DRS fleet update

[Phil6219]

Indeed this did run today, didn't venture out as wasn't expecting it to run - will go for it next week

I've heard (reliable gossip, but gossip none the less) that it is to train crews on the coaching stock, apparently Northern Rail guards are being trained up for some upcoming services which are supposed to run alongside the glowex.

Phil

 

[Greybeard33]

Indeed this did run today, didn't venture out as wasn't expecting it to run - will go for it next week

I've heard (reliable gossip, but gossip none the less) that it is to train crews on the coaching stock, apparently Northern Rail guards are being trained up for some upcoming services which are supposed to run alongside the glowex.

Phil

I did see a guard (possibly in Northern uniform) leaning out the window of one of the empty coaches.

 

[shedman]

I've heard (reliable gossip, but gossip none the less) that it is to train crews on the coaching stock, apparently Northern Rail guards are being trained up for some upcoming services which are supposed to run alongside the glowex.

Phil

Thats the plan I am also led to believe and I've heard from a very reliable source. I know we all hate things being said without any sort of back up but the number of coaches gives a good indication

 

[AJP62]

Indeed this did run today, didn't venture out as wasn't expecting it to run - will go for it next week

I've heard (reliable gossip, but gossip none the less) that it is to train crews on the coaching stock, apparently Northern Rail guards are being trained up for some upcoming services which are supposed to run alongside the glowex.

Phil

Saw this head north from Macclesfield yesterday - it had been in the southbound side loop platform so must have arrived early and was letting northbound stuff pass. Bit of a reminder of the old days with Virgin XC trains apart from the rear loco! 47501 (leading going north) and 47813.

 

[Boothby97]

Correct, it is connection with Northern Rail.
Thanks, Sam

 

[fgwrich]

Saw this head north from Macclesfield yesterday - it had been in the southbound side loop platform so must have arrived early and was letting northbound stuff pass. Bit of a reminder of the old days with Virgin XC trains apart from the rear loco! 47501 (leading going north) and 47813.

Yesterday (and todays - Although 47813 has now been subbed by 818) test run is also a test run for 47813, Which has had some mods carried out to it and should be running in. But...'Solent' unfortunatly failed on the run yesterday leading to 47501 taking charge for the rest of the day.

As for 57307. At the moment, it remains unbranded, which is likely to remain like this whilst it remains as a West Coast 'Thunderbird'. Note the repainted numberplate too.

 

[Phil6219]

Thats the plan I am also led to believe and I've heard from a very reliable source. I know we all hate things being said without any sort of back up but the number of coaches gives a good indication

Yeah it sucks not being able to verify stuff even when it's from a good source (the comparison being to Wikipedia demanding sources when it's first hand knowledge).

Correct, it is connection with Northern Rail.

Looking forward to bashing them workings a few dozen times, then again so will most of the countries cranks

Yesterday (and todays - Although 47813 has now been subbed by 818) test run is also a test run for 47813, Which has had some mods carried out to it and should be running in. But...'Solent' unfortunatly failed on the run yesterday leading to 47501 taking charge for the rest of the day.

As for 57307. At the moment, it remains unbranded, which is likely to remain like this whilst it remains as a West Coast 'Thunderbird'. Note the repainted numberplate too.

Did it run today then? I've not heard any reports of it. I've been posted Gen timings for it tomorrow showing as a FO. I'm hoping it runs next week as I'd like to get it all five days and stick them in one nice long video (from various locations otherwise it would be rather naff).

With regard to that nameplate, it's just a fresh coat of pink isn't it?

Phil

 

[Greybeard33]

Did it run today then? I've not heard any reports of it.

Yes, I saw it heading south through Cheadle Hulme. I did not see the return, but I might have missed it.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Yes, I saw it heading south through Cheadle Hulme. I did not see the return, but I might have missed it.

Today it stopped in Cheadle Hulme Platform 4 (southbound) at 12:06, immediately after the scheduled Northern Rail 323 departure to Stoke. Again 47818 & 47501 with 5 coaches.

 

[fgwrich]

Yes, I saw it heading south through Cheadle Hulme. I did not see the return, but I might have missed it.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Today it stopped in Cheadle Hulme Platform 4 (southbound) at 12:06, immediately after the scheduled Northern Rail 323 departure to Stoke. Again 47818 & 47501 with 5 coaches.

