Parcel trains

[TMLB UK]

Just out of curiosity why do parcel trains have blue hazard lights?

Is it so once upon a time the box could identify them easier?

 

[bnsf734]

Sorry .... I don't understand your question.

No parcel trains have run since about 1990. There are the Royal Mail class 325 mail trains running, but these carry letter post, not parcels. A test service was run for TNT into Euston a couple of years ago but nothing has come of that test yet.

 

[Ash Bridge]

Just out of curiosity why do parcel trains have blue hazard lights?

Is it so once upon a time the box could identify them easier?

Are these the lights fitted to the bodysides near to the shutter doors?
(On class 325 units)

 

[PaxVobiscum]

No parcel trains have run since about 1990.

Maybe this should be in the Are our railways haunted? thread.

 

[Llama]

325s are the only things running around with blue bodyside lights. The rulebook used to say that no action is required by drivers and signallers if such a train is observed with those bodyside lights illuminated (for the orange equivalent 'hazard lights' that are on passenger stock, signallers and drivers are required to take action if a train is observed passing with these illuminated).

 

[SpacePhoenix]

Sorry .... I don't understand your question.

No parcel trains have run since about 1990. There are the Royal Mail class 325 mail trains running, but these carry letter post, not parcels. A test service was run for TNT into Euston a couple of years ago but nothing has come of that test yet.

If a 325 has got trolleys onboard with grey sacks that they could be smaller parcels or letters. They could just as easily have larger parcels onboard, it's just down to what Royal Mail decides on a given day to use them for to send stuff between their rail hubs.

325s are the only things running around with blue bodyside lights. The rulebook used to say that no action is required by drivers and signallers if such a train is observed with those bodyside lights illuminated (for the orange equivalent 'hazard lights' that are on passenger stock, signallers and drivers are required to take action if a train is observed passing with these illuminated).

I think all the blue lights mean is that the roller doors aren't locked so the mail isn't secure

 

[Fincra5]

I'd have a guess that they are the same as the Orange Interlock, BIL (etc), lights on side of passenger trains.

Therefore if the shutters aren't closed and interlocked the blue light would remain illuminated.

 

[TMLB UK]

Sorry yes I mean the Royal Mail liveried 325's that carry parcels, not a parcel train!

Anyway I saw one pass me on the ECML last night with all blue lights lit up. Certainly was travelling at speed. This isn't the first time I've seen it with them lit on the move also.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
http://youtu.be/7U57NufpXDw

Definitely lit on this video.

 

[LowLevel]

I thought it was because movement had been detected inside the van rather than interlock issues hence the blue colour rather than orange and lack of need for action.

 

[Jamesb1974]

I thought it was because movement had been detected inside the van rather than interlock issues hence the blue colour rather than orange and lack of need for action.

Correct. Movement detection lights. The natural movement of the roll cages that form the load, sets them off.

From the occasions that I have been down to Willesden and Dallam PRDC, it would appear that about 75% of the load are Amazon parcels and packets.

 

[TMLB UK]

From the occasions that I have been down to Willesden and Dallam PRDC, it would appear that about 75% of the load are Amazon parcels and packets.

Thanks everyone that settles that!

And glad it's a parcel train of sorts ha

 

[tsr]

Are there BILs/exterior interlock lights of some sort as well, in order to display that the shutters are at least closed?

 

[Peter Mugridge]

325s are the only things running around with blue bodyside lights.

Don't certain units in the South east also use blue lights on the lower bodyside to indicate when the retention tanks need emptying?

 

[Llama]

There are LEDs all over the place on some units but they are not designed to be seen from a distance or passing train.

The 325s don't have orange 'hazard lights' per se in addition to the blue bodyside lights, that wouldn't be the most security-conscious design.

 

[Carlisle]

Sorry .... I don't understand your question.

No parcel trains have run since about 1990. .

Securicor omega express used parcel van trains for a while between Walsall and Scotland about 10 years ago

 

[SpacePhoenix]

Would plug style doors be more secure for 325s whenever they get a mojor overhaul?

Are any NKAs still in use or have they all been scrapped (or sent to scrap)?

 

[ADRboy]

Would plug style doors be more secure for 325s whenever they get a mojor overhaul?

Are any NKAs still in use or have they all been scrapped (or sent to scrap)?

Roller's probably best for mail staff. Less to go wrong too!

 

[Jamesb1974]

Would plug style doors be more secure for 325s whenever they get a mojor overhaul?

Are any NKAs still in use or have they all been scrapped (or sent to scrap)?

I think they have all been scrapped. There are a couple (or were a couple) slowly reverting to nature in the sidings just outside the PRDC at Willesden, along with a couple of PCVs. There were also a number of NBA (?) 'Super BGs' at Crewe, but they disappeared last year.

During the Xmas period last year (and the year before I think), there were a couple of loco hauled parcels trains to supplement the 325 services, but they were formed of Cargowaggons and a class 90 as opposed to dedicated parcels stock.

 

[Ash Bridge]

I think they have all been scrapped. There are a couple (or were a couple) slowly reverting to nature in the sidings just outside the PRDC at Willesden, along with a couple of PCVs. There were also a number of NBA (?) 'Super BGs' at Crewe, but they disappeared last year.

During the Xmas period last year (and the year before I think), there were a couple of loco hauled parcels trains to supplement the 325 services, but they were formed of Cargowaggons and a class 90 as opposed to dedicated parcels stock.

Iam not 100% on this, but I think WCRC purchased quite a number of Ex RES NKA/NBA/PCVs last year, so perhaps these are still at Carnforth?

 

[SpacePhoenix]

Could PCVs be used in conjunction with a steam train on a preserved railway at all (or with a diesel)?

 

[Jamesb1974]

Iam not 100% on this, but I think WCRC purchased quite a number of Ex RES NKA/NBA/PCVs last year, so perhaps these are still at Carnforth?

Possibly so. I don't know, so can't confirm it. What I can confirm is that all the ones at Crewe had the locks on the roller shutters burnt/cut out to gain access. Some of them looked distinctly out of gauge afterwards!

 

[RichmondCommu]

I think they have all been scrapped. There are a couple (or were a couple) slowly reverting to nature in the sidings just outside the PRDC at Willesden, along with a couple of PCVs. There were also a number of NBA (?) 'Super BGs' at Crewe, but they disappeared last year.

During the Xmas period last year (and the year before I think), there were a couple of loco hauled parcels trains to supplement the 325 services, but they were formed of Cargowaggons and a class 90 as opposed to dedicated parcels stock.

There are some ex parcels vans dumped at Burton on the site of the old MGR depot. I have no idea what their TOPS code is though.

 

[monsento]

there might be money in selling rail tickets in a straight forward manner, i suspect the hurdles to be let in the club would prevent such a company existing, imagine a website a to b, best fare every time no smoke and mirrors bliss