Wensleydale Railway ‘clear out’

[43096]

A DMU camshaft put something out of service for 3 years?????

Perhaps an approach is needed as to what degree of preservation is wanted.
If it just needs to look the same, fit a modern generator?

How long do you reckon it would take for a volunteer organisation to design, procure, fit, test and commission such a new engine. I'd wager more than 3 years.

 

[randyrippley]

Don't forget it's not a common Leyland or AEC engine, I don't know how readily available parts are for the EE 4SRKT? I suspect it was a case of waiting it's turn as much as anything.

If you fitted a modern generator you'd lose the disctinctive sound that these units are known for, plus I can't imagine it being a cheap solution!



Correct, although the valves generally come off worse.

At the speeds preserved lines run at, an old tractor engine would work well

 

[TheBeard]

As a kid remember Bedale as this amazing station with loads of old NER semaphores and yard/sidings inton the 1980s. It was immaculately kept despite been closed, for the Royal train. Surprised they have never tried to recreate this, in fact was saddened it was gone. Be better letting Smithy run it with his giant trainset than some pacers replacing the clapped out Bubble car.

 

[Richard Scott]

A DMU camshaft put something out of service for 3 years?????

Perhaps an approach is needed as to what degree of preservation is wanted.
If it just needs to look the same, fit a modern generator?

May have had to do more work, usually find if have to do work on an engine for an apparently simple fault (wouldn't take long to repair a camshaft defect) you find more issues lurking when you start dismantling and end up doing a partial or total rebuild.

 

[swt_passenger]

May have had to do more work, usually find if have to do work on an engine for an apparently simple fault (wouldn't take long to repair a camshaft defect) you find more issues lurking when you start dismantling and end up doing a partial or total rebuild.

I’ve no extra knowledge of exactly what was wrong here, however might it have been the traction motor camshaft control, this is an SR DEMU after all, with EE507 motors etc. Possibly nothing to do with the generator engine...

 

[DustyBin]

I’ve no extra knowledge of exactly what was wrong here, however might it have been the traction motor camshaft control, this is an SR DEMU after all, with EE507 motors etc. Possibly nothing to do with the generator engine...

That didn’t even occur to me, presumably they use standard 1957 type electrical equipment?

 

[Richard Scott]

I’ve no extra knowledge of exactly what was wrong here, however might it have been the traction motor camshaft control, this is an SR DEMU after all, with EE507 motors etc. Possibly nothing to do with the generator engine...

No, would have a load regulator like standard diesel electric, 73s do.

 

[swt_passenger]

No, would have a load regulator like standard diesel electric, 73s do.

Ok, it was just a thought...

 

[ainsworth74]

The Wensleydale Railway have published an article that explains a bit more behind their rolling stock strategy that caused the 'clear out':

Traction and Rolling Stock​

There have been a large number of movements of locos and rolling stock to and from the railway in recent months with the departure of some long-standing residents and the arrival of new pacer units fresh from the main line. A number of people have asked the question ‘are you becoming a pacer only railway. The simple answer to that question is ‘no’ but that leads on to if not, then what are your plans? Hopefully, the following will explain what our plans are.

Firstly, we need to understand the railway as a whole. It is 22 route miles from Northallerton West station in the Vale of Mowbray through the dales and up to Redmire station in the Yorkshire Dales, passing through Leeming Bar, Bedale and Leyburn on its way. We currently have storage space for stock at Leeming and some sidings at Redmire but compared to many other railways we are very limited for siding space.

Our primary focus is as a heritage tourist attraction combining the natural appeal of a train ride through glorious scenery with the historical aspect of showcasing the railway through the ages. In addition to this we will be running event and special enthusiast services, including regular evening trains, afternoon tea trains, gala and supporting events within the dale.

For the railway to operate we need a range of reliable traction and rolling stock, that we can maintain to a budget and use flexibly. For off peak services the first generation DMUs and Pacers are ideal, with low costs and simple operation on the line. But we also need units that can maintain our timetable; the line is almost constantly graded from Leeming Bar westward and that means some lower powered classes of units are not suitable. In addition to the class 121 we can deploy 1, 2, 3 or four car trains depending on the perceived level of demand using either first generation DMUs or Pacers.

For our re-opening post COVID-19 we will almost certainly be heavily reliant on our Pacers, at least until the class 121 returns from its repair. We will have to go through a period of re-training (we haven’t run a passenger service in nearly a year) and the use of Pacers on these Ghost services will keep the costs down. We can start to introduce more appealing traction once our passenger numbers start to climb.

