Caledonian Sleeper discussion

[Mordac]

There are no other locos available, 73s are here to stay for the foreseeable future

There's tons of 67s doing sweet FA. DBC are even selling some of them!

 

[Highland37]

1S25 North of Edinburgh was a 66 and a 47 this morning, 47 739 to be exact and it will be the same combination that brings 1M16 down to Edinburgh tonight. 90 045 diagrammed to work 1M16 south from Edinburgh.

47 used because of another 73 failure at Craigentinny depot this morning.

Oh dear! I think I would be asking for my money back if I'd paid for these unreliable machines.

What proportion of the contract has been served by the intended traction (73+92)?

 

[43096]

There's tons of 67s doing sweet FA. DBC are even selling some of them!

So you are proposing that GBRf hire in locos that they don't need to, at considerable cost. It's probably a good thing you're not in John Smith's role...
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Maybe who ever is in charge of diagramming motive power north of Edinburgh should realise the worst weather is yet to come and realise the 73's aren't up to the job of providing a reliable service, rather than keep letting the public down on what seems to be regular basis.

Maybe platform end veg should realise that GBRf know what they are doing. Please explain how they are letting the public down - I don't see that cancellations have increased compared with the DB era. There's a lot of people with short memories.

 

[Highland37]

Maybe not in the here and now, but looking ahead to the Mk5s coming and the current unreliability of the 73s, it doesn't bode well for the future.

The very fact that we are discussing it and Serco must be looking ahead, is cause for concern. A huge amount of public money has gone into this so it's right to question if the contract is delivering what it's meant to. It isn't but whether the alternative satisfies the long term ambitions of the Government, the contractor and sub contractor is anyone's guess.

 

[37038]

Alternator vibration caused by a lack of supporting bearing on the shaft between the engine and the alternator.

73961 and (I think) 971 have had the modification, 968 is now at Brush.

 

[Highland37]

I've just been down to Inverness station and there is a 66 on the front (idling) and a Colas 47 for power. This must be getting expensive for GBRf

 

[Scotrail84]

I've just been down to Inverness station and there is a 66 on the front (idling) and a Colas 47 for power. This must be getting expensive for GBRf

The 73 that should be on it was failed at Craigentinny on Thursday morning with wheel flats hence the 47. The 47 also had and AWS issue leaving edinburgh on Thursday morning but this was resolved after a further ten minute delay.

 

[CosherB]

I've just been down to Inverness station and there is a 66 on the front (idling) and a Colas 47 for power. This must be getting expensive for GBRf

You seem to enjoy having a pop at GBRf? :roll:

 

[Highland37]

I am just observing the situation. Clearly the traction plan isn't, currently anyway, working out. I hope they can get it sorted for when the new coaches arrive.

 

[Johnuk123]

I predicted that the 73's would be crap months and months ago,

 

[CosherB]

I predicted that the 73's would be crap months and months ago,

Did you also predict, oh wise one, that they would have their alternator problems sorted and they turned out to be fantastic Type 3 locos? :roll:

 

[Johnuk123]

Some are very quick to criticise the new 73/9s, but the problem with them is known and there is a fix for it. You can't expect perfection straight away for what is, essentially, a new locomotive.

A laugh when I read some of the hyperbole on here when the 67s are being shouted for once again!

You may be a fan, you're in a very small club, they're useless and cannot be relied upon, oh wise one.

 

[marks87]

You may be a fan, you're in a very small club, they're useless and cannot be relied upon, oh wise one.

How can you possibly say that when all parts of the loco that affect reliability are completely new?

 

[CosherB]

How can you possibly say that when all parts of the loco that affect reliability are completely new?

Because he doesn't know what he's talking about.

 

[robbeech]

Either way, i'm rather hoping that my trip up (or down) on Tuesday night to Inverness goes without issue, i'd very much like to get the 0900 to Kyle if i can although i'd happily have a wander and get the next one if needs be, and that my trip down (or up) from Aberdeen on Friday night is similarly sucessful.

Rob

 

[Johnuk123]

How can you possibly say that when all parts of the loco that affect reliability are completely new?

It matters not if they're new or old bits inside the 73's are not reliable, haven't you noticed ?

 

[najaB]

It matters not if they're new or old bits inside the 73's are not reliable, haven't you noticed ?

As I understand things, it's not uncommon for new classes of locos to go through a phase of breakdowns early in their lives.

 

[marks87]

It matters not if they're new or old bits inside the 73's are not reliable, haven't you noticed ?

But has absolutely no relevance to your "prediction" from a few months ago.

The 73/9s are effectively new locos. All new locos need a bedding in period to see how they actually perform in service.

The problem has seemingly been identified and bring rectified.

 

[Railops]

As I understand things, it's not uncommon for new classes of locos to go through a phase of breakdowns early in their lives.

Not at all, plenty of locos in the past were fine from day one.

 

[najaB]

Not at all, plenty of locos in the past were fine from day one.

Our statements are not mutually exclusive.

 

[HSTEd]

Is it really fair to blame wheel flats on the locomotive as such?
Lots of stock gets wheel flats - does it mean its awful?

 

[Scotrail84]

Is it really fair to blame wheel flats on the locomotive as such?
Lots of stock gets wheel flats - does it mean its awful?

It could be the new brakes they've got.

 

[Russardo]

I predicted that the 73's would be crap months and months ago,

I don't think your prediction will be right in the end.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

 

[ld0595]

Has there been any new progress on the new coaches? I recall this article in June when the first of the bodyshells were under production and I noticed that the new coaches for FTPE recently started production, so I presume there must be some progress for the new stock?

 

[Scotrail84]

Has there been any new progress on the new coaches? I recall this article in June when the first of the bodyshells were under production and I noticed that the new coaches for FTPE recently started production, so I presume there must be some progress for the new stock?

They are currently still tweeking the final designs but they are due for arrival and testing at the end of next year for introduction April/May 2018
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Another 73 failure this morning resulting in 47 739 being tied on the rear of 1A25 around 90 late from Edinburgh.

 

[Johnuk123]

Another 73 failure this morning resulting in 47 739 being tied on the rear of 1A25 around 90 late from Edinburgh.

Not yet another failure, they really are very poor.

 

[Highland37]

So far, I would agree with that. The Serco, GBRF and Brush must be getting pretty annoyed by now with these unreliable machines. 67s were never like this.

 

[marks87]

So far, I would agree with that. The Serco, GBRF and Brush must be getting pretty annoyed by now with these unreliable machines. 67s were never like this.

It was a 67 that left people stranded overnight between Carrbridge and Aviemore last year...

 

[link1driver]

Speaking to a GBRF driver last week, the 73's are simply not good enough, can't quite remember what he said about certain aspects of them, but he wishes they would send them back!

 

[45107]

Another 73 failure this morning resulting in 47 739 being tied on the rear of 1A25 around 90 late from Edinburgh.

Bit of blow. Was in the Inverness portion, enduring 66xxx. Wouldn't have minded a bit of Sulzer action