RailAdventure Power Cars

[43096]

The first two RailAdventure liveried power cars (43480/484) have appeared at Eastleigh: [UK] RailAdventure announces new UK partnership – purchases 8 Class 43 power cars – Railcolor News

Today, Munich-based RailAdventure GmbH is announcing their entry into the United Kingdom marketplace with a partnership with UK’s own Hanson & Hall rail service company along with the purchase of eight Class 43 locomotives

Sponsored post: Railcolor is honoured to be the first to break this exciting news, and have had the pleasure of seeing the first Class 43 double locomotive in Eastleigh, England.

An Adventurous Rail Company​

As reported elsewhere on this site, RailAdventure has made a name for themselves as one of the market leaders in special transport and test runs all across Continental Europe. Founded in 2006, RailAdventure gained immediate notoriety by breaking the 51-year-old world speed record for classic locomotives with their 357 km/h high-speed run between Ingolstadt and Nuremberg. This impressive feat earned them a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records and a legion of fans.

Class 43 in RailAdventure design – 19.04.2021 – Peteralvey.com for RailAdventure
A self-described ‘interim operator’ that only tests and runs its vehicles on a temporary basis, the company maintains a strategy of complete neutrality; this means that they only use novel locomotives that are not associated with existing manufacturers or brands. Says Alex Dworaczek, RailAdventure’s Managing Director:

What we want to avoid is […] using a current product of a locomotive manufacturer to transport the prototype of another competing company, which can lead to conflicts of interest with our customers.

This strategy has resulted in the company frequently revamping iconic older train models for the modern age, as part of a way of honouring the history and heritage of the regions they operate within.

The British Connection​

Over the last few years, RailAdventure has been heavily involved in delivering European-produced vehicles to Great Britain. However, as leading European rolling stock manufacturers have begun operating production plants in the United Kingdom, the company has decided to secure their “own source for the British domestic market,” states Mr. Dworaczek, continuing, “In addition, the local proximity to the production sites is important to us.”

Class 43 in RailAdventure design – 19.04.2021 – Henk Zwoferink Photography for RailAdventure

Class 43 in RailAdventure design – 19.04.2021 – Henk Zwoferink Phortography for RailAdventure

Class 43 in RailAdventure design – 19.04.2021 – Peteralvey.com for RailAdventure
Enter Hanson & Hall, a young rail services company that has been operating two locomotives, a Class 31 and Class 50, since 2018. With this new partnership and rebrand to “Hanson & Hall Part of the RailAdventure Group,” the company hopes to take the next step in increasing their service offerings, asserts Managing Director Jason Hall:

Through the combined experience of Rail Adventure and our company, the UK rail industry and its suppliers are about to receive a much-needed step change in service levels, and I am thrilled we have such fantastic partners backing us during the next stages of our growth.

The first action of the new venture is the purchase of eight high speed Class 43 power cars from a UK leasing company.

A True Classic ​

Nicknamed the “racehorse” by its fans and drivers, the Class 43 is officially the fastest diesel locomotive in the world with a top recorded speed of 239 km/h in 1987. The cars were built by British Rail Engineering Limited (BREL) between 1975 and 1982, and were used in Britain’s InterCity 125 where they would run over 2,400 kilometres per day.

Class 43 in RailAdventure design – 19.04.2021 – Peteralvey.com for RailAdventure
Of the eight classic cars purchased, six will be utilized to make three double-locomotives while the remaining two will be used as donors for spare parts. Over the next few months, the Class 43s will be outfitted at the Doncaster works with translator technology to control the electro-pneumatic brakes of towed multiple units. Habfis coupling adapter cars will be imported from the continent.

Class 43 in RailAdventure design – 19.04.2021 – Henk Zwoferink Photography for RailAdventure
The double locomotives will be based out of London with direct access to the East Coast, Midland, and West Coast Main Lines, along with the Southern and Great Western Railways. The high speed diesel vehicles are also available to be used as traction vehicles for test rings in Central Europe.

