| 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" |
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 A life-long BR London Midland Region loco, 40135 was originally withdrawn on the 22nd of January 1985.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a departmental loco, becoming 97406 from the 8th of May 1985 and working on the remodelling of Crewe approaches being withdrawn as surplus to requirements following this on the 16th of December 1986.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.
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
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) |
|---|---|
| Day Out with Thomas | Saturday 30th September and Sunday 1st October |
| Autumn Steam Gala | Friday 13th, Saturday 14th and
Sunday 15th October |
| Halloween Ghost Trains | Thursday 26th, Friday 27th and
Saturday 28th October |
| DMU Weekend | Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th November |
| Santa Specials | Saturday 25th November to Sunday 24th December |
Covid Safety
Whilst Covid-19 restrictions have been lifted, the ELR encourage passengers observe sensible social distancing precautions.
See the ELR Website for the latest details.
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.
