Class 93 Tri-mode Loco

[wickham]

Do you mean 93003? Apart from its mysterious visit to Bicester, and attending the "Great Gathering" at Derby, the record of its movements in TOPS (going back to early June last year) just shows the usual light engine moves from Worksop to Peterborough / Doncaster / Newark (which were presumably for mileage accumulation and/or driver training).

The same applies for 93009; apart from 5Q09 yesterday and today's 5Q02, the only unusual movement recorded since the end of July last year (can't see any further back) was when it visited Castle Donington EMDC in September, but post #1878 explained that was just to keep it out of Worksop during track alteration work, along with 93008.

*

It appears that the 93s have now had their registration status changed from B (delivery / on test) to C (normal service) which would reflect the completion of route clearance announced in
post #2253.

As I understand it, the Q headcodes are required while in status B (on test) because the locos are running under the authority of "Network Rail Summary of Rolling Stock / Infrastructure Compatibility" (NRSC) paperwork issued by the Network Rail Assurance Panel (NRAP) which allows them onto the network for pre-arranged movements and testing prior to being officially route cleared for general use.

Once in normal service (status C) this paperwork and the Q headcodes are not required and the route clearance would be published in the sectional appendix.

However, some movements may still require NRSC paperwork and Q headcodes if they venture off the specific routes cleared in the sectional appendix for a type of loco or unit. I suspect the Q headcodes are still being used temporarily with the 93s until paperwork is updated to add the recently completed route clearance to the sectional appendix and so on.

Another example of Q headcodes is with the Railadventure power cars. If they are operating on routes where they are cleared in the sectional appendix, they usually run with Z headcodes. Sometimes they visit more exotic locations that aren't officially cleared for power cars in the sectional appendix, using NRSC paperwork which clears them for additional specified routes but may have special restrictions which the signaller / driver need to be aware of, such as being prohibited through a particular platform or subject to additional speed restrictions in certain places. When using this paperwork they run under a "Q" headcode, which draws attention to the need to check the route restrictions that may be in place (the Q headcode means "not to be diverted off booked route").

I would expect the 93s to have wide route clearance similar to other RA7 locos, but they might sometimes run with Q headcodes if they haul multiple units away from the normal routes the units are cleared for.



Yesterday's 5Q09 Derby RTC - Carlisle seen here with 93009 / 93008:

93009 & 93008 at Preston 16/03/26 | Channel: Aaron Roberts

Picture of today's 5Q02 Carlisle - Inverness passing Forteviot:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/152950454@N08/55153378968/ (Photo: Alan Mitchell)

Sorry, yes I did mean 93003 as the only one not yet done revenue work. (Slip of the brain cells):

 

[JohnMcL7]

It would be nice if it was photographed or video'd, I look forward to finding one or a link being posted...

A couple here of 90009 heading out of Inverness

 

[AndrewE]

A couple here of 90009 heading out of Inverness

thanks, that's good to see (at last!)
I was disappointed that the northbound run seemed to be on diesel. Perhaps they were playing to see what effect the battery boost has?

 

[47286Dan]

Thursday morning update

93001 GROG WORKSP DY WORKSP DY F N
93002 GROG GRESTYBGE GRESTYBGE F N
93003 GROG WORKSP DY WORKSP DY F N
93004 GROG WORKSP DY WORKSP DY F N
93005 GROG DERBY RTC DERBY RTC F N
93006 GROG WORKSP DY WORKSP DY F N
93007 GROG DERBY RTC DERBY RTC F N
93008 GROG MOSSNDLHS 075Q571G19 V * DERBY RTC N
93009 GROG MOSSNDLHS 075Q571G19 V * DERBY RTC N
93010 GROG WORKSP DY WORKSP DY F N

Dan

 

[northstaffsman]

Thursday morning update

93001 GROG WORKSP DY WORKSP DY F N
93002 GROG GRESTYBGE GRESTYBGE F N
93003 GROG WORKSP DY WORKSP DY F N
93004 GROG WORKSP DY WORKSP DY F N
93005 GROG DERBY RTC DERBY RTC F N
93006 GROG WORKSP DY WORKSP DY F N
93007 GROG DERBY RTC DERBY RTC F N
93008 GROG MOSSNDLHS 075Q571G19 V * DERBY RTC N
93009 GROG MOSSNDLHS 075Q571G19 V * DERBY RTC N
93010 GROG WORKSP DY WORKSP DY F N

Dan

Great update Dan very useful.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

93008 GROG MOSSNDLHS 075Q571G19 V * DERBY RTC N
93009 GROG MOSSNDLHS 075Q571G19 V * DERBY RTC N

Just saw them 1 hour ago passing Barton and Broughton loop southbound. I am annoyed. Did not get a photo/video. 93008 topping two vans/barrier vehicles and 93009 tailing. Fabulous.

