Class 801s emergency power pack

[hexagon789]

OT for this thread but I am wondering how the 810s are going to get their traction power from the gensets to the traction converters: 4 gensets, 3? powered vehicles? We could see 4 powered vehicles each with 3 traction motors instead of the 4 as fitted to the 800/801/802 giving a 2-2+B0-A1+B0-A1+B0-A1=B0-A1 wheel arrangement. Keeps the powered vehicles self contained.

Two gensets per power car, two power cars would be another option

 

[Domh245]

Two gensets per power car, two power cars would be another option

I seem to remember that being reported in one of the more reputable magazines? That said, I still think that making such a configuration work in terms of cooling & fuel/range would be an immense challenge to say the least!

 

[gingertom]

Two gensets per power car, two power cars would be another option

Wouldn't 2 gensets per power car would be overly heavy?

 

[hexagon789]

I seem to remember that being reported in one of the more reputable magazines? That said, I still think that making such a configuration work in terms of cooling & fuel/range would be an immense challenge to say the least!

I recall reading that in a magazine but I surmised that arrangement beforehand. Though I guess the question remains - is it possible?

 

[hexagon789]

Wouldn't 2 gensets per power car would be overly heavy?

Depends how heavy the gensets are and what other equipment you have I suppose.

I think given certain parameters and with some changes you could manage it for the same weight as a comparable 80x power car.

 

[heedfan]

it would be interesting to know the rate in which the fuel is turned over on these emergency powerpacks. I know that my grandfathers vintage tractor hates the modern diesel, and has to have an additive put in the tank to stop the diesel sludging up (the tractor is left for months on end in its 'pristine' condition with fuel in tank, much like I expect these powerpacks to!). It would be unfortunate for the fuel to be sludged up just at the time the powerpack is required for use!

Not really an issue - the gens are started up and ran as part of overnight servicing and are required fairly regularly to haul sets around depots if there is an isolation or a requirement to use an unwired road.

 

[edwin_m]

I presume as the 810s need a higher power to weight ratio on diesel than other 80x units, that four out of the five cars will have a genset and at least some powered axles, and the fifth will have the transformer but no motors. This preserves what appears to be the current arrangement where each genset only provides traction power to the motors on the same car.

 

[gsnedders]

it would be interesting to know the rate in which the fuel is turned over on these emergency powerpacks. I know that my grandfathers vintage tractor hates the modern diesel, and has to have an additive put in the tank to stop the diesel sludging up (the tractor is left for months on end in its 'pristine' condition with fuel in tank, much like I expect these powerpacks to!). It would be unfortunate for the fuel to be sludged up just at the time the powerpack is required for use!

Along with what's already been said, that the tanks are agitated (insofar as they get shaken around when the train is in motion) will prevent some of the causes of it sludging.

 

[gingertom]

Along with what's already been said, that the tanks are agitated (insofar as they get shaken around when the train is in motion) will prevent some of the causes of it sludging.

I reckon some regular genset testing is incorporated into into the maintenance regime. If the genset was called into action and it didn't start for whatever reason, questions will be asked so blame can be apportioned and billed.

 

[hexagon789]

I presume as the 810s need a higher power to weight ratio on diesel than other 80x units, that four out of the five cars will have a genset and at least some powered axles, and the fifth will have the transformer but no motors. This preserves what appears to be the current arrangement where each genset only provides traction power to the motors on the same car.

Or two cars carry two gensets each. Nothing concrete has been stated either way that I've seen

 

[edwin_m]

Or two cars carry two gensets each. Nothing concrete has been stated either way that I've seen

That would mean trying to fit two gensets plus electric traction equipment onto a single car, in slightly less space than is available on the 800/801 fleet, or having two sets of traction equipment on the other cars and transferring the genset power via jumpers from one to the other, and half the VVVF motor phases back again. Either would be getting a very long way from their proven design.

 

[hexagon789]

That would mean trying to fit two gensets plus electric traction equipment onto a single car, in slightly less space than is available on the 800/801 fleet, or having two sets of traction equipment on the other cars and transferring the genset power via jumpers from one to the other, and half the VVVF motor phases back again. Either would be getting a very long way from their proven design.

At least two of the more reputable railway magazines have said that was the case (as mentioned up thread) I remain unconvinced either way until it's proven one way or the other which arrangement the 810s will have. As I've yet to see anything categorically proving which is the case I'm still open minded.