The Rail Enthusiast thread

[NorthernDave]

CIE have an order with General Electric to supply their new rolling stock. The track guage is different to the UK as well.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Track_gauge_in_Europe

Seriously? couldn't they replace 156/158's (and pacers where there still are some) on longer rural services?

Probably not. 156s, 158s, and a lot more, are compatible with each other through BSI couplers and 2-wire 3-step braking control. 185 uses Scharfenberg couplers. Not aware of braking control logic, but could well be PWM, i.e. continuously variable. Not impossible to make a few changes - just rather difficult and expensive.

They are also a bit heavier, so probably attract significantly higher track access charges.

There was talk of the 185s being regauged for Ireland, but I don't know if it will come to anything.
The 185s are cleared for the Calder Valley routes as it's a diversionary route for TPX with a couple of their services going that way in the timetable to keep drivers signed on.

I don't know about interclass compatibility - surely it should be mandatory in this day and age but it's no surprise it isn't. Ironically a "new" 185 actually has less seats than the 3-car 158s they displaced from TPX, and in addition to being a bit weighty, they are also reportedly a bit thirsty too. All of which will count against them on Northerns network of stopping services, especially now they have their new trains finally arriving.

And while it won't happen now TPX have their new Novas, there was talk about forming the HSTs into shorter 5-coach trains to run their services...

 

[Andy in Germany]

Probably not. 156s, 158s, and a lot more, are compatible with each other through BSI couplers and 2-wire 3-step braking control. 185 uses Scharfenberg couplers. Not aware of braking control logic, but could well be PWM, i.e. continuously variable. Not impossible to make a few changes - just rather difficult and expensive.

Makes sense. It seems a shame though if they are not going to be used.

They are also a bit heavier, so probably attract significantly higher track access charges.

That's the flip side of German engineering I guess...

 

[classic33]

The really daft part of the new rolling stock on the Leeds to Manchester run, is that most of the track has a speed limit of 90mph. Re-laid only a few years ago, down the Calder Valley, with new signals that don't seem to recognise the new rolling stock.

Computer problem preventing them "talking" to the trains.

 

[BrumJim]

There was talk of the 185s being regauged for Ireland, but I don't know if it will come to anything.
The 185s are cleared for the Calder Valley routes as it's a diversionary route for TPX with a couple of their services going that way in the timetable to keep drivers signed on.

I don't know about interclass compatibility - surely it should be mandatory in this day and age but it's no surprise it isn't.

Modern couplers and braking systems are much better than the old ones, so backwards compatibility has its problems.

 

[classic33]

Modern couplers and braking systems are much better than the old ones, so backwards compatibility has its problems.

The newer local rolling stock has very good brakes. Either they lock on, requiring the computer controlling them to be shut down and restarted. Or, they fail to work at the correct time, which can see the leading carriage going past the platform. Bradford Interchange "can be interesting" according to some drivers.

 

[NorthernDave]

Everyone read the guff from Northern about new trains? 142 to and from Halifax today, the return one still with bus seats

New trains my ****

And they're delayed due to trespassing on the line...

 

[classic33]

Everyone read the guff from Northern about new trains? 142 to and from Halifax today, the return one still with bus seats

New trains my ****

And they're delayed due to trespassing on the line...

There's a possibility that the plastic seats that they were fitted with when they entered service may be re-fitted.

There's a small stretch before the A58, Halifax bound, which is a popular spot for getting onto the line.

 

[NorthernDave]

And, after being subjected to frankly knackered 142s to and from 'fax, the train from Leeds to CRG was a 2 car 144 that was held at Leeds for 13 minutes after its scheduled departure time to allow a late running TPX service to get in front of it.

The knock on of this is that I missed my connecting bus, the next bus (every half hour after 7pm) was also 14 mins late, combining to add the thick end of an extra hour onto the journey. And they wonder why people don't use public transport...

 

[classic33]

And, after being subjected to frankly knackered 142s to and from 'fax, the train from Leeds to CRG was a 2 car 144 that was held at Leeds for 13 minutes after its scheduled departure time to allow a late running TPX service to get in front of it.

