GB Railfreight in 'locomotive acquisition' talks

[F2002]

Great news although I wonder if they will all be overhauled with a new power plant or run a mixed fleet?

If it’s for the long term I’d suggest overhaul them all, although some of the Fertis livery units likely just need a service.

 

[Monty]

Great news although I wonder if they will all be overhauled with a new power plant or run a mixed fleet?

If it’s for the long term I’d suggest overhaul them all, although some of the Fertis livery units likely just need a service.

I'll think you'll find that all the locomotives will need a comprehensive overhaul before turning a wheel in anger again after several years in open storage. I doubt they'll run a mixed fleet of prime movers either, just adds complications for maintenance, besides I was under the impression that GBRf wanted to re-engine them for that very reason so their fleet all had similar engines.

 

[mjn]

Apparantly the first 4 are being moved to Longport tomorrow behind a 66.

 

[ScottDarg]

Apparantly the first 4 are being moved to Longport tomorrow behind a 66.

Here's the path for those interested: http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/R01716/2018/06/21/advanced

 

[richieb1971]

Whats at Longport? Another storage siding or some facilities to overhaul them?

 

[ScottDarg]

Whats at Longport? Another storage siding or some facilities to overhaul them?

EMD has a facility at Longport.

There's been mention of a potential re-engineering project using 56s, and it's been suggested that EMD will be involved in that.

 

[47550]

Here's the path for those interested: http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/R01716/2018/06/21/advanced

Blimey that's a long way round. Surely a path can be found via Derby ?

 

[Ash Bridge]

Blimey that's a long way round. Surely a path can be found via Derby ?

Not an answer rather more of a guess but is there a crossover at Longport for access to the EMD site if approaching from the Stoke direction? If routed via Crewe & Kidsgrove it obviously removes the need to set back at Longport if indeed this is possible anyway.

 

[vlad]

Not an answer rather more of a guess but is there a crossover at Longport for access to the EMD site if approaching from the Stoke direction? If routed via Crewe & Kidsgrove it obviously removes the need to set back at Longport if indeed this is possible anyway.

There's no crossover at Longport. If coming from the south you'd need to go as far as Kidsgrove then block the track whilst changing ends. It's not really an option.

 

[Ash Bridge]

There's no crossover at Longport. If coming from the south you'd need to go as far as Kidsgrove then block the track whilst changing ends. It's not really an option.

Many thanks for clarifying.

 

[The_Train]

Could this move to Peterborough Maintenance Shed planned for Monday be the 56s on the move again?

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/H46028/2018/06/25/advanced

 

[Ash Bridge]

Could this move to Peterborough Maintenance Shed planned for Monday be the 56s on the move again?

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/H46028/2018/06/25/advanced

Although there is no mention of any trailing load, looks more like a light engine move really.

 

[The_Train]

Although there is no mention of any trailing load.

Oh yeah, still getting used to RTT and never noticed that

 

[43096]

Although there is no mention of any trailing load, looks more like a light engine move really.

Surely moving 56s is a, errrrr, light engine move?

 

[Ash Bridge]

Surely moving 56s is a, errrrr, light engine move?

Well if one at a time then obviously yes, but are any of them still capable of travelling independently under their own power over NR currently?

 

[Skymonster]

Could this move to Peterborough Maintenance Shed planned for Monday be the 56s on the move again?

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/H46028/2018/06/25/advanced

Seems rather unlikely seeing as the path does not include a stop at Leicester - and yet all the 56s are at Leicester.

 

[FOCTOC]

Indeed, its a regular booked path. Nothing to see here.

 

[The_Train]

Seems rather unlikely seeing as the path does not include a stop at Leicester - and yet all the 56s are at Leicester.

I thought this was a movement of 56s from Leicester to Longport on Thursday......

Apparantly the first 4 are being moved to Longport tomorrow behind a 66.

Here's the path for those interested: http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/R01716/2018/06/21/advanced

 

[ScottDarg]

I thought this was a movement of 56s from Leicester to Longport on Thursday......

It was, but it only got as far as Leicester South Jn before returning to Leicester L.I.P. - paperwork issues apparently.

