89001 at Barrow Hill on 18th November 2022 |
89001 loaded up ready for the road move to Loughborough on 24th November 2022 |
There was a large amount of work done on 89001 during 2022, most of it not visible to the public eye. Most of this effort was design work relating to the installation of the equipment for mainline operation, and then ensuring that the necessary parts were obtained. Some of the critical parts were on very long lead times.
Towards the end of 2022, with most of the parts in hand, but with the workshops at Barrow Hill at full capacity, the decision was taken to move the locomotive to the UK Rail Leasing works at Loughborough for the mainline equipment installation to take place. The move by road from was made from Barrow Hill to Loughborough on 24/11/2022 - with traction motors still missing from the locomotive a move by rail was not possible.
Other work to be carried out at Loughborough includes the replacement of a faulty blower motor, overhaul of the two driving cab air conditioning units, and fitment of the repaired traction motors.