• Engined removed from fire-damaged ’70

    by  • June 21, 2012 • Features

    70018 outside Brush works on 2nd June 2012 (photo: Chris Kirkby)

    70018 is pictured outside of Brush Works, Loughborough, on June 2nd 2012 without its power unit and body-side panelling (photo: Chris Kirkby)

    The incongruous sight of a brand new locomotive looking not unlike it’s been the victim of the cutter’s torch was the scene outside Brush’s Loughborough Works earlier this month.

    ‘Fugly’ 70018 was pictured without its engine in early June, it having been removed for repairs following a fire in April.

    Scorched body paneling has also been removed giving the Class 70 a look more akin to a heavily stripped loco in the process of being scrapped.

    70018 caught fire on April 5th 2012 near Basingstoke in Wallers Ash Loop while hauling the 4O27 container train.

    It was followed later that month, on April 24th, by 70007 which caught fire near Bramley while hauling the 4O49.

    Thanks go to Chris Kirkby and Michael Thorne for the images accompanying this story.

    70018 is inspected following the fire on 22nd April 2012 (photo: Michael Thorne)

    Fire damaged 70018 is inspected at Southampton Maritime on 22nd April 2012. It was removed to Crewe later that evening (photo: Michael Thorne)

    About