SIM on trial
The arrival of a Eurailscout-owned switch inspection nachine (SIM) in the UK at the beginning of June generated quite some interest among enthusiasts, primarily due to the two-axle wagon having HNRC-owned 20901 as motive power for its time undergoing trials on the Great Western Main Line. Numbered 99 84 0362 006-0, the Dutch-registered vehicle was built in 2016 but has only recently gained Network Rail approval, the infrastructure owner being keen to evaluate its digital data gathering and inspection abilities.
June 5 saw the Class 20 move the SIM from Didcot, where it was delivered by road, to Bristol Kingsland Road for several nights of tests around Temple Meads before transferring to the London end of the route. Late on June 12, the duo were recorded at Paddington while working from Didcot to Southall.
New deliveries
GB Railfreight’s intermodal fleet continues to expand, with another 40 FEA-G container flats having arrived in the country. On May 22, 66713 and 66752 double-headed 4Z20, the 02.35 Dollands Moor to Peterborough Yard, with twin-sets 81 70 4663 121 to 140, while the same working on June 12 had just 66768 up front and 81 70 4663 141 to 160 in tow.
Hawk deliveries
The JNA-Y ballast wagons undergoing conversion from MRA side-tippers have acquired the codename of Hawk, with completed vehicles continuing to emerge from Loram’s Derby workshops on a regular basis. May 24 saw 37418 take 81 70 5831 109-112 to Toton and the Type 3 repeated the journey on June 15 with 81 70 5831 113-123. On both occasions, a five-wagon MRA set was brought back to Derby for rebuilding, with consecutively numbered 501031/091/211/212/213 and 501032/092/214/215/216 the latest to be selected.
Latest disposals
By mid-May, Ron Hull had scrapped a large number of DB wagons on site at Tees Yard, these including MEA boxes 391359/475/668, RRA runners 400022/39/50 and SSA scrap wagon 470156. Large quantities of steel carriers were also cut, namely BAA/BZA 900004/11, 900129, 900247/49/78/86, BBA/BSA 910006/13/
