Class 31s
26th July 2007

My first ever diesel for haulage was 31414, so these locos will always have a special place in my heart. Fantastically noisy, they are derided by many but have survived on the main line for longer than other more "successful" classes. Top bash? 31190 into the Street in 1989, although the "minus three" leap from a winning 31432 onto a winning 31403 at Norwich in 1989 was class. As was the pair of 452 & 454 over the North London line in 2006, gurgling away as the sun rose.

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31101 & 40145 at Ramsbottom on June 12th 1994 with the 1620 Bury Bolton Street - Rawtenstall.
31101 & 40145 at Ramsbottom on June 12th 1994 with the 1620 Bury Bolton Street - Rawtenstall.
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The 1058 Birmingham New Street - Aberystwyth was booked to feature a departmental loco as far as Shrewsbury during the second half of the summer 1991 timetable. 31102 waits at Wolverhampton on September 7th.
The 1058 Birmingham New Street - Aberystwyth was booked to feature a departmental loco as far as Shrewsbury during the second half of the summer 1991 timetable. 31102 waits at Wolverhampton on September 7th.
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31105 & 31113 after arrival at Birmingham New Street with the 1040 from Yarmouth on 15th September 1990.
31105 & 31113 after arrival at Birmingham New Street with the 1040 from Yarmouth on 15th September 1990.
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31106 at Bristol Temple Meads on 6th August 2004 with the ECS for the Fridays-only 1252 to Brighton. This train was worked in top and tail mode with 31452, allowing the air cons to be worked correctly by the other machine.
31106 at Bristol Temple Meads on 6th August 2004 with the ECS for the Fridays-only 1252 to Brighton. This train was worked in top and tail mode with 31452, allowing the air cons to be worked correctly by the other machine.
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31107 & 31105 wait to be attached to the
31107 & 31105 wait to be attached to the "Sector Swansong" tour at Northampton on April 2nd 1994.
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Not too sure why 31108 got used at the
Not too sure why 31108 got used at the "Chopperfest" gala, but here it is looking rather hellfire at Swanwick Junction on May 20th 2007 with the 1125 to Hammersmith.
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31113 & 31105 at Birmingham New Street with the 1040 from Yarmouth. September 15th 1990.
31113 & 31105 at Birmingham New Street with the 1040 from Yarmouth. September 15th 1990.
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31119 trundles around Embsay on March 26th 2006. The loco was about to couple up to the stock on the left, and work the 1230 to Bolton Abbey.
31119 trundles around Embsay on March 26th 2006. The loco was about to couple up to the stock on the left, and work the 1230 to Bolton Abbey.
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31128 top and tails with 31454 at Bath Spa on 6th August 2004 with the 1428 Bristol Temple Meads - Weymouth.
31128 top and tails with 31454 at Bath Spa on 6th August 2004 with the 1428 Bristol Temple Meads - Weymouth.
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31130 & 31199 arrive at Watford Junction on May 30th 1992 with the
31130 & 31199 arrive at Watford Junction on May 30th 1992 with the "Brighton Rock" tour.
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31132 waits to leave Broad Green on October 20th 1990 with the 1707 Liverpool Lime Street - Preston.
31132 waits to leave Broad Green on October 20th 1990 with the 1707 Liverpool Lime Street - Preston.
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31134 at Manchester Victoria on April 25th 1992, having arrived with the 1125 from Barrow. A pair of 26s had been booked to work this trip, as part of a series of special workings/loco fixes around the Manchester area on this date, but had failed on the outward run.
31134 at Manchester Victoria on April 25th 1992, having arrived with the 1125 from Barrow. A pair of 26s had been booked to work this trip, as part of a series of special workings/loco fixes around the Manchester area on this date, but had failed on the outward run.
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31135 waits to leave Yarmouth on May 23rd 1992 with the 1034 to Birmingham New Street.
31135 waits to leave Yarmouth on May 23rd 1992 with the 1034 to Birmingham New Street.
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31145 approaches Boston whilst powering the 0939 Derby - Skegness. July 30th 1988.
31145 approaches Boston whilst powering the 0939 Derby - Skegness. July 30th 1988.
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31146 & 31147 at Shrewsbury on May 16th 1992 after arriving with the 0925 Birmingham New Street - Pwllheli.
31146 & 31147 at Shrewsbury on May 16th 1992 after arriving with the 0925 Birmingham New Street - Pwllheli.
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31147 & 31146 run round the 0925 Birmingham New Street - Pwllheli at Shrewsbury on May 16th 1992. This service was worked for the whole timetable by a fleet of three radio-fitted Bescot 31s.
31147 & 31146 run round the 0925 Birmingham New Street - Pwllheli at Shrewsbury on May 16th 1992. This service was worked for the whole timetable by a fleet of three radio-fitted Bescot 31s.
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31154 storms through Sleaford on 25th August 1990 with the 1038 Skegness - Sheffield.
31154 storms through Sleaford on 25th August 1990 with the 1038 Skegness - Sheffield.
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A series of extras were run by Regional Railways between Hereford and Crewe on May 30th 1993, and there were a series of
A series of extras were run by Regional Railways between Hereford and Crewe on May 30th 1993, and there were a series of "other" vaguely connected workings. One of these was the use of 31155 & 31185 on the 1720 Shrewsbury - Wolverhampton, and the Brians are seen at Shrewsbury with the ECS for the relief.
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31162 & 46045 are prepared for a run to Riddings on July 24th 1994 at Butterley on the Midland Railway Centre.
31162 & 46045 are prepared for a run to Riddings on July 24th 1994 at Butterley on the Midland Railway Centre.
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31165 at Norwich with an ECS working to Yarmouth on 11th July 1992. The Brian & Stock returned to Norwich with the 1034 Yarmouth - Birmingham New Street.
31165 at Norwich with an ECS working to Yarmouth on 11th July 1992. The Brian & Stock returned to Norwich with the 1034 Yarmouth - Birmingham New Street.
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31166 & 31461 at Nuneaton on 22nd September 1990 with the 1040 Yarmouth - Birmingham New Street.
31166 & 31461 at Nuneaton on 22nd September 1990 with the 1040 Yarmouth - Birmingham New Street.
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31178 leaves Boston on June 15th 1991 with the 1445 Skegness - Leeds.
31178 leaves Boston on June 15th 1991 with the 1445 Skegness - Leeds.
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31181 & 31219 at Yarmouth on 8th September 1990 after working the 0800 from Liverpool Lime Street forward from Norwich.
31181 & 31219 at Yarmouth on 8th September 1990 after working the 0800 from Liverpool Lime Street forward from Norwich.
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31185 & Two Tone 31155 at Shrewsbury with the empty stock for the 1720 relief to Wolverhampton on May 30th 1993.
31185 & Two Tone 31155 at Shrewsbury with the empty stock for the 1720 relief to Wolverhampton on May 30th 1993.
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