Good units in the snow?

[MrC]

Which is where many TOC's are vulnerable- their different coupling and control systems presumably prevent them from hiring in a few diesels to get the services going

Hired in from where exactly? Just how many locos would be needed to run even a skeleton service across the 3rd rail area? And what happens to all the freights that won't run as a result (at a time when road freight is potentially grinding to a halt)?

And that's without considering things like crew route and traction knowledge, DOO(P), etc.

It's a nice idea but it's just not practical these days.

 

[Minstral25]

Hired in from where exactly? Just how many locos would be needed to run even a skeleton service across the 3rd rail area? And what happens to all the freights that won't run as a result (at a time when road freight is potentially grinding to a halt)?

And that's without considering things like crew route and traction knowledge, DOO(P), etc.

It's a nice idea but it's just not practical these days.

Mr C - that's a different point but one I agree with - because everything is "just enough" on the railways now there is no spare capacity to use and when there is everyone chases it. Add to that the lack of standardisation then you have problems like this week

This is where a government really ought to bite the bullet and buy spare capacity for TOC's for when this situation happens and just generally. How good it would be to have a couple of spare drivers at London Bridge for when there are delays because drivers don't get to their trains on Time etc. Or Thunderbirds based at East Croydon and Three bridges to haul out broken trains. etc etc

Won't happen though

 

[danfitz123]

Did they put you straight onto another unit instead? Because the 175 depot is at Chester, I've often found that late night ex-Cardiff services will have a unit swap at Chester (unannounced until after Wrexham). Swapping diagrams like that will let them take in a misbehaving unit sooner than scheduled to have a look at it.

They did but the guard said that it was because of tech difficulties.

 

[charlesn132]

When I was at Sittingbourne earlier, a pair of 465/9s ran through Platform 1 at high speed (most probably 90mph, line speed) to clear the line for the Class 395s that were in service. As it was snowing at the time, when I went back there later in the morning, this is what the track at Platform 1 looked like:


The track for Platform 1 at Sittingbourne. by Photos By Ryan, on Flickr

465's only do 75.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Rail_Class_465

 

[Southern]

In recent times, 465 units seemed to cope reasonaby well working half hourly Dover to Faversham snow shuttles. They didnt seem to materialize during this latest freeze though.

 

[466.networkers]

465's only do 75.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Rail_Class_465

I always thought the 465/9s were regeared to 90mph in 2005 when they were refurbed and renumbered to the /9 subclass?

 

[junglejames]

I'm sorry but if Gatwick Airport had to clear 100,000 tonnes of snow in 24hrs how the hell does he expect the railways to do the same? From someone who is supposed to be behind the railways to have a go because a TOC acted in the best interests of the passenger is beyond belief.

Simple case that the safest place for passengers was to be kept at stations rather than let them get trapped in the middle of no-where with little chance of being rescued for hours.

He is pro rail, but also pro sense. He seems to be talking sense here. Passengers should not be getting stuck overnight on trains. Was the snow so bad that trains literally couldnt get through? If so, why did they leave the last station.
Trains should not breakdown alkl the time in snow. When some do, there should be the ability to rescue it.

 

[charlesn132]

I always thought the 465/9s were regeared to 90mph in 2005 when they were refurbed and renumbered to the /9 subclass?

I'm not sure, Wikipedia only says they do 75. I did not see anything about regearing.

 

[Viscount]

I believe Bombardier are trying out a new conductor rail de-icing system for the Electrostars.

Anyone know how successsful it is?

From what I hear - mixed. Treated sections need to be longer to get the trains on the move.

Regarding previous post, 465/9s were regeared to 90mph to enable them to maintain Cl375 timings in 2005 - there were some dual voltage 375s transferred out at the time. The First Class section was also reinstated.

 

[chuffchuff]

From what I hear - mixed. Treated sections need to be longer to get the trains on the move.

Regarding previous post, 465/9s were regeared to 90mph to enable them to maintain Cl375 timings in 2005 - there were some dual voltage 375s transferred out at the time. The First Class section was also reinstated.

No they still can only do 75 mph