97203–97204 (31970)

These two former Class 31 locomotives were acquired by R&DD as test locomotives.

The first, no. 97203, was operated by the Railway Technical Centre, based at Derby. It was used to haul various test-trains operated by the centre. However, in 1987, the locomotive was written-off after having sustained fire damage.

Therefore, a replacement in the form of 97204 was converted. This later returned to normal traffic, as no. 31970. Both locomotives were painted in RTC's red/cream livery with a black bodyside band.

97203 at Toton in May 1987

Colin Marsden

97204 in the loop at the RTC

Colin Marsden

Liverpool

At Liverpool Lime Street

Nigel Kidd

97204 passes Findern with a Westbound test train on16th June 1989

John Goodale

97204 at Gloucester Horton Road open day

Robert Cutter

Re-numbered as 31970 and at Sheffield on 22nd August 1990

Richard Fletcher

31970 pictured at Doncaster

P Searle

 

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