London Kings X - Skipton ?

[yorks]

Not really into railways as i used to be but last week i noticed a electric unit on the above working what is normally worked by a HST, Is this unusual
T.I.A

 

[OMGitsDAVE]

Its now booked a Class 91 after testing took place late last year. Nothing out of the ordinary!

 

[tbtc]

After almost twenty years, the electrification has finally been beefed up enough to allow a 91.

 

[HugePilchard]

Does the Class 91 need a lot more juice than other electrics, then? The sound of the cooling fans alone does rather suggest that there's large amounts of power being thrown about, anyway!

That said, we don't tend to get any other electric units up here (apart from the Metro!), so I can't really compare it to anything else.

 

[Lampshade]

Not really, it was just the electrification on the Skipton branch being for want of a better word, crap.

 

[DarloRich]

The actual term is"economical use of resources" rather than crap!

 

[tbtc]

Does the Class 91 need a lot more juice than other electrics, then? The sound of the cooling fans alone does rather suggest that there's large amounts of power being thrown about, anyway!

That said, we don't tend to get any other electric units up here (apart from the Metro!), so I can't really compare it to anything else.

ECML electrification was done on the cheap by British Rail, hence not enough power for 91s to Skipton, not enough power for 373s under GNER (having to keep out of London during the peaks because the system couldn't cope with the drain on power? was that true or myth?), frequently falling down...

...the good news is that the power to Skipton is strong enough for the 333s, and good units they are too.

 

[WestCoast]

...the good news is that the power to Skipton is strong enough for the 333s, and good units they are too.

I find 332/333s the most underrated EMUs on the network - they really are good quality and are better than Desiros/Electrostars/Networkers in my opinion.

It's good news for East Coast's operational flexibility - as the freed HST can be deployed to cover elsewhere.

 

[Tim R-T-C]

I meant to get up early to catch the first scheduled 91 run on the Monday morning, but decided not to. I did however see the evening service on the Saturday night before the new timetable which was being operated by a 91 set although the weekend services are supposedly staying as HSTs...


91132 on 1D43 arrives into Leeds platform 1 by Tim R-T-C, on Flickr

 

[tbtc]

I find 332/333s the most underrated EMUs on the network - they really are good quality and are better than Desiros/Electrostars/Networkers in my opinion

I agree with you; I'd be interested to see how they'd get on on "normal" London routes, as I think they score highly against those units

It's good news for East Coast's operational flexibility - as the freed HST can be deployed to cover elsewhere.

Hence the return portion from London to Harrogate (now a HST can do that duty, since it isn't returning back to Skipton in the evening.

 

[WestCoast]

I agree with you; I'd be interested to see how they'd get on on "normal" London routes, as I think they score highly against those units

I have always been a 332/333 fan - they look good when compared to other modern EMUs, and they are smooth, comfortable and quiet. They don't rattle and they have a lovely interior in either commuter or premium layout. I just wish CAF/Siemens had been able to secure more orders.

Their only issue is that they don't have a corridor connection. Other than that, I think they'd be great on London commuter routes. Not that a London commuter TOC should be robbing the precious few modern units that Northern has (well they can't because of Metro!).

Hence the return portion from London to Harrogate (now a HST can do that duty, since it isn't returning back to Skipton in the evening.

Yes, I remember reading that. It was always a completely daft situation before.

 

[YorkshireBear]

love 333s they are cracking units. Wish we could build more and electrify more lines out leeds cos i find them very nice to ride on and feel they provide good quality rail travel.

i was volunteering when the trial sunday run with 91 was done , went down to see it but forgot camara :/

 

[ainsworth74]

Have to agree with the 333 love going around, brilliant units. I covered all the electrified lines out of Leeds towards Skipton/Ilkley/Bradford and enjoyed it immensely (the views were also pretty good). The contrast with the Pacers I'd been bouncing around on out towards Knottingley/Kirkgate/Pontefract that morning couldn't have been stronger.