Grand Central Discussion

[paul1609]

well if you think about it, they have tonnes of spare engines available after everything else was mtu'd, there'll be over 100 spare engines somewhere...

One of our subcontractors Eurotek has a whole load of these engines at their factory in Essex.

 

[Techniquest]

Tyre turning and also replacement Valentas for 080/123

Thanks for the quick reply. Paranoia struck last night!

I take it HT can't do tyre turning then? And there surely can't be many more spare Valentas around now. Any idea why they need replacement engines?

Can't be long until the MTU Mafia step in with their R41 or possibly R43...

 

[BOSCH]

One of our subcontractors Eurotek has a whole load of these engines at their factory in Essex.

Eurotex are currently working with us at the moment,they just repaired B2 cylinder on 43084
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Any idea why they need replacement engines?

43080 been demic for a while now,43123 put a leg out a couple of weeks ago,rather large hole in engine casing and 10mm hole in bodyside

 

[Techniquest]

43080 been demic for a while now,43123 put a leg out a couple of weeks ago,rather large hole in engine casing and 10mm hole in bodyside

Ouch! Wondered why I'd heard nowt about 43080 for a while. Nasty news about 43123 too, good thing she produced and worked when I last did GC in January really then. Hoping now for 43084 to get the last GC one I need in the book, although when I'll next get a chance to do a GC move I've no idea

Sounds like 43123 will be out of action for a while again. Good thing you guys have people like Eurotex to help out (although I've never heard of them before today, time for a Google search!), dread to think what the situation would be otherwise.

EDIT: Just found Eurotex International, sounds like the perfect lot for work on Valentas

 

[Lampshade]

Quite annoying really, the only two I haven't yet seen are 123 and 067 and I'm trying to put off my next GC bash until they're both in service, preferably on the same working :P

 

[BOSCH]

Quite annoying really, the only two I haven't yet seen are 123 and 067 and I'm trying to put off my next GC bash until they're both in service, preferably on the same working :P

067 has been running around with 065 until last wednesday,067 taken off for X exam after that

 

[Techniquest]

What, prey tell, does an X exam involve? Highest I was previously aware of was a G exam!

 

[142094]

I take it HT can't do tyre turning then?

Not sure for certain, but I think Heaton doesn't have a wheel lathe. Unless I'm getting mixed up with my info that is.

 

[TrainBrain185]

Heaton does not have a wheel lathe. I thought Craigentinny Depot did the GC wheel re-profiling?
As for the ongoing saga of Paxman failures? Well, what can I say. Guess it keeps the foamers happy still having them in (for the moment)......:roll:

 

[GNERman]

ok ive heard more reports that gc's power cars have been bought by angel trains, is this true?

 

[Lampshade]

^^^I heard that as well.

 

[Techniquest]

Roger Smith on HSTgen confirmed earlier that Angel bought GC's fleet on 25th February 2010. Which I didn't know until today.

Should be interesting to see what happens now.

 

[tbtc]

Interesting. Why sell and rent back something you owned?

1. ...because you are planning on using something else instead of HSTs?
2 ...potential cash flow issues?

 

[Royston Vasey]

Interesting. Why sell and rent back something you owned?

1. ...because you are planning on using something else instead of HSTs?
2 ...potential cash flow issues?

My guess, only a guess, is that Angel will fund the MTU refurbishment of the power cars, and guarantee to lease them back to GC for a certain period.

GC have always wanted new stock anyway, so this life-extends what they have and after X years at the end of the lease period, Angel then either renew the lease or use them elsewhere if GC have acquired new stock or more 180s. The power cars must have a reasonable value, so this purchase may also help fund that new stock.

Makes a good deal of business sense to me. And as highlighted in recent posts, it is crazy to continue with the Valentas, this may be the only way for GC to raise the money to re-engineer them.

 

[tbtc]

My guess, only a guess, is that Angel will fund the MTU refurbishment of the power cars, and guarantee to lease them back to GC for a certain period.

