VT 57s

[western Champion]

Heard a rumour around work that VT are to return three more 57s.

302, 304 and 309 to be returned leaving just 307, 311 and 313 to 316.

Could be three more sets of nameplates to come to auction !

 

[Pumbaa]

I'm guessing that co-incides with the return of subleased Gerald 57s, leaving a pool of 6 to work, post April 2012 (ie the original end date of franchise and presumably the earliest they could return them).

I always thought there were too many to be honest, and they never seemed to work when needed!

 

[Big Chris]

I doubt they would manage their thunderbird duties with a fleet that small until the ATW ones return, how ever once they get those four back I would say that's a sensible way to save costs.

 

[Schnellzug]

that'd be useful for DRS or WCR, assuming NR don't snap them up as well.

 

[scotsman]

that'd be useful for DRS or WCR, assuming NR don't snap them up as well.

My money's on West Coast

 

[MCR247]

1 could help FGW?

 

[SprinterMan]

1 could help FGW?

If WCRC take them then FGW could have 57601 to give them a uniform fleet.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Isn't 57 601 somewhat different from the other 57/6s though?

 

[fgwrich]

Isn't 57 601 somewhat different from the other 57/6s though?

Somewhat yes - Hence the reason why 601 wasnt snapped up by FGW...One of the ways to tell the differences is by the Rad Grills - FGWs 57/6s and indeed VTs 57/3s have the newer type with the shiny mesh grill, whereas 601 still retains it's ex Class 47 radiator...

 

[TGVDUDE]

With the amount of usage 601 had with west coast last year, I can't see them letting it go, they could benefit from 57/3s though I think

 

[sprinterguy]

With the amount of usage 601 had with west coast last year, I can't see them letting it go,

And for several years perviously: 57601 has been a stalwart performer for West Coast ever since they got hold of it, even when it's only in the formation to provide train heat.

 

[YorkshireBear]

Could any 57s be converted to help FGW out. They are having some serious reliability issues with their 57s and could do with spares to either sort out the problem or just so they can provide a reliable service.

 

[jones_bangor]

Increasing unreliability means 57s could all be scrap within a few years.

 

[Schnellzug]

Increasing unreliability means 57s could all be scrap within a few years.

Or perhaps it's the way that some are used all the time, while others (e.g. the Virgin ones) are only used intermittently. Only using something intermittently doesn't do it much good,. Perhaps evening out the amount of use they get around the fleet would enable maintenance to be carried out properly.

 

[jones_bangor]

Or perhaps it's the way that some are used all the time, while others (e.g. the Virgin ones) are only used intermittently. Only using something intermittently doesn't do it much good,. Perhaps evening out the amount of use they get around the fleet would enable maintenance to be carried out properly.

The Arriva 57s do seem to be becoming less and less reliable though, even with regular use....

 

[western Champion]

Increasing unreliability means 57s could all be scrap within a few years.

It's possibly true to say that they are not looked after as well as they could be because they are not top of the priority list, and also true to say that had this not have been a privatised railway the loco's would have received a works overhaul by now.

You only have to look back a few years to the state the VT HST's were in to see what happens to a fleet that are not top of the priority list.

 

[Big Chris]

I have finally gotten around to reading this weeks Railway Herald and it confirms that Virgin is reducing it's 57 fleet further but does anyone know which loco's they will be left with once they go down to a fleet of 7?

 

[Schnellzug]

I saw, talking of which now this has been brought up again, that DRS were buying, or had already, bought three, was it? I was wondering if those might be the ones currently used by Arriva, once they finish with them. To tide them over until the class Class 69s* are delivered, or will they replace 47s, i wonder? Isn't it exciting.
*That's what I think they should be called, the new Vossloh ones

 

[Drimnagh Road]

Reported on WNXX latest news that 57309 has had it's Virgin branding and nameplates removed.

 

[Big Chris]

Will the next West Coast operator take on the 57s still left with Virgin or is it likely other traction would be used?

 

[Whistler40145]

When Virgin requires the use of a Thunderbird loco to rescue a Pendolino following OHLE/Pantograph damage how is a Driver allocated to the rescue loco?

 

[David10]

When Virgin requires the use of a Thunderbird loco to rescue a Pendolino following OHLE/Pantograph damage how is a Driver allocated to the rescue loco?

I believe many Virgin drivers have class 57 knowledge courtesy of a few light engine, ECS and the Saturday Holyhead diagrams that they operate. So control will summons the nearest available driver with knowledge.

 

[merlodlliw]

talking of the Holyhead,

On Saturday 21 July 57 308 Tin Tin failed to work back to Crewe with the 1A55 14:36 Holyhead - London and was still at Holyhead mid-evening

Bob