1433 Virgin Trains Carlisle-Preston...via Settle?!

[bradders1983]

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/P54010/2015/06/16/advanced

This has to be a mistake, surely? Whats it all about?

 

[Muzer]

I would guess it's maybe for route learning for drags. Does it ever actually get activated nowadays though?

 

[PHILIPE]

I would guess it's maybe for route learning for drags. Does it ever actually get activated nowadays though?

Just occasional if Voyager worked

 

[plastictaffy]

I would imagine it is more as a route learner - light locomotive, perhaps.

That path has a booked stop at Hellifield Goods Loop for a quarter of an hour. It runs as 0P99, which is a light engine.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

This comes up on here occasionally: it's for route retention purposes for the odd occasion when diversions via the S&C occur.

 

[bradders1983]

So how often is it worked by a driver?

 

[SprinterMan]

So how often is it worked by a driver?

Every time it runs I assume :P Unless the DLR has a new northern extension

(Tongue firmly in cheek :P )

Adam

 

[55018ballymoss]

It runs as required to retain route knowledge for Virgin drivers even though I am not aware of any upcoming diversions.
0P99 is the balancing working of 0C99 which runs out from Preston in the morning.
The actual timings for 0P99 should not be taken as being accurate as usually the Class 57 returns southbound almost immediately after arriving from Preston, and is usually passing Hellifield anything up to almost four hours early on the way back to Preston!

 

[alexl92]

Do DRS allocate certain 57s to the WCML Thunderbird duties or do they rotate according to their other contracts?

 

[Tim R-T-C]

Here is a shot of the working from 2013.



From realtimetrains, it does seem quite a regular turn, but as mentioned above, usually comes straight back from Carlisle, so runs very early on the return working.