The decision to sell E6005 and E6006 to GBRF for use in their 73/9 rebuild program has been widely reported. The locos have already been moved to Loughborough and E6006 is being stripped prior to starting its journey down the production line. With the sale of these two locos the operational fleet of JAs in preservation is reduced to just 2 - E6001 at the Dean Forest and our own loco at the Swindon and Cricklade. The fact that so many of such a small class made it to their 50th birthdays is a real testament to the original design work on the class and the efforts of the Eastleigh Carriage Works in building them.
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The Swindon & Cricklade Railway will be holding their Diesel Gala on 18 and 19 October. In addition to E6003 hauling services the rest of the line's diesel fleet will be out in force with the 03, 08, 09 and Thumper in operation on the passenger service. The railway's smaller shunters will also be out and about marshalling the stock and the T
Our loco is rostered to work a number of trains over the weekend as part of this popular event. Unfortunately there was no timr to devise a comoflage
Our loco was in action yesterday, providing traction for the passenger service all day. With the lack of available steamers at the moment the service will need to be operated by either E6003 or the 09 whenever the railway plans to operate the Moonraker Dining set.
The extension to the shed at Hayes Knoll is coming on well with the next stage being the laying of ballast before the tracks are laid. When finished it will be a great facility with the added advantage of a pit long enough to allow safe working under E6003. We have a new website, this blog AND a Facebook group. We hope you'll enjoy them all and share your news and photos.
Over recent months E6003 has been in service at the Swindon & Cricklade, taking its turn working the Saturday diesel service and other work as needed. Recent mechanical challenges have included the need to replace a faulty relay and overhaul the injectors but these are just the challenges of running a loco which is now into its second half century. The work of the men who formed the group and hunted down spares that they knew would be needed one day has definitely paid off! E6003 helps in clearing the stock from the site of the new extension to the loco shed at Hayes Knoll, moving items to various locations along the line. As part of the process of building the new extension E6003's current home will lose its wall. As a result E6003 is moved to No. 1 road of the shed and the spares moved to secure storage. Our thanks to those who helped E6003 move house, by all accounts a backbreaking weekend for those involved but worth it in the long run.
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