The first two power cars, TOPS Nos. 43480 and 43484, have already been repainted with RailAdventure’s recognisable two-toned grey and green look and are currently available for operation:

• TOPS 43484 = EVN 92 70 0043 484-9 (paintwork completed)
• TOPS 43480 = EVN 92 70 0043 480-7 (paintwork completed)
• TOPS 43468 = EVN 92 70 0043 468-2
• TOPS 43467 = EVN 92 70 0043 467-4
• TOPS 43465 = EVN 92 70 0043 465-8
• TOPS 43423 = EVN 92 70 0043 423-7
• TOPS 43308 = EVN 92 70 0043 308-0 (Spare)
• TOPS 43296 = EVN 92 70 0043 296-7 (Spare)

Class 43 in RailAdventure design – 19.04.2021 – Henk Zwoferink Photography for RailAdventure

About RailAdventure​

The company, which has been based in Munich ever since, deals with the high-quality handling of test and transfer runs for the railway industry. Specially developed assets are held for this purpose. RailAdventure owns locomotives, coupling adapter and brake wagons as well as the in-house-developed and patented transport system Loco Buggy for the transport of vehicles with other track gauges. At the Braunschweig site, RailAdventure operates a workshop infrastructure under the name of Zughotel. The permanent and mostly multilingual staff includes specially trained locomotive drivers, technicians and test managers.

The company is often also referred to as an “interim operator” because it only ever operates the vehicles entrusted to it on a temporary basis. RailAdventure GmbH is a member of the German Railway Industry Association (VDB). A saloon car marketed under the name Luxon is available for the most sophisticated occasions.

For more information about RailAdventure – visit our dedicated section about the company. You want to learn more about the existing fleet, we have a list:

• RailAdventure 103 222-6> ex Deutsche Bahn > DE
• RailAdventure 111 029-5 > ex Deutsche Bahn > DE
• RailAdventure 111 082-4 > ex Deutsche Bahn > DE
• RailAdventure 111 210-1 > ex Deutsche Bahn > DE
• RailAdventure 111 215-0 > ex Deutsche Bahn > DE
• RailAdventure 111 222-6 > ex Deutsche Bahn > DE
• RailAdventure 139 558-1 > ex Deutsche Bahn > DE (now with new front design)
• RailAdventure 4185 011 > ex Vossloh DE 18 > DE and FR
• RailAdventure 183 500 > ex mgw Service > for DE-PL-CZ-SK-HU
• RailAdventure 620 003 > ex SBB > CH
• RailAdventure 620 004 > ex SBB > CH
• and now the new UK power cars > UK

 

[thelongestroad]

A lot of corporate talk there and not much substance, what are they actually using these for?

 

[43096]

A lot of corporate talk there and not much substance, what are they actually using these for?

I think it's pretty clear if you read it? RailAdventure's core business is running test/training/delivery runs for stock - principally (but not exclusively) of new trains before acceptance by their end customer.

 

[Speed43125]

So this is essentially pitched to do ROG type ad-hoc work with buffered HSTs?

 

[Domh245]

Needs a high level light adding, or a yellow panel!

 

[507021]

I think they look absolutely superb.

 

[birchesgreen]

I really like this livery, quite different

 

[jopsuk]

it's the six ex GC (via East Midlands) power cars, plus two LNER ones for spares

 

[43096]

it's the six ex GC (via East Midlands) power cars, plus two LNER ones for spares

I'm not sure why we always have to refer to things by their former operator? Might just as well say ex-British Rail/InterCity/Virgin/GNER power cars!

And the numbers are in the article above...

 

[pdeaves]

I really like this livery, quite different

The cabs remind me of the original (1990s) Great Western Trains livery.

 

[43096]

The cabs remind me of the original (1990s) Great Western Trains livery.

