June 2016: 171s, ROG 37s, GE 442s and TPE 170 News

Edd Hughes.
 Southern:
As announced in 2015, ScotRail lost 9 of their 170/4 units as they prep for new additions - though  5 of these have returned to ScotRail following  sub-lease. 

The units which are staying were cascaded to Southern due to plans to use the stock on the Uckfield branch - converted into 171s so they're compatible with the existing units of their fleet. Anyone wishing to identify these ex-170/4 units, just look at the headlight arrangement compared to sister 171 units.

Just over 1 year on, following on from the new seating created by HDTrim, the first of these 171s have undergone a C6 overhaul at Wolveton and are now in Southern colours.

To confirm, the first units are 170421 + 170422 (renumbered as 1714XX), followed by 170423 (171401) and 170424 which has become 171402. Couplers have been changed too, to connect up to existing units like 171806 or 171202 (examples).

Class 442s:
Above: GBRF took 4 ex-GatwickExpress 442s to Three Bridges where they go into storage. There are rumours that only 4 of these units will be left at GE by the end of July, as 387s will have taken on the corridor pretty much full-time. 387202 is on loan to TLink at the minute, whilst one of their 387/1s undergo maintenance to prepare for transfer to GE too (as soon as more 700s join the fleet from construction). 387224/227 now in service, with 387228 also ready!

TPE 170s:
As circulated on the blog this Spring, TransPennine Express class 170s are all being transferred to Chiltern Rail, with many already cascaded. The Branch Line Society have scheduled a handful of railtours to say farewell, using two of these 2-car DMUs. More details here. Proceeds will be donated to Prostate Cancer UK and the Railway Children and Branch Line Society:
377 overhaul, with a lack of livery. 
On Saturday 2 July: Manchester Airport P4 (18.10) – Longsight DGL – Mayfield Loop – Manchester Piccadilly P13 – Manchester Oxford Road P1 (PU 18.37) – Warrington Central (RM) – Manchester Oxford Road P2 (RM) –Trafford Park West Reversing Siding (RM) – Manchester Oxford Road P1 (RM) – Manchester Victoria P6 – Philips Park South Jn – Manchester Piccadilly (SD 21.23 / RM) – Manchester Airport P4 (SD 22.12) 
TPE Class 170 Farewell – Sunday 3 July. Manchester Airport P4 (PU 09.25) – Manchester Piccadilly (PU 09.48 / RM) – Sheffield – Doncaster 2 Way Goods – Scunthorpe – Sheffield and Stockport – Manchester Piccadilly ( 18.24).

FINALLY:
From Ryan, we see two of the Rail Operations Group Class 37s, often used on stock movements including those for South Eastern Railway.

These look great with the addition of the new ROG vinyls to the side of the colourful  livery. Thanks Ryan for sending these in via Twitter - @TheGBRailScene - we appreciate the support of everyone. Photos remain copyrighted to their owner.

Harry.
Regards:

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