Caledonian Sleeper Class 92's

[TimboM]

the royal scotsman does not run at all over the winter so the locos will need to find work elsewhere i have seen them used on various freight trains also

Indeed - this one was hauling coal to/from Drax last week. Probably a better placed "advert" for Belmond when it's on the sleeper!

 

[43096]

Once again point to the fact that they aren't entirely to blame, as coast PPM is also affected by other dire units and high levels of staff sickness

Didn't say they were entirely to blame.

Tractor Police getting all defensive....

 

[TimboM]

92033 has replaced 92023 on the Dagenham-Garston cars and 92023 has gone down to Willesden. Maybe due for a turn on the sleepers imminently?

 

[leomartin125]

92033 has replaced 92023 on the Dagenham-Garston cars and 92023 has gone down to Willesden. Maybe due for a turn on the sleepers imminently?

Yeah, maybe a turn on hauling the empties!

 

[TimboM]

Yeah, maybe a turn on hauling the empties!

Possibly - although they've got 87002 doing it at the moment and had 92044 (in Drab Grey livery) doing it earlier in the week (although has gone elsewhere since).

It wouldn't tell them much more about it's reliability I don't think, as I'm guessing the ETS doesn't get hooked up/used much for the ECS runs? It's done a week of car trains seemingly no problem which is more of a proving ground.

Think there's only really one "test" left and that's get it back hauling 16-coaches along full WCML... and send another Skoda back to Freightliner! (or more likely another 92 into Loughborough).

Anyway, we shall see... (033 still on the cars btw)

 

[SC318250]

Did read somewhere on another site that there will be increased use of class 92 next week, and less 90s in use on sleeper... not sure if from sunday night or later in week

 

[TimboM]

Did read somewhere on another site that there will be increased use of class 92 next week, and less 90s in use on sleeper... not sure if from sunday night or later in week

That would make sense as they've got another 92 pretty much ready (023) and another not too far away (033). 014, 010 and 038 have all been used regularly recently too. Depending on any tie-ins on the hire contract, you'd think they want to get the F/L 90s off-hire ASAP.

I believe 010 and 038 still need to go in for their mods (although seem to have been managing OK without them recently) - so would expect them to be going in once 023 and 033 are in full service (and perhaps 018 is out of Loughborough where it is currently).

Probably won't happen one way or another but feasibly they could run all 4 sleepers with 92s on any given day next week.

 

[TimboM]

...92023 was back on the sleepers last night (Euston to Glasgow).

92033 appears to have finished its loaded "testing" on the cars (replaced by 044) and is now at Willesden so would expect 033 to be back on the sleepers imminently too.

92010 (+92043) went from Polmadie to Doncaster yesterday and then headed to Wabtec/Brush Loughborough this morning (hauled by 2x Class 20s). So seems like 92010's turn for its mods now that 023/033 are available.

Incidentally, 92043 then headed off to Crewe. Not sure if it just went along for the ride to keep 92010 company?!

 

[leomartin125]

Today 92018 returned from brush with it's modifications complete. Did 92043 also have modifications too? Still in two tone grey?

https://twitter.com/frankmichin125/status/826898900959248384

 

[59CosG95]

Today 92018 returned from brush with it's modifications complete. Did 92043 also have modifications too? Still in two tone grey?

https://twitter.com/frankmichin125/status/826898900959248384

Not sure if 043 had mods, but definitely still in two-tone grey. It left the day after it arrived, and I've never heard of a loco paint-job taking less than 24 hrs.

 

[43096]

Today 92018 returned from brush with it's modifications complete. Did 92043 also have modifications too? Still in two tone grey?

43 spent less than a day at Brush, what do you think the answer is?

 

[Domh245]

43 spent less than a day at Brush, what do you think the answer is?

Quick drying paint?

 

[TimboM]

Not sure if 043 had mods, but definitely still in two-tone grey. It left the day after it arrived, and I've never heard of a loco paint-job taking less than 24 hrs.

It was only there for about an hour - then went to Crewe...

The Class 20s which hauled it and 92010 to Brush took it to Crewe, where it's been sat since by the looks of it.

I'm assuming it was just a loco move e.g. GBRf needed to get 2x 92s from Craigentinny to Brush and Crewe respectively and the best option was for them to travel together to Doncaster, then have the Class 20s take them to Loughborough to "drop off" 92010, then head on to Crewe.

I can't think of any electrified lines from Doncaster to Crewe - you'd have to go via London or Scotland (Carstairs) I think - so easier to haul it cross country with the 20s.

Unless it needed a very very quick job doing that only Brush could do on site?!

Does seem a bit odd - I'm sure someone on here will be able to shed light on the exact reasons.

 

[childwallblues]

It was only there for about an hour - then went to Crewe...

The Class 20s which hauled it and 92010 to Brush took it to Crewe, where it's been sat since by the looks of it.

I'm assuming it was just a loco move e.g. GBRf needed to get 2x 92s from Craigentinny to Brush and Crewe respectively and the best option was for them to travel together to Doncaster, then have the Class 20s take them to Loughborough to "drop off" 92010, then head on to Crewe.

92043 could of course travelled under its own power down the WCML.
I have read that the 20s took it from Brush as far as Stafford.

