Jim’s “out and about with GBRf” thread

[big jim]

Since Colas operate the test trains I'd wager it's both DRS and Europhoenix hiring locos to Colas. As far as I'm aware DRS have never operated test trains, their 37s were on hire to Serco, then DB, now Colas. Here's hoping the test train 37s end up in the same livery as 37800 and 37884!

I can't believe how different Banbury is looking now Jim, is it a sufficient enough change to cause you to have to relearn it?

 

Jo

Didn't have to relearn it but have had briefs, powerpoint presentations and yellow perils and of course a look over it on Monday, got some chiltern maps too

 

For a new multi million pound set up there are a couple of dodgy signals now in place, plenty of read across' and a new stop signal on situated on a blind bend, no doubt yet again someone in an office sitting and looking at a computer model and saying "you will get sight of this signal within the specified tolerances" instead of asking the drivers and actually going out in the track and saying "if we put that signal 50m futher back you will get a good extra 1/4 mile sighting of it"......shoddy planning and implementation yet again!

 

As for the 608/603 combo, yes I think it is the first time they have paired a europhoenix and DRS pair on a test train

Edited August 10, 2016 by big jim

[virginhst539]

Think it was DRS locos that where hired in with DB drivers. Or at least that was the case when they passed Dunbar as it was all DB drivers before the change to colas

[DRS Crewe On A Mission]

Since Colas operate the test trains I'd wager it's both DRS and Europhoenix hiring locos to Colas. As far as I'm aware DRS have never operated test trains, their 37s were on hire to Serco, then DB, now Colas. Here's hoping the test train 37s end up in the same livery as 37800 and 37884!

I can't believe how different Banbury is looking now Jim, is it a sufficient enough change to cause you to have to relearn it?

 

Jo

 

 

Didn't have to relearn it but have had briefs, powerpoint presentations and yellow perils and of course a look over it on Monday, got some chiltern maps too

 

For a new multi million pound set up there are a couple of dodgy signals now in place, plenty of read across' and a new stop signal on situated on a blind bend, no doubt yet again someone in an office sitting and looking at a computer model and saying "you will get sight of this signal within the specified tolerances" instead of asking the drivers and actually going out in the track and saying "if we put that signal 50m futher back you will get a good extra 1/4 mile sighting of it"......shoddy planning and implementation yet again!

 

As for the 608/603 combo, yes I think it is the first time they have paired a europhoenix and DRS pair on a test train

 

 

Think it was DRS locos that where hired in with DB drivers. Or at least that was the case when they passed Dunbar as it was all DB drivers before the change to colas

 

Thanks for letting me know.

 

It's really interesting that we have so many different liveried 37s operating test trains, the locos been hired to other FOCs and the drivers that work for other FOCs driving DRS liveried locos.

 

That's probably why their is no rush to repaint 608 and 611. Because really the livery doesn't mean anything if Europhenix owned locos are been hired to Colas. As long as their out and about earning their keep I don't suppose it matters.

[big jim]

just one pic from the last few days, the iphone has been full until this evening so ive not had a chance for any "on the fly" pics, got loads on the proper camera that i'll upload whenever i get home

 

had this the last few days, cumbrian coast yesterday and blackpool to derby today

 

 

a busy week coming up, may even get home at some point!

[big jim]

Nice line up of 37/4s on the shunt this morning

 

[jamie92208]

Is 424 out and about now. It's the only 37 I've never seen.

 

Jamie

[Peter Kazmierczak]

I never saw D6983........

[DRS Crewe On A Mission]

Brilliant photo Jim.

 

In the shed next to 37424 looks like a Revised liveried 57002.

[DRS Crewe On A Mission]

Is 424 out and about now. It's the only 37 I've never seen.

 

Jamie

 

424 was at the Crewe Gresty Bridge open day on Saturday 23rd July having been transferred from RVEL Derby in convoy on Thursday 21st. It was then returned to RVEL Derby the following week on either the Monday or Tuesday (25th/26th) for completion of it's overhaul.

[newbryford]

Nice line up of 37/4s on the shunt this morning

 

 

And there's me thinking that the LL blue 37/4s were stayiNg on the Cumbrian coast... I may have to finish mine off for Deadman's Lane..

 

Cheers,

mICK

[roundhouse]

Three Colas 70s at Westbury just now

[big jim]

Just a single picture from today, conducted This again, Carlisle to crewe, a quick pic while I scooted off and got a train to Melton Mowbray

 

[big jim]

Just one pic again, had 37025 Old Dalby to Derby, so gutted not to have got a pork pie from Melton Mowbray today!

