Nearly new 66's for GBRF.

[Monty]

I wouldn't think there are enough MPVs to cover the whole of the country, hence why a fair few FOCs are involved in the RHTT season. As for motive power, the FOCs will use whatever is available to them at the time (DRS use a wide variety of traction on these trains). The 66s are also the only mixed traffic locos DBS have for duties like this. A 59 or 60 would be slight overkill on the RHTT circuit.

 

[HSTEd]

Just how many RHTT rakes are there

 

[GB]

Don't know how many rakes there are, but there is at least 20 loco hauled circuits.

 

[DarloRich]

Must be a GBRF class 66 thing

http://www.wnxx.com/content/081112/66744.htm

As some of their UK 66s are going rather grey at the moment.

(Hope someones got the pressure washers ready!)

There is no point - it will be dirty again the next day. Clean off the decals, lights and windows and crack on

I hate to ask since its really off topic.... but why are they using Class 66s for RHTT duties anyway? Surely MPVs would be more cost efficient?

There are no where near enough MPV's (32) to cover the number of circuits needed, nor would you want an MPV on some of the circuits, nor are they able to run everywhere

Just how many RHTT rakes are there

lots!

 

[greysleuth]

Given that these locomotives have been acquired ( leased or purchased ) and GBRF is thought to be one of the companies reported to be due to evaluate 70099. Does this indicate a shortage of heavy haulage at GBRF ? The parent company has already ordered Vosloh 4000 the big brother to DRS's new Eurolight and Vosloh are clearly happy to do the R & D to get their locos inside the U.K. loading guage ( for relatively small batches), may we consider it possible that GBRF will follow suit with the Vosloh 4000 ?
Be lucky
David

 

[Monty]

It maybe as simple that GBRf are taking the opportunity to evaluate the competition, it gives them a chance to see what advantages to the class 70 has over the Class 66. I have a feeling you are right though and if GBRf decide they are in need of more (powerful) motive power their parent company may seek for a suitable design from Europe.

 

[Helvellyn]

Does this indicate a shortage of heavy haulage at GBRF?

I think GBRf have been vocal in the past about UK gauge locos being sent abroad to Europe when it is difficult for UK freight haulers to acquire additional locomotives. GBRf has taken Freightliner, DRS and Colas (ex-DRS) Class 66s to expand its own fleet, yet that is still seemingly not enough. With the Class 66 now effectively out of production the problem for GBRf is how to expand its fleet without adding a new fleet type. The Class 70 evaluation suggests that GBRf is maybe having to reconsider that position.

Part of me shrugs and says that's the way it is with a privatised freight market, and why should Freightliner or DB Schenker hand over Class 66s to a competitor rather than send them into Europe for use there. Yet I can equally understand GBRf's frustration, as UK loading gauge makes it harder to spot hire locomotives. The fact two Class 92s are going to Bulgaria makes me wonder if GBRf is seeing another fleet type it operates - and may want more of - going out of the UK.

Probably highly unrealistic, but if GBRf really wated more Class 66s I wonder if they could offer to fund the overhaul of say ten Class 60s to "Super 60" standard for DB, and take ten DB Class 66s on a long-term lease in return.

 

[Yew]

Its a shame there arent more class 20's about, they are more suited to RHTT than 66's or the pair of 47's I saw pulling a rake though lincoln yesterday (that may have been a positioning move, it was double headed)

 

[sprinterguy]

...the pair of 47's I saw pulling a rake though lincoln yesterday (that may have been a positioning move, it was double headed)

I believe that the railhead treatment season is pretty much finished now, so that was probably a move to return the wagons to base, though you are right in saying that many overpowered locos have been used during the leaf fall season on the RHT trains!