Woodhead Electrics to AC?

[76020]

In the late 1960's I remember reading about a proposal to convert a Class 76 to 25KV AC which did not happen of coarse, this was due to a shortage of AC loco's on the WCML.
Seeing that we have three ex 1500V machines that only can run on the Tyne and Wear Metro in this country, if that is possable, does anybody know if a conversion can be done and how much?
It would be great to see at least one of these locomotives running again in the UK.
So how about the first electric train from Manchester Pic to Leeds to be a Class 76 or 77 special in around 2017 I guess, over its old stomping ground to Guilde Bridge then across the Pennines but a different route, don't think so somehow, more chance of the six lottery numbers coming up!

 

[O L Leigh]

You'll need those lottery numbers for the loco conversion too.

The Eastern Region converted the AM6 and AM7 units (Cl306 and Cl307) from 1500V DC to 25kV AC, but these required the units to be completely re-engineered with a whole new traction package, including transformers and control equipment. The same is at least theoretically possible with Cl76 or Cl77 locos, but is there enough space inside the body for everything required to make it work?

As for running them on the T&W Metro, well there are only certain sections you could use as quite a lot of the network has low clearance under the wires just for the Metrocars. Likewise, while the voltage is a nominal 1500V DC I doubt the current would be high enough for loco operation.

O L Leigh

 

[142094]

Gauge clearance on the Metro is only problematic in the tunnels on the central section, indeed BR freight services used to run on a section of the line between Benton and Callerton. However it would be very unlikely that permission would be given to run on the lines used solely by the Metro.

 

[SGS]

South Hylton - Pelaw by EM2 is my ultimate fantasy railtour. You'd probably have to shut the rest of the system to do it, but I'm sure the regular passengers won't mind, it's in a good cause.

 

[sheff'd victoria]

In the late 1960's I remember reading about a proposal to convert a Class 76 to 25KV AC which did not happen of coarse, this was due to a shortage of AC loco's on the WCML.
Seeing that we have three ex 1500V machines that only can run on the Tyne and Wear Metro in this country, if that is possable, does anybody know if a conversion can be done and how much?
It would be great to see at least one of these locomotives running again in the UK.
So how about the first electric train from Manchester Pic to Leeds to be a Class 76 or 77 special in around 2017 I guess, over its old stomping ground to Guilde Bridge then across the Pennines but a different route, don't think so somehow, more chance of the six lottery numbers coming up!

This suggestion of converting the " Woodhead Electrics " has recently been brought up with the National Railway Museum on why they can not do this to EM1 26020, they was not interested and suggested the EM2 run on the Tyne & Wear

 

[Kali]

That is something akin to suggesting we convert one of the currently out of ticket steam engines in the collection to run on diesel...

Best bet is probably to use the ETS from a 92 or a generator van as a DC supply ( Nightstar hotel power was 1500V, iirc ). Thoroughly unlikely, but more likely and less destructive than gutting & rebuilding as AC.

 

[O L Leigh]

I can understand the NRM's position. The problem is that once you convert something to run in a totally different way, it is no longer the thing it used to be. If you convert a Cl76 to run on 25kV AC it is no longer a Cl76 (and I don't just mean in the narrow definition of TOPS numbering). If the means by which a certain traction operates ceases to exist then the traction itself becomes obsolete.

O L Leigh