My idea for DRS and sleeper

[delt1c]

Thinking about the DRS order for class 88 got me wondering. If the got the anglo sleeper contract and the Highland sleeper was routed via the Sub in Edinburgh then by routing the fort William portion via Bathgate 1 loco could work throughout to Fort WilliM on Electric till the junction for hellensburgh upper

 

[YorkshireBear]

Will depend on diesel performance of loco i imagine but within reason it seems sensible. They haven't ordered many remember but this is certainly something to consider for the future!

Has there been any decision on what the new stock will be? Or will it just be a massive refurbishment?

 

[Jonny]

Hmm, the Class 68 Eurolight would be the ideal engine for the sleeper on the WHL proper but whether a class 88 would be feasible given that 'on the diesel' it would have to handle some sharp gradients with only limited power is another matter.

 

[DarloRich]

just stick a pair of 37's on the front. Oh hang on........................

 

[Beveridges]

just stick a pair of 37's on the front. Oh hang on........................

You don't need a pair of 37s to haul four coaches.

 

[DarloRich]

You don't need a pair of 37s to haul four coaches.

redundancy

 

[delt1c]

Hmm, the Class 68 Eurolight would be the ideal engine for the sleeper on the WHL proper but whether a class 88 would be feasible given that 'on the diesel' it would have to handle some sharp gradients with only limited power is another matter.

Pre 37 days a single 27 handled the sleeper which included Mk1 RB 2 sleepers 2 TSO 1FK and a brake often comonwealth bogie stock.

 

[Tobbes]

Thinking about the DRS order for class 88 got me wondering. If the got the anglo sleeper contract and the Highland sleeper was routed via the Sub in Edinburgh then by routing the fort William portion via Bathgate 1 loco could work throughout to Fort WilliM on Electric till the junction for hellensburgh upper

Why would you want to route it around the South Sub? IIRC, it is to be electrified in CP5 anyway.

Confused!

Tobbes

 

[delt1c]

Why would you want to route it around the South Sub? IIRC, it is to be electrified in CP5 anyway.

Confused!

Tobbes

If the Fort William portion was on the front heading north then routing it via thee south sub would mean 1 lpco to fort william all the way from London.

 

[yorkie]

So the suggestion is for a loco, which is suitable for hauling a 16-coach train from London to Edinburgh, also being suitable for hauling a 4-coach train from Edinburgh in Fort William?

On the face of it, that doesn't make a lot of sense, but maybe I'm missing something.

 

[matt]

So the suggestion is for a loco, which is suitable for hauling a 16-coach train from London to Edinburgh, also being suitable for hauling a 4-coach train from Edinburgh in Fort William?

On the face of it, that doesn't make a lot of sense, but maybe I'm missing something.

You are. The class 88s will be dual powered.

 

[Tobbes]

If the Fort William portion was on the front heading north then routing it via thee south sub would mean 1 lpco to fort william all the way from London.

Ok, got it - you save the hire of one Cl 67. Good call, if the 88 has traction plus ETH capacity for the WHL.

 

[ainsworth74]

You are. The class 88s will be dual powered.

This is true but do we have any details on what the capabilities of the 88s will be away from the wires on diesel power? I seem to recall that capabilities like this have always been described as 'last mile' emphasis on the 'mile'. Going to Fort William (and presumably back?) hauling four or so coaches is a bit more than a 'mile'!

So do we have details on the diesel capabilities and most importantly the range whilst working on diesel?

 

[6Gman]

Pre 37 days a single 27 handled the sleeper which included Mk1 RB 2 sleepers 2 TSO 1FK and a brake often comonwealth bogie stock.

On the one occasion I took the West Highland sleeper it was a 27 + 20 combo.

Nice.

DRS could use 88 + 20 !!

 

[Beveridges]

I can't see why an 88 on diesel would be unsuitable. A class 20 could easily manage heavier trains than this on lines with similar gradients to Fort William, so why not an 88 on diesel ?

 

[yorkie]

Can you enlighten us as to the technical specifications of Class 88 please?

 

[sprinterguy]

On the one occasion I took the West Highland sleeper it was a 27 + 20 combo.

Nice.

There was a period during the seventies and early eighties when this was a fairly regular practice: The 20 was rostered for freight duties on the West Highland, and attaching it to the front of the sleeper along with the usual 27 saved finding a path for a light engine move.

In fact, for a while in the early eighties after the mark 3 sleepers had been introduced but before the 37/4s had been converted, the use of ETHELs gave the impression of a 20+37+25 triple-header on the sleepers (Even though the ex-25 had had it’s traction equipment removed)!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Can you enlighten us as to the technical specifications of Class 88 please?

Courtesy of WatcherZero:

Class 88
Max Speed 100mph
4MW electrical power including 500kw of electrical power for passenger trains
700kw (938hp) Euro-IIIB Diesel engine
317Kn of Tractive effort in Diesel or Electric mode
Mechanically and electrically identical to Class 68 Eurolight
ROSCO will be Beacon Rail

Also note that the locos will have a 2,500 litre fuel tank.