Caledonian Sleeper Class 92's

[59CosG95]

Let's face it, if they had put any up, they'd probably be of the same ilk as the cheap and poor-quality ones on the ECML which keep failing.

Anyhow, we digress...!

Indeed we do, back to the topic of the CS (and indeed wider GBRf) 92 fleet!

 

[TimboM]

Indeed we do, back to the topic of the CS (and indeed wider GBRf) 92 fleet!

As @43096 kindly pointed out in post #238 in terms of operational pools all the active GBRf 92s are technically Sleeper locos, so all are fair game for this thread I reckon

 

[fgwrich]

Indeed so. 92044 Seems to have kept itself busy this week on the Sleepers as well - One of GBs active Two Tone Grey ones.

 

[TimboM]

Indeed so. 92044 Seems to have kept itself busy this week on the Sleepers as well - One of GBs active Two Tone Grey ones.

Yes, did the Highlander North on Thurs night then Southband back last night. 92032 had a run out and back to Glasgow last week too, so apart from 028/043 which are still in Brush, all of the currently active GBRfs have had recent "gos" on the Sleeper.

Interestingly (unmodified) 044 got brought up from Dollands Moor (where it's been doing the china clay tunnel run) on Thurs pm to do the Sleeper, whilst modified 92010/033 stayed at Wembley/Willesden having last worked sleepers on the Wed night (010) and Mon night (033). Might just be routine maintenance cycles and/or sharing the mileage around - but with 033 in particular I wonder if it has an issue of some sort? Seems a bit odd otherwise why it hasn't worked most of the week (other than Wembley shunting/ECS by the looks of things) - and they get 044 up to do a run instead.

As for the two-tone grey, I'm wondering when 043 emerges from Loughborough fairly soon whether 044 will be the only active one left in that livery??

 

[leomartin125]

Yes, did the Highlander North on Thurs night then Southband back last night. 92032 had a run out and back to Glasgow last week too, so apart from 028/043 which are still in Brush, all of the currently active GBRfs have had recent "gos" on the Sleeper.

Interestingly (unmodified) 044 got brought up from Dollands Moor (where it's been doing the china clay tunnel run) on Thurs pm to do the Sleeper, whilst modified 92010/033 stayed at Wembley/Willesden having last worked sleepers on the Wed night (010) and Mon night (033). Might just be routine maintenance cycles and/or sharing the mileage around - but with 033 in particular I wonder if it has an issue of some sort? Seems a bit odd otherwise why it hasn't worked most of the week (other than Wembley shunting/ECS by the looks of things) - and they get 044 up to do a run instead.

As for the two-tone grey, I'm wondering when 043 emerges from Loughborough fairly soon whether 044 will be the only active one left in that livery??

Is it certain that they will repaint 92043? It might just be released from Loughborough in two tone grey, maybe minus the Europorte sticker.

 

[TimboM]

Is it certain that they will repaint 92043? It might just be released from Loughborough in two tone grey, maybe minus the Europorte sticker.

Personally I have no info either way, so unless someone has some concrete facts on this, your guess is as good as mine.

I'm thinking along the lines of 92028 which was in Grey/Europorte when it went in c.2 years ago and was repainted into the GBRf blue/yellow similar to 032. Obviously it's ended up having a much longer stay than expected for various reasons, but is due out very soon I believe.

GBRf are obviously investing a fair amount in getting the 10 working 92s into some sort of decent order and pinning the bulk of their electric traction strategy on them for the foreseeable future at least. Makes sense for them to do them up into corporate colours (as they've done with the 92028/32, 59003, 20s on hire from HNRC, 73s etc.) - or something else interesting as let's face it GBRf love an interesting livery or two judging by their 66s. Added to that, the likes of 043 and 044 (and the other eight before they were repainted) have sat around in depots for considerable periods of time and their grey liveries - nice though they are in the sunlight - have seen better days.

On the flip side, they may not want the time/cost of doing at this stage and may also want to keep one or two in original grey livery (or just not be that bothered).

The other option (albeit I think unlikely) is they put it in CS livery. I understand they have a contractual requirement to haul a minimum of 80% of the Sleeper services with a loco in CS livery, so could help on that front. That said, they have the six 92s already in this scheme as was the plan from the outset, so you'd think that would be enough.

