S Stock Deliveries - No longer Suspended

[Julian G]

Are the S7 units being delivered by the same route (via Aylesbury etc) as the S8 units?

Same route

 

[matt]

Another S8 was taken to Old Dalby for testing. Of note is that this set is named Tim O'Toole OBE.

A few images of the set being delivered today

 

[astock5000]

Another S8 was taken to Old Dalby for testing. Of note is that this set is named Tim O'Toole OBE.

That unit is 21099, and was the second pre-production train. Only one S8, 21001 (the other pre-production unit), is still at Derby.

 

[carriageline]

Another S8 was taken to Old Dalby for testing. Of note is that this set is named Tim O'Toole OBE.

A few images of the set being delivered today

What is the use of the wagon between the two locos and the train? I understand it's a barrier wagon, do they just use any old wagon for that? What does it do?

 

[ainsworth74]

What is the use of the wagon between the two locos and the train? I understand it's a barrier wagon, do they just use any old wagon for that? What does it do?

Well not quite any old wagon but probably not far off. The wagon will be equipped with standard couplers at one end to connect to the locomotive and at the other it will have couplers that are compatible with LU rolling stock (S Stock in this case). There will also be wires running throughout the consist to allow for the operation of the locomotives at the rear by the driver at the front. Finally the barriers will also probably be carrying some sort of brake pipe connection either directly to the S Stock (meaning that their breaks are also live) or through the consist so that both barriers and locomotives are also braked (but the S Stock is unbreaked), but I'm not sure of the exact arrangements here.

Basically a barrier wagon acts a translator between incompatible rolling stock allowing them to be worked together in the same train.

 

[12CSVT]

The wagons are needed to provide brake force (the brakes on the underground stock only work on the 4th rail system), and a means of coupling to the underground stock. As far as I am aware these converted tank wagons are specifically for running with underground stock.

 

[carriageline]

That makes complete sense! Thanks ever so much for explaining it!

Reminds me when there was a couple class 47's (I think) with flat bed wagons with a weird couple at one end, at clapham junction. Dad told me they was for the eurostars and they was the rescue locos!

 

[Dstock7080]

Another S8 was taken to Old Dalby for testing. Of note is that this set is named Tim O'Toole OBE.

I note from the pictures that unit 99/100 has lost its unique red buffer fairings, it now carries the standard black, as fitted to S Stocks from 21027/28.

 

[Manchester77]

Does anyone have the link for the google spreadsheet with the S stock fleet list on?

 

[Dstock7080]

Does anyone have the link for the google spreadsheet with the S stock fleet list on?

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/lv?key=0AsHaeoH5qU2WdHhjcmJjQ1NJMzB2ZERFYlAxREhEREE&pli=1

 

[Manchester77]

Thanks you

 

[astock5000]

I note from the pictures that unit 99/100 has lost its unique red buffer fairings, it now carries the standard black, as fitted to S Stocks from 21027/28.

It was 21001 that had the all red ones, this one was the same as units 21003 - 21025.

 

[musicking1306]

How many A stocks are left in service now?

 

[Dstock7080]

How many A stocks are left in service now?

Just 6 trains, with all running today.

 

[dosxuk]

The arrivals of the S-Stock seems to be attracting some unwanted attention - this was posted by the Admins on the District Dave site the other day:

It appears that vandals are intentionally targeting deliveries of new S Stock trains, to 'enjoy' their illegal/criminal pastime.

It also goes without saying that trespassing on the railway is both illegal and highly dangerous. Anyone partaking in such actions clearly is a liability to themselves, their loved ones and railway employees, who have to deal with any event and aftermath.

The District Dave Admins acknowledge the enthusiasm and keenness that members may have in sharing delivery news, however we are also aware that the forum can be read by anyone with a computer that has access to the internet.

The Admins cannot allow the District Dave LU Forum to be a potential source of information for vandals, so that they can target deliveries. Consequently the Admins have taken the regrettable decision to instruct members not to report expected deliveries on the open forum.

Read more

 

[Giugiaro]

So, they use Type 1's for rolling stock deliveries? Is this common or are there also other locomotives making MATPASS?

 

[33056]

The main reason class 20s are used on this particular move is that there is a weight restriction on the Met line south of Amersham. I was involved in moving the A60 stock for overhaul in the mid-1990s and the only thing we could use back then was a 37/0 or /3 (route availability 5). Class 20s were not an option in those days as none of the crew working the trains knew them, nor did the company (Mainline Freight) have any on their books.

 

[jopsuk]

The bit I do find incredible is that they require 4 of them! Surely a single 20 could haul that load (can't be that heavy?) with ease? I appreciate that two are still required (to make reversing easier).
That there are a number stopcock fitted is because they are used, not a reason for them being used (there's some 66s fitted for doing RHTT on the northern sections)

 

[Giugiaro]

It's interesting to see them doing this job, and given the weight restriction, guess the option was somewhat obvious, wasn't it?


CP 1400 by Giugiaro21, on Flickr

These Type 1's in Portugal have become the primary choice for Rolling Stock hauling and testing consists. When I saw these 20's doing the same job with the S Stock, I thought the same phenomenon was happening in the UK. Guess that, if it wasn't for the weight restriction, the locomotives chosen would be others, right?


jopsuk, has explained before with the tank wagon and given my knowledge around my lands, the four 20's hauling the S Stock train has more to do with braking rather than hauling capacity, given that there is no communication between the hauling loco and the EMU, a big part of the train is a "dead weight" that needs to be controlled on speed reductions and ramps.

 

[Metrailway]

There is a weak bridge between Harrow and Neasden which prevents the use of the heavier Class 66. So Class 20s are used instead. I have no idea why 4 are employed though...

 

[Chris125]

Top and tailing is due to the number of reversals, and while i think they tried using them on their own the doubling-up presumably means they didnt have enough grunt and/or they were worried about reliability - a quick look at some photo's suggests the extra 20's also remove the need for extra brake force wagons.

Chris

 

[MCR247]

Was beaten to it but I was going to suggest it may be to do with break force

 

[100andthirty]

Was beaten to it but I was going to suggest it may be to do with break force

It is to do with brake force. The S stock is unbraked during delivery. An 8-car wighs about 242t. Therefore there needs to be a braking mass in excess of the S stock mass to comply with rules set for partially unbraked trains. The locos and match wagons are braked and there's a brake pipe run though the S stock. 4 locos and the match wagons weigh about about 350t.

 

[jopsuk]

Thankyou for the explanation. Is the second loco at the head of the train powered up, or does a single loco provide all the power?