The three 56s were removed from the consist and 66727 and 66708 went to Longport without them (708 was dropped off, presumably for repair).

 

[HSTEd]

Well if one at a time then obviously yes, but are any of them still capable of travelling independently under their own power over NR currently?

This leads to the question - if I had a half dozen locomotives coupled and all under power, is that a light engine move?

 

[The_Train]

It was, but it only got as far as Leicester South Jn before returning to Leicester L.I.P. - paperwork issues apparently.

The three 56s were removed from the consist and 66727 and 66708 went to Longport without them (708 was dropped off, presumably for repair).

Ahhhh right, I never realised that. In that case this definitely kills off my original question haha.

I assume that the move will be attempted again at some point in the future? And maybe the move I was referring to on Monday is 66708?

 

[gazthomas]

This leads to the question - if I had a half dozen locomotives coupled and all under power, is that a light engine move?

The rule book linked in an earlier posting strated that only 2 locos in a consist could be under power

 

[ScottDarg]

I assume that the move will be attempted again at some point in the future?

It'll definitely be attempted again I reckon, probably just a matter of waiting for the necessary paperwork to clear.

And maybe the move I was referring to on Monday is 66708?

Could be.

However, it's a permanent path in the working timetable (as FOCTOC pointed out) and is marked "Runs as Required", so it may not run at all.

 

[Mollman]

https://www.railmagazine.com/news/fleet/gb-railfreight-buys-more-locomotives

 

[delticdave]

My bad, getting 57s and 67s mixed up. Thrash me remorselessly!

The 57's have a V12 645, very different sound, IMVHO.

 

[delticdave]

The 66 was designed by EMD in the US and the 67 by (then) Alstom in Valencia, Spain. Probably/possibly different exhaust systems, radiator fans, traction motor blowers, engine air intake arrangements etc. as well as obviously different bodyshells.

The North American EMD F59PH/F59PHI passenger locos (using basically the same engine) sound different again - the first 4 1/2 minutes of this video is all F59s:

(the remainder of the video is all GE locos, including 'how to reverse a passenger train into the platform', Amtrak style)

Thanks for the video, brings back memories (late '90's) of the evening railfan (& family) crowd at Fullerton.

As for the F59's soundtrack, both generations have independant HEP / ETH Gensets at the rear of the loco, which add to the noise +
they don't have the oversize silencers that are fitted to our EMD's.

I've been lucky to enjoyed cab-rides in a F59PH (GO-Transit, Toronto) & the 2nd generation F59PH (AMT, Montreal) & they are quite noisy in the cab!

Since they are approx 16 ft high, the view from the 2nd-mans seat is "different", not unlike driving a very tall d/deck bus from the upper deck.

Happy days.........

 

[Photohunter71]

The "Re-engined" Grids will still flaming "Ying Ying"! Shame the Ruston/Paxman unit couldn't have been fully refurbished and brought up to a standard allowing it to be used (fully understanding emissions regulations), and a refurbished GM engine from wherever Progress rail are getting them from complies? Or was it as has been suggested, to give engine standardisation in the fleet?

 

[Highland37]

With the same investment, is the Ruston as good/reliable/valuable as the EMD?

 

[richieb1971]

If you believe what you read elsewhere the 56's currently knocking about at Colas have pretty good reliability records recently.

I spoke to a DCR 56 driver at the National railway museum a few years ago and asked the difference between 56's and 66's and his opinion was that 56's are gas guzzlers. It is well documented that 66's are reliable considering the numbers of them out there right now, which is approximate 500 units.

 

[RingingEars66]

The "Re-engined" Grids will still flaming "Ying Ying"! Shame the Ruston/Paxman unit couldn't have been fully refurbished and brought up to a standard allowing it to be used (fully understanding emissions regulations), and a refurbished GM engine from wherever Progress rail are getting them from complies? Or was it as has been suggested, to give engine standardisation in the fleet?

I think it's mainly due to standardisation. Keeps costs down if EMD can do everything. HOWEVER, I've heard that it might not be the same mover as in the 66, but a different GM engine or even a Caterpillar engine in the 56's.