JUNE saw Colas Railfreight diesels drawing in the punters at the head of popular railtours.
On June 7, No. 70811 was the first of its type to haul a passenger train when it topped West Coast Railtours’ ‘Scarborough Spa Express’ from Dumfries to York, with WCRC No. 47804 coupled behind to provide electric train supply (ETS).
None of the 17 Colas Class 70/8s had previously hauled a passenger train since they were delivered in two batches by General Electric in 2014 and 2017. The GE ‘Powerhaul’ and its Brush-built companion gave way to steam traction at York, but were another successful variation on the ‘SSE’ theme, following the use of a Colas Class 56 and a Class 40 in 2017.
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