March 2012

Our ever reliable and popular Class 73 has been in service at the GCR(N) Diesel Gala during the Autumn, the highlight of which was for the 73 to be used to rescue a train from Rushcliffe Halt when 46 010 sadly shut down and could not be re-started (Thankfully the 46 was easily repaired and was back in traffic the following day once the lads from the "Western 46 Group" had successfully repaired a faulty oil pressure switch). The Loco has also been on "Standby" in case of an issue with 20 154 over the "Santa Special" season.
Post Christmas, the loco has also seen use on a Charter for Bedford Based "First Capital Connect" Train Drivers, who regularly hire a train for the day. I'm informed that all involved had a great time, and the FCC lads hope to return in the future to sample other diesel loco's based at the GCR(N). 

03/08/2011

After a busy start to the 2011 season working top and tail with various steam loco's, by early summer E6016's work load had decreased, with the loco taking a well earned break from it's previous front line duties.

Other than day to day maintenance such as greasing the bogies and brake rigging etc and topping up the batteries with distilled water, the loco has performed without fault, and continues to be an excellent flagship for the group.

During this quiet period (for E6016 that is), it is hoped to tidy the loco up a little by carrying out some patch painting to the areas of the bodywork that are suffering, and also to give the body a good clean. This will hopefully keep the loco looking somewhat more presentable for up to 12 months (probably more) before a well earned re-paint in the future into a more authentic livery. (whilst several Class 73's carried the livery that in currently carried by E6016, this loco wasn't painted as such, although it was chosen by us nearly 7 years ago as something totally different to our predominantly green fleet).

So, another busy period for us as a group, with more adventures on the horizon.

11/10/10

With 20154 out of service, 73110 has had to step up to the mark and carry out the bulk of the workload allocated to our loco's. This has seen the 73 working nearly every week in some form or other, either hauling permanent way trains in conjunction with work being carried out on the line (debris clearance, ballasting etc) to working passenger trains and most recently has worked private charters for various local companies. Other than the usual servicing (oil, fuel, water etc) the loco has performed in traffic without fault, although a few minor niggles have had to be rectified such as de-seizing the drivers "sun visors" (something we've not really had chance to use much until this years upturn in the weather), recently it has had to have a new slack adjuster fitted after one of them started to cause problems and we have recently refitted all the wood to the foot steps to the loco completing the overall look of the loco.