DRS Class 55

[EE Type 3]

So you want it to be scrapped...

I wouldn't care. I like 55s as much as the next guy, but DRS can do what they want with it, and whatever they want to do with the wreck, then it is their call.

Telling DRS to get it back on the mainline on a forum which they probably don't even know of, is just a tad pointless IMHO.

 

[D9521]

I wouldn't care. I like 55s as much as the next guy, but DRS can do what they want with it, and whatever they want to do with the wreck, then it is their call.

Telling DRS to get it back on the mainline on a forum which they probably don't even know of, is just a tad pointless IMHO.

I'll second that DRS have better things to do anyway so they will take their time bringing the worsening heap of what would probally be better scrapped, loco back up to standard.

I say strip it and lets keep RSG fit and running

 

[GNERman]

But what was the point in paying over 100 grand for it eh?

 

[EE Type 3]

But what was the point in paying over 100 grand for it eh?

You tell me?

Only DRS know. And maybe Harry Needle.

 

[GNERman]

I don't reckon that if they sold all the parts at the moment thwey could make any profit...

 

[FusionRail]

Will it really though? i mean think of its age although it will probally use less than a 66 in general would it still work out much cheaper than if it was new

66's are a lot more fuel efficient.

55's have a few interchangeable parts with 20s/37s, but apart from that shes a one man band.

 

[P156KWJ]

Yeah but it'll use less fuel...

66s are made by General Motors, a massive global company that owns massive companies like Vauxhall, getting spare bits is cheap and a doddle. 55s are made by EE and are only 1650bhp anyway, as opposed to sheds which are 3300bhp

 

[90019]

55s are made by EE and are only 1650bhp anyway, as opposed to sheds which are 3300bhp

Actually, its only each engine rated at 1650bhp, and it has 2 of them, so both 55 and 66 have 3300bhp.

 

[EE Type 3]

I don't reckon that if they sold all the parts at the moment thwey could make any profit...

Do you know how many 55s there are left? If you walked on up to Martin Walker or the DPS and said you had spare parts from a deltic, they would be fighting over said parts.

 

[P156KWJ]

Actually, its only each engine rated at 1650bhp, and it has 2 of them, so both 55 and 66 have 3300bhp.

do sheds only have one engine?

 

[90019]

do sheds only have one engine?

It's only the one in a shed.

 

[matt]

Spam type replies removed.

 

[mbonwick]

Yes. It's a EMD 12N-710G3B-EC, or in the case of the 66/9s, an EMD 12N-710G3B-T2

 

[Phoenix]

For some they can think about this situation and figure this much out.

1) It won't be for freight as they only do Intermodals and flasks.
2) It will do various saloon workings and even the various test train.
3) The above only being due to it's top speed being higher than the majority than the fleet.
4) It will be doing many many charters seen as though the only company who use DRS regularly at the moment is spitfire and an increase customer list would be needed.
5) For us fans it will also do open days,Preservation lines and various stuff like that.

This of course is all to be seen as nothing is set in stone yet but this dream of using it for dedicated freight is slightly nonsense they hardly ever did it in their day and there won't be much of it these days.

 

[37402]

DRS payed over £100,000 for her minus the bogies so I can hardly see them scrapping her...

...and where did you get that figure from? I'm certain that DRS wouldn't shout about what they paid for it so it sounds like trainspotter jibber to me, a theory that is made somewhat stronger by the fact that DRS also own the bogies.

 

[Phoenix]

...and where did you get that figure from? I'm certain that DRS wouldn't shout about what they paid for it so it sounds like trainspotter jibber to me, a theory that is made somewhat stronger by the fact that DRS also own the bogies.

It has been mentioned by a DRS driver but only as a six figure sum so apparently that's the least but I don't actually agree with any price unless it's told to us officially.

Also about the bogies I was mentioning yesterday that no doubt they will go to a 37 in the fleet as they would be needed more urgently than having Gordon mainline.

 

[JoshW1992]

In reply to an earlier post about why would DRS use it on a freight, as apposed to a 66, it is likely that they are after publicity. They are a great operator, as they tick us enthusiast's boxes. 20's, 37's, 47's, 57's, and 66's. I mean, they are a good company, and now that they have their class 55, it will probably be used on occasional freights and charters.. to get more publicity.

