E6003 in Preservation
After preservation E6003 was based at the Lavender line in Sussex until 2001 when it was agreed that our loco would attend a diesel gala at the Great Central Railway. The appearance fee was agreed to be in the form of a repaint to be undertaken at the GCR's workshop. Congestion in the paint shop meant that the repaint was delayed and E6003 continued to operate at the GCR in the care of the Type 1 Locomotive Group hauling service trains until the repaint could commence.

In 2005 the arrangements were made for the repaint to start and at the same time we contracted with the workshop to undertake refurbishment work to deal with areas of rust as well as serious leaks in the cab roofs. The condition of the fiberglass cabs roofs was the cause of serious concern with evidence that they were waterlogged and holding perhaps 2-300lbs of water. This was caused by wear and tear, cracks due rust in the steel frame and the fitting of cab to shore radio aerials shortly before withdrawl from mainline service. Unfortunately, the spare roofs available from scrapped locos were found to be in equally poor condition and the decision was made to repair the existing roofs.

The delay caused by the roofs meant that although the repaint and bodywork repairs were completed the refurbishment could not be finished at the GCR. At this stage we were invited to move our loco to the Swindon & Cricklade Railway where space would be available in their extensive shed at Hayes Knoll.

The move was completed in late 2006 (with punctures and breakdowns making it possibly one of the longest ever!) and work commenced on the repair of the two cab roofs and the reassembly of the cabs of our loco.

A first test run was undertaken in March 2007 (without glazing and in between showers!) to confirm that the loco was operational. Work then continued refitting the glass, restoring the cab panelling and getting E6003 ready for service with it hauling its first service train in June 2007. Since then E6003 has been a regular performer on the S&C featuring in many of the key events at the railway including the recent celebrations marking 40 years of the S&C.