holyhead Premier Service. So, in effect, not an unusual type of move and which takes place every week/10 days. No doubt conveniently platformed in station for driver to change from one to the other

 

[6Gman]

67015 had arrived light from Cardiff Canton and booked into Platform 7 arriving 1410. 67010 alongside in Platform 8 to run 1410 light to Canton. Changing over one of the two locos (1 work and 1 spare) on the Cardiff to Holyhead Premier Service. So, in effect, not an unusual type of move and which takes place every week/10 days. No doubt conveniently platformed in station for driver to change from one to the other

That makes sense. Both were carrying HD Holyhead depot stickers. Nice touch!

 

[PHILIPE]

That makes sense. Both were carrying HD Holyhead depot stickers. Nice touch!

Have edited my post after spotting error. 67010 booked to leave at 1440. Wrote 1410 by mistake.

 

[Tracked]

I need all for haulage but not likely to get them tbh.
My 67s needed:

030 - See & Photo.

Just seen it at Doncaster, parked up near the works, it was there this morning.

 

[DarloRich]

Indeed, unless you go around the depots!

[WIBBLE]In all seriousness, I would love it if DB Cargo were to open Toton or Crewe Electric to the public once a year again. Back in the early days of EWS, open days to CE and TO weren't an uncommon occurrence, but (IIRC) someone fell down one of the maintenance pits one year and then EWS put the foot down, outlawing Open Days therein.
Freightliner's 3rd-party organised trips to Basford Hall (and I THINK Midland Rd) seem to be successful, along with DRS' Crewe GB/Carlisle Kingmoor Open Days.
GBRf seem to manage fine without them, as they do their railtours instead, but DB seem to be the Black Sheep in this respect.
It would certainly give the company some good publicity from the enthusiast community, and, if proceeds went to a charity, from the wider community as well![/WIBBLE]

gee anyone would think they were running a business. I wonder how much they care about profiles with spotters. Oh that's right: not at all.

 

[59CosG95]

gee anyone would think they were running a business. I wonder how much they care about profiles with spotters. Oh that's right: not at all.

Not at all? A bit strange that they're sending a loco to the SVR this year for the Diesel Gala! DRS and GBRf seem to care for spotters as well, and GBRf's taking a large chunk of DB's business here! (e.g. the Dollands Moor-Irvine silver bullets, the Caledonian Sleeper etc.) It may of course be, as many others say, that they don't want enthusiasts to see the locos up close in such a dilapidated state at Crewe & Toton, as they'd kick up a fuss. But then again, what do I know?

 

[TimboM]

gee anyone would think they were running a business. I wonder how much they care about profiles with spotters. Oh that's right: not at all.

DRS, GBRf and Freightliner all manage it - and they run businesses. Part of running a business is about engaging with the communities you interact with - whether local residents or spotters in the case of a FOC. Can also help generate good free publicity (raising money for charity etc).

As I mentioned above, there's also a "health and safety" point in terms of arranging supervised access to deter people from trespassing on railway and neighbouring property and possibly putting themselves in danger to see the depots.

One open day per year is hardly going to disrupt a business materially... A major road-building project near me shut the whole 5-mile long site down for a weekend to hold a charity walk along the partly-built road. Gave them and the charity great publicity and raised loads of money for the charity. New road still opened on time.

You're quite right they don't have to and in terms of how much DB care about their profile with spotters, the answer is evidently not very much!

 

[TimboM]

It may of course be, as many others say, that they don't want enthusiasts to see the locos up close in such a dilapidated state at Crewe & Toton, as they'd kick up a fuss. But then again, what do I know?

The more I think of it, I reckon this could well be a key reason. I don't think any other FOC has anywhere near the volume of stored locos that DB have. From the photos/videos that are snapped of Crewe/Toton a lot of the stored locos there look in a very sorry state. Bearing in mind they also include many examples of enthusiasts' favourites such as 60s and 92s, which incidentally cost the UK taxpayer millions and as I understand it were effectively given to EWS for free.

I'm not for one moment suggesting DB should have done anything different with locos that have no economic use currently - but maybe they don't want the adverse publicity of lots of photos/videos doing the rounds of row upon row of 90s, 92s and 60s rusting away...?

 

[DarloRich]

DRS, GBRf and Freightliner all manage it - and they run businesses. Part of running a business is about engaging with the communities you interact with - whether local residents or spotters in the case of a FOC. Can also help generate good free publicity (raising money for charity etc).

So what - it is up to DBS if they want to generate good will with non customers or even care about such a thing. I do understand the goodwill aspect but it is a lot of hassle for not much tangible reward. For a commercial business the bottom line will be how does this improve the bottom line and win us more paying customers.

As I mentioned above, there's also a "health and safety" point in terms of arranging supervised access to deter people from trespassing on railway and neighbouring property and possibly putting themselves in danger to see the depots.