Good shout! Yes, I think it's the way the grey stripe runs off the headlight clusters.

 

[32475]

A stunning livery and they look the business. I did a double take seeing buffers on a HST though. It will be fascinating seeing them in action

 

[Domh245]

I'm not sure about the contravision(?) on the bottom bit of the side window to keep the wraparound line on the windscreen neat - a more elegant look would be to have that band extend to the bottom of those side windows IMO

A stunning livery and they look the business. I did a double take seeing buffers on a HST though. It will be fascinating seeing them in action

The buffers have been fitted to those powercars since the late 80s!

 

[MacCookie]

Needs a high level light adding, or a yellow panel!

I expect that they have branded it up in the standard RailAdventure livery and will modify it with yellow front ends in due course.

Much the same livery as applied to their Re 6/6 in Switzerland
RADVE 620 003-4, Pratteln by Ewan, on Flickr

Their Br 183 didn't get grey window surrounds, but did get grey wing mirrors
RADVE 183 500, Hannover Hbf by Ewan, on Flickr

Cheers,
Ewan

 

[Domh245]

I expect that they have branded it up in the standard RailAdventure livery and will modify it with yellow front ends in due course.

I think it's more likely they'll get a high level marker light. Would leave them free to keep the standard livery, run them in Europe (From article: The high speed diesel vehicles are also available to be used as traction vehicles for test rings in Central Europe), and of course Arlington have already done something similar to the blue pullman powercars

 

[greatvoyager]

The cabs remind me of the original (1990s) Great Western Trains livery.

I was thinking the same thing, livery looks nice.

 

[MacCookie]

I think it's more likely they'll get a high level marker light. Would leave them free to keep the standard livery, run them in Europe (From article: The high speed diesel vehicles are also available to be used as traction vehicles for test rings in Central Europe), and of course Arlington have already done something similar to the blue pullman powercars

Perhaps, but if they are going to run them in Europe (other than at test tracks) they will need the appropriate train protection system(s) fitted.

Cheers,
Ewan

 

[Dunfanaghy Rd]

Also the same livery as the Br 103, 103 222-6. I saw that at Dresden Hbf in 2016, attached to DRS 88001. 1 of my pictures was printed in 'Rail Express'. Fortunately I kept that edition as a computer problem meant that I lost all my pictures from the trip.
Pat

 

[60163]

Wasn't unit drags one of ROG's intentions for their 93s?

 

[cj_1985]

I think it's more likely they'll get a high level marker light. Would leave them free to keep the standard livery, run them in Europe (From article: The high speed diesel vehicles are also available to be used as traction vehicles for test rings in Central Europe), and of course Arlington have already done something similar to the blue pullman powercars

Can't see why they couldn't have the marker light fitted at Eastleigh... the LSL Blue Pullman HST PCs had their fitted there

 

[43096]

Perhaps, but if they are going to run them in Europe (other than at test tracks) they will need the appropriate train protection system(s) fitted.

Cheers,
Ewan

But not required for use on test rings, which is the possible use quoted. RailAdventure have traction to get them to such sites already.

 

[Rail Blues]

I think they look absolutely superb.

Not a fan, the break from the white to the green looks too stark. Also 'Rail adventure' sounds like a family fun day at a preserved railway.

I wonder if they're offering faster delivery using the class 43s or is it simply because the powercars were available at a decent price?