 

[big jim]

lets fill some gaps, home from a few hours!

 

cumbrian coast trip

 

started in carlisle, follwed the local stopper all the way to barrow

 

 

had to wait in Wigton for it to clear the section, raining as usual, i was hoping to get a pic of us crossing with the loco hauled set but the signaller pulled off and we passed it about 3 minutes later

 

 

into whitehaven, collected the token for st bees

 

 

bransty (whitehaven) box behind the train

 

 

from there we went to ulverston to change ends having avoided barrow in furness via the park south to dalton chord

 

and back into barrow where the loco hauled set i missed at wigton had returned south and was about to be stabled

 

 

 

 

from there we went north to askam, change ends again and back south to barrow, by now it was dark

 

and then we followed the local train to carnforth where i got off

 

 

then after rest it was over to blackpool to pick it back up again and over to derby

 

 

[5BarVT]

I've always felt that Whitehaven, especially the tunnel entrance at the south end, was designed as an example for a short of space modeller. Thanks for the detail in the photos.

 

Paul.

[big jim]

some pics before bed

 

calibration runs with PLP train, i picked it up at the end of the runs and took it over to crewe for stabling

 

stoke on trent

 

crewe

 

 

then into basford hall and back out via gresty lane which meant the train was now turned ready for its run tonight

 

back into crewe

 

 

 

 

and stabled for the day

[dvdlcs]

Nice line up of 37/4s on the shunt this morning

 

 

Interesting to spot the differences in end details for 3 ostensibly identical locos:

 

Number and position of lamp irons is different for all three.

Presence (or not) of the orange socket to the left of the headlight.

Marker lights and their surroundings.

The end number style.

 

And possibly more. As always, work from a photograph of the chosen locomotive when making a model.

 

Presumably a result of the locos having been modified in different places at different times and latterly by/for different owners.

[Purley Oaks]

Interesting to spot the differences in end details for 3 ostensibly identical locos:

 

Number and position of lamp irons is different for all three.

Presence (or not) of the orange socket to the left of the headlight.

Marker lights and their surroundings.

The end number style.

 

And possibly more. As always, work from a photograph of the chosen locomotive when making a model.

 

Presumably a result of the locos having been modified in different places at different times and latterly by/for different owners.

and lamp brackets...

[newbryford]

Interesting to spot the differences in end details for 3 ostensibly identical locos:

 

Number and position of lamp irons is different for all three.

Presence (or not) of the orange socket to the left of the headlight.

Marker lights and their surroundings.

The end number style.

 

And possibly more. As always, work from a photograph of the chosen locomotive when making a model.

 

Presumably a result of the locos having been modified in different places at different times and latterly by/for different owners.

 

Two of the three have DRS style multi connectors below the plated headcode.

Lamp brackets/lamp irons varied from some of their historic use. The upper bracket was often used for a "car headlamp" style light on the likes of the Central Wales and Highland lines.

The DRS pair have LED style red markers - apparently of different sizes, whereas Colas 37421 still retains the filament lights and is also missing Jim's favourite bit of equipment (not), the central plough.

 

Cheers,

Mick

[big jim]

Had a few days off but here are a few from tonight, prepped a train in Carlisle ready for it to head along the Cumbrian coast

 

37057 at the tail end

 

Royal Mail unit

 

37057 again

 

37403 passing on the Cumbrian coast service

 

 

Independance day pendolino

 

Fellow rmwebber 21Alizard traction conducting the train

 

And a video

 

https://youtu.be/mGdEho-WYC8

[lmsforever]

Barrow looks to be in a right state with regards to  weeds how long since it had a visit from the weed train.?

[newbryford]

Barrow looks to be in a right state with regards to  weeds how long since it had a visit from the weed train.?

 

I've edited your post (there goes any further invites to the Furness exhibition................)

 

 

Cheers,

Mick

[big jim]

proper camera update!

 

37421 "all gold"

 

 

derby

 

and away to new st

 

 

over to leicester

 

 

 

and back at derby

 

yesterday in carlisle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and thats that, WCML tonight but wont be bothering with the camera

[big jim]

some from last night

 

doncaster to derby with 37116 and 37175 on one plp train

 

doncaster

 

derby (using a class 73 as a tripod!)

 

then it was back to doncaster with 37602 and 37609 with a different plp train

 

 

 

37609 is first one ive had in the new drs livery

[Richard E]

67024 seems to have been there for quite a while.