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Rails Announce OO 18000 Gas Turbine Locomotive


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Hi John,  It's Russian railways class GT1h-002

 

https://www.globalrailwayreview.com/news/31945/main-gas-turbine-locomotive/

 

GT1h-001.JPG.2b3af080ac176441953ad183288caea5.JPG

 

there's a less agricultural version, the GT1-001

 

GT1-001.JPG.0745d9eedd9534b87786d152a4977802.JPG

 

 

 

details of both can be found on page 38-41 of this document:  http://ipem.ru/files/spec_veb_nov.pdf

 

Gas Turbines are very much alive and well in the East.

 

 

 

Edited by Dr Gerbil-Fritters
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14404407845_43abb8da30_b.jpgEX-BR 18000 + SNCF BB16685, ÜBERHERRN, GERMANY by Ian -nl, on Flickr
 

EX-BR 18000 + SNCF BB16685, ÜBERHERRN, GERMANY

In October 1972 Test Vehicle 18000 is being prepared in Überherrn, Germany for adhesion trials with SNCF locomotive BB16685 on the French-German border in the Saar Region. 

18000 was originally a gas-turbine-electric locomotive, ordered in Switzerland by the GWR and delivered in 1949 to British Railways. When 18000 became surplus to BR’s requirements a proposal was developed by the International Union of Railways to convert her to a test vehicle to investigate the design parameters which influence the adhesion between wheel and rail.

In this connection 18000 was completely rebuilt in 1969 in the Bellinzona workshops of the Swiss Federal Railways. Almost all of the original technical equipment was removed from the body and from the bogies. One bogie (nearest the camera) could be fitted with various types of traction motor driving the middle wheelset. This facility required a major reconstruction of the bogie, and local remodelling of the vehicle body, leading to the ‘blisters’ on the underframe. The traction motor was fed by the equipment of another specially adapted locomotive, which ran in tandem. The choice of a suitable tandem locomotive made it possible to investigate the effect of different traction control systems and catenary voltages. Part of the original engine compartment of 18000 was occupied by the traction motor and mechanical transmission; the rest of the compartment was fitted out as room for the measuring equipment and for meetings of the test team. The international test team affectionately bestowed the name Elisabetta on their unique vehicle. 

The tests of different technical configurations took place between 1970 and 1975. In the photo the SNCF prototype thyristor-controlled locomotive BB16685 is coupled to 18000, which has been equipped with a corresponding SNCF traction motor. The line from Wadgassen to Hargarten was chosen for these trials because it was lightly used and also could be switched to either the German or the French overhead supply system. The route has since been de-electrified and much of it has been closed to traffic. BB16685 was withdrawn from service in 2004. 18000 has been repainted in BR livery and is displayed at Didcot Railway Centre.

 

15831798916_bb3965673a_b.jpgEX-BR 18000 + SNCF BB16685 + DB BR181, WADGASSEN, FRANCE by Ian -nl, on Flickr

Edited by bubbles2
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On 29/11/2019 at 17:31, Dr Gerbil-Fritters said:

Hi John,  It's Russian railways class GT1h-002

 

https://www.globalrailwayreview.com/news/31945/main-gas-turbine-locomotive/

 

GT1h-001.JPG.2b3af080ac176441953ad183288caea5.JPG

 

there's a less agricultural version, the GT1-001

 

GT1-001.JPG.0745d9eedd9534b87786d152a4977802.JPG

 

 

 

details of both can be found on page 38-41 of this document:  http://ipem.ru/files/spec_veb_nov.pdf

 

Gas Turbines are very much alive and well in the East.

 

 

 

Very interesting document, thanks for that.  One thing is that the gas turbine locos run on natural gas, of which Russia has   large reserves,  carried on the loco in liquid form in a tank that is replaced when empty.

Also in the same document is a diesel shunter that runs on natural gas. It's claimed exhaust emissions are very low compared to using diesel oil.

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  • 2 weeks later...
  • 3 weeks later...

Hi All,

 

With respect to the sounds. When 18000 turned up at DRC, an appeal went out to try to locate a recording and there was no responses. In short, there isn't anything known. Film of it moving, yes. Sound to go with it? No. If a recording turns up the GWS would love a copy!

 

There might be something out there but the GWS hasn't found it.

 

All the best,

 

Castle

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  • 4 weeks later...
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On 12/11/2019 at 14:58, The Stationmaster said:

Yes.  And of course it ran to Plymouth at various times ;)

 

I have photographic proof now as there's a nice Peter Gray photo in the newly released book 'Western Region Non Passenger Trains by Jeremy Clements.There is mention of it hauling 17 coaches unaided between Newton and Plymouth.:D Also seen in 1952 with a single brake composite.

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On 20/11/2019 at 14:48, Wickham Green said:

Anyone know where Peter Handford's recordings are ? - remember Argo Transacord ? - He may have been too late for this or he may have treated non-steam with disdain, of course.  

 

All his master tapes are held by the NRM. Peter kept extensive records 

Edited by Mel_H
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  • 4 weeks later...
On 03/02/2020 at 17:31, gwrrob said:

 

I have photographic proof now as there's a nice Peter Gray photo in the newly released book 'Western Region Non Passenger Trains by Jeremy Clements.There is mention of it hauling 17 coaches unaided between Newton and Plymouth.:D Also seen in 1952 with a single brake composite.

 

The 1952 photo is actually 18100, not 18000 - but the single coach formation, on a test run, appeals from a modelling point of view. 

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  • 3 months later...

18000artwork.jpg.899693880d5e65bbf5c8c8e3bb48e0ae.jpg

 

Artwork has now been approved for our exclusive Heljan OO Gauge 18000 Gas Turbine 'Kerosene Castle' Locomotives!

 

Further updates including the expected delivery dates are expected over the upcoming weeks and will be determined by upcoming sample approval. 

 

PRE-ORDER PRICE: £199.99 each

PRE-ORDERING IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED AS IT WILL ONLY BE A LIMITED PRODUCTION RUN.

RESERVE YOURS NOW WITH £30.00 DEPOSIT

 

CLICK HERE for more information

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