GC have always wanted new stock anyway, so this life-extends what they have and after X years at the end of the lease period, Angel then either renew the lease or use them elsewhere if GC have acquired new stock or more 180s. The power cars must have a reasonable value, so this purchase may also help fund that new stock.

Makes a good deal of business sense to me. And as highlighted in recent posts, it is crazy to continue with the Valentas, this may be the only way for GC to raise the money to re-engineer them.

That would make sense (not that that always means it'll happen on the railways!) - interesting

 

[Failed Unit]

My guess, only a guess, is that Angel will fund the MTU refurbishment of the power cars, and guarantee to lease them back to GC for a certain period.

GC have always wanted new stock anyway, so this life-extends what they have and after X years at the end of the lease period, Angel then either renew the lease or use them elsewhere if GC have acquired new stock or more 180s. The power cars must have a reasonable value, so this purchase may also help fund that new stock.

Makes a good deal of business sense to me. And as highlighted in recent posts, it is crazy to continue with the Valentas, this may be the only way for GC to raise the money to re-engineer them.

Or if Angel own the HST's they can provide GC with some more 180's and give East Coast some HST's to provide more uniform fleets.

This is of course total nonsense failed unit as East Coast have 5 180's and GC have 3x HST sets so it would never work anyway!

 

[royaloak]

And GC will have a contract to hire the HSTs which Angel cannot just decide to hire to somebody else :roll:

 

[Failed Unit]

And GC will have a contract to hire the HSTs which Angel cannot just decide to hire to somebody else :roll:

I don't know if this was directed at my post - I know, I will add some smilies just incase anyone else bites.

 

[Techniquest]

Current calculating odds on which one goes to Brush first. Current favourite is 43084, odds of 10/2.

(And don't ask me how I worked that out, as I have no idea! )

Speculation around t'internet is that come May the fleet will start entering The Slaughterhouse. Which sounds plausible, since GC have enough 180s to cover all their services currently.

Hopefully this won't happen this year and that we have the rest of the year at least to enjoy the Valentas. But the cynic in me says different. My paranoid side, that screams something different too!

 

[Failed Unit]

This is now a long thread so sorry if this has been covered elsewhere, when does the West Riding service start, it isn't in the online routing guides for May (yes you can read the new timetable online now). GC had hoped a may start date.

 

[WatcherZero]

The lease back contract is to 2016, the HST engines will be upgraded by Angel as part of the deal.

 

[tbtc]

Do GC services really require more than five coaches? (based on current loads)

(serious enquiry, not a fishing trip)

 

[Lampshade]

Refurbishment and fitment of MTUs will commence in June:

http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/...and-central-hst-sale-and-lease-back-deal.html

EDIT: It is rumoured that 43080 is going to be the first to enter the slaugherhouse.

 

[Sir_Clagalot]

six coaches are definately appreciated during busy periods such as school holidays and the like!!

 

[Failed Unit]

Do GC services really require more than five coaches? (based on current loads)

(serious enquiry, not a fishing trip)

Normally no, the 1650 is a 180 and is fine. The problems come when they are "covering" for east coast during times of disruption. If for example the Inverness - London service is late you can get quite a crowd on the GC service as a result. If they didn't stop at York the 180's would be fine all the time (not getting into the debate about if they should or should not just stating that York is a significant flow for them).

Sunderland matches also significantly increase the loadings of some trains.

I guess if the fleet was all 180's they would cope and on predicted busy days use the "spare" set to run 2x 180's

 

[theblackwatch]

six coaches are definately appreciated during busy periods such as school holidays and the like!!

Time to get those 3 half complete coaches at Marcroft finished then!

 

[GNERman]

gc's paths are actually for 7 coach trains, giving them more time, and the choice if they ever want to extend the trains further...

 

[DescendingSadly]

This is now a long thread so sorry if this has been covered elsewhere, when does the West Riding service start, it isn't in the online routing guides for May (yes you can read the new timetable online now). GC had hoped a may start date.

Where is the timetable :???:

 

[Crossforth]

Is this really the end of an era of Valenta's? :cry::cry:

 

[MCR247]

Where is the timetable :???:

Online