Llangollen Diesel Group
News Archive 2
News 06/02/05
The long awaited removal of 37901s power unit took place this weekend. Although originally planned for last December the lift was delayed due to various logistical problems beyond our control. More details and some photos of the lift can be seen by clicking here.
37901s Mirrlees MB275T power unit being lifted clear.
News 25/01/05
The timetable for the 'Thomas' event featuring 46010 is now online.
News 15/01/05
Sound effects page added to site. In time this will feature sounds of all our locomotives available for download in mp3 format. Enjoy !
News 10/01/05
37240 was checked over this weekend and has had its bodysides washed down. The locos 'Dutch' livery really stands out when it is cleaned. The cooling system has been filled and its batteries have had a quick session on the charger. We have also checked over the cells as we are concerned that the batteries are nearing the end of their lifespan. The loco will be fired up hopefully next weekend and will be given a check over to ensure everything is ok. The loco has a driver experience job at the end of the month which will give it a much needed run out.
The much awaited power unit lift for 37901 is now scheduled in the next couple of weeks. Watch this space.
A couple of shots of 240 on shed while being watered up and checked over
News 12/12/04
D1566 is currently the standby loco for the railway's Santa Special trains, and will be utilised if for any reason there are problems with any of the rostered steam loco's for these duties. The loco has had C2 compressor contactor changed this weekend following the failure of the coil on the faulty unit. The loco has two compressors, which both run simultaneously when in air brake mode and when in vacuum brake mode only one compressor operates. With both machines running, the main reservoir will normally build up fairly quickly and it was during this that we realised that number two compressor wasn't running when it should have been, hence the faulty coil on the contactor. This would not have caused a problem in service as the loco normally runs in vacuum brake mode on only the one compressor anyway, but within half an hour the job was sorted and both machines are now running fine.
Work continues on 37901. The emergency fire pull handles are being re-fitted to the loco and also the power unit is due to be lifted out very shortly. More details will be shown on the 37901 mini-site in due course so keep checking back.
The individual loco mini-sites should all be finished hopefully in the next week or so, they can be accessed by clicking onto the images shown on the fleet page. Once they are all done, in the not too distant future I hope to add a few more pages here and there. If anyone has any ideas about what else they would like to see on this website concerning our loco's, please e-mail me.
News 15/11/04
The 'Laira Peak Re-union' charter took place on Saturday 13th, with 46010 in charge for the day. The loco worked five return trips of the line and performed impeccably throughout the day.
The event was ran in aid of long term Peak devotee Alan Threlfall, who unfortunately is suffering from a brain tumour. 46010 was Alan's top machine and it was thought by his friends that it would be a great idea to re-unite him with the loco, along with many fellow bashers from the past and present. Alan is currently raising funds for a Cancer charity and all proceeds from the event have been donated to this worthwhile cause. ( Approx £1550 ). Have a look at Alan's website to follow his progress.
Some photos of the day can be found by clicking here.
News 1/11/04
46010 has completed its 9 day stint as 'Thomas' character 'D199' and has worked all diagrams as rostered. The traction motor blowers gave up the ghost on the Wednesday of the event, this was rectified the same evening and was caused by worn brushes at number one end. As the motors are wired in series, if one motor fails, it will in turn take out its fellow machine at the opposite end and will cause the blue fault light to brighten on the drivers desk. There is also a small water leak to rectify on 'B' bank side of the power unit. We will attend to this before the loco works its charter on the 13th November.
LAIRA PEAK REUNION CHARTER SATURDAY 13th NOVEMBER
A charter train has been organised to commemorate the 20th Anniversary of the end of the class 46s on the above date. 46010 will work several round trips of the line and will form the basis of a 'Peak Army' reunion.
Another archive shot of 46010 at Doncaster Carr Depot 1994 (Photo M.Frodsham)
News 11/10/04
Firstly, a massive thanks to all who attended our Autumn Diesel Gala. Your continued support will ensure the running of diesel events in the future for all to enjoy. Unfortunately, due to a shortage of Guards, we were unable to operate the shunter rides at the event. Hopefully, this didn't spoil the event too much.
On the Saturday morning we managed to coax 25313 back into life after an 8 month hibernation. Unbelievably, everything worked first time !! The turbocharger still requires work though, as could be seen by the loco's clag factor !.
37240 also sprung a small water leak during the weekend, and also, to our extreme disappointment has started to smoke from 'B' bank again. Investigations will be taking place shortly.
Excessive 'clag' from B bank (left side) means more work on 37240 soon.
The power unit from 37904 arrived on the 7th October, and is currently stored ready for its transplant into 37901. See the 37901 pages for more details.
News 25/9/04
Unfortunately, 37901 will not feature at the diesel gala due to ongoing engine repairs.Please check out the 37901 mini-site which can be accessed from the fleet page.
Although not advertised in the railway press, it is hoped that old favourite 25313 will make an appearance, provided that repairs to its turbocharger can be effected in time.
The partially stripped MB275T power unit in 37901, photo MC.
37240 has recently received a replacement cylinder head on B3 cylinder, this will hopefully cure its long standing problem of smoking when idling.
News 24/9/04
Website re-launched.
Many thanks to Paul for initially setting up this website, who, due to time constraints, has now passed the honours over to myself, cheers mate!! As previous visitors will have noticed, this site has now taken on a more simpler format but hopefully as my computer skills improve so will the layout of the site!!!!!
One of my main objectives is to increase the number of photographs within each loco's mini-site enabling you to view the restoration story of our locomotive fleet.
The Webmaster