There is but that can be overcome if the will or desire is there.

One open day per year is hardly going to disrupt a business materially... A major road-building project near me shut the whole 5-mile long site down for a weekend to hold a charity walk along the partly-built road. Gave them and the charity great publicity and raised loads of money for the charity. New road still opened on time.

it isnt a one day event though is it?

There are months of preparations and arrangements to be made. I guess most of these events are run by volunteers in their spare time as I doubt you would want to let staff off their duties to book a hot dog vendor or and ice cream van or arrange for sponsorship for visiting locos. I had a limited involvement with a very small community open day. It went well and was positive but the stresses involved were huge.

 

[DarloRich]

Not at all? A bit strange that they're sending a loco to the SVR this year for the Diesel Gala! DRS and GBRf seem to care for spotters as well, and GBRf's taking a large chunk of DB's business here! (e.g. the Dollands Moor-Irvine silver bullets, the Caledonian Sleeper etc.) It may of course be, as many others say, that they don't want enthusiasts to see the locos up close in such a dilapidated state at Crewe & Toton, as they'd kick up a fuss. But then again, what do I know?

Maybe someone is paying the costs of getting the loco to the railway, all the fuel and all the staff costs. Maybe it is part of a mileage accumulation process. It could be anyone of a 100 things including a bit of community engagement

I still don't understand how you think "caring" for spotters enhances a business. Are you suggesting pandering to spotters wins GBRF work? I would suggest what wins GBRF work is price, flexibility, performance, service, reliability etc.

I also wonder how much I would care if a spotter complained that a dead loco that has no realistic future other than the scrap yard looked tatty. it wont be much. I guess if you aren't regularly in a depot environment open days can be fun (and i have been to them in the past) but they are, after all a place of work.

 

[TimboM]

Afternoon all,

Can any advise with this:

I am missing a few cl.67s for sight (and photos of) and some are based at Crewe (CE). Where is the best place to get decent photos of these locos (listed below) and best way to get to them.
67004, 67009, 67011, 67030

Also looking to get some decent photos of the stored/withdrawn cl.90s there too.
90017, 90020, 90021, 90022, 90023, 90024, 90025, 90026, 90027, 90031, 90032, 90033, 90038, 90041, 90050.

Thanks in advance.

I've just overtaken 90020 on the WCML between Stafford and Crewe then saw it again at Crewe. Still down as stored on WNXX, but it was certainly enjoying a run out to Stafford and back in the afternoon sunshine.

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/O84792/2017/03/28/advanced

 

[59CosG95]

I've just overtaken 90020 on the WCML between Stafford and Crewe then saw it again at Crewe. Still down as stored on WNXX, but it was certainly enjoying a run out to Stafford and back in the afternoon sunshine.

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/O84792/2017/03/28/advanced

Presumably a test run to make sure she still works!

 

[TimboM]

Presumably a test run to make sure she still works!

That she certainly still does. Verified with my own eyes from a few feet away!
DB have got one or two of the less decrepit ones out of store recently (e.g. 90037) so maybe this one is on the way back too.

Apparently it did Stafford and back three times today and once last Tuesday too. Seems like some serious testing.

 

[03_179]

It'll be impressive if they take 90050 out as well lol

 

[SC318250]

90020 was only stored while having a bogie change

90035 currently getting a bogie change

 

[Strathclyder]

It'll be impressive if they take 90050 out as well lol

Am surprised that 050 hasn't been scrapped yet, given the state it's been in for the better part of a decade! It's Crewe's 'christmas tree' and little else these days. A return to service is highly unlikely, given how long it's been left out in the open, being robbed for parts and otherwise being left to rot. Such a waste...

 

[Bevan Price]

Am surprised that 050 hasn't been scrapped yet, given the state it's been in for the better part of a decade! It's Crewe's 'christmas tree' and little else these days. A return to service is highly unlikely, given how long it's been left out in the open, being robbed for parts and otherwise being left to rot. Such a waste...

I think the fire must have caused so much damage that it was not worth repairing. So it makes sense to use any useful components to keep the other FL 90s in service.

 

[PHILIPE]

Less broken! WNXX said it left the WAWC pool and went into WQAA, while 67020 came out from WQAA into WAAC, after a year in store.

67020 ran LE Crewe to Canton yesterday and will go into the Holyhead WAG working whenever 67010 is swapped out.

 

[TimboM]

Am surprised that 050 hasn't been scrapped yet, given the state it's been in for the better part of a decade! It's Crewe's 'christmas tree' and little else these days. A return to service is highly unlikely, given how long it's been left out in the open, being robbed for parts and otherwise being left to rot. Such a waste...

The fact it's the "last in Class" may have some bearing why it's not been scrapped yet, although you'd think when the time comes if someone wanted to preserve one you'd go for an example that was in better nick!