The Electrification train

[richieb1971]

In 1981-2 I was watching the Electrification train in Kempston whilst doing the southern part of the MML. People would walk along the top of the train doing all the fixings.

It was brown, usually headed by one or 2 class 25's. I can't find a picture of it.

I found this though -

Does this mean the method on which railways are electrified has changed? I must admit I haven't seen wires go up since 1982.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Ah... I think you mean these?

( Link goes to Google Images search results for "OHLM pantograph coach" )

https://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=...5...0j0i5i30k1j0i24k1j0i10i24k1.0.9keXcmeXuIU

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Screenshot of the search results.
For some reason the forum software isn't letting me put it in the same post as the link!

 

[richieb1971]

Hmm, the third picture is the closest to what I remember. I remember all carriages stated "The Electrification Train" on the side. Probably all scrapped now.

So do these trains still exist or are we in the era of these trucks/come cranes thingies in the top pic?

 

[twpsaesneg]

The flattop coaches were taken out of service after a number of accidents where linesmen were seriously injured or killed.

There is the GWEP wiring train but it is a different beast with hydraulic platforms and wire lifting beams. However most wiring is done now using RRV's with drum carriers and MEWPs, with the notable exception of the Balfours TRAMM train which ran away on the Huyton to Wigan job - not sure if it's back in service.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

The one in the third picture is just the usual colour they were painted in; the others are the same stock just carrying different liveries.

I think there is still one long-derelict rake of the converted Mk1 stock lying around somewhere but I can't remember where. Hasn't been moved for about 15 - 20 years...

 

[twpsaesneg]

The one in the third picture is just the usual colour they were painted in; the others are the same stock just carrying different liveries.

I think there is still one long-derelict rake of the converted Mk1 stock lying around somewhere but I can't remember where. Hasn't been moved for about 15 - 20 years...

Preston I think.

 

[DarloRich]

The one in the third picture is just the usual colour they were painted in; the others are the same stock just carrying different liveries.

I think there is still one long-derelict rake of the converted Mk1 stock lying around somewhere but I can't remember where. Hasn't been moved for about 15 - 20 years...

Preston I think.

Last time i went to Edinburgh there was a rake of these vehicles at Portobello

 

[John Webb]

There are shots of such a wiring train in use in in the BTF film from 1974 "Wires over the Border" about the final stretch of wiring on the WCML over Shap (Volume 3 of the BTF Films Collection - but no doubt lurking somewhere on the Internet!) WARNING: for fellow signalling enthusiasts, contains shots of signal boxes being demolished!!

There is another BTF film "Points and Aspects" which partners the above film which may also be of interest.

And "Current Affairs on the Midland" (BTF 1980) will provide a direct link to what the OP saw.

 

[AMD]

View media item 3029The coaches have been sitting at Portobello in Edinburgh for years - this is them on Sunday just past.

 

[billio]

The one in the third picture is just the usual colour they were painted in; the others are the same stock just carrying different liveries.

I think there is still one long-derelict rake of the converted Mk1 stock lying around somewhere but I can't remember where. Hasn't been moved for about 15 - 20 years...

I seem to remember one on the way into Edinburgh from the east.

 

[E_Reeves]

Isn't there a Network Rail OTP dedicated to putting the wires up now or does that just transport the OHLE?

 

[snakeeyes]

The Keith & Dufftown Railway have this electrification coach.

 

[twpsaesneg]

Isn't there a Network Rail OTP dedicated to putting the wires up now or does that just transport the OHLE?

Yes! I forgot. The former West Coast Route Modernisation trains operated by the OLE Alliance were overhauled and are run by the Network Rail OCR team. However they are normally supported by RRVs too.

It splits into 5 units on site with drumming in, drumming out, droppering x 2 and final adjustment units. It was designed to replace existing wires rather than purely install new, so normally the masts will need dressing with cantilevers before it rocks up. There are two trains although I'm not sure if both are in use at present, one was is heavy overhaul last time I heard.

There were also two piling trains for installing foundations but I believe they are out of use or scrapped.

 

[ilkestonian]

I well remember the flat topped coaches, in connection with the WCML electrification.

In the 1970s there was a rake of them based in the Salop sidings just south of Stafford station. I assume they were initially used during the electrification work in the 60s then retained for overhead maintenance.

I'm pretty sure they were a matt dark green and I have often wondered since about the origin of the carriages used.

Anyone any idea?

Edit. These look like the ones I remember, and appear to me to be older than BR Mk 1 stock...

 

[snakeeyes]

Read my post about the coach at the Keith & Dufftown Railway, it explains the history.

 

[ilkestonian]

Read my post about the coach at the Keith & Dufftown Railway, it explains the history.

Thanks, I read that but think the carriages I recall predated that, and I'd guess was obsolete pre nationalisation stock.

 

[brel york]

I remember them coming into York’s repair shop for a quick freshen up at the start of the east coast electrification

 

[brel york]

They look like Mk1 in the pics

 

[brel york]

One pic clearly states it’s an ex bck, the brake composite corridor stock was my fave Mk1 to work on

 

[ilkestonian]

Perhaps they were Mk1s then; I guess the flat roof changed their looks enough to fool .me

 

[brel york]

It does doesn’t it

 

[ilkestonian]

Found this on Flickr which illustrates the sort of thing I remember.
I may still be barking up the wrong tree, but I don't see these as converted Mk1s, unless an expert knows different?

https://www.flickr.com/photos/roger...QKu-ri5MPn-nhiGj1-shdiND-cZZKDd-eS79CV-pyCUiw

 

[brel york]

Now they do look old lol

 

[lincolnshire]

Was any of the electrification trains after privatization sent to South America for electrification work since there was no work for them here for the next few years? or was that just a good old rumour.
The companies that inherited them got them for scrap value I believe the same as a lot of other valuable equipment.

 

[brel york]

They were pretty basic

 

[Islineclear3_1]

Weren't some former Class 501 cars converted for electrification purposes?

 

[randyrippley]

I can remember reading somewhere years ago that after the WCML electrification was complete, three flat-top wiring trains were kept to carry out emergency repairs. One set (painted brown as already mentioned) was kept at Preston for years. I'm sure another set was at Crewe, with a third in London - Wembley rings a bell

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Perhaps they were Mk1s then; I guess the flat roof changed their looks enough to fool .me

Yes, they are all Mk 1 stock.

 

[randyrippley]

There's a photo of a couple of electrification coaches in blue/grey at Preston at https://hmrs.org.uk/photographs/adb...eston-station-taken-through-train-window.html
Clearly mk1 coaches, but these aren't the brown ones I remember: I'm sure those were older