I am quite sure that once GBRf have got the rest of / remaining drivers trained on 99s then we will see regular diagrams switch over to 99s. They are going to have to earn their investment !!
Where have I has that before? Oh yes ! The 69s LOL.
I don't think there were any metrics in which a 69 beat a class 66, indeed, either on paper or in practice (happy to be corrected). They were simply intended to plug the gap in available 66s. The 99s, however, far exceed the performance of 66s in certain metrics (on paper at least) and seem to have been ordered with significant ambitions. Provided the testing continues to be successful in meeting GBRf's expectations, its doubtless the 99's future will be much brighter than that of the 69s.
Yes there is......
Thanks for this.
Typically, routes for the Felixstowe services are via the following as far as I know. Again, subject to change, but also subject to engineering work during overnight possessions.
Really interesting. Thank you.
Well thats annoying! Especially now the Southampton trains have lost the 70s! Was hoping to see a 99 down here!
I agree and I'd love to be wrong, but when GBRF have talked about the 99's on the container services they've never mentioned Southampton, only Felixstowe and London Gateway.
Don't forget the Dagenham Ford cars/vans traffic, which is also very likely to be 99 hauled. 6X41 Dagenham - Garston and 6L48 Garston - Dagenham would use another 99. 6X77 Dagenham - Mossend and 6L38 Mossend - Dagenham (runs 2/3 times a week) would be another 99. Then the seasonal/depending on demand 6X43 Dagenham - Garston and 6L47 Garston - Dagenham would be another 99.
Have GBRf mentioned the car moves? Given their loads are pretty light and are only authorized up to 50mph (I think it's 50, something to do with the wagons used right?), I'd assume the pathing advantages of using 99s on them is negligible compared to other prospective movements.
I’d be shocked if 6L38/6X77 weren’t 99s considering they go up Shap and Beattock and are fully under the wires.
I thought it had been mentioned somewhere by someone from GBRF (can't remember where unfortunately) as part of a discussion about other types of traffic a 99 would and could work. Time will tell but because of the route, I personally believe and confidently predict a 99 will work these.
Fair enough, makes a lot of sense. I just imagine there's a lot of moves that can and will be moved to 99 haulage before.
Alot, but they will not replace every 66 intermodal, only the ones that make sense/more viable.
The number going via the GEML and London is way down on what it was a few years ago (although there are still plenty of paths). You used to be able to go somewhere like Ingatestone (near me) and get something pretty much every hour in each direction between the peaks (that's across all FOCs, not just GBRf) . Now there's only about half a dozen (today, 7 between 9am and just after 6pm, 3 of which were GBRf).
From a post by a driver on here, car carriers are 50 when empty and 75 when laden. Some workings run laden in both directions swapping models between plants, I think Toyota used to do this.
Used to be cars from Burnaston (loaded at Toton) to Europe and imports back
Fingers crossed the use of the knitting via London is attractive for more Felixstowe services.
60 when loaded.
Ahh yes that makes sense, thanks for the clarifications. I remember speaking to a GBRf driver who complained about how boring it was working the unloaded Garston cars in a 92
There's a daytime Infrastructure train from Doncaster to Millerhill 4S31 with traffic from Whitemoor and other places.Sometimes runs as 6X31 depends on wagon types. The Southbound 4E31 runs from Mosdend to Doncaster via Millerhill. These use the Edinburgh non electrified Sub line.
The Doncaster - Millerhill 6S31 and 6E36 return is a Colas working not GBRF.
Correct!
Is the difference due to braking, ride quality or some other factor.
I believe it is something to do with the suspension on a certain type of wagon (twin single deck, single axle), but it has been a long time since I have dealt with those trains.
From what I remember, Fords only put out wagons that were in use.
