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40106/D306 Atlantic Conveyor
Status: Operational
Based at Severn Valley Railway
Livery: BR Green, Full Yellow Ends
Running Number: 40106
Built: 1960 English Electric
Robert Stephenson &
Hawthorns Ltd 2726/8136
Traction Type: Diesel-Electric
Equipment: English Electric
Power Unit: EE 16SVT MkII
Power Output: 2,000 HP
Max Speed: 90 MPH
Train Brakes: Vacuum Only
Train Heating: Steam Heat Boiler
Weight: 133 Tons
Length: 69' 6"
Height: 12' 10"
Width: 9' 0"
40106 is one of twenty class 40's built at Robert Stephenson and Hawthorns factory in Darlington. The loco features the original four disc headcode system along with interconnecting gangway doors seen on various classes of BR diesels but ultimately under used.

Entering traffic as D306 and later becoming 40106 under the TOPS system in the 1970s, legend has it that, during her last works overhaul at Crewe in September 1978, 40106 was repainted into standard BR Blue, but shortly afterwards, it was decided to revert to Dark Brunswick green with full yellow ends, the repaint apparently being carried out before she left works.

40106 became a favoured loco on railtours and other special passenger workings for several years and also took part in the 'Rocket 150' celebrations at Rainhill, in May 1980. The loco avoided conversion to dual brakes, remaining vacuum only through to withdrawal in April 1983, deemed 'life expired'. D306 was bought by the late Gerald Boden, entering preservation in March 1984, based at the Great Central Railway.

The loco was named ATLANTIC CONVEYOR on 11th August 1984 in memory of the Cunard cargo ship and those on board who lost their lives in the 1982 Falklands war. The name was dedicated by John Brocklehurst, Chief Officer of the ship. Following the naming ceremony, D306 worked its first passenger train in preservation, becoming the first Class 40 to do so.

40106 gained world-wide attention in a brief film career, cleverly disguised as D326. The loco was used in a re-enactment of the 'Great' Train Robbery for the hit movie 'Buster'. Filming took place at the Great Central Railway on 29th October 1987.

In November 2015 the 40106 was purchased by the Class 40 Preservation Society, giving the Society a 'full house' in terms of Class 40 design variants. The loco joined sisters 40135 and 40145 at Bury on the 20th of May 2016, with ELR pasenger debut on Sunday the 22nd of May.

July 2016 saw 40106 return to the Bo'ness and Kinneil Railway for their diesel gala along with 40135 and 33109.

Atlantic Conveyor has been at the Severn Valley Railway on hire since August 2018, where it has proved a very popular choice of loco for hauling passenger services. As of July 2020, 40106 returned to the ELR, hauled by classmate 40145, to be lifted for Segmental Bearing and Steam Heat pipework repairs. The move took place on the 22nd of July as Covid-19 restrictions began to be eased.

40106 hauled the diesel service at the ELR on Saturday 19th September before returning to the Severn Valley.

Thanks to all of you who continue to support the CFPS.

Please consider joining the society if you haven't already or make a donation to help keep all three 'Whistlers' going strong.

Please visit the CFPS website for more information

ELR Events

There are a wide range of events at the East Lancashire Railway ranging from Family and Education, Re-enactments, Sci-Fi, Transport and Collector's Fairs.

Selected events are shown below. See the ELR Website for the full event schedule.

Event Date(s)
Legends of Steam Event Friday 15th, Saturday 16th
and Sunday 17th March
Western Region Weekend Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th April
Day Out with Thomas Saturday 4th, Sunday 5th
and Monday 6th May
Summer Diesel Gala Thursday 27th, Friday 28th
and Saturday 29th June
Day Out with Thomas Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th August
Autumn Diesel Gala Friday 13th and Saturday 14th September
Day Out with Thomas Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th October
Autumn Steam Gala Friday 11th, Saturday 12th
and Sunday 13th October
DMU Weekend Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th November

All events subject to availability
While every effort will be made to ensure events take place as advertised, rostered locos or units are available and running to the advertised timetable, the ELR reserves the right to cancel or terminate without prior notice.

ELR Website
Check out the ELR Website for the full event schedule.