Evening all,
I've been tipped off this evening that the Arriva S+C stock will be
going to KNOTTINGLEY as of next Monday night as opposed to Healey
Mills. The plan seems to be to fuel one loco a night and
maintain/clean the stock in between diagrams there.
It is also booked to go to Knottingley this Thursday night for a full
external clean (locos and stock). Although an effort was made
recently using brushes(!) at Healey Mills, the stock was in a
disgraceful state externally right through December due to it being
diagrammed the extra day on the Saturday Xmas reliefs. It appears
that as soon as Arriva get wind that Richard Bowker and co. may be on
board this Friday, special arrangements are made...!
The 37's should now stick on the run until the 12 month contract ends
in December, rumours of 67's taking over are all but dismissed, due
to none of the Healey Mills men yet signing 67's. Also, apparently
the contract states that EWS will provide "class 37/4 locos". What
will happen BEYOND September is about as clear as mud, and is
basically down to whoever gets the Northern franchise. Arriva are
happy with the train though.
37408 is assigned a B/XAM this Friday night at KY. 411 should follow
suit in the not too distant future, and 405 appears not to be far off
completion of repairs.
Cheers,
James
(Gen courtesy of Martin T, NE Gen)
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