Cumbrian Coast Loco Hauled Stock

[IslandDweller]

The FT is running an article today about re-introduction of loco hauled stock on Cumbrian coast. Registration required if you want to read it on line.

 

[Ash Bridge]

My fastest ever run through the Severn Tunnel was behind 37275 (hence my handle). We went through at an average speed of 89.9mph. Going down through Pilning, we timed it at 100mph. The service was rather late and the driver obviously was in a rush to get home.

That certainly sounds like a lively run! What service was this and how many coaches?

 

[Cletus]

The FT is running an article today about re-introduction of loco hauled stock on Cumbrian coast. Registration required if you want to read it on line.

Is this it?

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/8ef8990e-3b68-11e5-8613-07d16aad2152.html#axzz3i4EOWEHq

High quality global journalism requires investment. Please share this article with others using the link below, do not cut & paste the article. See our Ts&Cs and Copyright Policy for more detail. Email ftsales.support@ft.com to buy additional rights. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/8ef8990e-3b68-11e5-8613-07d16aad2152.html#ixzz3i4EZkEx0

The chronic shortage of rolling stock on the UK rail network has pushed one operator to bring back British Rail diesel locomotives that are more than 50 years old, hauling “slam-door” carriages that were built in the 1970s.

“Our message is there are no more trains left in the UK,” said Northern Rail, which has been using the stock on the Cumbrian Coast line in north-west England. “Those we have . . . are the only ones in the country that we could lease.”

The government has been keen to promote its “Northern Powerhouse” project to improve links between cities. But in June, plans to electrify the Trans Pennine railway line between Manchester and Leeds were postponed and improvements to the London-Sheffield route have also been delayed.

And on the Cumbria Coast line, six days a week and for nine services a day, old British Rail Class 37 diesel locomotives are now hauling slam-door carriages.

The shortage of diesel trains is due to rising passenger numbers, which have doubled in 20 years to 1.6bn passenger journeys last year, and to delays in electrification. Electric trains had been expected to replace diesel rolling stock.

The need for the Class 37s arose because Transpennine Express, which operates intercity services in the north of England, had to return leased rolling stock to train operator Chiltern.

Under deals paid for by the Department for Transport, Transpennine then leased some trains from Northern Rail which then leased the two Class 37s and eight carriages from DRS, a subsidiary of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, which more generally uses them to pull freight, including radioactive waste, or for specialist nostalgia trips.

The leasing, at an undisclosed price, will continue beyond the expiry of Northern Rail’s present franchise in April 2016.

The trains, each with 216 seats, are providing an additional 80,000 seats a year. They are too long for the platforms so passengers are warned which carriages to leave from over the tannoy. Greater Anglia is running a similar service.

The DfT says it is committed to introducing more modern, high quality trains, to improve journeys and boost growth.
It has also promised to scrap unpopular Pacer trains — which are much newer than Class 37s — in the north, and has placed orders totalling more than £8bn for new trains on routes including the East Coast, Great Western, Thameslink and Crossrail.

Orders have also been placed by train operating companies and rolling stock companies. “By the end of 2019 there will be more than 3,700 extra carriages on the network,” the DfT said.

The arrival of the Class 37s in Cumbria has pleased at least one group of passengers: rail enthusiasts.

Northern Rail says passenger numbers on the line have risen since the “heritage” stock began operating in May as trainspotters savour the return to service of locomotives designed and built by English Electric in the early 1960s.

“This train feels like a ‘proper train’ with ‘proper seats’ and it brings back memories of travelling on them as a child,” said Andy Waterfield, a teacher from Luton.

One rail forum comment noted: “Services seemed to be well used — although most of the front coach were enthusiasts!”

Another observed: “From an enthusiast’s viewpoint it’s great, from a 21st century railway viewpoint it’s a bit of a joke.”

 

[matt]

Looks like some of those quotes came from this forum.

 

[Cletus]

47802 post 465. Bet they never thought they'd be quoted in the Financial Times!
"As I have said before from an enthusiast viewpoint its great, from a 21st century railway viewpoint its a bit of a joke"

Couldn't spot the other quote.

 

[Bungle965]

Another observed: “From an enthusiast’s viewpoint it’s great, from a 21st century railway viewpoint it’s a bit of a joke.”

I would think that it was actually better for the passenger in that they do not have to listen to the diesel noise coming from underneath there seats, more room and also comfier seats. The only bad thing is when the service is cancelled which more often that not i because of a unavailability of a guard rather than the 37 failing (that has happened though, but no more than a 156 or 153 does)

 

[47802]

47802 post 465. Bet they never thought they'd be quoted in the Financial Times!
"As I have said before from an enthusiast viewpoint its great, from a 21st century railway viewpoint its a bit of a joke"

Couldn't spot the other quote.

Fancy nicking my comment and not even getting any credit for it

 

[hibtastic]

Are the DBSO's out today? I am on the 16:12 from Whitehaven to Carlisle which is usually a 37+Mk2s.

 

[yorksrob]

Fancy nicking my comment and not even getting any credit for it

Just in case you didn't hear it, you were also quoted on the 'Today' programme on Radio 4 no less !

 

[47802]

Just in case you didn't hear it, you were also quoted on the 'Today' programme on Radio 4 no less !

Ooh really I will have a listen, just listened to it, love it, but still of course no credit for it:cry:

 

[LeylandLen]

The FT article says Northern Rail are leasing 2 x 37s and 8 carriages. I thought there are more than 2 37s on this service ?

 

[47802]

The FT article says Northern Rail are leasing 2 x 37s and 8 carriages. I thought there are more than 2 37s on this service ?

