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Class 68 coupler tests for IET

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43 302

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Moderator note: posts #1 -#4 originally in this thread:

TPE Mark 5A coaching stock progress

An image of the first Mark 5A bodyshell to be completed for Transpennine Express have been released by CAF. Given the porthole window where the gangway connection would usually be, I wonder whether it's an end vehicle. RTM have fluffed the report a bit by claiming that the mark 5 carriages will...
www.railforums.co.uk www.railforums.co.uk

68031 is at Heaton testing as a Thunderbird (or Thundercat :lol:) with a Dellner coupler for IETs.
 
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Mack91

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43 302 said:
68031 is at Heaton testing as a Thunderbird (or Thundercat :lol:) with a Dellner coupler for IETs.
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Thought they were supposed to send another IET to rescue the failed unit? :s
 
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Mack91 said:
Seems a bit odd. Fair enough to having a thunderbird then!
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It does. I think the general idea is that the coupler is stored in the IET and then what ever loco is on hand (say a TPE 68 spare at Longsite etc) is drafted in. So no allocated thunderbird like the 67s.
 
O L Leigh

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Mack91 said:
Thought they were supposed to send another IET to rescue the failed unit? :s
Click to expand...

I'm going to presume that both are an option, rather like the "rescue and recovery" mode for Voyagers. In that case there are essentially three rescue options.

1) Full coupling and working the train as normal, subject to any restrictions due to the fault.
2) Mechanical coupling only where a fault may be transferred between units.
3) Loco recovery.

In scenario 2 there is no electrical brake continuity, so both units would be converted to 2-pipe operation through the operation of isolation cocks inside the train. In effect the train becomes like loco and stock from an operational point of view, with the rescuing unit being the loco and the duffer being the stock.
 
Chris125

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Mack91 said:
Seems a bit odd. Fair enough to having a thunderbird then!
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Hasn't this been an issue ever since trains started featuring onboard computers, train management systems and the like? If they aren't letting the failed train move, connecting another unit and trying to work them in multiple doesn't really help.
 
Speed43125

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43 302

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DavidB said:
I've asked the OP. You could join the group though? :lol:

Some of us would be interested to see the photos but won't join facebook!
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That is perfectly reasonable, I wouldn't have it if I didn't have too for work etc. That being said that group is quality if you do have FB.

With permission from Ed Bartlett from the Class 68 TPE Facebook group.

FB_IMG_1602061291022.jpg

FB_IMG_1602061274906.jpg
 
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Mack91 said:
Thought they were supposed to send another IET to rescue the failed unit? :s
Click to expand...

Problem with that might be coupling say a nine car, or 2x5 car to another 9 car failure would produce unwieldly long trains. IT was very rare for a 91+ Mk4 rake to rescue another or HST, which is why they used locos mostly. Perhaps a little common sense has permeated.
 
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Wyrleybart said:
Problem with that might be coupling say a nine car, or 2x5 car to another 9 car failure would produce unwieldly long trains. IT was very rare for a 91+ Mk4 rake to rescue another or HST, which is why they used locos mostly. Perhaps a little common sense has permeated.
Click to expand...
A 9 car LNER set rescued another not long back.
 
43 302

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Wyrleybart said:
No surprises at all, and yes it certainly is possible. But you wouldn't be wanting to run an 18 car IET into any station with pax in. Imagine 18 cars rolling into Kings Cross or Newcastle.
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I don't have to imagine I've seen it! (Not at KGX mind)
 
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ABB125 said:
Do these special couplers work with all locomotives or just class 68s?
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So far as I could see from the photos it's just a lightweight Dellner-drawhook adapter. Lots of units carry these for emergency rescue.
 
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