Anyway, we shall find out soon(ish) no doubt...

 

[childwallblues]

92038 was noted at Garston Car Terminal at 0800 yesterday morning.

 

[TimboM]

92038 was noted at Garston Car Terminal at 0800 yesterday morning.

Aye, it's been on the Dagenham-Garston Ford car train for the past couple of weeks or so, with 66751 "Inspiration Delivered - Hitachi Rail Europe" also doing turns either with, or in addition to, 92038.

 

[childwallblues]

Aye, it's been on the Dagenham-Garston Ford car train for the past couple of weeks or so, with 66751 "Inspiration Delivered - Hitachi Rail Europe" also doing turns either with, or in addition to, 92038.

That figures. 66751 was there when I passed again at 1900.

 

[TimboM]

There's been some interesting traction on the sleeper sections under the wires this week by all accounts, including 86401 doing the up Highlander one night and a variety of locos on the Lowlander Edinburgh portion, including the Colas 47739 and - for the first time - a single Class 73 (73968).

Added to that, unmodified/grey GBRf 92 92044 got in on the act mid-week, giving 86401 a lift back to Glasgow on Tuesday night and has done a full run every night since.

Meanwhile 92023 has had a trip up to Crewe for a training or route learning/retention run yesterday to Preston and back via Earlestown and Newton-le-Willows, and then on to Nuneaton and back via Stoke, Stone and Stafford both ways.

Things started off fairly normally on Sunday night with 4x 92s (92010/014/018/023) working the main WCML runs and Freightliner 90043 on the Edinburgh portion. All then went a bit awry on Monday night...

From various bits of info I believe the following happened, but please feel free to add/correct any of this:

90043 worked the Polmadie Edinburgh portion ECS to Waverley - I'm assuming it was planned to work it back to Carstairs, then do the Edinburgh-bound portion in the morning as everything that followed was on VSTP paths.

90043 presumably then encountered some sort of issue, as didn't make it back to Carstairs and subsequently went to Craigentinny the following day where it's stayed since.

92010, which was stabled at Edinburgh on Monday ready to take the Highlander southbound in the early hours of Tuesday appears to have been subbed in to take the Edinburgh portion to Carstairs, then stayed on and hitched a ride with 92023 and the Glasgow portion to make sure it ended up in London as planned.

Meanwhile, 86401 having taken in the ECS (+92023) to Glasgow, then moved directly to Edinburgh on a VSTP path where it then hauled the Southbound Highlander from Waverley to Euston.

86401 was most likely booked to do the Glasgow-Polmadie ECS working the following (Tuesday) morning, but was now in London. So appears that once 92018 had brought the Northbound Highlander up, it went to Mossend temporarily, then into Glasgow to work the ECS back to Polmadie.

Meanwhile Colas 47739 worked the Carstairs-Edinburgh portion and ECS return to Polmadie on Tuesday morning.

There were further interesting traction options on Tue night/Wed morning as "misplaced" locos were returned. 92044 joined the fray (with 92023 going off for the training/route learning mentioned above). 92044 hauled the northbound Lowlander to Glasgow with 86401 tucked in behind. 47739 was then allocated to the Glasgow ECS moves (with 86401 on its overnight jaunt to London).

92018 relocated from Polmadie to Edinburgh to be in position to take the southbound highlander forward in the early hours of Wednesday - I think it may have taken the Edinburgh portion ECS with it to Waverley although not 100% sure. 73968 then made a rare - and debut (in terms of a 73 on the Edinburgh portion) - appearance to work the Carstairs-Edinburgh portion.

Since then things have largely settled down with 92010/014/018/044 working the main runs, the Colas Duff on the Lowlander Edinburgh portion and 86401 back on the ECS. Meanwhile 90043 remains at Craigentinny.

EDIT: see captainbigun's clarification/corrections in post below...

 

[captainbigun]

90043 stopped for tyre turning. 92023 failed prior to departure on 1M11 and was assisted to Carstairs by 47739 where 92010 took over having brought 1C11 in. 86401 was tripped to Edinburgh for 1M16 in lieu of 92010.

