We have been informed of the following changes to Pathfinder’s forthcoming ‘Boot and Hoot’ railtour on 14th November.

Unfortunately, we have been advised by Hanson Traction that one of their two serviceable Class 56 locomotives (56311) now needs a complete power unit change after inspection of an engine fault last week. This, in effect, means that they will now not have a spare Class 56 to work our railtour this coming Saturday, as their other serviceable locomotive (56312) is tied into a long distance diagram for Colas Rail and will not be in a position to substitute. They also looked at the possibility of hiring in 56303 from RVEL, thus releasing ‘312 for our use, but this was also ruled out, as ‘303 is already on hire to a 3rd party and will not be available.

Therefore, instead of using a second ubiquitous DBS Class 66 locomotive, Hanson Traction will supply heritage Class 31 locomotive, 31190, as a direct replacement for the Class 56. One minor change is that the loco will complete its day at Stafford, rather than Birmingham International, which means arrival back at the latter will now be at 1935 (rather than 1900).