Grand Central Discussion

[class 313]

So when did Craigentinny start doing MTU conversions along with Brush? :?

Swoosh.

It was only a joke...

 

[Sir_Clagalot]

It's gone for an engine swap (again!!)

 

[91101]

I cannot believe that NXEC are agreeing to work on GC powercars at their own depot.

Really its a shame that GC couldnt run a 22:30 Kings Cross - York and have the HST's maintained at NL, but then again, given it would need to be off NL about 0400 to work 1N25, it wouldnt give much time for maintainence.

 

[paul1609]

I'm surprised that the engine has to come out if its only "put a leg out of bed".
On the naval version its an easy 1 day 2 man job to do a fork and blade and its respective pistons and liners.

 

[Sir_Clagalot]

'Putting a Leg Out' tends to do a bit of damage to the engine block... not to mention the rest of the engine when it does go bang. Engine will no doubt be scrapped once any salvagable parts have been removed and all the fluids drained.

 

[diligentdave]

'Putting a Leg Out' tends to do a bit of damage to the engine block... not to mention the rest of the engine when it does go bang. Engine will no doubt be scrapped once any salvagable parts have been removed and all the fluids drained.

Apart from the fact that parts of the "leg" went out the side of the engine and out through the bodyside

 

[paul1609]

In my 15 years of Valenta Experience ive only known of the piston/ con rod going through the engine block once. In this case we employed a specialist welder to repair the block. remachined the E bore in situ fitted new liners pistons and heads and away we went. As far as I know the block is still in service 9 years later. The mechanic who was in the module dipping the oil at the time decided that he needed a new job about 12 hours later and now lives in Manchester.
I dont know of any valenta blocks that have been scraped in the Navys stocks however we still dream of MTUs or cummins or basically anything!

 

[DaveNewcastle]

I guess there are several differences in the way navy and rail engines are monitored, even if they're used and serviced with similar duty-cycles (tho I don't know if even that is similar).
The last time we discussed this (when a GC power car threw a con rod sideways a few months ago) I recall seeing the set on the run from the depot to station billowing enough steam and unburnt fuel to completly hide the train it was hauling. After a run to London and halfway back it blew. Now in the intervening 6 or 7 hours of service, anyone monitoring the engine would notice the exceptional coolant level and temperature rise and prob loss of torque. After all, its not as if a train driver can even see the air-borne trail of evidence behind!
Different environments.
As for repairs to the bores, I'm not sure anyone out there is offering reboring services for these engine blocks. Are they?
Its a great waste if not.

 

[91101]

Anyone know why GC are yet again (sigh!) back on contingent?

 

[Royston Vasey]

Anyone know why GC are yet again (sigh!) back on contingent?

My question too, what happened to having 5 power cars?

 

[djw1981]

I assume NXEC are doing this because money was offered...... , just like with AXC PC maintenance at EC. Also, they (EC) are the closest Valenta engine 'specialist depot' to Heaton. And they still have Valenta's in their current stock, which FGW don't.

 

[91101]

In answer to your question Royston Vasey, I'd hazard a guess that the PC's are fine but the coaches are now the issue. I got 1A60 on Monday morning and the leading FO is the one where the battery pack keeps triping. It gets reported to Heaton, and reported, and reported, but it just comes back with No Fault Found!!

 

[Sir_Clagalot]

91101, what happens is the riding fitter makes a little modification, then the depot fitters undo it!!

 

[Royston Vasey]

An image (not mine) has been on Flickr for a couple of days of 43068 being hauled to Criagentinny by 20905. Is it me or can you see the hole in the side on this photo??

http://flickr.com/photos/24562640@N08/2736779210/in/pool-ukrailways

 

[Donny Dave]

Better photo here, and yes, there does appear to be a hole in the body work.

 

[Darandio]

Can anyone shed any light on whether the 12:30 from Sunderland will be out tomorrow?
Pretty sure it was today but I was planning a rover/ranger so I am hoping so!

 

[1D53]

1230 was Cancelled throughout today.

 

[Royston Vasey]

1230 was Cancelled throughout today.

And the website states that the contingency timetable will run Wednesday through Friday, so not looking like tomorrow will be different
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

And the website states that the contingency timetable will run Wednesday through Friday, so not looking like tomorrow will be different

EDIT: Website now says only Wednesday and Thursday so looks like it'll run after all!

 

[1D53]

0804 from Kings Cross is cancelled so presume the 1230 if going will be coming from Heaton.

 

[91101]

1A62 (1230 ex SUN) will start from York.

This service will start from York at 1410 arriving into London Kings Cross at 1405.

GC managing to bend time?

 

[class 313]

GC managing to bend time?

Nope, they mean the next day

*gets coat*

 

[Royston Vasey]

Today's 1230 on time Sunderland to Kings Cross throughout, hope you made it on Darandio

 

[Darandio]

Today's 1230 on time Sunderland to Kings Cross throughout, hope you made it on Darandio

Unfortunately not mate, when i last looked at the website this morning it still said it wasnt running so I didnt bother going to Sunderland.
Never mind.

 

[Phoenix]

http://www.thegrimsheeper.photoblog.org.uk/p52536523.html

Not my own work but here's some froth to throw in the pot.

 

[1D53]

Ah 20's, nowt they can't do!

 

[Sir_Clagalot]

Excellent! I was hoping someone would get a pic!!

 

[furryfeet]

why do GC, as an "open access" operator, not buck the ATOC rules and start letting ALL railcard holders get discounts in 1st class ?
Surely it should be tried - a bum on a seat pays something towards all the power car repairs and hire of replacement train sets etc.

For example it looks as if in this case, it would make the difference between a sale and no sale at all !

 

[Royston Vasey]

why do GC, as an "open access" operator, not buck the ATOC rules and start letting ALL railcard holders get discounts in 1st class ?
Surely it should be tried - a bum on a seat pays something towards all the power car repairs and hire of replacement train sets etc.

For example it looks as if in this case, it would make the difference between a sale and no sale at all !

Well an advert has just appeared on the website offering 2 for the price of 1 tickets for the rest of August... they're certainly making an effort on the marketing side. But I agree, I wouldn't mind 33% off for the last 6 blessed months my 16-25 is valid for!

 

[yorkie]

Apparently NXEC are refusing to despatch GC trains at York now!!!

 

[91101]

They never dispatched them anyway!