 

[AndrewE]

93008 GROG MOSSNDLHS 075Q571G19 V * DERBY RTC N
93009 GROG MOSSNDLHS 075Q571G19 V * DERBY RTC N

Just saw them 1 hour ago passing Barton and Broughton loop southbound. I am annoyed. Did not get a photo/video. 93008 topping two vans/barrier vehicles and 93009 tailing. Fabulous.

...but were the pans up?

 

[172007]

...but were the pans up?

If the loco's have passed their milleage accumulation and are ready for service there will probable only two things that will dictate pan up done will be:
Timing and load and or whats cheaper at the time Diesal or Network Rails appalling electric deal for rail users that is a fixed price.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

...but were the pans up?

To be truthful I was so excited to see them I did not notice!

 

[Adrian Barr]

...but were the pans up?

No sign of the pans up on 5Q57 when seen here passing Acton Bridge:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/britishrail1980sand1990s/55157188800/ (Photo: British Rail 1980s and 1990s)

 

[Rail Quest]

I note that, on RTT, 5Q57 was scheduled to changeover from Electric to Diesel at Preston. Is it possible that, if this was the case, it was due to the power supply issues between Preston and Crewe? I seem to remember hearing on other threads that the power supply for the OHLE in that area is restricting the amount of electric traction that can run.

Link to move on RTT: https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:K63450/2026-03-19/detailed

If the loco's have passed their milleage accumulation and are ready for service there will probable only two things that will dictate pan up done will be:
Timing and load and or whats cheaper at the time Diesal or Network Rails appalling electric deal for rail users that is a fixed price.

That's a really good point, especially when you consider that the 93s have such small, modern engines. One could assume they use a lot less fuel per mile, on average, compared to most other UK diesel locos (discounting the class 88). It'll be interesting to see if that makes running on diesel significantly cheaper than electric for ROG when possible. Whilst I don't think that's why they were running on diesel south of Preston in this instance, it'll be interesting to see the effects of this.

 

[60159]

Great update Dan very useful.

Went past Derby around 16.00 but didn’t see 05 and 07. Are they still there and are they visible please?
Saw 8 and 9 at station.

 

[47286Dan]

Friday morning update

93001 GROG WORKSP DY WORKSP DY F N
93002 GROG GRESTYBGE GRESTYBGE F N
93003 GROG WORKSP DY WORKSP DY F N
93004 GROG WORKSP DY WORKSP DY F N
93005 GROG DERBY RTC 570Q231F20 F DONCASTER N
93006 GROG WORKSP DY WORKSP DY F N
93007 GROG DERBY RTC 570Q231F20 F DONCASTER N
93008 GROG DERBY RTC 570Q421E20 F CREWE SYD N
93009 GROG DERBY RTC 570Q421E20 F CREWE SYD N
93010 GROG WORKSP DY WORKSP DY F N

Dan

 

[60159]

Friday morning update

93001 GROG WORKSP DY WORKSP DY F N
93002 GROG GRESTYBGE GRESTYBGE F N
93003 GROG WORKSP DY WORKSP DY F N
93004 GROG WORKSP DY WORKSP DY F N
93005 GROG DERBY RTC 570Q231F20 F DONCASTER N
93006 GROG WORKSP DY WORKSP DY F N
93007 GROG DERBY RTC 570Q231F20 F DONCASTER N
93008 GROG DERBY RTC 570Q421E20 F CREWE SYD N
93009 GROG DERBY RTC 570Q421E20 F CREWE SYD N
93010 GROG WORKSP DY WORKSP DY F N

Dan

Friday morning update

93001 GROG WORKSP DY WORKSP DY F N
93002 GROG GRESTYBGE GRESTYBGE F N
93003 GROG WORKSP DY WORKSP DY F N
93004 GROG WORKSP DY WORKSP DY F N
93005 GROG DERBY RTC 570Q231F20 F DONCASTER N
93006 GROG WORKSP DY WORKSP DY F N
93007 GROG DERBY RTC 570Q231F20 F DONCASTER N
93008 GROG DERBY RTC 570Q421E20 F CREWE SYD N
93009 GROG DERBY RTC 570Q421E20 F CREWE SYD N
93010 GROG WORKSP DY WORKSP DY F N

Dan

Cheers.

