Grand Central Problems?

[blue sabre]

Just been waiting for my Metro back home at Sunderland when the last service from Kings Cross pulled in. Was suprised to see 2 180's coupled together, although the rear unit didn't appear to be in service. Is this just a standard ECS move or had one of the units had a problem? Only ever seen them running in singular.

 

[yorkie]

Was the rear unit 105 by any chance? and at least one coach coated in oil along one side?

See http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=45280 saw this at King's Cross (platform 1) on Sunday night. I wonder if it's only just been taken back up north.

If not, then it'll be another unit for some other reason.

The 180s are unreliable, so it does not surprise me at all.

 

[cdonnigan]

Was the rear unit 105 by any chance? and at least one coach coated in oil along one side?

See http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=45280 saw this at King's Cross (platform 1) on Sunday night. I wonder if it's only just been taken back up north.

If not, then it'll be another unit for some other reason.

The 180s are unreliable, so it does not surprise me at all.

i live next to cutting before the tunnel where it enters and go under the outskirts of the city centre and normally it goes past about 22:50 tonight it went past about seven minutes late although not clear it id seam to take longer than normal to pass which couldof been it coupled up with the one that was damaged a couple of days ago but not to sure as obviously very dark and can only see the inside lighting

 

[IanPooleTrains]

The 180s are unreliable, so it does not surprise me at all.

Well they're not that bad yorkie, Sure, they have their faults but I could think of worse things reliable that the GCZ

 

[Lampshade]

What's even more amazing is that they actually ran in multiple hock:

 

[blue sabre]

Was the rear unit 105 by any chance? and at least one coach coated in oil along one side?

See http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=45280 saw this at King's Cross (platform 1) on Sunday night. I wonder if it's only just been taken back up north.

If not, then it'll be another unit for some other reason.

The 180s are unreliable, so it does not surprise me at all.

Yeah. The rear unit was 105. One of the coaches was certainly covered in something, couldn't tell what it was but oil would fit the bill.

 

[ainsworth74]

Well they're not that bad yorkie, Sure, they have their faults but I could think of worse things reliable that the GCZ

What is worse than a 180 in terms of reliability? Because that's one type of train I want to avoid

 

[Aictos]

The 180s aren't bad, they just need some TLC.

 

[IanPooleTrains]

What is worse than a 180 in terms of reliability? Because that's one type of train I want to avoid

Well, if you listen to FGW, Class 57s

 

[Lampshade]

I think the magicians at Newton Heath managed to get 180106 working continuously for a few months, which puts it above most 142s there hock:

 

[asylumxl]

They're both quite similar really. Both have transmissions that screw up above a certain speed..

 

[tbtc]

Well, if you listen to FGW, Class 57s

So, the only thing less reliable than a modern 180 is, erm, a fifty year old engine (that really should have been withdrawn by now, and probably would have if railvolumes hadn't keep increasing)...

Not really much of a boast for the 180s, is it?

 

[IanPooleTrains]

I must admit that I am not a genius when it comes to train mechanics but they can't be all that bad.

I've never travelled on one, I know my brother has travelled of the Northern Rail 180s but you don't here Hull Trains or Northern complaining about them

 

[sprinterguy]

I must admit that I am not a genius when it comes to train mechanics but they can't be all that bad.

I've never travelled on one, I know my brother has travelled of the Northern Rail 180s but you don't here Hull Trains or Northern complaining about them

Then you’re not listening very carefully! There have been several occasions where it’s been reported that Northern have had problems with their 180s, and one of the two diagrams has had to be covered by a pair of 150s or similar, while two of their 180s (66% of the fleet!) have been laid up at Newton Heath with problems.

Hull Trains seem to have got the best of the bunch, but the reliability of the Adelantes overall really is quite woeful. Though admittedly I’ve never had any problems with them myself. Yet.

At least you get a comfortable interior environment to be stuck in when the train breaks down!

 

[Lampshade]

I must admit that I am not a genius when it comes to train mechanics but they can't be all that bad.

