Grand Central 43484 in Edinburgh

[43106]

On Saturday afternoon, at about 1.30 p.m. whilst on a route 4 bus in Edinburgh, I passed over the Haymarket - Slateford line on Slateford Road near the junction with Ashley Terrace. I saw GCR power car 43484 heading towards Slateford. It was 43484 by itself, under its own power. Why? Route learning? Route familiarisation prior to introducing a new route? Anyone got any idea????

 

[90019]

On Saturday afternoon, at about 1.30 p.m. whilst on a route 4 bus in Edinburgh, I passed over the Haymarket - Slateford line on Slateford Road near the junction with Ashley Terrace. I saw GCR power car 43484 heading towards Slateford. It was 43484 by itself, under its own power. Why? Route learning? Route familiarisation prior to introducing a new route? Anyone got any idea????

I'd guess it's been to Craigentinny for use of the wheel lathe there.

 

[SeanG]

But hasn't Heaton got one?

 

[minted101]

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/R91949/2013/11/30/advanced

Sent from my R800i using Tapatalk 2

 

[Plan B]

On Saturday afternoon, at about 1.30 p.m. whilst on a route 4 bus in Edinburgh, I passed over the Haymarket - Slateford line on Slateford Road near the junction with Ashley Terrace. I saw GCR power car 43484 heading towards Slateford. It was 43484 by itself, under its own power. Why? Route learning? Route familiarisation prior to introducing a new route? Anyone got any idea????

Railway Herald Issue 387 reported the northbound journey on 23/11/2013 with photo passing through Morpeth.

 

[SeanG]

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/R91949/2013/11/30/advanced

Sent from my R800i using Tapatalk 2

Why not just go down the ECML

 

[route:oxford]

Why not just go down the ECML

Speed limit on a single power car and pathing?

If there was a diagram that went from Edinburgh to Newcastle, I suppose it could have been hooked up at an East Coast Set and run at full speed.

3 power cars operating would have given it a bit of oomph.

 

[Erniescooper]

But hasn't Heaton got one?

Heaton hasn't got a wheel lathe and I believe of late GC have been using the lathe at Bounds Green and Northern use the lathe at Neville Hill.
43484 had been at Craigentinny for a QL3 which is overhaul of the top of the top of the engine .

 

[swt_passenger]

Why not just go down the ECML

It might be as simple as wanting it a particular way round (i.e. the same way as it left) on return to Heaton via Newcastle, without having to do any reversals, which are not impossible but are a bit awkward without a cab.

 

[sprinterguy]

It might be as simple as wanting it a particular way round (i.e. the same way as it left) on return to Heaton via Newcastle, without having to do any reversals, which are not impossible but are a bit awkward without a cab.

That was one of my first thoughts, but is the turntable at Heaton not still operational? Though I suppose any opportunity to avoid an unneccessary turning operation is a bonus.

 

[SeanG]

There is also the circle in Newcastle/Gateshead, but I reckon that there may be some conflicting movements doing this

 

[Eagle]

Probably a combination of all the above: wanting to keep it the right way round whilst avoiding any pathing conflicts.

What is the top permissible speed of a single powercar?

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Probably a combination of all the above: wanting to keep it the right way round whilst avoiding any pathing conflicts.

What is the top permissible speed of a single powercar?

Aren't all light-engine movements (as I assume it would be classed) limited to 75mph?

 

[Eagle]

It was classed as a light engine (class 0 headcode).