Class 43 mileage

[Fradgie]

Given that this October will mark 40 years of InterCity 125 operation has anyone got a credible average mileage for Class 43's ?

 

[DarloRich]

lots x masses = a shed load

They will have been round the clock a few times i should think. It has got to be well into the millions

 

[sprinterguy]

They cover between 220,000 and 250,000 miles a year (Source: http://www.nrmfriends-south.org.uk/Products/TurnerTexts/Y.html). The most travelled HST power car, 43008, achieved 8 million miles in service almost fifteen years ago, so I wouldn't be surprised if any given power car had clocked up nearly 10 million miles by now.

 

[Bodiddly]

And a few million more when they hit Scotland. Typical diagrammes will see them covering 5,000 to 10,000 miles a week.

 

[Shaw S Hunter]

Given that this October will mark 40 years of InterCity 125 operation has anyone got a credible average mileage for Class 43's ?

In fact the Western Region began infiltrating HSTs into everyday service during July 1976. Caught me out on the first of that summer's spotting trips.

 

[158722]

And a few million more when they hit Scotland. Typical diagrammes will see them covering 5,000 to 10,000 miles a week.

10,000 miles a week?! You are joking?! That is more than 4.5 round trips between Glasgow to Aberdeen everyday, 7 days a week. Totally impossible.

Three round trips a day is just about possible, so 924 miles plus any ECS moves, but no way any set would be diagrammed for that every day of the week, so an average of 700-750 is more reasonable. Assuming maintenance or on a stand-by spare diagram for one day a week, it still it adds up to around 4,500 miles a week, which is pretty impressive for a 40 year old train.

 

[sprinterguy]

10,000 miles a week?! You are joking?! That is more than 4.5 round trips between Glasgow to Aberdeen everyday, 7 days a week. Totally impossible.

Three round trips a day is just about possible, so 924 miles plus any ECS moves, but no way any set would be diagrammed for that every day of the week, so an average of 700-750 is more reasonable. Assuming maintenance or on a stand-by spare diagram for one day a week, it still it adds up to around 4,500 miles a week, which is pretty impressive for a 40 year old train.

That's what I was thinking; a maximum daily mileage of 1,000 miles would seem more likely, not least to remain within fuel range, with some diagrams being shorter, and hence well short of 10,000 miles a week.

 

[Bodiddly]

I love fishing!

 

[GRALISTAIR]

10,000 miles a week?! You are joking?! That is more than 4.5 round trips between Glasgow to Aberdeen everyday, 7 days a week. Totally impossible.

Three round trips a day is just about possible, so 924 miles plus any ECS moves, but no way any set would be diagrammed for that every day of the week, so an average of 700-750 is more reasonable. Assuming maintenance or on a stand-by spare diagram for one day a week, it still it adds up to around 4,500 miles a week, which is pretty impressive for a 40 year old train.

So still nearly a quarter of a million miles per year - as you say- pretty impressive.

 

[38Cto15E]

Please excuse my lack of knowledge but when are the HSTs scheduled to take over Scottish duties and what routes will they be used on?

 

[Fradgie]

Many thanks for the responses, much appreciated.

 

[Mordac]

Please excuse my lack of knowledge but when are the HSTs scheduled to take over Scottish duties and what routes will they be used on?

Once FGW can release them + time for refurbishment. I think current ETA is 2019. They're meant to be used on services from Edinburgh and Glasgow to Aberdeen and Inverness.

 

[43096]

10,000 miles a week?! You are joking?! That is more than 4.5 round trips between Glasgow to Aberdeen everyday, 7 days a week. Totally impossible.

Three round trips a day is just about possible, so 924 miles plus any ECS moves, but no way any set would be diagrammed for that every day of the week, so an average of 700-750 is more reasonable. Assuming maintenance or on a stand-by spare diagram for one day a week, it still it adds up to around 4,500 miles a week, which is pretty impressive for a 40 year old train.

We know from the ScotRail franchise agreement (http://www.transport.gov.scot/syste...Redacted Franchise Agreement - CU version.pdf) that ScotRail intend using 24 from 27 sets. At 750 miles per day that's an annual fleet mileage of 6.552m, and a power car fleet mileage of 13.104m. Over 54 power cars that's around 240k per year. However, that equates to 89% availability, which is very high for the HST power car fleet, where 80% is more normal. That would require an extra 6 power cars, giving annual mileage of around 218k.

 

[ld0595]

Once FGW can release them + time for refurbishment. I think current ETA is 2019. They're meant to be used on services from Edinburgh and Glasgow to Aberdeen and Inverness.

The last estimate I read was June - December 2018.

 

[Mordac]

The last estimate I read was June - December 2018.

Oh that's even better, I was half-guessing, couldn't remember what I had read tbh.

 

[dave87016]

I am not sure exactly how many miles it is but there is a HST diagram that in one day does Penzance -Paddington , Paddington - Penzance , Penzance - Paddington and then to Old Oak Common Depot

 

[Shaw S Hunter]

I am not sure exactly how many miles it is but there is a HST diagram that in one day does Penzance -Paddington , Paddington - Penzance , Penzance - Paddington and then to Old Oak Common Depot

Including the ecs moves that's about 920 miles. Now have a look at the 125 Group website and check out the VTEC diagrams. The Monday morning Up Lincoln is empty from Neville Hill via Wakefield and Newark, then goes to Aberdeen and then Leeds before returning to Neville Hill. Similarly the 0710 Leeds to Aberdeen starts from Neville Hill, then to Kings Cross before returning to Leeds with a booked routing via Knottingley, Wakefield and Normanton. Both these are in the region of 1100 miles (don't have my mileage books handy to confrirm precisely).

In BR days similar diagrams existed and ISTR a figure of 1094 miles being the daily maximum. In the words of David Coleman: "Quite remarkable!"

 

[43096]

Including the ecs moves that's about 920 miles. Now have a look at the 125 Group website and check out the VTEC diagrams. The Monday morning Up Lincoln is empty from Neville Hill via Wakefield and Newark, then goes to Aberdeen and then Leeds before returning to Neville Hill. Similarly the 0710 Leeds to Aberdeen starts from Neville Hill, then to Kings Cross before returning to Leeds with a booked routing via Knottingley, Wakefield and Normanton. Both these are in the region of 1100 miles (don't have my mileage books handy to confrirm precisely).

In BR days similar diagrams existed and ISTR a figure of 1094 miles being the daily maximum. In the words of David Coleman: "Quite remarkable!"

In the past, at times of service disruption, it was not unknown for the set off the up Highland Chieftain to arrive in Kings Cross and turn straight round to do the 1600 to Aberdeen. Power cars running on fumes when it arrived, though!

 

[Crossover]

I am not sure exactly how many miles it is but there is a HST diagram that in one day does Penzance -Paddington , Paddington - Penzance , Penzance - Paddington and then to Old Oak Common Depot

Probably not as many as you think - the line speed after Plymouth is relatively sedate. Paddington to St Erth on the Sleeper was 300 miles (direct route) and Penzance isn't much further, so the poster who suggested 920 miles is probably in the right ballpark