 

[Wilts Wanderer]

I'm booked on the Edinburgh portion of the up direction Lowlander to Euston on Sunday night, booked via the ECML according to TRUST. Is this a fair bet for 92 haulage to Wembley and then possibly something a bit older on the drag back into Euston on Monday morning?

 

[TimboM]

90043 stopped for tyre turning. 92023 failed prior to departure on 1M11 and was assisted to Carstairs by 47739 where 92010 took over having brought 1C11 in. 86401 was tripped to Edinburgh for 1M16 in lieu of 92010.

Thanks for clearing that up. I'm assuming 47739 was due to work the Lowlander Edinburgh portion before it had to go and assist 92023 and 92010 was needed on 1C11?

May just be coincidence, but 92023 seems not to be as well behaved as some of the others. It's had two spells back in Loughborough IIRC since its main modification visit, including one the other week - then came out, did one Crewe-Carlisle test run, completed one full working on the sleeper (1S26 on Sun night) and then failed. Seemed OK on the training/route learning run yesterday though.

Interesting that 92033 has stayed at Wembley/Willesden for the last 10 days too and 92044 was 'trusted' instead when a replacement for 92023 was needed.

 

[TimboM]

I'm booked on the Edinburgh portion of the up direction Lowlander to Euston on Sunday night, booked via the ECML according to TRUST. Is this a fair bet for 92 haulage to Wembley and then possibly something a bit older on the drag back into Euston on Monday morning?

92s have done all the 'main' runs for the last couple of weeks, so a good chance it will be 92 hauled to Wembley.

I'm trying to recall what they did last time there were the Wembley reversals - I think on some occasions they T'n'T the whole train throughout the journey, or yes - you may well get some classic traction on the drag back into Euston. 87002 has been doing ECS working recently, so would be a possible candidate. 86101 has been parked up in Wembley Yard as far as I know for a while, so not sure if it is fully operational currently. [86401 is doing the Polmadie-Glasgow ECS turns at the moment, so unlikely to feature.] 92033 has been at Willesden for the last 10 days and has done some ECS moves so may be another candidate, plus there's one of the hired-in Freightliner 90s there too (90045). One way or another you're likely to get some interesting traction!

 

[33056]

When running via the East Coast the trains are usually top and tail between Euston and Wembley. The two locos that work 1S25 and 1S26 from Euston to Wembley on Sunday will most likely work 1M11 and 1M16 into Euston the following morning.

 

[LA50041]

Had 92033 on the Northbound lowland last night, is that its first run since mods? It did well getting to Preston 40 early.

47739 was on the Edinburgh portion from Carstairs again this morning, a nice little bonus!

 

[TimboM]

Had 92033 on the Northbound lowland last night, is that its first run since mods? It did well getting to Preston 40 early.

47739 was on the Edinburgh portion from Carstairs again this morning, a nice little bonus!

92033 had a few post-modification sleeper runs towards the end of Feb/start of March, but last night was its first main run for almost 2 weeks.

I'm booked on the Edinburgh portion of the up direction Lowlander to Euston on Sunday night, booked via the ECML according to TRUST. Is this a fair bet for 92 haulage to Wembley and then possibly something a bit older on the drag back into Euston on Monday morning?

92033 is likely to be your haulage for the southbound Lowlander trip on Sunday night in this case Wilts Wanderer. The other 92 now in Scotland is 92014 having worked the Highlander north last night - that will probably stay in Edinburgh and work the Highlander back on Sunday night. Of course things may get swapped around.

 

[33056]

As it stands at the moment, 92023 should work 1M11 from Wembley into Euston and 87002 should do 1M16. However, 92023 was being a bit troublesome earlier and 86101 is also on hand so if someone wants to shuffle the pack......

 

[TimboM]

As it stands at the moment, 92023 should work 1M11 from Wembley into Euston and 87002 should do 1M16. However, 92023 was being a bit troublesome earlier and 86101 is also on hand so if someone wants to shuffle the pack......

I assume 92023 was responsible for the 'stall' leaving Euston and ending up taking c.40 mins to get to Camden Jnc then? If so, seems to be misbehaving a bit recently?!