Clearly they are basing it on the long term plan of using DBSO's but these weren't ready in time hence the initial need for 4 loco's, one suspects that probably DRS are paying for the extra T&T costs.

 

[GM228]

Clearly they are basing it on the long term plan of using DBSO's but these weren't ready in time hence the initial need for 4 loco's, one suspects that probably DRS are paying for the extra T&T costs.

I think DRS covers the additional track access and diesel costs of the second loco.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Being that the 37/4s are (or were) 90mph. loco's and the mk2s 100mph. Are they cleared to operate up to this speed on the WCML between Preston - Carnforth if not t&t with a 37/0 or 37/6?

Today's 1004 ex Preston was doing a steady 82mph between Preston and Lancaster, according to my phone GPS.
There was a DBSO on the back. Quite busy with about 100 on board to Carnforth.
It's like escaping from a prison trying to exit the barred doors.
It reminded me of Norman Stanley Fletcher travelling to Slade Prison in Porridge!
If they are not needed on HSTs, why are they necessary on this stock?
Surprisingly, the connecting 2-car 150 on 1107 Carnforth-Leeds (with unbarred doors) was even busier.

 

[route:oxford]

Looks like some of those quotes came from this forum.

I'm not sure about other users, but I've been contacted by a number of journalists via private messages on the forums.

 

[47802]

Today's 1004 ex Preston was doing a steady 82mph between Preston and Lancaster, according to my phone GPS.
There was a DBSO on the back. Quite busy with about 100 on board to Carnforth.
It's like escaping from a prison trying to exit the barred doors.
It reminded me of Norman Stanley Fletcher travelling to Slade Prison in Porridge!
If they are not needed on HSTs, why are they necessary on this stock?
Surprisingly, the connecting 2-car 150 on 1107 Carnforth-Leeds (with unbarred doors) was even busier.

As has been stated on here a number of times there is a clearance restriction between Maryport and Carlisle which requires Windows bars on Slam door Stock, alternatively on Slam Door Charter's stewards have to make sure no punters are leaning out on that section. There also a side benefit in that prevents the lunatic windows hanger fringe.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

I'm not sure about other users, but I've been contacted by a number of journalists via private messages on the forums.

Indeed that what happened with me, the original intention was to use a number of comments I had made to the person who approached me and credit my name, but in the end they just used that one liner with no credit.

 

[Ash Bridge]

Today's 1004 ex Preston was doing a steady 82mph between Preston and Lancaster, according to my phone GPS.
There was a DBSO on the back. Quite busy with about 100 on board to Carnforth.
It's like escaping from a prison trying to exit the barred doors.
It reminded me of Norman Stanley Fletcher travelling to Slade Prison in Porridge!
If they are not needed on HSTs, why are they necessary on this stock?
Surprisingly, the connecting 2-car 150 on 1107 Carnforth-Leeds (with unbarred doors) was even busier.

Somewhat quicker on that stretch than the 156/142s then, assuming the GPS is accurate, you didn't by any chance notice on your travels if the mk2d BFK was still running in any of the other sets? Going to take the 10:04 next Tuesday with a change at Barrow, then break the journey at Ravenglass before picking up the mid afternoon loco hauled service to Carlisle

 

[Newshy37]

Morning all. Can anyone tell me please what is on the first trip off Carlisle today please. Rumor has it they were both poorly sick last night. Thanks.

 

[ashley37]

Would be manic if one of the 37/0 worked one of these trains

 

[Chester025]

Would be manic if one of the 37/0 worked one of these trains

Not really. 37218 worked for 6 weeks solid with no issues.

 

[Newshy37]

401 and 402 in answer to my own question! First time I've seen 401 since 80odd, lovely
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Somewhat quicker on that stretch than the 156/142s then, assuming the GPS is accurate, you didn't by any chance notice on your travels if the mk2d BFK was still running in any of the other sets? Going to take the 10:04 next Tuesday with a change at Barrow, then break the journey at Ravenglass before picking up the mid afternoon loco hauled service to Carlisle

The BFK is out today, Saturday on the turn that goes to Lancaster. Very nice it is too, 401 sth end 402 nth end

 

[ashley37]

I meant it would be mental if a 37/0 worked one of these trains
No chance now I guess

 

[Ash Bridge]

401 and 402 in answer to my own question! First time I've seen 401 since 80odd, lovely
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


The BFK is out today, Saturday on the turn that goes to Lancaster. Very nice it is too, 401 sth end 402 nth end

Ah great, many thanks

 

[hibtastic]

Travelled in DBSO 9707 being pulled by 37423 on Friday. It was like a sauna inside. Still, much better than the usual DMUs though.

 

[sprinterguy]

I meant it would be mental if a 37/0 worked one of these trains
No chance now I guess

Do you specifically mean one of the DBSO rakes? As 37218 is a 37/0 and has been working the passenger services in top and tail arrangement.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Presumably if a no-heat loco has to work a set solo, it's better to do so during summer (or perhaps not, as the above comment about a sauna-like DBSO!) rather than in late November? That of course is assuming that the non-ETS locos have the required multiple-working equipment, and would still be able to operate the Central Door Locking...

 

[Smudger105e]

Non ETH locos don't have DRA so it's unlikely that they would work passenger services.

 

[Tom Quayle]

Ah the aroma of rotting met-cam there's something I don't miss about living down that way. Was lucky enough to catch my only winner on these diagrams in the form of a nice and meaty 37218 although couldn't resist a large logo thrash from Lancaster to preston the other week with 401 out and 402 back.

 

[ashley37]

I meant one of the 370## that would be great

 

[Ellaguru]

as a result of the Sellafield shift change...

Is that the case? And are there any other scheduled workings which get very busy? and shoiuld be avoided?