Off lease HST's.

[fgwrich]

Available Valentas. 125 Group have some, but those are destined for their own power cars.



Agreed on LSL not wanting to go for valentas. As for why they'd want the VP185s, they are reportedly better on fuel (& oil) consumption and will go longer between overhauls, so would seem to be a natural fit for a charter operation! Don't forget also that the GWR examples are fitted with ATP which as Scotrail are learning is a pain maintenance wise, and the LNER examples are currently all (supposed to be!) in use replacing the ex-EMT sets

A Small number of the EMR VP185 Fleet have also received a few modifications of late including new Woodward Governors. So the VP185 is being improved and made to be an attractive engine. The other issue is on a pricing point, I'm not sure how much Porterbrook will be selling their MTU Engine power cars for, but Angel Trains's prices certainly aren't cheap. Both of these will have played significantly into LSL's plans for their HST Fleet.

Furthermore, if anyone wants to read up on the modifications to the EMR VP185 Engines, I would recommend joining the 125 Group - It has been covered in recent group magazines.

 

[Richard Scott]

Not sure LSL would want to replace a modern-ish VP185 with a clapped out Valenta. They're a charter company, not preservationists in the traditional sense. I'm curious as to why they've gone for a VP equipped power car, rather than one of the MTU ones from GWR or LNER.

Think other issue with MTUs is, I believe, they can't be (easily) cold started so if not using it for a while may be a problem? I'm sure coolant needs to be at a predetermined temperature before they'll start.

 

[43096]

Think other issue with MTUs is, I believe, they can't be (easily) cold started so if not using it for a while may be a problem? I'm sure coolant needs to be at a predetermined temperature before they'll start.

It does, but can be over-ridden if necessary - on a TOC that would be permission from Maintenance Control. It only really matters if you're on a support contract with MTU - for occasional use that seems a bit of an expensive extravagance.

 

[Worm]

That mark 1 was just used as a barrier coach and came back with the 47 and 43

Can two locos not be coupled together directly?

 

[SteveyBee131]

Can two locos not be coupled together directly?

Class 43s have buckeye couplers, not standard locomotive hook coupling gear, so the barrier coach is needed

 

[43096]

Class 43s have buckeye couplers, not standard locomotive hook coupling gear, so the barrier coach is needed

Technically they are Alliance couplers: effectively fixed (as opposed to drop-head) buckeyes.

 

[SteveyBee131]

Technically they are Alliance couplers: effectively fixed (as opposed to drop-head) buckeyes.

I never realised that, every day's a school day

 

[Worm]

Class 43s have buckeye couplers, not standard locomotive hook coupling gear, so the barrier coach is needed

Ah thank you for that .

 

[fgwrich]

Class 43s have buckeye couplers, not standard locomotive hook coupling gear, so the barrier coach is needed

Technically they are Alliance couplers: effectively fixed (as opposed to drop-head) buckeyes.

For those interested, here is the inner end of 43172.

 

[fgwrich]

Not yet noted on here today is that 43052 / 054 & 066 are currently on their way behind ROG's 37884 to Leicester for a return to traffic on rail testing duties (not Network Rail).

Realtime Trains - 564M 1135 Long Marston to Leicester L.I.P.

Realtime Trains provides live realtime running information for the Great British railway network using open data.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[MB162435]

Not yet noted on here today is that 43052 / 054 & 066 are currently on their way behind ROG's 37884 to Leicester for a return to traffic on rail testing duties (not Network Rail).

Realtime Trains - 564M 1135 Long Marston to Leicester L.I.P.

Realtime Trains provides live realtime running information for the Great British railway network using open data.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Did read somewhere, can't remember where but it said they were destined for Network Rail once the electrification was complete and the test train disbanded

 

[fgwrich]

Did read somewhere, can't remember where but it said they were destined for Network Rail once the electrification was complete and the test train disbanded

Richard Clinnick tweeted that they were going to NR, However they have actually been acquired by D.A.T.S.

 

[Murray J]

Who are D.A.T.S?

 

[43096]

Who are D.A.T.S?

Data Acquisition and Testing Services: https://www.datsltd.com/

 

[nat67]

I'm guessing 43053+43056 are dead in the water now as there was a rumour they were to be used by NR.

 

[MB162435]

Richard Clinnick tweeted that they were going to NR, However they have actually been acquired by D.A.T.S.

Ah yes that's where I saw it, that makes better sense, did seem strange NR going for EMT power cars as well as the GWR ones, would be quite a few power cars for one train, thanks for the info

 

[43 302]

Ah yes that's where I saw it, that makes better sense, did seem strange NR going for EMT power cars as well as the GWR ones, would be quite a few power cars for one train, thanks for the info

I wasn't aware of them getting any GWR ones (apart from some rumour about 053/056 but I assumed it was nonsense.) It definitely wouldn't make sense for them to get VP185s when they have MTUs though that's for sure.

 

[Murray J]

Data Acquisition and Testing Services: https://www.datsltd.com/

ok, so I assume they're the ones operating the MML test trains?

 

[43096]

ok, so I assume they're the ones operating the MML test trains?