Might use something else in the morning... 92018 and 90045 are at Willesden/Wembley at the moment - are they available along with 86101 or are they tied up somehow?

 

[33056]

The intention was to swap 92023 for something off Willesden TMD but it ended up staying at Wembley due to a Slow Line possession blocking the TMD.

As the locos stand at the moment 92023 is first off the line but 86101 is on the other end though it hasn't been used for a while. There are also two 67s stabled in the next road if they want to talk to DBC nicely

 

[TimboM]

The intention was to swap 92023 for something off Willesden TMD but it ended up staying at Wembley due to a Slow Line possession blocking the TMD.

As the locos stand at the moment 92023 is first off the line but 86101 is on the other end though it hasn't been used for a while. There are also two 67s stabled in the next road if they want to talk to DBC nicely

Ah, so 92018 and 90045 are 'trapped' at the TMD due to the possession (assuming it's still in place).

I reckon 92023 will be fine in the morning. If not, I reckon they'd coax 86101 into life rather than ask DBC for a 67: 16 coaches + a 92 on the back would be a bit of a struggle for a 67 wouldn't it?

 

[33056]

Haven't got the WON to hand but the possession should be given up by 5am if they want to send someone down the TMD to fetch another loco.

A 67 should be able to manage OK, they have done so in the past (in both directions) and it is downhill into Euston

 

[33056]

92023 now off to the TMD to get swapped for something else to work 1M11 into Euston, 87002 still on hand at Wembley for 1M16.

 

[TimboM]

92023 now off to the TMD to get swapped for something else to work 1M11 into Euston, 87002 still on hand at Wembley for 1M16.

Sounds like 92023 has been sent to the naughty corner

Thanks for the info

Update: looks like 90045 took 1M11 into Euston.

 

[Wilts Wanderer]

Update: looks like 90045 took 1M11 into Euston.

Confirmed. 1M11 was impressively early this morning and arrived into Euston nearly 30' early (booked time 0746).

I didn't catch the loco identity as we were boarding at Edinburgh when the Glasgow portion arrived but I'm pretty sure it was a 92 and not a Skoda.

Edit:

92033 is likely to be your haulage for the southbound Lowlander trip on Sunday night in this case Wilts Wanderer. The other 92 now in Scotland is 92014 having worked the Highlander north last night - that will probably stay in Edinburgh and work the Highlander back on Sunday night. Of course things may get swapped around.

Thanks, I guess that was the loco in question.

 

[LA50041]

Confirmed. 1M11 was impressively early this morning and arrived into Euston nearly 30' early (booked time 0746).

I didn't catch the loco identity as we were boarding at Edinburgh when the Glasgow portion arrived but I'm pretty sure it was a 92 and not a Skoda.

Edit:

Thanks, I guess that was the loco in question.

92014 was on 1M16,

 

[TimboM]

Edit:

Thanks, I guess that was the loco in question.

Yes, 92033 was on 1M11 (Lowlander from Glasgow/Edinburgh) which I believe was your one. 92014 on 1M16 Highlander as LA50041 says.

As per posts above, 92023 was originally due to do the 1M11 drag back from Wembley into Euston this morning, but had a bit of mare last night, hence the Skoda subbed-in.

I think a fair bit of your early arrival was due to plenty of leaway in the timings to negotiate the route from the ECML via Camden Jnc to Wembley in the midst of rush hour and then attach the additional loco for the drag back.

 

[BRX]

92032 took the Irvine-Antwerp China Clay tanks from Wembley to Dollands Moor yesterday evening -

https://youtu.be/YWwUtdldQe8

 

[TimboM]

92032 took the Irvine-Antwerp China Clay tanks from Wembley to Dollands Moor yesterday evening -

https://youtu.be/YWwUtdldQe8

Nice video. At least one of the 66s, if not both, were DIT presumably, but that's a fair bit of horespower on the front there!

Obviously whatever caused 92032 to fail at Grayrigg on Wednesday didn't take long to fix.

 

[Far north 37]

there was a grey liveried class 92 outside willesden tmd this morning also just a bit further north 2 caledonian green liveried locos were running light towards willesden also