Carlisle Ice Breakers

[alexl92]

Does anyone know which, if any, electric locos are being stabled at Carlisle as icebreakers this winter? When I last went up a couple of years ago and 86101 + 87002 (I think?) were there, but 86101's being used in Scotland this year and I had a feeling that the 87 was elsewhere too.

 

[Condor7]

I don't know what locos are being used other than they are electric ones, but they have a Sunday's only path through Carlisle late in the evening and returning during the night.

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U09134/2014/12/21/advanced

 

[DarloRich]

they are running out of Mossend this year - i think the loco should be up there already

 

[Mag_seven]

they are running out of Mossend this year - i think the loco should be up there already

87002 is the loco and it is.

 

[Rick1984]

What exactly do the icebreakers do? Just curious as 87002 is a preserved loco?

 

[jopsuk]

They run their pantograph along the overhead line to knock off the frost/ice build up (which would otherwise cause damage/low power for normal services)

 

[Suraggu]

They run their pantograph along the overhead line to knock off the frost/ice build up (which would otherwise cause damage/low power for normal services)

I guess it will be having regular pan head changes then?

 

[Chrisgr31]

They run their pantograph along the overhead line to knock off the frost/ice build up (which would otherwise cause damage/low power for normal services)

Doesnt it damage the loco though?

 

[jp4712]

No. The bit that actually touches the wire and scrapes along it is a carbon insert into the pantograph head, which is essentially a consumable. A modern train does exactly the same thing, it's just that using 87002 is cheaper than using a whole train (that is usually under maintenance and inspection when there's ice breaking to be done anyway).

 

[jopsuk]

the last bit is a good point- they run at night don't they? Stop the worst build up before it gets badly damaging

 

[alexl92]

Doesn't the falling ice damage the pantograph mechanism?

 

[Darandio]

Is there anything similar on the ECML this year? Am I right in thinking this was done by Network Rail 86's in the past?

 

[Boothby97]

Is there anything similar on the ECML this year? Am I right in thinking this was done by Network Rail 86's in the past?

Think there hasn't been any on the ECML for a few years.
And 86901 and 86902 can't work them this year, their currently residing in CF Booths Rotherham scrapyard

 

[DarloRich]

Think there hasn't been any on the ECML for a few years.
And 86901 and 86902 can't work them this year, their currently residing in CF Booths Rotherham scrapyard

the 86/87 has run south down the ECML a few times in recent years but not on a planned working and has operated as a request for assitance to keep the OHLE clear

Are the 86/9 not at Wilkinson Sword by now?

 

[455driver]

The icebreaker's also run slower than the normal service trains so there will be less 'impact' between the ice and pan carbon strips.

 

[thecrofter]

The icebreaker's also run slower than the normal service trains so there will be less 'impact' between the ice and pan carbon strips.

The principle behind the "ice breakers" is from the electrical effect of heating the contact wire by the current drawn by the loco not physically knocking the ice off