Leighton class 60s 1991-2022

Class 60s through Leighton 1991-2022

Class 60s have never been common through Leighton, just a few booked turns bringing a fair few different “tugs” through Leighton Buzzard over the years. In 1991 Bletchley received a class 60 for crew training for use on the Bletchley – Peak Forest stone train. Whilst spare 60013 worked at least 2 passenger turns through Leighton after 87s failed, May 30th 1991 and June 23rd 1991 seeing 60013 work a failed service through to the blocks at Euston.

Regular 60 turns include the Kings X Goods – Forders from 2001-2004, the “Tunstead Tanks” Wembley – Peak Forest cements from 2006 to 60059’s last working on 160113. The Peak Forest – Crawley was routed via the WCML early on Saturday mornings bringing nocturnal 60 operation. Random engineers trains would bring DB 60s from Bescot in later years. Electrification of the Gospel Oak line saw 6L44 Oxwellmains – West Thurrock cements diverted from the Midland to the WCML via the Bedford – Bletchley in 2017/2018 with Colas 60’s.

Then DC rail set up spoil operations on Willesden SW Sidings with regular spoil services using their 4 strong fleet of 60s (60 fleet size expected to increase big time later in 2022) to Chaddesdon (Derby) from 2020, long may it continue!

Sample known workings through Leighton

60002 6L44 Oxwellmains – W.Thurrock cement 170518

60007 Peak Forest – Crawley stone 021113

60010 6M64 Forders – Kings X Goods 090601

60011 6H50 Wembley – Peak Forest “Tunstead Tanks” 280709

60013 1830 Manchester – Euston (ex BY, 87009 fail) 300591

60019  Chaddeston – Wembley spoil e’s 310520

60021 6L44 Oxwellmains – W.Thurrok cement 260917

60025 6H50 Wembley – Peak Forest “Tunstead Tanks” fail Rugby, 040706

60028  Wembley – Chaddeston spoil 300420

The rare sight of a pair of 60s with 60028 and 60029 passing Leighton with Chaddesdon – Wembley spoil empties on June 16th 2022

60028/60029 Chaddesdon – Wembley spoil e’s 160622

60029  Chaddesdon – Wembley l/e 220622

Thanks to Ray of Dunstable for this 5am image of 60031 throbbing through Old Linslade with the Peak Forest – Wembley “Tunstead Tanks” on July 18th 2006

60031 Forders – Kings X Gds spoil e’s 080904

Thanks to “Red Cow” for this crisp image of 60034 passing Old Linslade with 6M34 Kings X Goods – Forders on July 1st 2004

60034 6M64 Kings X Gds  – Forders 010704

60037 Forders – Rugby (via WM) ballast Leighton 160102

60040 D engineers Leighton 100598

60042 Forders – Kings X Goods 060303

60046 Chaddeston – Wembley l/e 080421

60048 Carlisle – Wembley engineers 290120

60029 looking and sounding good throbs through Leighton on a Chaddesdon – Wembley light turn on June 22nd 2022

60049 Wembley – Peak Forest “Tunstead tanks” 220909

60053 Hoo Jn – Forders spoil 280691

60055 Wembley – Chaddesdon spoil e’s (drag by 66012) 110119

Early morning frost at Old Linslade greets 60055 on a Wembley – Chaddesdon loaded spoil move on January 21st 2022

60056 6L44 Oxwellmains – West Thurrock cement 121217

Looking good in the superb Load Haul livery 60059 approaches Leighton with the Forders – Kings X Goods spoil empties on September 16th 2004

60059 6M64 Forders – Kings X Goods 160904

60060 6H50 Wembley – Peak Forest , fail Watford, 67027 assist to Rugby 240106

60063 6H50 Wembley – Peak Forest 130309

60063 rounds the curve at Old Linslade with the then booked 60 TO 6H50 Wembley -Peak Forest “Tunstead tanks” on March 13th 2009, 60’s produced on this turn until 2013, class 66s then taking over

60065 Peak Forest (19/2) – Crawley 200209

A rare view of the Redland self discharge train adding a few tons of fresh ballast at Ledburn Jn on March 23rd 1991

60066 Redland Self discharge train at Ledburn 230391

60069 6M64 Kings X Goods – Forders 070403

60074 Tring – Rugby ballast 030801

Diverted via the WCML locally due Gospel oak electrification 60076 looks good throbbing through Chelmscsote past a frozen canal with 6L44 Oxwellmains – West Thurrock cements on December 19th 2017

60076 6L44 Oxwellmains – West Thurrock cement 191217

60078 0930 Manchester – Euston (ex Weedon, 87018 fail) 260496

60079 1A38 1A38 1119 Wolves – Euston (ex Kilsby tunnel) 140598

Looking good in Colas livery 60085 pases Leighton with the diverted 6L44 Oxwellmains – West Thurrock cements on December 7th 2017

60085 6L44 Oxwellmains – West Thurrock cement 071217

60086 engineers – Cheddington 260206

60091 6H50 Wembley – Peak Forest  140709

60093 looking good in Transrail grey passes Ledburn late afternoon on May 6th 2004 with the Forders – Kings X Goods spoil empties

60093 Forders – Kings X Goods spoil e’s 060504

60095 6L44 Oxwellmains – West Thurrock cement 211117

60099 Wembley – Peak Forest 050414