Past attempts at traction...

[route:oxford]

BR put a bus frame on a bogie (over simplification I know) and brought Pacers to the network.

Every so often, I look at the tractor unit of an LGV and wonder to myself if BR ever toyed with the idea of putting a mass produced single cab lorry tractor unit on a bogie (again slight over simplification) to deliver a cheaper alternative to a full scale loco.

I'm thinking

DBSO-TSO-Tractor

or

Tractor-TSO-TSO-TSO-TSO-Tractor

 

[deltic1989]

I would pay to see that

 

[route:oxford]

Well, that's a good sign...

I was expecting the first reply to explain why it was impossible. I'm sure it'll come soon though.

 

[starrymarkb]

Isn't that an MPV?

 

[route:oxford]

Isn't that an MPV?

What does MPV stand for?

 

[sprinterguy]

What does MPV stand for?

Multi-Purpose Vehicle. They're used by Network Rail and are a variant of the CargoSprinter design:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CargoSprinter
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Rail_MPV

A flat bed body with a cab at the outer end (Which I’ve heard uses the same air suspension as a HGV cab) and under floor engines.

 

[Hydro]

A flat bed body with a cab at the outer end (Which I’ve heard uses the same air suspension as a HGV cab) and under floor engines.

Underfloor HGV engines, they use a pair of Volvo engines IIRC.

 

[deltic1989]

is a cheque ok??? I forgot about the MPV. I suppose that in the scheme of things its not that impossable i mean like the OP says pacers are basically busses on rails, ( using parts of Leyland Nationals IIRC. Would be great to see a Volvo Globetrotter cab on a bogie.

 

[Hydro]

http://www.ontrackplant.com/photo/wcrm_w423eol


Not quite a Globetrotter, and not quite a bogie, but I'm sure you get the idea.

 

[Sun Chariot]

How about providing low-capacity DVT in the form of a long-wheelbase Transit mounted on a 4-wheel rigid chassis...

 

[DuncanD]

Slightly OT as this is from Germany, the Sylt Island Railway did use such trains.

See here and here in action (just the first 90 sec.)

 

[Kingfisher200262]

As I understand it, most truck engines are 350 - 500 hp, which means they are really only powerful enough to power one vehicle, hence the reason that one is placed under each DMU car.

I understand from talking to the guys at GC, that a 180 on three engines (i.e. two unpowered vehicles) can maintain 100 mph but struggles to get to 125 mph and when down to two engines, 75 mph is about as good as it gets.

This suggests that for a four car DMU, two x 750 hp engines should be sufficient for a 75 mph DMU, IF they could be guaranteed to work all the time... which in the case of Cummins QSKs (on 180s at least), they clearly can't! The problem with this configuration is that you end up with two heavy cars which high axle loads (which limits route availability) and two light ones.

This, and the issue of redundancy as mentioned above, is the key reason that smaller engines on each vehicle, with the even weight distribution that this offers, is preferred.

That said, a REALLY BEEFY road-rail vehicle like this, hauling a rake of Mk IIIs really makes me smile!!

 

[Pumbaa]

I understand from talking to the guys at GC, that a 180 on three engines (i.e. two unpowered vehicles) can maintain 100 mph but struggles to get to 125 mph and when down to two engines, 75 mph is about as good as it gets.

This suggests that for a four car DMU, two x 750 hp engines should be sufficient for a 75 mph DMU, IF they could be guaranteed to work all the time... which in the case of Cummins QSKs (on 180s at least), they clearly can't! The problem with this configuration is that you end up with two heavy cars which high axle loads (which limits route availability) and two light ones.

With fGW, HT and Northern, when a 180 is down to 2 engines its a failure and ECS at first opportunity. I was chucked off at Doncaster once as the 180 I was on would not make it down the ECML; 2 engines failed between Hull and Donny.

And the QSKs themselves are not the issue with the 180s; the shoddy components and design holding the entire operation together are to blame. Solution to that - don't order them from Alstom!

 

[brel york]

a landrover was modified in the early sixties as a form of shunter but braking was a problem and so was the gear box 4 forward and 1 reverse was no good as the gearbox couldnt cope with long periods of hard work in reverse

 

[route:oxford]

a landrover was modified in the early sixties as a form of shunter but braking was a problem and so was the gear box 4 forward and 1 reverse was no good as the gearbox couldnt cope with long periods of hard work in reverse

If that were to be done these days, surely it would be in Diesel-Electric format.