"THE ONE-WAY WIZZO" WITH D1015 @ COVENTRY, 14/4/24

A collaboration between UKRT, Pathfinder and GB Railfreight, and also a test run for "Western Champion" with her new engines on the mainline she's certified to run on. They're MTU 538s, a slightly newer variant of her original Maybach MD655s, which should help the DTG with better reliability in service. I'm happy to report that they sounded and performed exactly as I was expecting!
I've edited together footage of her arriving and departing from Coventry (where Class 52s must have been a rarity in the 1960s and 70s) with the much-travelled Mk2 rake of coaches on a journey which started at London Paddington and ended at Birmingham New Street with the Western being detached at Bescot yard. We also get a glimpse of the backup loco on the rear, 57 303, which would have taken over for the last segment into BNS after Bescot was reached.

[@jeremyrichards8327]

I remember hearing a Western leaving Totnes in the early 70's and the driver kept increasing the revs beyond which you thought was possible.Fantastic!

[@WheelsonRails728]

Agreed! "Champ" seems to have been getting some negative remarks about the MTU engine in place of the Maybach but if it makes the difference between serviceability or not, and doesn't affect any aspect of what makes her a Class 52, then good luck to the people who run and maintain her!

[@thefakewasp503]

Nice footage.

[@WheelsonRails728]

Thanks, Waspy!

[@thefakewasp503]

@@WheelsonRails728 Your most welcome.

[@leonblittle226]

Notice they drive this very differently now as compared to years past, probably run out of spares to wreck.

[@railfreightdrivergallagherGBRf]

We have to. Gone are the F1 grid platform end starts I'm afraid. She's 62 years old and spares,although not hard to find,aren't the easiest to maintain today. One of the best loco's I've ever driven. JG.