[Regional Railways DMU workings & formations]

2 hours ago, Mike_Walker said:

Correct. Chris Green didn't want RR pilfering his trains so the 159s along with the 165 and 166 Turbos had two wires reversed in the coupler electrical connection meaning the units could couple with RR 15x units but not work in multiple.  

 

Post privatisation Chiltern have their 168s wired the same way and when the ex-TPE 170s became Chiltern 168/3s and the Chiltern 172s went to West Midlands a simple wiring mod was needed.  Likewise, the SWR 158's have had the same mod.

The 159s remained compatible with 15x. A few ex-SWT 158s transferred to EMT and ScotRail and no modification was required to operate with their 158 fleets.

 

2 hours ago, Wickham Green too said:

Hmmm ............ dunno about the lavs but I've not heard any hoo-ha about second generation units not having retention tanks - as for First Class, the Scotrail and SWR 158s seem to have such areas but haven't been reclassified to 159s !

None of them had retention tanks as new, the 159s were the earliest retrofitted.

 

ScotRail 158s were 2+2 First Class, both originally and refurbished during NatEx/First days. This took up 2 window bays.

 

The XC pool 158s had high-quality 2+1 First Class fitted, just 9 seats over 2 and a Half window bays.

 

The 159s had 2+1 First Class from new, taking up 5 window bays.

 

TransPennine 158s also received First Class but during privatisation. 2+2, either 5 bays on 3-car units or 2.5-bays on 2-car.

[SWR in BR Blue Tribute]

57 minutes ago, Damo666 said:

At Waterloo lunchtime I saw this 4 car SWR in the old BR Blue livery attached to a 4 car in their previous livery.

 

Got off at Twickenham and grabbed a few more pics.

 

 

455868, it was repainted by Bournemouth Depot and has been running around in an updated approximation of BR Blue/Grey since the 7th of March.

[Dave F's photos - ongoing - more added each day]

57 minutes ago, DaveF said:

The WCML around Elvanfoot, between Beattock Summit and Crawford in the days of Class 50s.

 

 

Elvanfoot Aug 73 J3342

 

 

Elvanfoot Aug 73 J3343

 

 

Elvanfoot Class 50s 445 and 419 down  Aug 73 J3344

 

 

Elvanfoot Class 50s 415 and 409 up Aug 73 J3345

 

 

Elvanfoot River Clyde bridge 2 Class 50s down Aug 73 J3346

 

David

From the headcodes - 

 

J3344 1S53 0815 Birmingham to Glasgow Central/Edinburgh 

 

J3345 1M30 1140 Glasgow Central to Euston 

[Class 43 Photos HST 🇬🇧, XPT 🇦🇺 & HST 🇲🇽]

2 minutes ago, TT100 Diesels said:

As for the GWR 130+, Not surprising, if they have new wheelsets and gun it, I would suspect mid 130s might be achievable, based on the record holding set had new wheelsets and what it achieved, but any unofficial having a go must have been before widespread use of OTMR, surely ?

The theoretical balancing speed for a 2+8 is about 136mph, and a 2+7 just about on the 140 mark.

 

All on full diameter wheels of course.

 

In the early 253 days on the GWML, there are many stories and logs of speeds at least into the low 130s being reached often enough.

 

Of course limiters were subsequently fitted, and all the 254s had them before entering passenger service, so the maximum then became 132 on full diameter wheels before power cut out. I've never found out exactly when all the first batch 253s received them, but the few mentions of the subject seem to suggest within 18 months of 125mph service commencing.

[Western Region train reporting numbers from the 1960's/70's]

To add to above:

 

1O59 - morning Cardiff to Portsmouth 

1V23 - afternoon Leeds to Plymouth 

1M28 - midday Paignton to Birmingham 

[Western Region train reporting numbers from the 1960's/70's]

Two of those headcodes might suit:

 

Going off the 1970 timetable -

 

1A26 - 0635 Penzance to Paddington 

1F46 - 1325 Paignton to Cardiff Gen.

 

O is another interregional letter - to the Southern Region.

[THE SDEG - Scotland's Diesel Fleet in Detail; Volume 2 - The Class 47/4s]

1 hour ago, John M Upton said:

 

That is exactly what I was hoping for!!!

I'm sure someone will be along to correct me if wrong, but when the various planned volumes were listed somewhere I'm sure it was 37/4s after 37/0s. Either that or my brain is simply making the logical conclusion without the evidence!

[THE SDEG - Scotland's Diesel Fleet in Detail; Volume 2 - The Class 47/4s]

15 minutes ago, John M Upton said:

What is the subject for Volume 5?

37/4s I think?

[Dave F's photos - ongoing - more added each day]

3 hours ago, DaveF said:

Glasgow Central on 2nd March 1984.

 

 

Glasgow Central 311 103 2nd March 84 C6408

 

 

Glasgow Central 311109 and Class 116 set 387 2nd March 84 C6410

 

 

Glasgow Central 2nd March 84 C6411

 

 

Glasgow Central 86103 Glasgow to Parkeston Quay the European 2nd March 84 C6413

 

 

Glasgow Central Class 116  2nd March 84 C6414

 

David

Great Glaswegian selection there, Dave. I particularly like that you took one of the famous manual departures board.

[Dave F's photos - ongoing - more added each day]

6 minutes ago, DaveF said:

The old SBB RBe4/4 railcars were powerful (2700bhp), they were just about the same as a BR Classs 47 (2580bhp)

They'd be rather more powerful in practice because the RBe4/4 quoted power is what they can produce for traction, the usually given 47 rating of 2,580hp is actually gross engine power - power for traction is only 2,080hp, proportionately less if supplying ETH. The RBe4/4s are also some 50 tonnes lighter...

