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''' BR Class 40 40106 Atlantic Conveyor ''' is a diesel-electric locomotive which has been [[Diesel Locomotives hired by the SVR|on hire ]] to the SVR since August 2018.
The 200 examples of the Class 40, also known as the "English Electric Type 4", were built between 1958 and 1962. They were initially used by BR on express passenger services; 25 of the class which hauled express trains to Liverpool were named after ships operated by companies based at the port of Liverpool including Cunard Line, Elder Dempster Lines and Canadian Pacific Steamships. The Class 40s gradually moved onto secondary passenger and freight services as their 'top-link' duties were taken over by more powerful locomotives. Class 40s are sometimes nicknamed "Whistlers"<ref>Wikipedia</ref>.
== 43106 in preservation ==
43106 was bought by the late Gerald Boden in March 1984 and delivered to the Great Central Railway. On 11th 11 August 1984 the locomotive, re-numbered D306, was named "Atlantic Conveyor" in memory of the Cunard cargo ship and those on board who lost their lives in the 1982 Falklands war. Following the naming ceremony, D306 became the first Class 40 to work a passenger train in preservation. In October 1987 the locomotive, disguised as D326, was used in a re-enactment of the 'Great Train Robbery' for the film 'Buster'.
D306 [[Diesel Locomotives visiting the SVR for galas#2010-Present|visited the SVR for diesel galas in 2011 and 2014]]. In November 2015 the locomotive was purchased by the Class 40 Preservation Society, based at the East Lancashire Railway in Bury.<ref name=cfps/> In 2018 the SVR signed a contract with the Society to hire one of their Class 40s, initially for a 12 month period. Being fitted with vacuum brakes and steam heating equipment, it would be capable of working passenger services during the winter period,<ref>SVR News 203 p. 48.</ref> and could also cover for [[BR Class 37 37688 Great Rocks]] which was not then able to operate vacuum braked coaches. 40106 arrived on the SVR on 2 August as a temporary replacement for the nominated locomotive 40135. In the event, difficulties with completing work on 40135 led to 40106 remaining on hire, although . 40106 is being maintained at the SVR by SVR-based CFPS members with a knowledge of the Class. ===Steam heating boiler===A failure of the steam heat boiler ('baby Stones' OK4625) restricted its use during winter 2018-19. The boiler (OK4610) from 40135 was palleted down from Bury and fitted to 40106 in the [[Diesel Depot]], to fulfil the commitment to the SVR of providing a steam heat 40. It was recommissioned on 18 September 2019. It is anticipated that 40106 will again see use during winter 2019-20.<ref>SVR News 206, p. 22.</ref> This leaves 40135 requiring not only its existing repairs, but also repairs to the OK4625 which failed in 40106.
The '''Class 40 Preservation Society''' is Registered Charity No: 326323. Its principal activities are "''To preserve and restore to full working order and operate at galas around the uk, 3 x heritage English Electric Class 40 diesel electric locomotives''"<ref>Charity Commission</ref>.
