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D9531 'Ernest'
Status: Stopped, Defective Fuel Pump
Livery: BR Green, Yellow/Black Wasp Stripes
Running Number: D9531
Built: 1965 BR Swindon
Traction Type: Diesel-Hydraulic
Transmission: Voith L217U 3-Speed
Power Unit: Paxman Ventura 6YJXL
Power Output: 650 HP
Max Speed: 40 MPH
Train Brakes: Air and Vacuum
Train Heating: None
Weight: 48½ Tons
Length: 38' 0"
Height: 13' 0"
Width: 8' 7½"
D9531 arrived in Bury during 1987 wearing NCB dark blue livery. Following an intermediate overhaul including reinstatement of vacuum brakes D9531 was often used as the shunting loco around the ELR and saw extensive use on the preparations of the extension to Heywood.

In 1997, D9531 was withdrawn for heavy overhaul work which saw the loco stripped right back to the frames. The rebuild also included a brand new dual brake installation allowing both vacuum and air operation. The 15 year project is documented at www.d9531.com.

Nicknamed 'Ernest' during the restoration, D9531 returned to traffic on the 3rd of March 2012 running temporarily as D9556 (original class numbers D9500-55) to signify the effective new build.

During 2013 the power unit was lifted to allow the flywheel anti vibration damper to be swapped out and the troublesome turbocharger bracket to be re-faced and refitted along with a few other outstanding tasks.

2014 saw D9531's power unit lifted again and the source of an oil pressure issue which had caused problems was traced and rectified. Ernest welcomed several classmates from further afield to the ELR for the 14s@50 event in July 2014.

Later in 2014 fame on the television came for Ernest, starring in a Hollyoaks Special! A very convincing mock-up of D9531 was spectacularly crashed on the Broadfield (Heywood) Section of the line with filming taking place for at least a week in September. The real D9531 had a small 'As Seen on TV' sticker applied to the cabside following this!

D9531 visited the Severn Valley Railway in October 2015, along with Hymek, D7076, for the SVR Diesel Gala. D9531 notably ran double headed with 'Clayton', D8568.

May 2018 saw Ernest on a trip to Foxfield Railway in Staffordshire, apt industrial surroundings for a Class 14!

See the Ernest website for
the full restoration story archive
www.d9531.com
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.