I've never travelled on one, I know my brother has travelled of the Northern Rail 180s but you don't here Hull Trains or Northern complaining about them

At one point in 2009 Hull Trains were cancelling the vast majority of services, at one point they only had one 180 running. Things have improved since maintenance was switched to Old Oak Common though.

 

[IanPooleTrains]

Then you’re not listening very carefully! There have been several occasions where it’s been reported that Northern have had problems with their 180s, and one of the two diagrams has had to be covered by a pair of 150s or similar, while two of their 180s (66% of the fleet!) have been laid up at Newton Heath with problems.

Hull Trains seem to have got the best of the bunch, but the reliability of the Adelantes overall really is quite woeful. Though admittedly I’ve never had any problems with them myself. Yet.

At least you get a comfortable interior environment to be stuck in when the train breaks down!

At one point in 2009 Hull Trains were cancelling the vast majority of services, at one point they only had one 180 running. Things have improved since maintenance was switched to Old Oak Common though.

See? Told you I wasn't a mechanical genius

But, let's flip this to ask a different question:

Northern have the fleet to be able to cover the 180s as does Grand Central (only just!) but FHT, they only have the Adelantes so what could all of the above get to replace their stock?

 

[sprinterguy]

At one point in 2009 Hull Trains were cancelling the vast majority of services, at one point they only had one 180 running. Things have improved since maintenance was switched to Old Oak Common though.

That does go a long way to show what can be achieved when the trains are maintained at a depot that already has prior experience of the units. Old Oak has a way with the beasts thanks to this.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Northern have the fleet to be able to cover the 180s as does Grand Central (only just!) but FHT, they only have the Adelantes so what could all of the above get to replace their stock?

Hull Trains and Grand Central could very easily have IEP trains from the mooted East Coast order to follow the GWML IEPs. Northern just need more Sprinters and similar commuter trains (How about some PTE sponsored 172s, please?)

 

[IanPooleTrains]

That does go a long way to show what can be achieved when the trains are maintained at a depot that already has prior experience of the units. Old Oak has a way with the beasts thanks to this.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Hull Trains and Grand Central could very easily have IEP trains from the mooted East Coast order to follow the GWML IEPs. Northern just need more Sprinters and similar commuter trains (How about some PTE sponsored 172s, please?)

IEP = Intercity Express Passenger?

And as for the 172s, bog off, they're ours.......................



.......................when they are ready that is!

 

[YorkshireBear]

Northern just need more Sprinters and similar commuter trains (How about some PTE sponsored 172s, please?)

i dream of that day.

 

[sprinterguy]

IEP = Intercity Express Passenger?

And as for the 172s, bog off, they're ours.......................



.......................when they are ready that is!

Intercity Express Project. I note that the original “HST2” moniker that was originally brandished about hasn’t been seen for a good while.

I was suggesting a future order of 172s. It’s all hypothetical anyway at the moment, as the PTEs (ITAs) have little input into the local rail franchises in their areas at the moment. But I long to go back to the days when they could sponsor small train fleets in their local areas.

Still absolutely no sign whatsoever of 172333 heading for the West Midlands any time soon. No chance of a May timetable start for the LM 172s then, unless it's May 2012.

 

[DarloRich]

i dream of that day.

should be about 2145!

I have got to say that i have never had a problem on Grand Central that was thier faulty. I have had one VERY bad ride on a 180 but other than that they have been fine. Prefer the HST though.

As for a replacement would a Deltic and some MkII be an option? No, oh well i bet it is a Polaris (no not the submarine!) but the Chinese train being offered round.

 

[YorkshireBear]

should be about 2145!

well i should be still alive then i shall wait in aticipation.

 

[sprinterguy]

well i should be still alive then i shall wait in aticipation.

Have you discovered the fountain of youth? hock: Why didn’t you tell us about it?

 

[DarloRich]

well i should be still alive then i shall wait in aticipation.

I wont be - but i hope to take as many pacers with me as i can! They will never take me alive!

 

[YorkshireBear]

I wont be - but i hope to take as many pacers with me as i can! They will never take me alive!

Oh shouldn’t we all !!! (despite the fact they're growing on me