GWR Turbo height

[CR165022]

Am I right in thinking that the GWR 165/166s have had height mods in recent years?

 

[67016]

Correct, some have been done some haven't. The ones that have been done have a triangle on the cab wit RHM (Ride Height Modifications) written on it.

 

[pdeaves]

I suspect, but cannot confirm, that all have. Certainly, a good proportion have.

 

[CR165022]

Thanks, do you know what as actually happened to them? Was the body risen or something?

 

[Clarence Yard]

All have - the ride height was modified (upwards) using bogie shims.

This cut out the need to alter a lot of the platforms in the Bristol and Exeter areas which were more suited to the 15x units, which sat higher than the Turbos.

NSE specified a closer platform/vehicle interface than Regional Railways, which now causes issues with the required clearances, even over lines which the Turbos have traditionally operated.

 

[adc82140]

How much taller are they now? Enough to be visibly different, or more subtle than that?

 

[pdeaves]

All have - the ride height was modified (upwards) using bogie shims.

This cut out the need to alter a lot of the platforms in the Bristol and Exeter areas which were more suited to the 15x units, which sat higher than the Turbos.

NSE specified a closer platform/vehicle interface than Regional Railways, which now causes issues with the required clearances, even over lines which the Turbos have traditionally operated.

The raising shim is, I believe, 25mm so is probably imperceptible to the human eye in normal circumstances. As stated, it was easier/cheaper/less disruptive to modify these trains than all the platforms (which potentially could have made stepping distances worse for other stock).

 

[Clarence Yard]

Yes, 25mm is the shim - that still puts the stepboard height about 25mm less than a cl.150, iirc.