For more heavily used services and event/gala trains the use of locomotive hauled coaching stock is the preferred option. We currently have enough air braked coaches for our immediate needs, with capacity for one to be under heavy exam/refurbishment. Likewise, for vacuum stock for use with older diesel locos or steam. Our diesel locomotive fleet, consisting currently of a class 14, class 20, class 33, and class 37, covers our immediate needs and are all very suitable for use along the line. Looking forward we would consider adding suitable locomotives such as class 25, class 26, class 27 or class 31. Larger locomotives such as class 40, class 47 etc would be considered ‘nice to have’ but their additional running costs in terms of both fuel and track wear really preclude their use on anything except enthusiast specials, in which case a hire arrangement make more sense than permanent residence. This has the added benefit in that we can ensure that any gala or enthusiast event will provide something new rather than the same old locos just on slightly different diagrams.

We now come to what the majority of our customers want, steam. While we fully understand that steam sells tickets, we also understand that the costs of steam are orders of magnitude greater than diesel traction, both in hire/ownership and running costs. Our long-term plan is to acquire suitable steam traction, but we need to ensure that we can properly maintain and service it first and that we have the passenger numbers to make it pay before taking the plunge. Until that happens, we will continue to hire in where there is proven demand, such as during the high summer months, as we have successfully demonstrated in the past. In the shorter term we need to ensure that we can provide suitable servicing for any steam locomotive on the railway. Our maintenance shed is not really suited to be a steam running shed as well; just think of the issues with ash on a newly painted coach! So, we need to clear space around Leeming Bar to be able to add the servicing facilities we need, such as an ash pit, watering arrangements, coaling area and covered accommodation.

So, the sensible decision has been taken, that if there is no long term plan or if the item of rolling stock/locomotive has no position in our strategy, then maybe its best option would be at another site where renovation would be more practical. A number of long-term residents have now left the railway for pastures new and there will be more to follow, with the siding space that they have been taking up put to good use for new stock arriving at the railway. The regular arrival of Pacer units at the railway are not all of direct benefit to us. We have also been helping a number of other heritage organisations by using the railway as a ‘rail head’ for accepting units directly off the main line before allowing then to be loaded onto road transport to travel to sites that are not blessed with rail connections.

The overall effect of all this activity has generated the added benefit of making the entire Leeming Bar site look more of a heritage railway and less of a scrap yard, which, with the work on the station house (and in particular the other new customer-facing facilities) is starting to make the railway look more appealing to visitors.

Going forward we are moving away from the mentality of ‘if its available then we will have it’, and moving to a more considered approach of ‘if its available, it fits into our plan and we can resource it, then we will have it’.

As far as traction and rolling stock are concerned, we are essentially reversing JFK’s motto, ‘think not what the railway can do for you but what you can do for the railway’.

Feel free to contact us with any comments or questions, we are always pleased when people take an interest in us, and even happier if they can lend a helping hand.

Traction & Rolling Stock | Wensleydale Railway

wensleydale-railway.co.uk

 

[DarloRich]

A sensible statement

 

[warwickshire]

Does anyone have any information on the latest rolling stock still present on the wensleydale railway. Traction types and number wise and which locations if available?. Any information is much appreciated.

 

[Titfield]

A sensible statement

Yes I just hope they can stick to their good intentions.

 

[A Challenge]

The Wensleydale Railway have published an article that explains a bit more behind their rolling stock strategy that caused the 'clear out':

Traction & Rolling Stock | Wensleydale Railway

wensleydale-railway.co.uk

This statement shows they have thought about what they are doing, particularly as they are admitting they are not a good place for restoration to be carried out, and it is good to hear that they will be helping other railways in the area using their mainline connection rather than trains being taken by road all the way across the country.

 

[Titfield]

I do hope they manage to use the mainline connection for the movement of rolling stock but I am somewhat sceptical.

The mainline connected railways seem to find it much cheaper to move rolling stock by road e.g. Swanage Railway.

 

[alexl92]

I do hope they manage to use the mainline connection for the movement of rolling stock but I am somewhat sceptical.

The mainline connected railways seem to find it much cheaper to move rolling stock by road e.g. Swanage Railway.

I think, along with their new running shed, the mainine connection was a big factor towards getting Tornado in. It's easy access from the ECML.

 

[Titfield]

Ah some confusion possibly here.

If an item of rolling stock can move under its own power on and off a mainline connected branch line then that self evidently is fine. For example Tornado or Flying Scotsman.