[Dave F's photos - ongoing - more added each day]

1 hour ago, russ p said:

 

Great pictures David 

Where is Harlaxton now? Had a spell on the north Norfolk was completely unsuitable for passenger work. I think it was a combination of rock hard buffers and big outside cylinders  it used to knock hell out of the train . We actually had passengers throwing up, it was painful to ride behind it. Was worse when it was coasting down hill. I ruined a set of oleo buffers on a 27 when coupled to it

Isn't it the Caledonian's 'Thomas' now?

[THE SDEG - Scotland's Diesel Fleet in Detail; Volume 2 - The Class 47/4s]

13 minutes ago, carderrail said:

Are these books still available.. I tried the email address and it bounced?

 

Regards

Tony

The most recent ModelRail had am advertisement for the newest volume, the Steam-heat 37s.

 

Email quoted as: sdeg.books@gmail.com 

[Interesting and inspiring photos from Flickr....]

35 minutes ago, Rich_F said:

 

See this class 47. That' s probably what it is...

 

 

Except that one is the right way round and on the 'right' loco ;)

[Interesting and inspiring photos from Flickr....]

4 minutes ago, MattR said:

 

Do you happen to know what the little grey, blue and red marking on the nose signifies?

Is it not just a faded NSE logo sticker, applied upside-down?

[BR Mk2a Green and Cream Tourist Stock]

4 minutes ago, Mol_PMB said:

With 12 Mk2s and the obs, there must surely have been plenty of spare vehicles if only one set was required? 

Sorry I meant one set in the off-peak season.

 

In the peak season I believe there were two, one with the observation car one without.

 

Formations being load 3/4 in winter, 5/6 in peak season.

[BR Mk2a Green and Cream Tourist Stock]

29 minutes ago, TravisM said:

I thought I'd ask, mainly on behalf of @class26, I'm sure I've seen a picture on Flickr of the Green & Cream tourist set on the far north line, as far as Wick.  I know they were mainly used on the Kyle line but did they go up to Wick/Thurso only when there was possibly an equipment failure of the booked set, so it was a quick swop to make sure the service ran?

Not regularly, as the set was required 6 days of 7 on the Kyle Line with maintenance nominally done on Sundays.

 

When the set was shortened in the off-peak season, spare vehicles may have been used on a scratch set.

 

I know this happened on the Aberdeen Line in the early 1990s with the odd vehicle, not sure about the Far North.

[BR Mk2a Green and Cream Tourist Stock]

23 hours ago, uax6 said:

Presumably the Mk2Z stock was used as it was vacuum braked unlike the later Mk2 stock, so could run with the Met-Camm saloon?

 

Andy G

Some 2Z were converted to air brake and some 2A to vacuum, so that might just be coincidental in that respect.

[Interesting and inspiring photos from Flickr....]

9 minutes ago, MattR said:

 

Speaking of Peaks --- I've never seen this livery before: the BR blue with black hood, cantrail and white outlines on the window frames and grilles, and the amazing stack of crest, nameplate, shed plate, number and data panels on the side. Manchester Victoria 1987.

There were a few 45/1s so embellished towards the end.

[Interesting and inspiring photos from Flickr....]

20 minutes ago, Ben B said:

 

Interesting- does the Western have white-walled tyres, or is it a trick of the light?

It did, was done up with a few embellishments for railtours - silvered buffers, red-backed nameplates, 'whitewalled' tyres etc

[C & O line coaching in the BR era.]

On 09/06/2021 at 22:53, Bomag said:

The inference from various sources was that under BR until the C&O was closed there was one morning service from Queen Street (as opposed to Buchanan Street). I have no idea what is was formed from although WHL seamed to get Mk1s earlier than the ex LMS lines.

There was an 'Express diesel service', with miniature buffet car, from Queen Street making limited stops to Oban by the early the 1960s. In 1962 it was 9.35am off Queen Street and 5.15pm back; Mon-Fri only.

 

 

 

[The 1E54 06:50 Paddington to Hull service in 1985]

8 hours ago, birdseyecircus said:

Almost every time I  post this picture on various sites everyone seems to only see a light engine lol. 

I can assure you it's pulling 4 coaches.

 

Paul

 

Definitely need me glasses on. My apologies for my error 😔

[Dave F's photos - ongoing - more added each day]

14 hours ago, keefer said:

Can't quite make out the rear coaches but The Clansman often had a mix of most Marks of stock - Mk1, 2, 2 a/c and 3.

Except for the Summer and Winter 1986 timetables, when it was briefly upgraded to an all-Mk3 set and became a portion of a standard 110mph Euston/Glasgow working each way, the Inverness portion joining/detaching at Carstairs.

 

Intriguing that it appears to have reverted to a 100mph Mk2 set, its more what I'd expect for 1985 or 1987 than 1986.

[The 1E54 06:50 Paddington to Hull service in 1985]

17 hours ago, birdseyecircus said:

6th May 1985. 45122 powers the 13.22 Hull - Brighton past Hessle station.

Taken with a 300mm telephoto lens from the Humber Bridge.

 

Paul

Am I missing something or is that a light engine and not the Hull/Brighton?

 

Or is that the joke? :)

[BR Mark 1 Scottish Region formations]

45 minutes ago, Fredo said:

Hi, 

Following  Bachmann announcing they are doing Scottish Region Mark 1’s does anymore know of any internal Scottish region examples of train formations during the period 1959-61.

Thanks Fred

Anything in particular? Mk1s were on most routes by that point.

[5MT 73082 Camelot 107mph Andover run help]

5 minutes ago, Mallard60022 said:

73082 had a Speedo. I suspect that may have been over excited?

Phil

If it was a standard BR Smiths one, they only went up to 100 as well ;)