FGW Sleeper Stock

[I T S]

Just a thought - But why is the Penzance sleeper hauled by a 57? Are the couplers on the coaches not the same as HST couplers?

 

[IanXC]

Just a thought - But why is the Penzance sleeper hauled by a 57? Are the couplers on the coaches not the same as HST couplers?

Pretty certain they're different, I'm sure there's barrier vehicles used to move HST coaches

 

[4SRKT]

No. They are standard mk III loco hauled coaches in an Irish Rail sty-lee with retractable buffers and buckeye couplings that can be dropped to reveal a standard drawbar. The 57 is coupled on conventionally using its screw shackle coupling.

 

[TEW]

The ETH system is different on the Sleeper MK3s and HSTs though. Sleeper MK3s and Class 57s use the standard ETH system but HSTs have their own system running of a different voltage.

 

[4SRKT]

Basically the mk IIIs in an HST are multiple unit vehicles, and those on the sleeper (or the Chilterns) are loco-hauled stock. To use an example I T S will be familiar with, this makes them as incompatible as 80 class trailers and NIR mk II stock from the Dublins pre-1995. The ludicrous reclassification of class 253/254 to 'class 43' makes it confusing as it suggests that HSTs are in some way just loco-hauled trains rather than semi-fixed formation DEMUs.