40012
was a celebrity in her own right, carrying the name 'AUREOL' for
part of her main line career. The loco was also one of the favourite
Class 40's amongst the followers. Retaining her train heating boiler
until the end, she could be found at the head of passenger services
throughout the year. 40012 was withdrawn from service on 8th
February 1985, but thankfully reinstated to departmental traffic as
97407 on 20th May that year for use on the Crewe area remodelling
scheme.
The loco was finally
withdrawn from BR service on 4th April 1986, and bought by the Class
40 Appeal in June 1988. The loco operates at The Midland Railway -
Butterley, Derbyshire.
After a substantial
restoration, she was re-launched to the public at 'Longsight 150' in
April 1992, and the name 'AUREOL' rededicated by Pete Waterman.
Manchester's Longsight TMD had long associations with Class 40's,
including an allocation at the end of the main fleet's service.
Aureol was first restarted
on 18th October 1992, and her first passenger train working in
preservation was on 17th July 1993.
Since preservation 40012 has
visited various rail centres and private railways for open days and
galas. The loco had serious bogie frame fractures at the end of her
BR career, and the CFA faced real problems in March 1995: 40012
failed a main line inspection for the return journey after visiting
the Mid Hants. Railway, despite passing the inspection for the
outward journey. The situation effectively resulted in a movement
'ban' from the main line after her eventual return, preventing the
loco from visiting other railways.
40012 joined our own 40135
and 40145 at Basford Hall Open Day in August 1994. This was the
first ever gathering of three preserved Class 40's, and the first
time in several years that three operational Class 40's had been in
one location.
Update at May 2005
Repainting work continues inside and out. The group returned the
loco to traffic as D212 in Dark Brunswick Green at the 25th June
2005. This marked the 20th anniversary of the Class 40 Appeal.
Planning work for the bogie
repairs continues. Of three options considered, the CFA have decided
to weld-repair the bogies currently underneath the loco (as opposed
to stitch-welding or using their spare bogies). Initial
documentation has been completed, allowing the welding work to go
ahead using a suitably-qualified firm. The group are now looking at
competitive quotes for the job. Total repair costs are likely to be
in the region of £7,000 to £8,000 including paperwork.
Operating status: undergoing
bodywork repairs and repaint. Awaiting bogie fracture repairs
Steam heat status: steam heat generator awaiting restoration
Livery: Dark Brunswick Green
Running number: D212
The CFA are custodians
/ owners of Class 37, no. 37190 and Class 50, no. 50007. The group
were previously custodians of 40013
'ANDANIA', however the agreement was
terminated early, and the loco left site in January 2003.
For membership details
of the CFA, contact Paul Hill, 65 Darby Road, Wednesbury, WS10 0PN,
UK, or via e-mail Paul.C.Hill@ic24.net
and visit the Class
40 Appeal website.
For operating dates
and timetable details, etc. visit The
Midland Railway Butterley website
© Class 40 Preservation
Society |
