NR/RVEL 73s

[cj_1985]

Was doing a clear out last week, and came across a magazine article about the 'minions' from IIRC 2013... saying the pair of the 73/9s (73951/73952) would be ready for testing in 6 months...

are the pair actually ever likely to operate their planned movements or should we just expect GBRf to have another few of it's/their 73s converted to 73/9s to cover for them?

 

[daikilo]

Was doing a clear out last week, and came across a magazine article about the 'minions' from IIRC 2013... saying the pair of the 73/9s (73951/73952) would be ready for testing in 6 months...

are the pair actually ever likely to operate their planned movements or should we just expect GBRf to have another few of it's/their 73s converted to 73/9s to cover for them?

As far as I am aware, 951 and 952 were both reengined (2xQSK19) and are in operation with NR.

 

[CosherB]

As far as I am aware, 951 and 952 were both reengined (2xQSK19) and are in operation with NR.

Correct, but I think the OP is postulating that, as the 'Minnions' make rather fleeting appearances on the mainline, GBRf could be asked to provide more of their own MTU-powered 73/9s for NR.

Interestingly, as an aside, it has been reported that GBRf are in the process of acquiring 73110 from preservation at the GCRN, though for what reason is not stated.

 

[43096]

As far as I am aware, 951 and 952 were both reengined (2xQSK19) and are in operation with NR.

Doing what, though? Certainly not what was intended.

To me the two re-engineered types of 73 illustrate the difference between public sector and private sector:
-NR (public sector) go for some random design from a small organisation (RVEL not owned by Loram at the time). As a result they still haven't got what they wanted (and paid for?).
-GBRf (private sector) go to a big organisation (Wabtec) with a lower risk design of known quantity (engine, cooler, traction electronics all of types or derived from types in service). Yes they have teething problems, but support from big suppliers (Wabtec/MTU) has resolved them.

If I were NR I'd be wanting any money paid back and be sending 73951/2 to Brush to get a rebuild that works!

 

[cj_1985]

Correct, but I think the OP is postulating that, as the 'Minnions' make rather fleeting appearances on the mainline, GBRf could be asked to provide more of their own MTU-powered 73/9s for NR.

Interestingly, as an aside, it has been reported that GBRf are in the process of acquiring 73110 from preservation at the GCRN, though for what reason is not stated.

Quite.
Considering that their development began long before GBRf/Wabtec/Brush's re-engineering project, yet didn't start mainline testing until long after the 7396x's... and as said, they seem to be rarely seen... outwith the RTC at least.

Infact, according to the recent tops lists posted over on wwrail.net, the pair have been listed as being at the RTC constantly over the last few weeks (Based on 7 randomly checked dates from the last month)

Hardly a ringing endorsement for the project, and hardly likely to attract additional customers, considering it's taken over 3 years to produce just 2x locos, while GBRf/Wabtec/Brush have outshopped 11x re-engineered locos, that have been seeing daily use across the country

 

[Roast Veg]

I saw both heading south through Leicester on the 19th June, so they do get out and about sometimes!

 

[CosherB]

NR has made a rod for their own back with these locos as I doubt anyone else would be interested in them in the event NR wanted to offload them, due to their unique design. No ETS doesn't help their cause.

http://www.railmagazine.com/news/network/2014/09/rvel-unveils-re-engineered-ultra73-for-network-rail

NR 73/9 data panel

 

[cj_1985]

Not mine... but very relevant
https://www.flickr.com/photos/37190-dalzell/36622596550/

Network Rail Class 73/9 'Minions', 73952 "Janis Kong" & 75951 "Malcolm Brinded"
With the offices of the former Railway Technical Centre in the background, Network Rail yellow liveried Class 73/9's, numbers 73952 "Janis Kong" and 75951 "Malcolm Brinded" were seen in the yard of Loram Rail, Derby, on the 1st September 2017.
Rebuilt at Derby when the company was RVEL (Rail Vehicle Engineering Limited), the 'Minions' as they are known are certainly troublesome when compared to the Brush Traction Class 73/9 rebuilds. Their rebuilds were protracted and reliability has been far from ideal. Only a handful of main line runs have taken place, compared to the daily use of the GBRf owned Brush conversions.

 

[cj_1985]

Is there anymore sign of progression with the 'minions'...?
or even the other NR 73... 73138

 

[DarloRich]

Doing what, though? Certainly not what was intended.

To me the two re-engineered types of 73 illustrate the difference between public sector and private sector:
-NR (public sector) go for some random design from a small organisation (RVEL not owned by Loram at the time). As a result they still haven't got what they wanted (and paid for?).
-GBRf (private sector) go to a big organisation (Wabtec) with a lower risk design of known quantity (engine, cooler, traction electronics all of types or derived from types in service). Yes they have teething problems, but support from big suppliers (Wabtec/MTU) has resolved them.

If I were NR I'd be wanting any money paid back and be sending 73951/2 to Brush to get a rebuild that works!

Not at liberty to discuss but most of this is well wide of the mark.

 

[Defiance149]

or even the other NR 73... 73138

73138 is stored at Derby, was officially retired back in the spring.

 

[43096]

Not at liberty to discuss but most of this is well wide of the mark.

Which helps 0%....

 

[YorkshireBear]

Which helps 0%....

Helps about as much as your comment to be fair....

 

[gimmea50anyday]

Saw them both at Neville Hill yesterday too and tail on the mk1/2 test train

 

[Townsend Hook]

Saw them both at Neville Hill yesterday too and tail on the mk1/2 test train

On one of the low speed, ultrasonic and structure gauging sets. Saw them stabled at Donny today.

 

[cj_1985]

Not at liberty to discuss but most of this is well wide of the mark.

IIRC the articles about the minions when being converted, the tech in them was from a large company in the US. So wasn't necessarily an unheard of tech/prospect...

 

[xotGD]

On one of the low speed, ultrasonic and structure gauging sets. Saw them stabled at Donny today.

I actually saw and heard them move for the first time as they came through Leeds last night.

 

[Townsend Hook]

I actually saw and heard them move for the first time as they came through Leeds last night.

I had the dubious pleasure of being dragged around Birmingham with that duo on a 12 hour night shift earlier on this year. Needless to say one died and the other had to recover us back to Derby.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Doing what, though? Certainly not what was intended.

To me the two re-engineered types of 73 illustrate the difference between public sector and private sector:
-NR (public sector) go for some random design from a small organisation (RVEL not owned by Loram at the time). As a result they still haven't got what they wanted (and paid for?).
-GBRf (private sector) go to a big organisation (Wabtec) with a lower risk design of known quantity (engine, cooler, traction electronics all of types or derived from types in service). Yes they have teething problems, but support from big suppliers (Wabtec/MTU) has resolved them.

If I were NR I'd be wanting any money paid back and be sending 73951/2 to Brush to get a rebuild that works!

Not sure the public/private aspect has much to do with it, as even public sector organisations have to behave like private sector ones anyway in any case.
More that there were two competing projects and one seems on the face of it to have been more successful.