Diesel locos at Shrub Hill

[TimBrown]

Yesterday morning, Tuesday 9 January 2024, Worcester Shrub Hill had two heritage diesel workings, first off Rail Operations Group 37884 'Cepheus' ran through the back road hauling redundant Trans Pennine Express 68024 'Centaur' and rake of modern MK 5 'Nova' coaches with Driving coach from Longsight Manchester depot to Long Marston for storage until a new operator finds a use for them.

A little later another ROG locomotive 37800 'Cassiopeia' ran through platform 2 of Shrub Hill station with a rake of 8 coaches comprising two four car class 319 EMUs from Allerton in Liverpool bound for Sims Metals at Newport where they will be stripped of useable parts and scrapped.

Then today, Wednesday 10 January 2024, Direct Rail Services 37425 'Concrete Bob' in (1990's?) Regional Railways livery ran into the back road on a route familiarisation working.

Finally, preserved and recently overhauled Western Hydraulic diesel D1015 'Western Champion' ran through platform one of Shrub Hill light engine on return to Severn Valley Railway having completed a loaded test run from Avonmouth to Gloucester with a train of cement wagons.

[ANDREW]

Thanks for posting these photos. By total chance I saw the 37 and 68 etc pass through New Street on Tuesday , I thought it unusual to see some rail fans on the platforms. And yesterday I saw both 37425 and 37219 pass through Bromsgrove. With the 'breeze' coming from a northerly direction ,the sound of the 37's heading up the incline brought back memories of 'the bankers'. Just for the record , I noted another 37 / Class 319 combination pass through Kidderminster today.

[MattW]

Excellent stuff.
Would be great to see a Whizzo back in Cornwall again soon!

[SEVERNLINK]

Thanks for posting these photos. By total chance I saw the 37 and 68 etc pass through New Street on Tuesday , I thought it unusual to see some rail fans on the platforms. And yesterday I saw both 37425 and 37219 pass through Bromsgrove. With the 'breeze' coming from a northerly direction ,the sound of the 37's heading up the incline brought back memories of 'the bankers'. Just for the record , I noted another 37 / Class 319 combination pass through Kidderminster today.

37219 and 37425 in it's former guise as 37292 were both allocated to Canton at certain times in their lives so it's likely that they would've performed banking duties on the Lickey possibly together

[ANDREW]

37219 and 37425 in it's former guise as 37292 were both allocated to Canton at certain times in their lives so it's likely that they would've performed banking duties on the Lickey possibly together

Intriguing thought ! If I looked in the loft / shed / spare room , I am sure there is a list I compiled of all the [diesel] loco's that I had observed banking on The Lickey.

[TimBrown]

A few more photographs taken at Shrub Hill, today Thursday 25 January 2024, with Direct Rail Services 57309 'Pride of Crewe' running through the Back Road on a route familiarisation run from Crewe to Gloucester.

166202 is seen working into Shrub Hill with a GWR Bristol to Worcester Foregate Street service with 57309 in the background.

66004 in unique green 'I am a Climate Hero' livery is seen working the Round Oak to Margam steel empties service.

Colas DR 73806 'Karine' a Plasser & Theurer Tamper track machine is seen stabled in the yard await its next turn of duty.

Yet another redundant Trans Pennine 'Nova' Mk 5 coach and DVT driving coach set en route from Longsight depot to Long Marston for storage awaiting a new train operating company to give them a fresh lease of life. This time hauled by matching liveried 68026 'Enterprise'.

[TimBrown]

Mid morning today, Friday 16 February 2024, Rail Adventure HST power cars are seen working through Shrub Hill platform 1 from Long Marston to Wembley with a rake of wagons and 20007. The train called in at Kidderminster sidings and 20007 is thought to have been delivered to the Severn Valley Railway.

Then just after lunch today pristine GWR 166205 is seen en route ECS from Doncaster Wabtec Works to Bristol St Philips Marsh Depot passing through Bredicot, presumably after completion of remedial overhaul work or an internal refresh. Whilst familiar in Worcester working over the North Cotswold line or to Bristol these Class 166's have never worked service North of Abbotswood Junction so this is quite a rare occurrence.

[MattW]

I still can't get used to those power cars being anything other than on each end of a rake of coaches!

[TimBrown]

I still can't get used to those power cars being anything other than on each end of a rake of coaches!

Agree it was a strange choice to use for freight haulage especially as HST's are high geared for 125 MPH running. I can understand the preserved 'Blue Pullman' set as it is used with updated Mark III coaches exclusively for high speed long distance passenger charters. Perhaps it is about running costs and reliability, I believe most of the freight locomotives currently 'stood down' are probably owned by one of the big banks and carry a heavy monthly lease charge. Whatever, it is great for us enthusiasts that HST's are put to good use rather than going for scrap or export to Mexico!