31108 , our second locomotive, arrived at Swanwick Jct on 31st May 1995. Following years of rebuilding as outlined in 31108 Preservation Story , she was started up for the first time on28th May 2000 and made her passenger train debut at the Midland Railway Centre at the June Diesel Gala in 2000.
31108 stands at Swanwick with a Riddings – Hammersmith train on her first day in traffic..24/06/00 photo S Harvey
5580 (31162) & 31108 in multi pause at Swanwick on the 1405 Hammersmith train..08/10/00 photo D Bellamy
Another shot of 108 & 5580 (31162) at Swanwick with a Hammersmith train…08/10/00 photo D Bellamy
31108 departs Swanwick with a Riddings train …20/08/05 photo M Skidmore
Crossing the reservoir at Butterley , 31108 has just departed Hammersmith…20/08/05 photo M Skidmore
31108 stands with the Swanwick 76 ton crane during an EMRPS photoshoot..09/12/06 photo R Reedman
On the 1055 to Butterley , 31108 stands at Riddings during ‘ Chopperfest ‘ ..19/05/07
MRB OPERATING DATES FOR 31108
- Diesel Gala – 24/06/00 – 25/06/00.( inaugural runs for 31108 after restoration with 1 trip in multi with 31163 Sunday only )
- Running Weekend – 07/10/00 – 08/10/00…3 trips Saturday ( in multi with 31188 ) , 5 trips Sunday ( in multi with 5580 ).
- Diesel & Steam Day – 12/05/01….4 trips.
- A1A Locos Ltd AGM specials – 09/06/01…( shared with 5580 ).
- Diesel Gala – 23/06/01 – 24/06/01….( 1 trip in multi with 5580 each day ).
- Diesel & Steam Day – 20/08/05…..3 trips.
- Fireworks shuttles – 05/11/05….15 trips Swanwick – Butterley Top and Tail.
- ‘Chopperfest’ Gala – 19/05/07 – 20/05/07…3 trips. ( Chopperfest celebrated 50 yrs of Class 20s & Class 31s ).
- ‘Anything Goes Weekend’ – 19/07/08….2 trips.
- Anniversary Gala – 23/08/08….2 trips.
- Diesel Gala – 06/09/08 – 07/09/08…..3 trips Saturday / 2 trips Sunday.
- Diesel & Steam Day (no steam !) – 27/09/08….5 trips.
- Diesel Gala – 25/04/09 – 26/04/09….2 trips.