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Virgin carriages on the GEML

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Jimini

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With apologies if this has been asked before; I did a cursory search but couldn't find anything (and I'm on my phone which probably doesn't help).

I was on a TfL Rail service at Romford today at 1804 and I randomly spotted a set of Virgin Trains' carriages being carted along by a couple of AGA power cars, passing through on the up main. I was just curious if this is a temporary thing or a regular occurrence of stock swapping from one main line to the other? I'm not a regular in this neck of the woods but it certainly caught my eye. Thanks!
 
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AJM580

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What you saw was the MK III set formerly used by Virgin West Coast on Euston - Birmingham services (known as the Pretendalino set). It has been on loan to AGA and would have had a 90 on the front and an AGA DVT on the back
 
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AJM580 said:
What you saw was the MK III set formerly used by Virgin West Coast on Euston - Birmingham services (known as the Pretendalino set). It has been on loan to AGA and would have had a 90 on the front and an AGA DVT on the back
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Amazing - thanks for the quick and concise response!
 
dk1

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Only in use with AGA for a few more weeks on an extended contract. Enjoy it while you can.
 
gimmea50anyday

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2x 5 car rakes t&t with class 68 initially for driver and traincrew training with train service introduction to follow. Timescale suggests december 2016 with NCL-LIV as suggested route as this is where the mk5's are supposed to be going. Means diagram can be self contained as at least one set diagram starts and finishes at heaton and is worked by newcastle based crews throughout

Unit AK225, 5F63 XHT-NCL, 1F63 07:08 NCL-LIV, 1E70 11:10 LIV-NCL, 1F71 15:08 NCL-LIV, 1E78 19:12 LIV-NCL, 5E78 NCL-XHT is one possible diagram
 
dk1

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chubs said:
Does that mean the AGA mk3 refurb program is complete?
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It's getting there. Less than 10 vehicles left. Will mean 321 substitute on usual diagram commencing 06:25 down if not. Pretendolino is on an extended pay by the mile contract now.
 
gimmea50anyday

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1179_Clee2 said:
according to the new issue of rail magazine, the DVT in the photo 82101 plus 82126 both owned by DRS have moved to RVEL in Derby for a return to operational condition.
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Interesting.....

DRS or even TPE colours?..... DRS are TPE's traction supplier and they already know how to make a DVT "talk" to AAR fitted locos....
 
CosherB

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1179_Clee2 said:
according to the new issue of rail magazine, the DVT in the photo 82101 plus 82126 both owned by DRS have moved to RVEL in Derby for a return to operational condition.
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Both DVTs are not owned by DRS - 82126 is still with Porterbrook along with the rest of the Pretendolino stock.

According to the Wiki 'font of all knowledge':

In early 2013, the ownership of former Virgin Trains spare DVT 82101 passed to Direct Rail Services, to be modified to test AAR multiple working with the new Class 68 locomotives. 82101 was chosen as it already had OTMR fitted from its time as Virgin's spare DVT.
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From memory, I don't recall 82101 being involved with Class 68 testing at all.

I can't imagine 82126 will require much working doing to it, other than an AAR upgrade for push-pull operation with the 68s.

As for livery, I can't see the whole Pretendolino fleet getting a full cosmetic overhaul. Maybe 82126 will get some vinyls to remove more of the Virgin red and some TPE logos, but I'd say that only 82101 will get a full repaint to match it's sister. I daresay that there will be a smattering of TPE logos on the Mk3 carriages, as per AGA treatment.

I could, however, be completely wrong!
 
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CosherB said:
Both DVTs are not owned by DRS - 82126 is still with Porterbrook along with the rest of the Pretendolino stock.

Quote from Rail magazine Issue 807 Page 31
As this issue of Rail went to press Abellio Greater Anglia was due to remove the former Pretendolino rake of MK 3's from traffic, ahead of their move to Trans Pennine Express to assist with crew training ready for the Class 68's entering traffic.
This is planned for spring 2018 after the first MK 5's have been delivered.
The stock moving is RFB 10212 FO 11007/018/048 and TSO 12011/078,12122/133/138.
The set's former DVT 82126 has been bought by DRS and moved to RVEL Derby along with 82101 also owned by DRS for a return to operational condition.
Click to expand...
 
CosherB

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1179_Clee2 said:
CosherB said:
Both DVTs are not owned by DRS - 82126 is still with Porterbrook along with the rest of the Pretendolino stock.

Quote from Rail magazine Issue 807 Page 31
As this issue of Rail went to press Abellio Greater Anglia was due to remove the former Pretendolino rake of MK 3's from traffic, ahead of their move to Trans Pennine Express to assist with crew training ready for the Class 68's entering traffic.
This is planned for spring 2018 after the first MK 5's have been delivered.
The stock moving is RFB 10212 FO 11007/018/048 and TSO 12011/078,12122/133/138.
The set's former DVT 82126 has been bought by DRS and moved to RVEL Derby along with 82101 also owned by DRS for a return to operational condition.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the update - I hold my hands up and stand corrected (assuming that Rail magazine is correct!). I'm a bit surprised by the purchase of the second DVT by DRS, but then their procurement strategy does often cause me surprise!
Click to expand...
 
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