Booked for the same locos next week.

 

[87015]

Booked for the same locos next week.

Suppose they need something for them to do having "invested" £5m on a 47 fleet for ... errr ... some work at some time perhaps?

 

[Boothby97]

Suppose they need something for them to do having "invested" £5m on a 47 fleet for ... errr ... some work at some time perhaps?

You're right, they could do with the work for the 47s. Two are regulary tied up on Northern Belle duties though the rest are not busy, could do with DRS heading more into the charter market.

http://andrewstransport.smugmug.com...-2013/27387092_gssBtM#!i=2314939067&k=3sWjQMG
Empty stock for Carlisle glow-ex test runs has gone up north, Riviera Mk2s for this test run as well. By the way, there are a couple of errors below the photo. The coaches are mainly ex-Anglia (not Arriva) and the BSO (at the front) is ex-Virgin but was repainted into Anglia colours for the Taunton-Cardiff loco hauled a few years, to match the rest of the rake!
Thanks, Sam

 

[Greybeard33]

Booked for the same locos next week.

I suspect they might have a hefty fuel bill for 47818 - it almost vanished in a cloud of black smoke pulling out of the station!

 

[fgwrich]

You're right, they could do with the work for the 47s. Two are regulary tied up on Northern Belle duties though the rest are not busy, could do with DRS heading more into the charter market.

http://andrewstransport.smugmug.com...-2013/27387092_gssBtM#!i=2314939067&k=3sWjQMG
Empty stock for Carlisle glow-ex test runs has gone up north, Riviera Mk2s for this test run as well. By the way, there are a couple of errors below the photo. The coaches are mainly ex-Anglia (not Arriva) and the BSO (at the front) is ex-Virgin but was repainted into Anglia colours for the Taunton-Cardiff loco hauled a few years, to match the rest of the rake!
Thanks, Sam

Oh yes, that Nasty old thing. Goodness knows why Riviera decided to ruin an already run down ex Virgin Mk2, by trying to make it match a rake of fairly knackered old ex Anglia Mk2s.

Sadly, it'll be a while before we see a 47 on some of these services unfortunatly. DRS's 47s are wired up for Green Dot Multi Working, whereas the DBSOs will be Blue Star. However, it's not too difficult to have the 47s work with Blue Star - should really only be down to the number of wires in the multi working cables.

 

[jamieintercity]

37410 has arrived at booths in rotherdam according to a photo on wnxx's facebook page. should be de-registered from the XHHP pool soon.

 

[OuterDistant]

Ah, so that's what this is! I was wondering why 2 47s + mk2s were going up and down here every lunchtime.

 

[fgwrich]

37410 has arrived at booths in rotherdam according to a photo on wnxx's facebook page. should be de-registered from the XHHP pool soon.

Yikes, has a part of South Yorkshire drifted off to the Netherlands then.

 

[Boothby97]

Yikes, has a part of South Yorkshire drifted off to the Netherlands then.

Just be patient, they should be de registered soon. Just don't expect it to return from ROTHERHAM (or 37406/416/417426/427/428 for that matter)

Thanks, Sam

 

[Greybeard33]

47853 was heading the 5Z45 NW training run today.

 

[jamieintercity]

Just be patient, they should be de registered soon. Just don't expect it to return from ROTHERHAM (or 37406/416/417426/427/428 for that matter)

Thanks, Sam

37410 has now been de-registered from the XHHP pool just leaving 37422 at kingmoor and on the XHHP pool awaiting its future. I think 37402 and 405 are ready to leave, not sure when those.

 

[Rhydgaled]

Braved the snow and went home from Manchester to Wales on Friday, returning to Manchester today. In both directions, I noticed what I think is a mark3 DVT outside the Direct Rail Services depot/shed/works/I-don't-know-what just outside Crewe. It looked like the DVT is in Virgin livery (not the Pretendolino version though I think), have they decided to somehow use a DVT instead of a DBSO on the Cumbrian coast loco-hauled extras? If not, anyone know what this DVT is doing there?

