DBS using double head 66's?

[truckman060473]

on some workings this has occured as a result of them storing class 60's but can they be used on increased weight now? for example the Westerleigh to Robeston tanks normally in the hands of a 60 is now seen with either a single 66 or sometimes dual 66's. the 60's worked anything up to about 25 bogie tanks. is there a restriction to the length of freight trains that could prevent a dual 66 from working longer trains than 25 tanks here seeing that double heading may be used?

 

[ailsa]

I'm not sure I can answer your question, but yesterday afternoon there were a pair of sheds at Westerleigh.

I've heard that when the first 66s went on the Westerleigh tanks there was a derailment due to the class 66 suspension being less tolerant of poor track than that of the 60s. Perhaps someone here can tell me if it's true?

 

[TGVDUDE]

Double Headed 66's mostly work the Westerleigh - Robeston where as the Theale - Margam is usually worked by a single 66 but i have seen it doubled on one occasion

 

[truckman060473]

what i don't get, is why use two 66's instead of one and run a few less tankers. where is the economy here? one 66 with 20 tanks for example, then the 2nd 66 with another train of 20. that's 40 petroleum tanks shifted using two locos, instead of double heading with only 25 like the single 60 did. makes no sense.

 

[Old Timer]

The fall in traffic has seen 66s sitting around spare.

Short term it appears to make sense to use the 66s instead of carrying out a major refurbishment of the 60s.

That said EWS shot themselves in the foot recently by running a 36 wagon Lindsey to Kingsbury service for publicity reasons and the day afterwards they announced they were withdrawing the 60s from front-line service.

This did not go down particularly well with customers.

 

[The Planner]

what i don't get, is why use two 66's instead of one and run a few less tankers. where is the economy here? one 66 with 20 tanks for example, then the 2nd 66 with another train of 20. that's 40 petroleum tanks shifted using two locos, instead of double heading with only 25 like the single 60 did. makes no sense.

It depends on what Theale can handle, there no point running a second train, path providing, if the end terminal cannot accomodate them. It takes time to discharge the tanks depending on what is carried, then you need the empties out of the way.

You will probably also find that the margins on the traffic are small, DBS probably dont make a profit on the first 20 tanks. That is why all the FOCs want longer and longer trains. A double headed 25 tank train would also run better than a single 20 tank train.

 

[royaloak]

2 trains need 2 paths and 2 drivers, 1 train with 2 locos needs 1 path and 1 driver.
there is a contract to move a certain amount of fuel, you cannot just decide to move more if it suits you!

 

[truckman060473]

but wouldn't it be a case of working out how many tanks of petroleum need to go from A to B in a week and then operate the required number of 66 + say, 20 tank diagrams, instead of double heading? Even on an old Traction DVD i have, it mentions the then EWS wanting the new order of these 66's to eliminate double heading.

 

[Phoenix]

but wouldn't it be a case of working out how many tanks of petroleum need to go from A to B in a week and then operate the required number of 66 + say, 20 tank diagrams, instead of double heading? Even on an old Traction DVD i have, it mentions the then EWS wanting the new order of these 66's to eliminate double heading.

Sadly as far as DBS go nothing works out the way they planned it the 66's are capable of doing the work of a 60 but in certain specific parameter's such as the FLHH examples and mods could be done on the DBS bunch.
Honestly this double heading situation is in the form of a last ditch solution because the 60's are slowly becoming a royal pain although DBS have finally started throwing money at the problem there Mirless unit's have becoming pretty crap so DBS have no other option.

 

[royaloak]

it is not a question of how many tanks a week, more of tanks per day!

 

[The Planner]

It still comes down to profit margins for the FOC though. They will have to work around what the depot specs in terms of terminal time and volume etc... Kingsbury would have 120 tanks a day if everything runs.

 

[truckman060473]

Two 66's worked the Murco empties to Robeston tonight. 18 bogie tanks. no way are two required for that, so was one of them just "riding" with the train to collect its own rake of full tanks, making two full workings out of Robeston?