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40135/D335
Status: Stopped, Segmental Bearing Repairs
Livery: BR Blue
Running Number: 40135
Built: 1960 English Electric
EE VF 3081/D631
Traction Type: Diesel-Electric
Equipment: English Electric
Power Unit: EE 16SVT MkII
Power Output: 2,000 HP
Max Speed: 90 MPH
Train Brakes: Air and Vacuum
Train Heating: Steam Boiler (Isolated)
Weight: 133 Tons
Length: 69' 6"
Height: 12' 10"
Width: 9' 0"
40135 is one of twenty class 40's built with 'split-box' route indicator and interconnecting gangway doors seen on various classes of BR diesels but ultimately under used.

Athough built in 1960 at EE's Vulcan Foundry in Newton-le-Willows, D335 only entered traffic on the 10th of March 1961, becoming 40135 under the TOPS system in May 1974 and had dual brakes fitted in December 1975. A life-long BR London Midland Region loco, 40135 was originally withdrawn on the 22nd of January 1985.

Luckily this was not the end, 40135 lived on as a departmental loco, becoming 97406 from the 8th of May 1985 and working on the remodelling of Crewe approaches being withdrawn as surplus to requirements following this on the 16th of December 1986.

Often referred to as 'The People's Engine', 40135 arrived in Bury in 1988 and has been a popular performer throughout her 25 years in preservation!

D335 has twice had the honour of hauling the East Lancashire Railway Diesel Diner on Friday the 27th of September 2013 and Friday the 7th of March 2014. D335 visited the Nene Valley Railway for their Diesel Gala, 16th-18th of May 2014 along with Class 47, D1501 and Class 37, 37324 'Clydebridge'.

Following the Autumn 2014 Diesel Gala appearance, including AC Electric Drags with 86259, D335 was stopped for some TLC including C Exam, General Repairs, deep clean and internal repaint along with bodywork repairs.

2016 saw D335 back in service, externally representing the Class 40s in the 1970s, running in tired shabby BR Green later temporarily enhanced to include full yellow ends and renumbering to 40135. July 2016 saw 40135 visit the Bo'ness and Kinneil Railway for their diesel gala along with 40106 and 33109.

40135 went away to Barrow Hill for bodywork repairs late in 2016 and a full external repaint into BR Blue at Derby early in 2017, arriving back on Friday 17th of February. Sadly, an electrical fault prevented the loco from taking part in the Spring Diesel Gala as planned. The CFPS Engineering team aka 'The Oily Rags' worked tirelessly to find and rectify the electrical issues. The fruits of these labours came to bear, with 40135 started and taken for an initial test run with 40106 and 345 in tow on Thursday 29th of June. All three CFPS Class 40s featured at the July Diesel Gala.

As of August 2018, 40135 is stopped and has been lifted off it's bogies at Bury to assess the extent of repairs required to the segmental bearings between the body and both bogies. The segmental bearings have been an issue with 40135 for many years and really need attention.

The CFPS always need help and support with the upkeep of the three Class 40s.

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)
Halloween Ghost Trains Thursday 24th to Saturday 26th and Thursday 31st October
DMU Weekend
HST Set, Classes 104, 105 and 122 with 144009 plus locos 40012 and 50015.
Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th November
Santa Specials Saturday 23rd November to Tuesday 24th December

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.