Recent content by KiddyKid

The SVR only has the one Diesel Gala moved to May 2016, the organiser has been mulling this over for a while. One of his reasons for the change of date is that main line foc locomotives tend not to be available in the autumn months due to RHTT and other commitments.

It seems reliable, it can be packed at certain times of the day and runs every 10 mins down to Stourbridge Town and back, it rides quite roughly finding every rail joint, the crews are employed by Pre Metro Ltd which i believe is a Parry owned company.

I know CIGs and VEPs can work push-pull with a 33, I've seen it with my own eyes. Yes they can work with both the 33/1, 73 & 74, the problem being that they were not fitted with ETH jumpers thus once off the third rail the motor generator would stop, no lights, heat or battery charging.

Interesting views, my thoughts were that they could end up as a TC type train with the motors removed and used as loco hauled vehicles. Im not sure if a suitable push pull system could be produced with today's technology but if you look at the Chiltern DVT which uses the AAR push/pull system...

With the end in sight of the use of 442's with Gatwick Express is their future one of a swift trip to the scrap yard or continued use with other operators. I remember them being diesel hauled via Laverstock when the mainline was closed, nice train for little outlay i would think.

Prehaps Chiltern Gaffer was eyeing up the Voyager ready for the next aquisition!! :D

Exceeding 25mph also has ramifications with regard to secondary door locks(usually sliding bolts) on coaches and provision of stewards to operate them.

looked like a short rake of R stock.

The A&O in Koln is very basic and barrack like. If you like a few creature comforts its not for you!!

I am a Driver based at Stourbridge Depot I will try to answer the OP's questions. Firstly 67017 has been used for route learning by Chiltern for forthcoming diversions between Leamington and Birmingham New Street this loco leaves SBJ and returns during office hours, it stables and is not run...

The seats have been retrimmed in the grey material used in the silver sets.

No 30mph restriction along here, permanent speed restriction is 70mph reducing to 50mph at Willesden Green. During peak times this is a intensively used section of track its probably simply down to your train following another.

I think those pictures being posted at work are of the interior of the converted FGW buffets, the colour scheme is typical of FGW and the seats are of the same design. Someone has dropped a clanger me thinks!!

I'd forgotten how bad that opening sequence to the 4.50 from Padd was for continuity. Russians in space, GWR liveried coaches, Merchant Navy on the front changing to a 80xxx Tank enroute, GWR antimacassers in the compo. At least it was nice to see Marylebone as it was prior to modernisation.:)

It was always a cardinal sin to ride in the back cab of a HST due to the remote fire system, ie the rear power car extinguisher could go off automatically at any time. Dont know if this is still the same since they were re engined.