 

[ExRes]

I'll probably be shouted down for saying this but I couldn't give a damn what colour trains are painted, there are only so many acceptable and unused colours and I reckon the maximum was reached a long time ago, if the 43s are going to be operated by RailAdventure GmbH then they'll be painted in RailAdventure livery, end of story

No company in their right mind will attempt to put traction on the NR system without meeting the lighting/warning requirements, therefore once the PR period is over they'll be given warning panels or high intensity lighting, either that or they'll sit at Eastleigh doing nothing at great cost which, I would suggest, is pretty unlikely

If the Rail Advent report is true then I can't wait for 31106 and 50008 to appear in RailAdventure livery, that really will bring a flood of 'Disgusted of Tunbridge Wells' fury

 

[hwl]

I think it's more likely they'll get a high level marker light. Would leave them free to keep the standard livery, run them in Europe (From article: The high speed diesel vehicles are also available to be used as traction vehicles for test rings in Central Europe), and of course Arlington have already done something similar to the blue pullman powercars

I'll probably be shouted down for saying this but I couldn't give a damn what colour trains are painted, there are only so many acceptable and unused colours and I reckon the maximum was reached a long time ago, if the 43s are going to be operated by RailAdventure GmbH then they'll be painted in RailAdventure livery, end of story

No company in their right mind will attempt to put traction on the NR system without meeting the lighting/warning requirements, therefore once the PR period is over they'll be given warning panels or high intensity lighting, either that or they'll sit at Eastleigh doing nothing at great cost which, I would suggest, is pretty unlikely

Something more than the plain emergency hook coupling on the front is probably down for the next list of modifications too.

This very much look like a straight forward respray for photos with the mods coming later for these first two.

I'd also be fitting a much bigger battery for engine preheat to cut down of the engine cold starts and running hour penalties if no shore supply is available.

 

[superjohn]

Something more than the plain emergency hook coupling on the front is probably down for the next list of modifications too.

The Railcolor article says
“Habfis coupling adapter cars will be imported from the continent.”
which suggests that they will be between the power cars and the units to be transported. As such having the coupling hooks on the outer ends ought to be sufficient for emergency purposes.

Assuming they operate at either end of the unit being conveyed it will be interesting to see if/how multiple working is implemented.

 

[ExRes]

Something more than the plain emergency hook coupling on the front is probably down for the next list of modifications too.

This very much look like a straight forward respray for photos with the mods coming later for these first two.

I'd also be fitting a much bigger battery for engine preheat to cut down of the engine cold starts and running hour penalties if no shore supply is available.

The Rail Advent report states that they "...will be fitted with translator technology to allow for controlling the brakes of towed multiple units" and that "Habfis coupling adapter cars will also be transferred to the UK"

 

[43096]

The Railcolor article says
“Habfis coupling adapter cars will be imported from the continent.”
which suggests that they will be between the power cars and the units to be transported. As such having the coupling hooks on the outer ends ought to be sufficient for emergency purposes.

Assuming they operate at either end of the unit being conveyed it will be interesting to see if/how multiple working is implemented.

Before they even start thinking about multi working at either end of a unit being moved there’s the issue of the coupler at the rear of the power car: it’s a fixed Alliance coupler with no buffers or drawhook.

 

[superjohn]

Before they even start thinking about multi working at either end of a unit being moved there’s the issue of the coupler at the rear of the power car: it’s a fixed Alliance coupler with no buffers or drawhook.

This may be where the Habfis coupling adapter car comes into play. One end having an HST compatible coupler and the other compatible with the unit being moved.

A quick Google reveals that a Habfis is what we would more commonly know as a Cargowaggon or ferry wagon. Basically a long box wagon with two twin axle bogies. These are often used as translator vehicle on the continent.

 

[43096]

This may be where the Habfis coupling adapter car comes into play. One end having an HST compatible coupler and the other compatible with the unit being moved.

That would make the vehicles far less useful as a delivery from the continent would need a translator van and loco swap. I think it is more likely they’ll run as back-to-back pairs. Interesting to see what happens though!

 

[pdeaves]

That would make the vehicles far less useful as a delivery from the continent would need a translator van and loco swap. I think it is more likely they’ll run as back-to-back pairs. Interesting to see what happens though!

The article describes the HST power cars as a 'double locomotive', so I take that to mean they will run as back to back pairs. There would still need to be a translator wagon between power car and stock being hauled.