 

[fgwrich]

Braved the snow and went home from Manchester to Wales on Friday, returning to Manchester today. In both directions, I noticed what I think is a mark3 DVT outside the Direct Rail Services depot/shed/works/I-don't-know-what just outside Crewe. It looked like the DVT is in Virgin livery (not the Pretendolino version though I think), have they decided to somehow use a DVT instead of a DBSO on the Cumbrian coast loco-hauled extras? If not, anyone know what this DVT is doing there?

That's ex West Coast (VT) 82101. Not sure why it's being moved around by DRS lately, but it's certainly hovering around DRS as of late.

 

[Chester025]

Braved the snow and went home from Manchester to Wales on Friday, returning to Manchester today. In both directions, I noticed what I think is a mark3 DVT outside the Direct Rail Services depot/shed/works/I-don't-know-what just outside Crewe. It looked like the DVT is in Virgin livery (not the Pretendolino version though I think), have they decided to somehow use a DVT instead of a DBSO on the Cumbrian coast loco-hauled extras? If not, anyone know what this DVT is doing there?

82101 - http://www.flickr.com/photos/d210bob/6837080492/

 

[Rhydgaled]

82101 - http://www.flickr.com/photos/d210bob/6837080492/

Did it have Pretendolino livery once, as this image seems to suggest? Anyone know what DRS is doing with it?

 

[Chester025]

Did it have Pretendolino livery once, as this image seems to suggest? Anyone know what DRS is doing with it?

That's 82126, the only one to carry the 'Pretendolino' livery.

 

[fgwrich]

Did it have Pretendolino livery once, as this image seems to suggest? Anyone know what DRS is doing with it?

That's 82126, the only one to carry the 'Pretendolino' livery.

Yep, 82101 has only carried a rather scruffy ex Virgin Red / Grey livery under it's time with VT West Coast.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dan700/4715891630/

 

[Boothby97]

Braved the snow and went home from Manchester to Wales on Friday, returning to Manchester today. In both directions, I noticed what I think is a mark3 DVT outside the Direct Rail Services depot/shed/works/I-don't-know-what just outside Crewe. It looked like the DVT is in Virgin livery (not the Pretendolino version though I think), have they decided to somehow use a DVT instead of a DBSO on the Cumbrian coast loco-hauled extras? If not, anyone know what this DVT is doing there?

I'm very confused about the DVT because surely DRS could not use it on the Cumbrian Coast loco hauled because DRS don't own any Mark 3 coaches.
By the way, it's at Gresty Bridge depot in Crewe, that what it is,
Thanks, Sam

 

[sprinterguy]

I'm very confused about the DVT because surely DRS could not use it on the Cumbrian Coast loco hauled because DRS don't own any Mark 3 coaches.
By the way, it's at Gresty Bridge depot in Crewe, that what it is,
Thanks, Sam

Mark 3 DVTs can work with mark 2s as well - They regularly did in their days on the West Coast.

 

[fgwrich]

Mark 3 DVTs can work with mark 2s as well - They regularly did in their days on the West Coast.

Just depends on what's on the other end though, as although the DVTs can be modified to AAR Multi Working - As proven by Chiltern, EWS (DB) & ATW, many of the ex Virgin DVTs will still be fitted with Time Division Multiplex aka TDM...Which is something that's lacking in the DRS Fleet. So, although it's hovering around DRS's Depot - It's a pretty safe bet that it wont end up on the Cumrian Coast anytime soon, especially as DRS owns either 2 or 3 DBSOs which as proven by NR Can be converted to work with Blue Star & Green Dot Multi Working - Something that DRS's fleet does have.

 

[SprinterMan]

Just depends on what's on the other end though, as although the DVTs can be modified to AAR Multi Working - As proven by Chiltern, EWS (DB) & ATW, many of the ex Virgin DVTs will still be fitted with Time Division Multiplex aka TDM...Which is something that's lacking in the DRS Fleet. So, although it's hovering around DRS's Depot - It's a pretty safe bet that it wont end up on the Cumrian Coast anytime soon, especially as DRS owns either 2 or 3 DBSOs which as proven by NR Can be converted to work with Blue Star & Green Dot Multi Working - Something that DRS's fleet does have.

I would love to see a DVT fitted with Green Dot multiple working, but alas it is unlikely to happen.

Does anyone know if 57307 had received it's compass vinyl yet?

Adam

 

[fgwrich]

Nope. It's been in the Carlisle area as of late, somewhat ironically stabled with VT Liveried 57308.