GrandCentral Power Cars

[Techniquest]

I presume you are referring to my statement. Read it again.

"There are NO GNER POWERCARS AT DEVONPORT. Full stop new sentence.

There are currently two there for FGW. "

Nothing to do with GNER. They are 086/196 IIRC for fitting with overhauled Valenta's for reinstatement to try and ease FGW's fleet 'issues'.

Whoops...Consider that to be a major mis-read on my part!

At least I have more up-to-date gen, FINALLY, with 086 and 196! Thank you! :thumbrig:

 

[1VWC]

There's only one NMT as such, but NR have at least 4 power cars for it.

The NMT only has 3 powercars (013, 014 and 062).

There have, however been three others that were spares for cover while the 'core three' were going through upgrade programmes at Devonport. These were 067, 154 and 196.

 

[Darandio]

Evening chaps,nice to see my post started a debate.Firstly,the buffers are staying on the powercars,secondly,the coaching stock refurb is well advanced,and lastly,there will be a full train set released into traffic at some point in june for tests,then in early july that set will run as ECS to allow staff training to be complete,it will run in timetabled paths as well.Brother Darandio,get yourself down to eaglscliffe in july !!!

Don't worry Pathfinder, I will be there. Been speaking to a lad who has got a job with Grand Central (not sure what, guard I think) and he reckons he can keep me up to date with the testing schedule. Will obviously post on here if I get any details.

 

[Pathfinder]

Evening Darandio,nice to know you have "insider information" like me my friend,after seeing the photos of the powercars,it sort of confirms that GC is real does'nt it,all we need now is to see the MK3 vehicles in formation,this is gonna be the 2 fingered salute to GNER this is my friend !!

 

[Darandio]

I cannot wait Pathfinder, it's been a long time coming and as you rightly say, some conversations on this board have shown that people were unsure whether it would ever happen. This proves that it now should start at some point (although there is time yet for a pullout, if not expected) and am looking forward to seeing some HST traction even closer to home.

 

[Pathfinder]

The definate start date is 10th september,the first day of the new timetable,also the much trumpeted 4th path is very very close to being a reality,I've been told that the 4th path will be a 09.21 dep ex s/land with a 19.24 return ex KX(thats the path that Hull Trains gave up)so that should give a good day out in london if you travel on the 06.46 ex s/land.Not too sure as to what engines are going into powercars,have heard its MTU's but will ask my "friend" to shed some light on it

 

[Donny Dave]

GC are going to be using Valentas from what I've heard.

 

[Pathfinder]

And who or what is your source David ?

 

[1VWC]

GC will be Valenta powered. Either that or DML are going to have some spare, newly overhauled power units which I cannot see happening.

 

[Pathfinder]

Hmm,the plot thickens,methinks further investigation is required here.

 

[Tom]

Did MTU ever announce that an order was made by GC for new engines? If not, then it's Valentas.

 

[Max]

Thats the path that Hull Trains gave up

Since when have Hull Trains given up a path? Why would they give a path up to a service that is currently untried and untested? Seems odd that this would happen days after they announce huge increases in loadings and potential expansion! Also, there is currently no 1924 Hull Trains service out of London so I'm not sure where this is coming from.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Did MTU ever announce that an order was made by GC for new engines? If not, then it's Valentas.

Slightly off-topic, but are Hull Trains' HST powercars being MTU'd? They're currently at Brush so this would indicate that they are.

 

[Donny Dave]

As far as I'm aware, they're at Brush to be re-built basically. A long time in store hasn't done them much good. When they are ready, Valentas should be dropped in.

 

[Pathfinder]

Hull Trains used to have a 19.24 ex KX.

 

[Techniquest]

this is gonna be the 2 fingered salute to GNER this is my friend !!

Mind if I join you with that at all? I've got two fingers that can't wait to be aimed squarely at GNER!

 

[Max]

Hull Trains used to have a 19.24 ex KX.

Ah fair enough, but I can't see them giving up any of their current paths

 

[Techniquest]

I daresay they won't, but if the path is there then GC should certainly get it!

 

[yorkie]

Since when have Hull Trains given up a path?

"Given up" is perhaps the wrong term. They were required by the DfT to run a service at 18:50 instead - so they didn't give up a path - it was retimed.

 

[paul1609]

The definate start date is 10th september,the first day of the new timetable,also the much trumpeted 4th path is very very close to being a reality,I've been told that the 4th path will be a 09.21 dep ex s/land with a 19.24 return ex KX(thats the path that Hull Trains gave up)so that should give a good day out in london if you travel on the 06.46 ex s/land.Not too sure as to what engines are going into powercars,have heard its MTU's but will ask my "friend" to shed some light on it

I reckon that these services are marginal enough with just 3 trains a day.
I reckon that the 3 trains a day requires 2 sets in use plus the other as spare maintenance. Add in an additional return trip at the times you have quoted and I reckon you need all 3 sets in service every day as 100% availability is impossible I reckon youd need a 4th set for maintenance.
This would put the economics in to the pure fantasy league!

 

[Tom]

HT are just about managing with 3 available sets requiring 100% availability....

 

[Pathfinder]

There is a possibility of obtaining more of the MK3 rolling stock,Ian Yeowart the MD is qouted as saying there is plenty of this stock around and as they have the "blueprint" for the conversion of the stock with sovereign trains,then that wouldnt be a problem,the problem i can see is where do they obtain further powercars from ?

 

[skimble]

Seems to be only you that thinks that :roll:.

No i think that too...They only have them because they were used to test the Mk4's and from what i've heard they were meant to lose them but never did :roll:

 

[Pathfinder]

No i think that too...They only have them because they were used to test the Mk4's and from what i've heard they were meant to lose them but never did :roll:
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Well that hasnt happened on time, just like every deadline grand central sets :roll:

Sorry skimble but i can only post the info given to me,it is not for me to say whether it is 100% true or not

 

[skimble]

Sorry skimble but i can only post the info given to me,it is not for me to say whether it is 100% true or not

Sorry mate, no offence intended, however its good they have finally started!!


Sam

 

[Donny Dave]

Skimble, as has been said (before I deleted the posts, could you use the PM feature in future please instead of raising topics from the dead?