The knock on of this is that I missed my connecting bus, the next bus (every half hour after 7pm) was also 14 mins late, combining to add the thick end of an extra hour onto the journey. And they wonder why people don't use public transport...

That's why I ended up taking the bike, it was quicker, by at least half an hour quicker over bus and train.

 

[Mike_P]

It some time since I encountered a Pacer but those with bus seats do have an advantage of greater visibility out of them. For some reason always found the 144 variety to be a touch better than the 142s, maybe just my dislike of anything Leyland National or memories of the only time I have felt travel sick on a train, a 142 on the Newquay branch. Conversely hated 143s when they were in the north east due to a weird metallic grinding noise even on straight track. Of the 144s those with a centre car are, if you travel on the centre car, the best of the mongrel breed.

 

[NorthernDave]

That's why I ended up taking the bike, it was quicker, by at least half an hour quicker over bus and train.

The thing is, traffic has been horrendous for the last few weeks. Leeds city centre is gridlocked most nights (this appears to be deliberate council policy now) and there have been multiple accidents and other issues on the motorway and main road networks.
This has meant that it's taken me over two hours to get home on a couple of occasions - which is also the absolute best time you can do the journey in on public transport if everything works and the planets align. Realistically you're looking nearer two and a half hours most of the time on public transport, against an hour or so in a car most of the time.
And that's why people won't give up their cars.

 

[Richard A Thackeray]

Took a grown-up daughter (18) to the Yorkshire Museum of Farming this afternoon, for the 'Elf Village'
We used to take her when she was 7 & 8, but, I suggested it & she said "YES!!"
So, it was a family trip out

And it shares its grounds with the Derwent Valley Light Railway...……….
http://www.murtonpark.co.uk/dvlr/

 

[Richard A Thackeray]

Took a grown-up daughter (18) to the Yorkshire Museum of Farming this afternoon, for the 'Elf Village'
We used to take her when she was 7 & 8, but, I suggested it & she said "YES!!"
So, it was a family trip out

And it shares its grounds with the Derwent Valley Light Railway...……….
http://www.murtonpark.co.uk/dvlr/

Part 2

After the Elf Village visit, visitors were directed to the Station, (not originally from there, but a transplant from Wheldrake, which was on the same line, but but further south
They were installed on the train; single carriage, for a ride to the end of the (present) line - only 1/2mile or so

We got talking to the station staff, & for £5, two visitors could have a footplate ride
So, Amelias b/f & myself went on Ruston & Hornsby 'Rowntrees #3'

http://www.dvlr.org.uk/rowntrees3.html

No signalling, but controlled by Token

The bridge carries the A64 over the trackbed

https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1356554
https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/5759910

 

[Richard A Thackeray]

Had a trip up the A1 today, to pick up a friend of daughters at the MetroCentre
Her parents brought her there, from near Bamburgh, so we met 'half-way'
En-route, I took a few photographs of some features on the old 'Great North Road'

Here, if you're interested? - 3 consecutive posts, at present

Coming back, we had a bit of time to spare, so I detoured via Darlington, & followed the brown 'Tourist signs'
Depositing the girls in McDonalds at Morton Park (eastern edge of the town), I went for a short walk to...…………..

Apologies for quality, as it was a grim day up there

From the viewing platform on top
(A66 'loop' to the left)

From the A66 layby; https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/47022
https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/5607231

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/brick-train
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tees-40356417
https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/h...lingtons-controversial-brick-train-sculpture/
http://www.hidden-teesside.co.uk/2012/03/29/brick-train-darlington/


EDIT @ 22:24
As seen from the A66
https://www.instantstreetview.com/@54.522858,-1.497754,336.04h,-5.92p,1.22z

 

[Andy in Germany]

Apologies for quality, as it was a grim day up there

I thought it was always grim up north?

The train brings back memories, I lived in Darlington for a very short time and remember visitng it. From memory there wasn't a fence then.