 

[alexf380]

92023 is indeed back on the sleepers, it hauled the Carstairs-Edinburgh portion this morning, arriving into the Scottish Capital a little over 30 late.

 

[Carntyne]

014 must have hauled 1S26 yesterday, sitting on the buffers at GLC when I arrived into the station.

 

[TimboM]

92043 could of course travelled under its own power down the WCML.
I have read that the 20s took it from Brush as far as Stafford.

Exactly (re WCML) - hence the move was a bit odd/unusual. Unless for some reason 92010 needed a tow down to Doncaster. It's been running fine recently, though, so no reason it would've done.

Maybe due to locations of drivers, pathing costs, whatever it was better for them to do it this way rather than send 92010 solo down the ECML and 92043 from Craigentinny down the ECML.

I'm sure someone will pop up on here soon and explain why...!

And, yes, the 20s dropped 92043 off at Stafford and returned to Doncaster, with the 92 making its own way to Crewe. There's a video of it just gone on the YouTube.


2+2=5 probably, but I'm wondering if 043 is at Crewe for the time being to act as a "Thunderbird" with all the recently modified CS 92s getting back into service?

 

[TimboM]

014 must have hauled 1S26 yesterday, sitting on the buffers at GLC when I arrived into the station.

It did indeed.

 

[TimboM]

Does anyone know if 92033 needs a bit more work before it's let loose on the sleepers?

It came out of Loughborough a few weeks ago following its "modifications", did some test runs up and down various parts of the WCML, plus the usual stint on the Dagenham-Garston car train the CS 92s are doing post-Loughborough.

Since then, though, it's spent time at Willesden, then at Polmadie - done a few ECS moves by the looks of it, but no actual sleeper runs (during which time they've used unmodified 92044 and 92038 on the full runs). It's now back on the car train this week...

...maybe due a trip back to Loughborough for a few tweaks like 023 needed?

 

[childwallblues]

Does anyone know if 92033 needs a bit more work before it's let loose on the sleepers?

It came out of Loughborough a few weeks ago following its "modifications", did some test runs up and down various parts of the WCML, plus the usual stint on the Dagenham-Garston car train the CS 92s are doing post-Loughborough.

Since then, though, it's spent time at Willesden, then at Polmadie - done a few ECS moves by the looks of it, but no actual sleeper runs (during which time they've used unmodified 92044 and 92038 on the full runs). It's now back on the car train this week...

...maybe due a trip back to Loughborough for a few tweaks like 023 needed?

On Tuesday it was stabled in the sidings south of Crewe Station.

 

[Tracked]

On Tuesday it was stabled in the sidings south of Crewe Station.

Stationed to the south of Crewe behind 92043, red tail lamp in its rear cab

 

[TimboM]

Stationed to the south of Crewe behind 92043, red tail lamp in its rear cab

Yes, 033 came down from Glasgow/Mossend (where it's been doing ECS workings) on Mon evening, then picked up the car train (from 92018) on Tue afternoon and has been doing that the rest of the week. Wouldn't be surprised if it pops into Loughborough again...

92018 has gone to Willesden, so maybe back on the sleepers soon.

92043 has been at Crewe since it went on its sight-seeing visit dropping 92010 off at Loughborough at the start of the month. Doesn't seem to be doing a lot. Handily placed for a mid-WCML rescue mission if needed though...

 

[TimboM]

92033 car train action from earlier today...

https://youtu.be/OihCX6-ME-k

 

[Roast Veg]

Makes me wonder if the car train can go faster with all the cars pointing forwards like that...

 

[TimboM]

Makes me wonder if the car train can go faster with all the cars pointing forwards like that...

I'd never thought of that, but you'd think it would have to help aerodynamically? That said, I'm pretty sure the 92s get these up to 'max speed' whichever way the cars are pointing.

The Dagenham-Garston cars always seem to be pointing the "right" direction, but I suspect it's more to do with how they're loaded/unloaded at each end, as other car trains have the cars the 'wrong' way round.

 

[Mordac]

I'd never thought of that, but you'd think it would have to help aerodynamically? That said, I'm pretty sure the 92s get these up to 'max speed' whichever way the cars are pointing.

The Dagenham-Garston cars always seem to be pointing the "right" direction, but I suspect it's more to do with how they're loaded/unloaded at each end, as other car trains have the cars the 'wrong' way round.

Now put a spoiler in all those cars and watch the train go 20% faster.

 

[Roast Veg]

I doubt the track access charges are lower by a significant amount, but if it didn't cost them anything to load them forward facing then it would be an entertaining way to pinch pennies.

 

[TimboM]

Now put a spoiler in all those cars and watch the train go 20% faster.

Pop a spoiler on the 92 as well

 

[TimboM]

Probably shouldn't admit to this, but just turned all the cars on my Hornby car train so they're facing the "right" way

 

[TimboM]

92018 back on the Sleeper (Euston-Glasgow) last night following its modifications.

Means 3 of the GBRf/CS 92s have now been modified and back hauling the sleepers (014/018/023). 92038 also operating them currently (primarily the Edinburgh portion) but unmodified as yet.

92033 modified but still on the Dagenham-Garston cars for whatever reason. 92010 in Loughborough having its mods done.

Getting there (as BR used to say).