60 vs 66 on robeston to westerleigh petroleum

[truckman060473]

ok so the freight diagram that works down my way is, or was a very heavy 2400+ ton petroleum diagram serving the milford haven refinery. i have seen this working just a mile or 2 from the robeston terminal at a station called johnston. the class 60 i saw was at full roaring chat managing about 15mph still climbing the bank out of robeston. we all know there are situations where a 66 just can't manage heavy trains in awkward slow moving situations like this. i have seen 66's taking the empties to milford but it has ALWAYS been a 60 returning with the full load. my mate told me a while back he has seen this full load diagram returning, running east with a 66 hauling. i was just wondering, because the 60 fleet is in decline, does this working operate with fewer tankers if a 66 is used? it normally runs with 22-25 100ton bogie murco tanks when the 60 works them.

 

[The Planner]

It could probably run with a 66 fully loaded, but would take longer, and DBS being desperate as they are to shave as much off paths and save driver diagrams keep 60s on it for that. 60s are better at the heavier loads.

 

[anthony263]

i think dbs are asking for problems if they are going to use a class 66 on this diagram really i think a class 60 is the most suitable

 

[Ferret]

Apparently they are using pairs of 66s. I give that a month before they find themselves cancelling trains due to a shortage of motive power!

 

[GB]

66's have enough trouble hauling our petrochem train which is usually only1800tn. Onces its up to speed is usally OK, but Id hate to see it pulling 2000+tns!

 

[The Planner]

I think it really is down to the skill of a driver. Ive watched a 66 wander down and propel into Kingsbury with 2500+ on the back without breaking into a sweat. Granted it deposited Blackpool beach when it was reversing but it didnt have any real trouble.

 

[truckman060473]

at Johnston there is a signal and there was a passenger train from Milford coming through about 20 min before the freight maybe to give plenty of clearance. a petroleum train would not really want to roll up to a red check here - it would be a job to get moving again. this is what 60's are good at. if anyone ever saw the video "traction '99" it showed a 66 on trial on Appleby bank with 2400 ton of iron ore. it failed to start the train. so the 66, if it is capable of climbing through Johnston with 24 tanks then it certainly wouldn't want to be forced to a standstill here by a signal check

 

[Vlad the Impaler]

I think it really is down to the skill of a driver. Ive watched a 66 wander down and propel into Kingsbury with 2500+ on the back without breaking into a sweat. Granted it deposited Blackpool beach when it was reversing but it didnt have any real trouble.

Ah yes, but was a it red 66, or FL 66/6???? If it was a 6, then AIUI, (hopefully a 66 jock will correct me if wrong), its regeared for lower speed and better tractive effort, which would bring it nearer to a 60 in terms of grunt??

V

 

[The Planner]

DBS 66, not a /6. Was suprised at how well it did, which is why I think driver skill really plays a part.

 

[Spartacus]

DB do have the slight advantage of having all original build 66s, none of the low emission ones which never seem to have the same haulage capacity.