 

[34067James]

In reply to an earlier post about why would DRS use it on a freight, as apposed to a 66, it is likely that they are after publicity. They are a great operator, as they tick us enthusiast's boxes. 20's, 37's, 47's, 57's, and 66's. I mean, they are a good company, and now that they have their class 55, it will probably be used on occasional freights and charters.. to get more publicity.

lets hope we get to see it on the nuke flask to Dungerness then

James

 

[D9521]

For some they can think about this situation and figure this much out.

1) It won't be for freight as they only do Intermodals and flasks.
2) It will do various saloon workings and even the various test train.
3) The above only being due to it's top speed being higher than the majority than the fleet.
4) It will be doing many many charters seen as though the only company who use DRS regularly at the moment is spitfire and an increase customer list would be needed.
5) For us fans it will also do open days,Preservation lines and various stuff like that.

This of course is all to be seen as nothing is set in stone yet but this dream of using it for dedicated freight is slightly nonsense they hardly ever did it in their day and there won't be much of it these days.

Finally someone else that has pointed out they wouldn't use it on freight

 

[Phoenix]

Finally someone else that has pointed out they wouldn't use it on freight

Finally someone who actually agrees.
I don't want to be rude but it's very unlikely for such a non standard locomotive to be put on such a high risk load.
I mean what happens if there was a whole green peace scenario would you really want that at the mercy of them cause they don't care.

Okay here is a challenge if any of you can find a deltic hauling a revenue earning freight in the years since they withdrawn from the east coast then I'll bow down and agree they will do freight.

 

[FusionRail]

They will use it on some frieghts, if it proves to be a reiable venture, thats just common sense, using a powerful faster locomotive if its availiable. Its just another locomotive in the pool really, not a special things as you trainspotters see it. It seems a bit of a publicity stunt.

 

[Phoenix]

not a special things as you trainspotters see it.

Yet you actually think it will go on freight that won't happen I honestly belive it won't they never did before and they won't now although it seems possible they just wont bother if they arn't even in a rush to get it working why do people think they see it as important enough to use on freight.
And please don't say trainspotter it just annoys people.

 

[D9521]

They will use it on some frieghts, if it proves to be a reiable venture, thats just common sense, using a powerful faster locomotive if its availiable. Its just another locomotive in the pool really, not a special things as you trainspotters see it. It seems a bit of a publicity stunt.

It may be a powerful and faster loco on PASSENGER services but it's not designed to be haulin heavier freight trains and i reckon it will either be sloppy and wheel slip alot or something will just give way and break..

 

[FusionRail]

There is no difference between x amount of HP pulling fireght and the same amount pulling passenger really, ok locos are either pass, frieght or mixed traffic, but putting a deltic on the front of a nuke train or RHTT is easier work for it than pulling 10 coaches!

 

[D9521]

Well ye obviously on the nukes or the rhtt's it is ye but they arn't going to buy it just for them when they have a perfectly good fleet of 20's and 37's that cover them perfectly already.. so there must be some other plan for it

 

[FusionRail]

Another loco in the pool, thats popular and will be a crowd puller if they use it for railtours, and it gets them publicity just running it on frieghts, test trains/inspection trains (higher speed). Plus it makes them more popular among the rail community in the UK. Esentially, no matter how much you lot speculate, you wont know untill it happens. A repeated sentence used so many times on this forum...

 

[D9521]

Well ye thats also true but there would never be a discussion if we all waited for the real news railtours is something ive said all along anyway

 

[37402]

Plus it makes them more popular among the rail community in the UK.

...and that makes how much difference to the successful running of the business exactly?

Esentially, no matter how much you lot speculate, you wont know untill it happens. A repeated sentence used so many times on this forum...

Am I the only one who can see the irony of that statement? You seem to be distancing yourself from everyone else due to their speculations on the forum yet you are speculating just as much as to what the deltic will be used on. Pot, kettle, black...

 

[D9521]

Good point.. And as to speculating what its going to be used for without proof i havn't once said it is DEFINATLEY being used for such a thing

 

[delt1c]

There is no difference between x amount of HP pulling fireght and the same amount pulling passenger really, ok locos are either pass, frieght or mixed traffic, but putting a deltic on the front of a nuke train or RHTT is easier work for it than pulling 10 coaches!

Think you will find that there is a drastic difference, the gearing for a start . That is why French diesels could have the gearing changed by the driver to suit the train. Look at the 37's , BR refurbished them and then ballasted the 37/7's to increase traction.
Anyone who used the Deltics in the 1970's will tell you that getting away from Kings Cross was a major feet and the deltics would be suffering from Wheel spin in the tunnels.
deltics were ocasionally used on Freights in the 60's but were never regular, they were (and still are ) Race horses,