RMweb Premium nightstar.train Posted January 22, 2023 RMweb Premium Share Posted January 22, 2023 Can anyone shed light (pun intended) on what i presume are giant headlights on 37603. As seen in this photo. They were fitted by EPS, but 37603 was the only one of EPS's 12 locos so fitted. 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
37114 Posted January 22, 2023 Share Posted January 22, 2023 7 hours ago, nightstar.train said: Can anyone shed light (pun intended) on what i presume are giant headlights on 37603. As seen in this photo. They were fitted by EPS, but 37603 was the only one of EPS's 12 locos so fitted. They were a later fitment but no idea what changed to need them. Both 37601 and 37604 got them in around 2005, EPS having disposed of the other 9 x 37/6s to DRS by then. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Hodgson Posted January 22, 2023 Share Posted January 22, 2023 I don't like it. It's got a handlebar moustache and its eyes are too close together. 1 15 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
black and decker boy Posted January 22, 2023 Share Posted January 22, 2023 By this point the remaining 37/6 with Eurostar were for rescue purposes and as tractor units for moving Eurostar sets on HS1 (working with the translated flats converted from BR GUVs) At the time it was reported the bigger headlights were to aid that role. 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold 97406 Posted January 22, 2023 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 22, 2023 29 minutes ago, Michael Hodgson said: I don't like it. It's got a handlebar moustache and its eyes are too close together. It reminds me of those close up pictures of spiders where you see all the eyes! 1 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
black and decker boy Posted January 22, 2023 Share Posted January 22, 2023 (edited) I wonder if the translator wagons blocked the normal headlights as used on both ends of the 37s in propelling and trailing mode? A few examples of them in use here: https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-a-pair-of-class-37-locomotives-towing-a-eurostar-train-at-sevington-86240080.html Edited January 22, 2023 by black and decker boy Typo 5 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold 97406 Posted January 22, 2023 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 22, 2023 2 minutes ago, black and decker boy said: I wonder if the translator wagons blocked the normal headlights as used on both ends of the 37s in propelling and trailing mode? A few examples of them in use here: https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-a-pair-of-class-37-locomotives-towing-a-eurostar-train-at-sevington-86240080.html That makes sense. Also notice on the livery, how the boundary between the light grey and flint grey is a touch lower than on the normal Railfreight sector livery. 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium kevinlms Posted January 22, 2023 RMweb Premium Share Posted January 22, 2023 Translator wagons? Surely you mean Brake Tenders? 😇 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wickham Green too Posted January 22, 2023 Share Posted January 22, 2023 1 hour ago, black and decker boy said: I wonder if the translator wagons blocked the normal headlights as used on both ends of the 37s in propelling and trailing mode? ... If so, it took them a long time to realise there was a problem : I have a picture of '604 with barrier wagons at Tonbridge in 1995 - ten years or so before these headlights were fitted ! 2 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold The Stationmaster Posted January 22, 2023 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 22, 2023 44 minutes ago, kevinlms said: Translator wagons? Surely you mean Brake Tenders? 😇 Great idea - but of course exactly the opposite as they could be propelled at speeds up to 69mph (possibly a little more in some situations. they were officially titled 'match wagons' (translation of course having a very specific meaning in the world of Eurostar working in three different languages). And at one time they happened to be a nice little earner for me (on behalf of Eurostar) because of the inability of just about anything else readily available to couple with a certain type of automatic coupling. Long while back but i think I was charging in excess of £100 per occasion when I hired one out fora few hours. 10 minutes ago, Wickham Green too said: If so, it took them a long time to realise there was a problem : I have a picture of '604 with barrier wagons at Tonbridge in 1995 - ten years or so before these headlights were fitted ! But don't forget that it only mattered (if it mattered anywhere other than on CTRL?) if a match wagon was leading. I 'retired' before CTRL opened but I can't recall any problem arising on the previous route regarding the headlights ona loco propelling match wagons. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
