Operation Collingwood to sell its Class 50s:
Operation Collingwood, the charitable trust set up nearly ten years ago with the aim of establishing a heavy engineering training facility, has decided to dispose of its two Class 5()s - 50 029 Renomn + 50 030 Repulse - and associated spares T he decision was taken due to continued delays in securing the promised funding for the project. David < lough, spokesman for the charity, said: Whilst the locomotives arc not in an ideal slate.il should be feasible lor al least one, probably 50 0.30, to be returned to working order.' The locomotives will bi’ sold by competitive lender. Anyone interested in bidding should contact Mr Clough on 0I6I 952 (5.36 during office hours.T'hc Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway (where the locomotives arc currently based) has kindly agreed that the Class 5()s may be inspected during any Sunday in June or July. Tender documents will have to be submitted by July 27 anil will be dealt with by Collingwood's solicitors. Bull & Bull of London.

Platform:
Over the past few weeks I have had the opportunity to visit several of the preserved lines for their diesel galas and have been encouraged by not only the growth of such events, but also the variety now offered. At one time it was not feasible for more than one such event to be held at the same lime but now the interest in modern traction is such that two or three events can be held up and down the country anil seemingly all thrive. My first gal;i visit of the year was to the Severn
Valley Railway, where I swapped a Friday in front of a computer screen for a cab ride in Slug 6 . Who wouldn't? The old girl was not in the best of health but did her best to entertain as ever. I also enjoyed a ride behind 50 0.55/b* Royal making its return to passenger service, plus a quick spin behind DI0I3 Western Ranker for good measure. I In fortunately, the planned main line return of DI015 Weslern Champion has now had to be put back to early next year, but I'm sure that it will be worth waiting :t few more months for this historic occurcncc. The nearest heritage' line to our office is the Nene Valley Railway and I have made Iwo trips there recently, firstly for Pathfinder s Nene Navigator', worked by a Class 60 in and a 'Grid' out. A couple of weeks later I returned to witness the Dcltic Preservation Society's 55 Old Royal Highland Vusilier arrive for its spell of duty there The line has a strong historical connection with the Class in preservation anil it was good to sec a Class 55 al Wansford once more. In this issue, John Mann remembers fondly the long association between the Brush Type is anil Fast Anglia This link was recently relived when Anglia Railways hired in Class I7s to work between Norwich anil Yarmouth anil Lowestoft. I joined in the fun on Saturday, May I9, for some 'wedged' runs behind i7 295 + i7 727.1 can but hope that it was a profitable ilay for Anglia anil that we can look forward to more of the same this Summer. This sort of action won t last forever.
We must continue to make the most of what we can while we can.