On Wednesday 11th June 2025 a test run was planned for a new Class 93 from Wembley to Stafford and back. Both the down and up
runs were pathed via Coventry and Bescot. In the event the down run was seriously delayed by a points failure at Perry Barr North
Jn which made a total mess of services on the Grand Jn for the best part of six hours. Indeed there were no trains at all for
about half that period. 93001 was held for a good half-hour at Coventry before proceeding to Aston South Jn, where it
was held for a further hour or so. Eventually it ran into Aston station before using the trailing crossover to head south towards
New St, and from there to Stafford via Tipton. Fortunately it was booked to stand at Stafford for nearly three hours before
returning south, so the northbound delay didn't affect the return run. Here's the first Class 93 to reach Bescot, running
as 0Q54 Stafford - Wembley. It passed a few minutes early, at 17:43, and was running on diesel although it had left Stafford
using OLE power.