black and decker boy Posted January 22, 2023 Share Posted January 22, 2023 HS1 could be quite different to the convention railway I guess - no colour lights, no intermediate stations and less ambient light due to noise / visual screening bunds & fences plus those long tunnels under london more effective front illumination would therefore be useful? this was definitely linked to their use on HS1 at the time as Eurostar had sold off most locos by the time they fitted these headlights. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Hodgson Posted January 22, 2023 Share Posted January 22, 2023 (edited) 52 minutes ago, The Stationmaster said: Great idea - but of course exactly the opposite as they could be propelled at speeds up to 69mph (possibly a little more in some situations. they were officially titled 'match wagons' (translation of course having a very specific meaning in the world of Eurostar working in three different languages). Un wagon aux allumettes? luciferwagen? Edited January 22, 2023 by Michael Hodgson 1 1 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Hodgson Posted January 22, 2023 Share Posted January 22, 2023 32 minutes ago, black and decker boy said: this was definitely linked to their use on HS1 at the time as Eurostar had sold off most locos by the time they fitted these headlights. It would look like a bug-eyed monster coming at you through the Chunnel. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Titan Posted January 22, 2023 Share Posted January 22, 2023 42 minutes ago, Michael Hodgson said: It would look like a bug-eyed monster coming at you through the Chunnel. Bit like a frog? 1 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium kevinlms Posted January 22, 2023 RMweb Premium Share Posted January 22, 2023 1 minute ago, Titan said: Bit like a frog? A live frog, rather than a dead one, because a dead one won't be moving! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold The Stationmaster Posted January 22, 2023 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 22, 2023 2 hours ago, Michael Hodgson said: It would look like a bug-eyed monster coming at you through the Chunnel. Although they weren't - for obvious reasons - allowed into the Tunnel (but they were, equally obviously permitted, in various other tunnels). 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wickham Green too Posted January 22, 2023 Share Posted January 22, 2023 7 hours ago, The Stationmaster said: ... But don't forget that it only mattered (if it mattered anywhere other than on CTRL?) if a match wagon was leading. ... Well the wagon WAS leading ...... ..... but it was daylight so maybe doesn't count ! ( 30/6/95 ) The bug-eyed 'hand lamp' on the front of the wagon might be relevant, of course ! 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium younGGuns7 Posted January 22, 2023 RMweb Premium Share Posted January 22, 2023 (edited) Wonder if a couple of Guinness drinking watchers have this one on follow 🤔🤣🤣 Edited January 22, 2023 by younGGuns7 Grammar Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wickham Green too Posted January 22, 2023 Share Posted January 22, 2023 You wouldn't mean a couple of Guinness drinking watchers who already have a standard BR 57' carriage underframe in their portfolio, by any chance ??!?🤭 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium younGGuns7 Posted January 22, 2023 RMweb Premium Share Posted January 22, 2023 Just now, Wickham Green too said: You wouldn't mean a couple of Guinness drinking watchers who already have a standard BR 57' carriage underframe in their portfolio, by any chance ??!?🤭 That’s the ones 🤣 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium nightstar.train Posted January 22, 2023 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted January 22, 2023 1 hour ago, younGGuns7 said: Wonder if a couple of Guinness drinking watchers have this one on follow 🤔🤣🤣 The giant headlights are a sub class of a sub class that only lasted for a couple of years. I think it very unlikely the Irish lads would make one, but then they did make Gordon Highlander in purple with the WIPAC lights, so weird things do happen. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium younGGuns7 Posted January 22, 2023 RMweb Premium Share Posted January 22, 2023 28 minutes ago, nightstar.train said: The giant headlights are a sub class of a sub class that only lasted for a couple of years. I think it very unlikely the Irish lads would make one, but then they did make Gordon Highlander in purple with the WIPAC lights, so weird things do happen. Let’s wait and see Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Hodgson Posted January 23, 2023 Share Posted January 23, 2023 11 hours ago, Titan said: Bit like a frog? Perish the thought. The opposition to the earliest channel tunnel proposals was based on fear that Napoleon would march through! 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold big jim Posted January 23, 2023 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 23, 2023 (edited) 23 hours ago, 97406 said: That makes sense. Also notice on the livery, how the boundary between the light grey and flint grey is a touch lower than on the normal Railfreight sector livery. Unless there was a specific rule for the EPS 37s the loco itself wouldn’t be showing any headlights (or tail lights) as it’s not the leading vehicle, hence the temporary one on the leading barrier vehicle. it’s the same when propelling snowploughs just the lights on the outer vehicles Edited January 23, 2023 by big jim 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wickham Green too Posted January 23, 2023 Share Posted January 23, 2023 19 hours ago, Titan said: Bit like a frog? 8 hours ago, Michael Hodgson said: ... The opposition to the earliest channel tunnel proposals was based on fear that Napoleon would march through! Hop through ? 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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