AT300 possible guaging issues into Cornwall

[DarloRich]

I am fairly certain someone will already be on the gauging issues

Will a wagon equipped with LIDAR and GPS be sent down every possible track to determine what works need doing?

*cough* - see structure gauging train

EDIT as already pointed out by P. Phlopp

 

[RobShipway]

Not sure whether to ask this question in this thread or in the thread for the "structure gauging train", but if there is work going on between London Paddington and Reading, there has been times when services have been run out of Waterloo. So is there going to be tests on done on any of the routes from London Waterloo via Staines for IEP/AT300 trains?

 

[paul1609]

Looks like Cheltenham to Gloucester has been missed plus also Carmarthen to Pembroke Dock plus Melksham.

Chiltern routes (and associated diversions) also look like they have been missed.

Don't the Chiltern Routes effectively end with Crossrail anyway?

 

[swt_passenger]

Not sure whether to ask this question in this thread or in the thread for the "structure gauging train", but if there is work going on between London Paddington and Reading, there has been times when services have been run out of Waterloo. So is there going to be tests on done on any of the routes from London Waterloo via Staines for IEP/AT300 trains?

Yes. See the list in post #18? Gauge clearance for IEP from Reading to Waterloo via Ascot and Staines has been a long established part of the project, and has been mentioned numerous times in previous versions of this thread...

 

[RobShipway]

Yes. See the list in post #18? Gauge clearance for IEP from Reading to Waterloo via Ascot and Staines has been a long established part of the project, and has been mentioned numerous times in previous versions of this thread...

Oops...missed that it said Reading - Waterloo thanks.

 

[gimmea50anyday]

4 & 5 coach sets with two PCs will go like stink, hence the GTI reference

Oh, yes! As VXC found out when the "challenger" sets were introduced They can keep up with a voyager. That's no mean feat for a 40 year old train which still ran with valentas back then

 

[Class 170101]

Don't the Chiltern Routes effectively end with Crossrail anyway?

Nope. HS2 may see the Old Oak Link severed however I don't think thats guaranteed by any means. In any event West aling to Greenford would still be available - and as an aside didn't someone say the Chiltern Parliamentary train went that way in the last week or so?

 

[Philip Phlopp]

Oh, yes! As VXC found out when the "challenger" sets were introduced They can keep up with a voyager. That's no mean feat for a 40 year old train which still ran with valentas back then

The re-engine project didn't change alternator or traction motors, they just fitted an engine which didn't throw oil and smoke about everywhere, which had better parts availability and which would use a little less fuel to cover the costs of the project.

The MTU and VP185 engines now fitted are all de-rated to avoid destroying the alternator. They turn the same alternator at the same speed and produce the same electrical output as the Valenta, which is used in the same way by the same traction motors.

 

[MatthewRead]

I suspect that in order to save space the reference to London/Worcester/Hereford is also intended to encompass Worcester via Cheltenham - on which there is a regular GW express service or two. Melksham is probably a given as well in the light of its importance as a diversionary route. It would be pretty dumb not to clear it.

Pembroke Dock you can forget - there is a tunnel on the route that would probably need to be rebored to take 26m stock and no one is going to bother for a few summer Saturday services.



Perhaps the expectation is that once all the GWML modernisation work is out of the way, there will not be a need to go via the Chiltern line and that if a London alternative is needed occasionally, Waterloo should suffice. The Chiltern route only really came into the equation when there were the blockades through Reading.



Why? They're going to be a stopgap if they happen - no one is going to waste lots of money painting them green for a few months' more work.

I read that they were going to make them look like that other Green HST set they do need PRM TSI specifications if they are going to stay in service beyond 2020.

 

[AM9]

I read that they were going to make them look like that other Green HST set they do need PRM TSI specifications if they are going to stay in service beyond 2020.

Not really OT for this thread but the current planned position of HSTs (and all other heavy rail vehicles in service after 2019) is defined in this document:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/heavy-rail-fleets-2020-targeted-compliance

Regulation 14 of The Railways (Interoperability) Regulations 2011 document (linked to in the above publication) also defines the opportunities for derogation contained in RIR 2011 should there be extenuating circumstances for operation of stock beyond the established deadline.
Given the untimely delays of the current CP5 schemes and the consequent impacts elsewhere, I would expect the dispensations available in those rules to be fully exploited in order to keep services running as necessary.