I was referring to bringing non mainline certified locos and other rolling stock to a branch line. If it has to be hauled by another loco then that may be more expensive than doing a movement by road.

 

[EbbwJunction1]

How difficult (and expensive) is it to move a loco from one railway to another by rail? I've heard it said that it's either not allowed or the charges are so high as to be uncompetitive because (possibly) Network Rail don't want to allow it to happen, but I don't know whether any of this is correct.

 

[Titfield]

If the loco and rolling stock are moving under their own power then the issues relate to route approval, route knowledge, gauging and pathing.

If the loco and rolling stock are being towed by another loco then the above also apply plus obviously route approval and gauging for the hauling locomotive.

Locos and carriages used on the mainline have to be mainline certified. (IIRC deadloads being towed dont have to be mainline certified.)

The costs can be high.

NR (and the scheduled service TOCS) dont want odd movements of this nature in case they cause delays etc etc.

 

[EbbwJunction1]

Thanks very much.

 

[xotGD]

I wasn't aware that they had a 33 at the Wensleydale. Can anyone advise which one? Ta.

 

[GNERman]

I wasn't aware that they had a 33 at the Wensleydale. Can anyone advise which one? Ta.

33035 I think.

 

[43096]

Locos and carriages used on the mainline have to be mainline certified. (IIRC deadloads being towed dont have to be mainline certified.)

Anything moved on the main line has to be certified. It may not be full certification for operation, but they must be registered on the national vehicle register and subject to fitness to run examination and certification as a minimum.

 

[Titfield]

Anything moved on the main line has to be certified. It may not be full certification for operation, but they must be registered on the national vehicle register and subject to fitness to run examination and certification as a minimum.

Thank you for that clarification.

 

[xotGD]

33035 I think.

Thanks.

 

[Killingworth]

"The overall effect of all this activity has generated the added benefit of making the entire Leeming Bar site look more of a heritage railway and less of a scrap yard, which, with the work on the station house (and in particular the other new customer-facing facilities) is starting to make the railway look more appealing to visitors"

As a WRC member I'm delighted that this has happened. Leeming looked like a scrap yard. That said I'm saddened that so much old rolling stock lies semi-abandoned across the land, hostage to the actions of vandals and the elements in equal measure. Erecting cover to protect the old vehicles often lags too far behind the decision to purchase.

 

[nanstallon]

At the end of the day, the vital bums on seats belong mainly to people who want a nice day out, and don't want to look at junk. They want to see a tidy, well run, railway. Let's face it, a lot of stuff has been acquired for the sake of having it and will never be restored. Good on the Wensleydale. Their example needs to be followed elsewhere.

 

[47434]

"The overall effect of all this activity has generated the added benefit of making the entire Leeming Bar site look more of a heritage railway and less of a scrap yard, which, with the work on the station house (and in particular the other new customer-facing facilities) is starting to make the railway look more appealing to visitors"

As a WRC member I'm delighted that this has happened. Leeming looked like a scrap yard. That said I'm saddened that so much old rolling stock lies semi-abandoned across the land, hostage to the actions of vandals and the elements in equal measure. Erecting cover to protect the old vehicles It

It isn't a problem unique to WR - many heritage railways have stock awaiting restoration. Covered accommodation would be high on the list for all I am certain but where does the money come from?

 

[87015]

It isn't a problem unique to WR - many heritage railways have stock awaiting restoration. Covered accommodation would be high on the list for all I am certain but where does the money come from?

Any if everyone took WR's attitude, they wouldn't have anything to hire in would they... Hopefully stock owners will charge the WR a surcharge against railways more ameanable to working towards stock restoration rather than wanting to have their cake and eat it.

 

[warwickshire]

Add to the confusion over Pacers on wensleydale how many do they have?. Because Facebook page on wensleydale railway only mentions the original 142s x4. That arrived Last year 2020. and the 144 unit. However regarding the x5 that arrived in middle of January this year what's there status. The ones they don't like or want will they clear these out as well.?
Because looking at all relevant information there is no updates or news announcements off these new January 142 arrivals. Unless they are collecting dust or will be sub hired or leased to someone?.

 

[UP13]

Any if everyone took WR's attitude, they wouldn't have anything to hire in would they... Hopefully stock owners will charge the WR a surcharge against railways more ameanable to working towards stock restoration rather than wanting to have their cake and eat it.

If it was in a state to hire in then it wouldn't be an issue. The issue is unusable stock that is in no hurry to be usable.

Apart from the WSR, I can't think of anybody who would rid themselves of operational or near operational locomotives without a very good reason.