 

[E27007]

Noted today light engine 93007 coupled to 93005, 93007 leading, arr Doncaster station 1105 hours and held on the 2-way goods line.
0Q24 Doncaster to Leeds and 0Q57 Leeds to Derby RTC are probably the return workings

 

[47286Dan]

Saturday morning update

93001 GROG WORKSP DY WORKSP DY F N
93002 GROG GRESTYBGE GRESTYBGE F N
93003 GROG WORKSP DY WORKSP DY F N
93004 GROG WORKSP DY WORKSP DY F N
93005 GROG DERBY RTC DERBY RTC F N
93006 GROG WORKSP DY WORKSP DY F N
93007 GROG DERBY RTC DERBY RTC F N
93008 GROG CREWE SYD CREWE SYD F N
93009 GROG CREWE SYD CREWE SYD F N
93010 GROG WORKSP DY WORKSP DY F N

Dan

 

[Festiniog24]

93005 & 93007 worked 0Q24 11.01 P’boro-Leeds this morning seen north of Retford with 005 working off the overheads.

 

[xotGD]

93005 & 93007 worked 0Q24 11.01 P’boro-Leeds this morning seen north of Retford with 005 working off the overheads.

I missed these arriving into Leeds by a couple of minutes, disappointingly.

 

[Unobrow]

93 009/008 sat in Crewe South yard this morning.

 

[47286Dan]

Friday morning update

93001 GROG WORKSP DY WORKSP DY F N
93002 GROG GRESTYBGE GRESTYBGE F N
93003 GROG WORKSP DY WORKSP DY F N
93004 GROG WORKSP DY WORKSP DY F N
93005 GROG DERBY RTC DERBY RTC F N
93006 GROG WORKSP DY WORKSP DY F N
93007 GROG ELY PAPW 467Q701D27 D * WOLVTN CS N
93008 GROG ELY PAPW 467Q701D27 V * WOLVTN CS N
93009 GROG DERBY RTC DERBY RTC F N
93010 GROG WORKSP DY WORKSP DY F N

Dan

 

[20atthemagnet]

Further up thread there was talk about maybe in future freightliner taking on 93s prior to their trial. Having just gone over a Q&A with new owners CMA CGM on the staff portal about future plans it doesn’t look like they’re interested….They specifically mentioned the potential for the order of class 99s in future when asked about potentially taking on more 90s from DB.

 

[Class15]

Further up thread there was talk about maybe in future freightliner taking on 93s prior to their trial. Having just gone over a Q&A with new owners CMA CGM on the staff portal about future plans it doesn’t look like they’re interested….They specifically mentioned the potential for the order of class 99s in future when asked about potentially taking on more 90s from DB.

Can I ask if this is available anywhere?

 

[43096]

Can I ask if this is available anywhere?

It’s on the staff portal, as per the post you replied to.

 

[20atthemagnet]

Can I ask if this is available anywhere?

No sorry, its on our staff system. Basically was a Q&A for us to fire questions to CMA over future plans with the business and thats what they said. No mention of 93s at all although they said that all options remain open for modernisation. But they specifically mentioned the class 99 which is surprising considering there has been so much talk about 93s.

 

[Class15]

No sorry, its on our staff system. Basically was a Q&A for us to fire questions to CMA over future plans with the business and thats what they said. No mention of 93s at all although they said that all options remain open for modernisation. But they specifically mentioned the class 99 which is surprising considering there has been so much talk about 93s.

Thank you. Can I ask what they said about more DB 90s?

 

[20atthemagnet]

Thank you. Can I ask what they said about more DB 90s?

The question put to them was if we would be taking on any more 90s from DB as they become available. The response was going forward fleet improvements are being targeted around shortliners and potential orders of Class 99s going forward. Although they didn’t say flat out no to more 90s.

 

[MikePJ]

The April edition of Modern Railways reports that the 93s will be tested with GWR on the sleeper services, running double-headed to “ensure reliaibility”. London-bound sleepers are intended to pause at Reading whilst the front loco runs round to the back before departing to Paddington. This then allows the train to depart Paddington promptly and go back to Reading for cleaning and servicing.

 

[popeter45]

The April edition of Modern Railways reports that the 93s will be tested with GWR on the sleeper services, running double-headed to “ensure reliaibility”. London-bound sleepers are intended to pause at Reading whilst the front loco runs round to the back before departing to Paddington. This then allows the train to depart Paddington promptly and go back to Reading for cleaning and servicing.

i presume the mark 3 stock doesnt have the wiring needed to allow them to work as multibles when toping and tailing?

 

[Peter Mugridge]

The April edition of Modern Railways reports that the 93s will be tested with GWR on the sleeper services, running double-headed to “ensure reliaibility”. London-bound sleepers are intended to pause at Reading whilst the front loco runs round to the back before departing to Paddington. This then allows the train to depart Paddington promptly and go back to Reading for cleaning and servicing.

The April issue...?

Hmm...

 

[themiller]

The April issue...?

Hmm...

Yes, the April issue. It landed this week! (Electronically)