Recent content by Driverme10

Even though the next 2 services waiting at Moor Street at the time of breakdown were also locos. However rather than send one to push/pull failed train to nearest loop they took them out of service and got a stourbridge driver to drive them both empty back to stourbridge. Maybe bad fuel or...

Word is some of them are going chiltern now they've been given the green light for loco hauled till 2028.

Alot of comments dismissing Chiltern wanting them. Yet you can now see the recently installed bio diesel fueling equipment at Stourbridge, Installed just for 68s, to satisfy said council and allow continued operation of lhcs. Therfore I imagine Chiltern would gladly take them to replace the...

Yes slamdoors. I have no idea why, guessing because it would require to much training especially if it's not a long term solution.

In the short term they are supposedly getting a few mk3s off greater anglia. Long term is anyones guess depends on who takes over franchise but think its likely to be bi modes (flirts have been mentioned) and possibly mk5s

I can confirm there is a group of trainees out doing their hours now, and i believe the depot drivers they took on last year will now be trained mainline. I think further trainee intakes had been postponed due to the situation with Banbury depot. Network rail will not pay unless Chiltern...

No but it would be out of service. Would be much slower than a other unit with an engine out I'd guess about third power

ATP is not needed to run as long as aws tpws is working. The 170s + loco sets do not have it.

Yeah downhill most the way, you do drop down to about 20 as you go over top of hill near West Hampstead but usually braking from about 40 as you near Marylebone

It's because of the gearbox, it basically means the engine stays connected to the drive so you get the effect of engine braking. For example if you shut off between Beaconsfield and seer green at 100 in a 168 you could coast into London (roughly 25mile) in a 172 you would be nearly at a stand by...

I know that a 5 car 168 would be similar to a loco and 5coaches and that a 172 is more thirsty than a 168 or 165 mainly because they don't coast thus you have to take power to keep speed even on a down hill gradient.

At Chiltern loco hauled is roughly the same cost to run as a 5car 168 as you go over 5 the loco is cheaper. There also quicker to reach 75/100 compared to 165 168. Only the 172s are about the same.

I can hardly see them replacing stock with older stock. As I said the stadler flirts are looking like the most likely candidates. That plus the caf mk5s to replace the mk3s. Regards temp use of 180s I stand corrected that was hull not fgw, but all has gone quiet there so maybe has been ruled out.

At Chiltern there has been alot of rumours about what new rolling stock they may get etc, In the short term, rumour has it that they may get a couple of extra mk3 sets from Greater Anglia or even some 180s from fgw. However I did have a chat with someone from senior management who said that it...