Correct. Not just the MML overhead line test trains, the recent testing of the electrification on Great Western was done by them as well.

This is the centre of their operations, test car 11074.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/90265707@N03/49973972036/in/photolist-2j92EPw-rmi8zb-2dAuSwJ-7xVQbX-c2UHPh-wAunbm-MifbPi-dvwiL6-dvwiEB-dvwizg-o19fuE-2eCHZha-9qYduz-3yBJWo-Quq1uA-z4MPYU-2gDuNjN-utYc7H-yW7pXC-8otdch-9xRszo-M113jo-tzDjgn-nkFgoZ-2cHfME5-KmXxkL-XNcRCu-nSpAGn-2gLTpke-HQVgaZ-YwxBgK-Piwmq2-q5pEgo-ZZYZfT-a9nyux-PqfCRo-bUmebj-RENkGr-2dVeZw4-SRaYnU-5Jxstn-2jaoHjz-DLS6i3-2gKcU4c-vPXENy-58FWi-eMLf39-e6Snwc-2gSD41t-2bYwZQo

 

[MB162435]

I wasn't aware of them getting any GWR ones (apart from some rumour about 053/056 but I assumed it was nonsense.) It definitely wouldn't make sense for them to get VP185s when they have MTUs though that's for sure.

Was mentioned on Facebook a few times, 43091 was also another rumoured powercar but nothing officially confirmed, so far anyway

If they do get any more powercars it would certainly be MTU, whether they would go for ex- LNER or GWR I'm not sure?

 

[43096]

Was mentioned on Facebook a few times, 43091 was also another rumoured powercar but nothing officially confirmed, so far anyway

If they do get any more powercars it would certainly be MTU, whether they would go for ex- LNER or GWR I'm not sure?

If you're referring to Network Rail, they'd be better off with ex-LNER (or indeed the 6 buffer fitted EMR vehicles when available) as the ex-GWR power cars have different cooler groups (Voith) and haven't had the electronics upgrade (with the exception of 43053/056) compared with the existing NR fleet.

 

[MB162435]

If you're referring to Network Rail, they'd be better off with ex-LNER (or indeed the 6 buffer fitted EMR vehicles when available) as the ex-GWR power cars have different cooler groups (Voith) and haven't had the electronics upgrade (with the exception of 43053/056) compared with the existing NR fleet.

LNER and EMT ones do sound easier, but GWR ones being more plentiful, ScotRail seem to be having fun with the ATP on the GWR examples, although they already technically have a spare by only having one set, but more spares would help with exams, failures and accident damage I would think

 

[43 302]

43046 and 055 reportedly off to Crewe tomorrow for LSL

Realtime Trains - 0Z43 1025 Neville Hill T&R.S.M.D to Crewe H.S.

Realtime Trains provides live realtime running information for the Great British railway network using open data.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[adrock1976]

43046 and 055 reportedly off to Crewe tomorrow for LSL

Realtime Trains - 0Z43 1025 Neville Hill T&R.S.M.D to Crewe H.S.

Realtime Trains provides live realtime running information for the Great British railway network using open data.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Could you or somebody else say what LSL is please?

 

[43 302]

Could you or somebody else say what LSL is please?

Locomotive Services Limited. Charter TOC owned by Jeremy Hosking.

 

[adrock1976]

Locomotive Services Limited. Charter TOC owned by Jeremy Hoskin.

Thank you very much.

As a side note, 046 was my final East Midlands power car that was required for haulage.

 

[43096]

Locomotive Services Limited. Charter TOC owned by Jeremy Hoskin.

It's Hosking. Not Hoskin, Hoskins, Hoskings or any other variant.

 

[Wyrleybart]

Can two locos not be coupled together directly?

You will have realised by now that power cars can couple together back to back, but there are sometimes issues with the air pipes. some TOCs used to have spare extension pipes for the purpose. Way back in the days when Virgin West Coast operated HSTs, they contracted sister company Cross Country to ferry their power cars and trailers bwetween Longsight and Laira - West of Birmingham. Sometimes power cars ran back to back without any trailers between them.

More recently of course power cars from every HST operator TOC have run light IE without trailers.

 

[fgwrich]

Surprise move of the day, First GWR Green 43005 is paired with formerly stored FGW Blue 43171 on a move from Laira to St Philips Marsh. Cant see it being too long before the next Bristol to Doncaster appears in the system.

Realtime Trains - 0Z74 1235 Laira T.& R.S.M.D. to St Philips Mrsh H S T D

Realtime Trains provides live realtime running information for the Great British railway network using open data.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[43 302]

Surprise move of the day, First GWR Green 43005 is paired with formerly stored FGW Blue 43171 on a move from Laira to St Philips Marsh. Cant see it being too long before the next Bristol to Doncaster appears in the system.

Realtime Trains - 0Z74 1235 Laira T.& R.S.M.D. to St Philips Mrsh H S T D

Realtime Trains provides live realtime running information for the Great British railway network using open data.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Apparently the move was only to get 005 to PM. Although I agree that the next Doncaster move is probably sooner rather than later.