A drop in temperature to a cold 6C meant this was a day for several layers of clothing. A number of the usual attendees were unavailable due to illness & work commitments. However the attendance was still an encouraging 8 Members including 2 from the Humberside Branch.
The sidings alongside the Wabtec site contained the usual Thunderbird (67015) but other slightly more unusual sights were 91104, presumably awaiting some attention, and (perhaps more topically) class ZZA snowploughs - which are converted from bogies of withdrawn class 40 locos. 67015, its former Wrexham & Shropshire livery now replaced by DB red, stands along Doncaster station on Thunderbird duty. Peter Hughes 91104 stands alone alongside Doncaster Works. Its external condition suggests that it may just been shopped after receiving attention at the works. Alan Turton ADB965577 and another sister snowplough stabled alongside Doncaster Works. These were constructed using bogies from withdrawn class 40 locos.. Peter Hughes
Since freight movements through the station are now much reduced we were determined not to miss freight & light engine movements using the Bridge Jnc - Hexthorpe Jnc curve south of the station. Several were missed when we last visited in July so on this occasion we were more attentive than ever before and as a result did not miss any. Freight levels were broadly similar to our earlier 2016 visits in March & July. 66708 approaches Doncaster, on Decoy Yard - Hunterston coal hoppers (including some former Fastline examples) . Alan Turton 66752 passes Doncaster on sand hoppers from Middleton Towers to Monk Bretton. These4-wheeled wagons are soon to be replaced by new bogie vehicles. Chris Dilley
Timekeeping was generally good. The most notable sighting on the passenger side was the use of a hired-in DB Cargo class 90 on services to & from Leeds. This eluded our group's cameras at Doncaster but one member (starting his journey home) travelled behind it to Leeds where he was able to capture a photo. 185104, which carries a modified (pink) cab livery to celebrate the Manchester Pride event, was noted on services to & from Cleethorpes. Hired-in 90029 on arrival at Leeds, having substituted for a class 91, on a service from Kings Cross Peter Hughes 185104 departs Doncaster on the 12:26 Cleethorpes - Manchester Airport. Its pink cab livery was applied to celebrate the Manchester Pride event. Chris Dilley
43208 leads a Kings Cross - York service into the platform at Doncaster Alan Turton 43274, carrying"Spirit of Sunderland" vinyls, powers through Doncaster at the head of an Edinburgh - Kings Cross service. Chris Dilley
The following list of sightings is presented in good faith based on observations compiled by Alan Turton
last updated: 30/11/16