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Withdrawn Trident 33039 has been moved from it's home on death row at the bottom of the patch and is now indoors. It is to be re-instated and used and a pending Rail Replacement contract. I understand it will be joined by two other double-decks from elsewhere, which I'm guessing will be on loan.

Thanks for that good news, Adam;

I love First Worcester to get extra DD work, and your info regarding temporary allocations and "visitors" stops me from getting disappointed when they aren't for normal service, and don't stay !

I wonder if the Rail Replacement contract is the Bromsgrove line closure from the 25th October?

Just called in the Commercial office to find out, and yes. Bromsgrove to Longbridge and Bromsgrive to Droitwich. Starting on 26th and lasting for 2 weeks.

Sounds like a big contract as it requires 13 drivers and FIVE double-decks on loan... one from Stoke, one from Leicester and three from Bristol

As I am to become one of these thirteen drivers, I'm intrigued as for whether we have any sort of confirmation yet as for what these loaned vehicles are going to be?

I suppose if they end up being of a type that isn't to my liking I could always be that soldier and volunteer to drive 33039...

I am under the impression that the three from Bristol are vehicles that have been on loan from Leicester and will be calling in at Worcester on their way home. This would make them some of this years StreetDecks but our network planner, who has organised the work, told me they would be Enviro400s...

I think it's a case of 'watch this space!'

Shame 38125 isn't about any more.

AdamH wrote: ↑

12:39 Wednesday 12th October 2016

Just called in the Commercial office to find out, and yes. Bromsgrove to Longbridge and Bromsgrive to Droitwich. Starting on 26th and lasting for 2 weeks.

Sounds like a big contract as it requires 13 drivers and FIVE double-decks on loan... one from Stoke, one from Leicester and three from Bristol

This will mean WR having it's biggest allocation of DDs since some-time in the 1970s - albeit only temporarily.

- During 1976, up until the October, WR had 9 permanent DDs (5257, 5282, 5319, 5351, 5445, 6017, 6052, 6053, 6093); plus one or two temporary ones.
(Malvern had 5 D9s, solely for use on the 144).

By late 1976, all these were replaced by new Leyland Nationals, and MN garage was closed.

- So I shall consider this Rail Replacement event to be a 40th anniversary celebration of the above

AdamH wrote: ↑

07:56 Sunday 16th October 2016

Shame 38125 isn't about any more.

A proper vehicle

It is looking likely, but not yet confirmed, that the three double-decks that are due on loan from Bristol will be three Enviro400s that car currently on loan to Bristol from Manchester. Looks like they will be calling in at Worcester for a few days on their way home.

AdamH wrote: ↑

20:03 Wednesday 19th October 2016

It is looking likely, but not yet confirmed, that the three double-decks that are due on loan from Bristol will be three Enviro400s that car currently on loan to Bristol from Manchester. Looks like they will be calling in at Worcester for a few days on their way home.

If it is to be them, and they are NEW, or less than one year old, I think we should do something to keep them, and prevent them going back up-north !
(any ideas how, anyone?)

( - is the 144 responding-well to the cheap fare-zone ??)