The Langley/Colnbrook tanks in the 90’s onwards
Thanks to “TC” for the gen and phots
By 1990 the railway was changing, sectorisation and the dreaded privatisation was coming too. The class 47’s so long established on the “tanks” were under threat from the then shiny new class 60’s. 60016 was the long term crew trainer at Bedford in Sep 90 and later 60027 being used by the petroleum sector as a crew trainer for Bedford crews. Under EWS their red/gold liveries slowly replaced the BR Railfreight greys. 66 replaced the
60’s for long spells and the “tanks” were routed via Oxford, but the closure of the Langley oil terminal saw the flows ceasing for several months in 1999/2000. Colnbrook then came on steam for the oil traffic from Lindsey and 60’s once again became popular locally on the “tanks”. 66s were again tried on the “tanks” with a reduced length train but various failures saw this power policy change. For example 66124 failed on the up tanks with 66039 rescuing the sick shed. EWS 60’s then became the solid power passing Luton and Bedford around 1600-1630 with 6E38 Colnbrook – Lindsey. Another major change saw Colas replace DB in Feb 2015 with Colas’s distinctive yellow liveried fleet of 60s adding yet more power variety on the tanks. A fortnight’s test saw Colas 70’s work the tanks in July 2015 but after that 70’s were uncommon on the tanks.
Almost 28 years of 60 haulage on the tanks sadly came to an end on July 13th 2018 with 60076 working the final “tug” turn. 70’s replaced the 60’s but sadly this only lasted until August 31st 2018 when 70811 worked the final Colnbrook – Lindsey tanks. 70811 ending an oil train flow that started locally back in 1972, 46 years of oil trains locally
Link to Part One Article on this flow “the Total tanks remembered 1972-1990”.
Confirmed class 60 workings on the Langley/Colnbrook tanks
Locos mainly viewed on 6E38 return afternoon empties to Lindsey/Immingham
60002 180316
60003 091292
60005 081008
60007 150512
60010 290914
60011 170710
60012 010805
60014 151007
60015 110411
60017 241214
60019 011210
60020 300413
60021 060215 possibly the first Colas 60 on the tanks
60023 160407
60025 070407
60026 140317
60028 130595
60035 031014
60038 260210
60039 160211
60040 011209
60041 061109
60044 090514
60045 011112
60047 210708
60049 120891
60054 061012
60056 271017
60059 240712
60062 191013
60063 050913
60067 021091
60071 250512
60074 120314
60076 130718 (last 60 hauled tanks)
60078 010507
60079 060814
60080 110501
60082 160592
60085 050318
60087 240415
60091 280115 probably the last DB 60 on the tanks
60092 290613
60095 060718
60096 150512
60098 050318
60099 080906
70802 270715 trailing class 70
70805 010618
70806 290715 trailing class 70
70808 250616
70811 310818 last ever Lindsey tanks
70812 140717
70816 020518
The Langley/Colnbrook tanks phots –
Thanks to “TC” for these cracking phots
Crew trainer 60027 has just been attached to 47319 on the up Langley tanks at Bedford in 1992
Loadhaul liveried 60059 at Oakley with 6E38 in the Summer of 2005
60017 on the approach to Sharnbrook Viaduct with 6E38 1354 Colnbrook – Lindsey on 050613
60035 looks good on 6E38 passing Wellingborough on 031014. This was the last red and gold 60 on the tanks
A rare pairing on 6E38 at Oakley on 150515. 60096 had expired at Barnetby the previous evening on 6V70 up tanks. 6E38 regular 60021 assisted and dragged the dead tug to Colnbrook and back with the empties.
60021 a very regular 6E38 performer at Bromham on 240517
70805 climbs up to Sharnbrook summit past Souldrop with 6E38 on 010618
The “tanks” 1972 – 2018, gone but never forgotten…. Link to Part One Article on this flow
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