67's replacing 37's on test trains ?

[sad1e]

One thing I really think should be done should be to take some 67's out of storage and put them on test trains to replace Class 37's.

Class 37's are very long in the tooth , they're the second oldest locomotives running in revenue earning service on the network ( only a few years younger then some 20's ) and they aren't exactly getting any younger , more reliable or easier to procure parts for.

i find it very hard to wonder why they haven't been replaced with a more modern , efficient locomotive such as a 67 , there are large numbers of 67's free , 67's have all of the features of 37's to be able to be used on test trains, they can provide ETH and can be controlled by a DVT and therefore presumably a DBSO too. And it is also possible to fit them with ECTS , 67002 currently has it under trial at Doncaster.

So why hasn't this been done , having a perfectly good , modern class of locomotive for a job literally sitting rotting while we still let over 60 year old locomotives pull infrastructure trains seems a bit counterintuitive.

 

[skyhigh]

See https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/why-class-37s.241938/

Basically, 37s can go places that 67s can't due to clearance/weight.

 

[Harpo]

If the 37s could in turn replace TfW’s 67s it might make the Marches line a bit more reliable.

 

[D365]

67's have all of the features of 37's to be able to be used on test trains, they can provide ETH and can be controlled by a DVT and therefore presumably a DBSO too.

Class 67s can only be control by DVTs modified with AAR control. And none of the Class 67s are fitted with Blue Star control for the ex-DRS DBSOs.

And it is also possible to fit them with ECTS , 67002 currently has it under trial at Doncaster.

67002 is long term stopped. It is nowhere near test ready.

So why hasn't this been done , having a perfectly good , modern class of locomotive for a job literally sitting rotting while we still let over 60 year old locomotives pull infrastructure trains seems a bit counterintuitive.

Bear in mind that Colas has two Class 67 locomotives on lease. If ever there was any serious intention of trialling them on IM trains, there’s not been a lot of talk about it.

 

[mike57]

Why would you replace 37s if they are still reliable, do the job and are cleared to go where they need to (which is pretty much everywhere). If spares are available then there is no reason to change. Emissions is a red herrring, the 37s are a small usage case on engineering trains for the most part, and contribution to total emissions from the railway must be so small as to be insignificant.

 

[Towers]

The 37s currently still in service have in most cases undergone all manner of overhauls, rebuilds and modifications and are very useful bits of kit. There are plenty of them still around between those on the mainline, those in preservation and the remaining ‘dead’ ones which continue to provide assorted spares and so on, and there is a wealth of knowledge and expertise in how to get the best out of them. I think they’ll be around for a while yet!

 

[brad465]

The 37s currently still in service have in most cases undergone all manner of overhauls, rebuilds and modifications and are very useful bits of kit. There are plenty of them still around between those on the mainline, those in preservation and the remaining ‘dead’ ones which continue to provide assorted spares and so on, and there is a wealth of knowledge and expertise in how to get the best out of them. I think they’ll be around for a while yet!

So long they now take redundant stock to scrap that is far younger than they are.

 

[zwk500]

i find it very hard to wonder why they haven't been replaced with a more modern , efficient locomotive such as a 67 , there are large numbers of 67's free , 67's have all of the features of 37's to be able to be used on test trains

As mentioned above, They have a much heavier axle weight. Class 67s have a Route Availability rating of 8 (out of 10). Class 37s are RA5. Locos must have an RA Number equal to or lower than the Route's RA number to operate without special permission. There's a lot of the network that's RA 6 or 7 where Class 67s can't go but Class 37s are absolutely fine for. There's very few routes of RA4 or lower.

 

[Yorkshire09876]

Colas acquired two 67s to use on test trains, but subsequently replaced them with HST power cars. The 67s now get very little use.

In addition to all the above reasons, there aren't many stored 67s anyway - currently DB have five which could probably be returned to operational condition, not counting the ERTMS test loco currently at Doncaster.

 

[pokemonsuper9]

There's very few routes of RA4 or lower.

And presumably that's where 950 and the 153s come in.

 

[ac6000cw]

See this thread: https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/network-rail-yellow-fleet-withdrawal.286150/

Loco-hauled test trains may well disappear in the near future.

 

[Towers]

Colas acquired two 67s to use on test trains, but subsequently replaced them with HST power cars. The 67s now get very little use.

In addition to all the above reasons, there aren't many stored 67s anyway - currently DB have five which could probably be returned to operational condition, not counting the ERTMS test loco currently at Doncaster.

I assumed they were nearly all in store!

How many of them are there; I forget?!

43s do have the look of being the next generation of motive power for NR test stuff, their very light weight presumably makes them equal to a 37 on the RA front, if not better?

 

[Yorkshire09876]

I assumed they were nearly all in store!

How many of them are there; I forget?!

67001 - stored at Crewe (was some mention of it potentially being repaired for shunting use at Crewe)
67002 - Doncaster, ERTMS fitment
67003 - scrapped
67004 - stored at Toton
67005 - Royal Train loco / used for various stock movements and charter work by DB
67006 - Royal Train loco / used for various stock movements and charter work by DB
67007 - DB use
67008 - one of the pool leased for TfW work
67009 - stored at Crewe
67010 - one of the pool leased for TfW work
67011 - stored at Crewe
67012 - one of the pool leased for TfW work
67013 - one of the pool leased for TfW work
67014 - one of the pool leased for TfW work
67015 - one of the pool leased for TfW work
67016 - one of the pool leased for TfW work
67017 - one of the pool leased for TfW work
67018 - stored at Crewe
67019 - stripped for parts at Toton; likely to be scrapped
67020 - one of the pool leased for TfW work
67021 - Used by DB for British Pullman work
67022 - one of the pool leased for TfW work
67023 - owned by Beacon Rail and leased to Colas; doesn't seem to get used much
67024 - Used by DB for British Pullman work
67025 - one of the pool leased for TfW work
67026 - owned by TfW; stored at Crewe
67027 - owned by Beacon Rail and leased to Colas; doesn't seem to get used much
67028 - owned by TfW and allegedly going to be brought back into use
67029 - one of the pool leased for TfW work
67030 - stripped for parts at Toton; likely to be scrapped

 

[Towers]

67001 - stored at Crewe (was some mention of it potentially being repaired for shunting use at Crewe)
67002 - Doncaster, ERTMS fitment
67003 - scrapped
67004 - stored at Toton
67005 - Royal Train loco / used for various stock movements and charter work by DB
67006 - Royal Train loco / used for various stock movements and charter work by DB
67007 - DB use
67008 - one of the pool leased for TfW work
67009 - stored at Crewe
67010 - one of the pool leased for TfW work
67011 - stored at Crewe
67012 - one of the pool leased for TfW work
67013 - one of the pool leased for TfW work
67014 - one of the pool leased for TfW work
67015 - one of the pool leased for TfW work
67016 - one of the pool leased for TfW work
67017 - one of the pool leased for TfW work
67018 - stored at Crewe
67019 - stripped for parts at Toton; likely to be scrapped
67020 - one of the pool leased for TfW work
67021 - Used by DB for British Pullman work
67022 - one of the pool leased for TfW work
67023 - owned by Beacon Rail and leased to Colas; doesn't seem to get used much
67024 - Used by DB for British Pullman work
67025 - one of the pool leased for TfW work
67026 - owned by TfW; stored at Crewe
67027 - owned by Beacon Rail and leased to Colas; doesn't seem to get used much
67028 - owned by TfW and allegedly going to be brought back into use
67029 - one of the pool leased for TfW work
67030 - stripped for parts at Toton; likely to be scrapped

Very comprehensive - thanks!