Class 158 engines

[superkev]

The class 158's where built with 3 different engines (Cummins 350bhp; Perkins 350bhp and Cummins 400bhp).

With presumably a few engine changes since new I wonder if units keep the same type as built. For example is Northern's solitary 400bhp unit 158 872 still 400bhp?

K

 

[bgstrowger]

It was all part of BR's dual sourcing policy, so that they were beholden to any one manufacturer and the 400hp one were built for a specific route (Welsh Marches I believe) but ended up being common user.

With regards to swapping engines, I don't think this is done but imagine they're allocated in such a way to keep the Cummins engine unit and the Perkins engine units separate.

I wonder if the 350hp Cummins engine could be uprated to 400hp; that would make sense for SWT who have a mix of ratings for their Class158/159 fleet.

 

[MCR247]

I don't think they're allocated to keep them apart and you can have two units coupled with different engines

 

[darylyates17]

I don't think they're allocated to keep them apart and you can have two units coupled with different engines

Indeed it happens quite often with the EMT units speaking of which does anyone have any decent information for the Perkins 2006-TWH engine as there isnt that much around

 

[LOL The Irony]

I can't see why it's not possible to fit the 400hp Cummins to the 350hp Cummins units. They are the sme engine, just more powerful. It would be like swapping an engine in a car, just harder and more time consuming. The Perkins however, is a different kettle of fish. Although Brawn managed to shoe-horn a Mercedes engine in to a car desinged for a Honda engine and we know how well that went so anything's possible.

 

[gimmea50anyday]

The. Perkins power unit fitted to the 158 is the same engine as those fitted to the 165/166 networkers

 

[superkev]

Strange that they specified the more powerful Cummings for the Welsh Marches and South West trains but not for the Pennine or Scottish hills.
I'm sure the extra 50 horses would be most usefull
K.

 

[Wilts Wanderer]

I don't know off hand how many Perkins sets were built but all of the ATW units are so-fitted. Anyone know where else there are Perkins sets?

 

[MCR247]

EMT have some

 

[superkev]

I don't know off hand how many Perkins sets were built but all of the ATW units are so-fitted. Anyone know where else there are Perkins sets?

Northern have 158815–817/842–845/848–851/853/855/859–861 which were built with 350hp Perkins along with solitary Cummins 500hp 158 872.
K

 

[Kneedown]

Strange that they specified the more powerful Cummings for the Welsh Marches and South West trains but not for the Pennine or Scottish hills.
I'm sure the extra 50 horses would be most usefull
K.

Truth be told there isn't a great deal of difference between the two performance wise. If anything the 350's are quicker.

 

[GusB]

It seems a bit strange to me that different engined versions weren't allocated different sub-classes.

 

[158747]

I don't know off hand how many Perkins sets were built but all of the ATW units are so-fitted. Anyone know where else there are Perkins sets?

The Perkins engined 158s are 158815 - 158862

 

[physics34]

It seems a bit strange to me that different engined versions weren't allocated different sub-classes.

It must cause the occasion glitch/confusion with maintainence I can imagine

 

[InOban]

Do they all have the same transmission? I seem to remember talk of replacement with one which would be much more efficient, giving better economy, more power at the track, and indeed reduced work for the cooling system.

 

[BestWestern]

Do they all have the same transmission? I seem to remember talk of replacement with one which would be much more efficient, giving better economy, more power at the track, and indeed reduced work for the cooling system.

The recent SWT one? It wasn't successful, and as far as I'm aware they put it back to standard spec.

 

[PHILIPE]

I can recall that when working for Wales and Borders and when we ran trains to Waterloo there were 7 x 158s allocated with Cummins 400bhp engines and these cycled round independently from the rest of the fleet to embrace the Waterloo services.

 

[InOban]

The recent SWT one? It wasn't successful, and as far as I'm aware they put it back to standard spec.

What wasn't successful about it?

 

[BestWestern]

Truth be told there isn't a great deal of difference between the two performance wise. If anything the 350's are quicker.

That's unexpected?

 

[BestWestern]

What wasn't successful about it?

I dunno! I just recall reading (very probably here!) that it hadn't been deemed worth continuing with it. Absence of promised fuel savings rings a bell.

 

[Kite159]

The recent SWT one? It wasn't successful, and as far as I'm aware they put it back to standard spec.

The last time I had 158885 it felt like it had the new gearbox (sounded like a 172 with the manual changes).

Although I haven't had it since it returned from Loughborough so it might have gone back to the original transmission.

 

[superkev]

What wasn't successful about it?

're the SWT ZF fitted 158 I seem to remember reading that although there was around 10% saving in fuel with the current low price of diesel the economies didnt add up.
Wasn't a Wales 158 fitted with a Voith mechanical rather than the standard hydraulic?
K