Class 395 to Railfest - 6Z30

60015 hauled 395019 down the ECML to Railfest (due Doncaster 16:09 - 16:39 then ML to York). Is this a first visit of the class to the ECML?

60015 hauls 395019 down ECML to York Railfest - 6Z30 - YouTube

John

 

Also got this at

Class 60 no. 60015 taking Class 395 no. 395019 to Railfest 2012 passing Kensington Olympia

Class 60 no. 60015 taking Class 395 no. 395019 to Railfest 2012 passing Kensington Olympia - YouTube

Mark

 

Thanks for the videos, Mark & John. That is one heck of a lot of wagons to provide brake force - or was the Javelin tagged on to the back of an existing working?

Richard

 

Someone on WNXX has answered my question:

Richard

 

OK - I'm just a simple steam bloke - so why couldn't the Javelin get there on its own, assuming you can get across from St Pancras to the ECML on the juice (or if not then drag it across)?

 

Probably no safety case for it on the ECML and no one passed on 395' who sign the ECML.

 

Ok, I'd have thought a pilotman was a cheaper option then hauling that lot around, but if they're not passed for the ECML then I guess that's game over.

 

It probably can't handle that Yorkshire electricity - it's hard stuff, you know. Them soft southern "Javelins" just can't handle it, tha' noz.

Richard

 

I also heard that the pantograph springing was "firmer" due to the higher speed normally acheived and this would not be compatible anyway.

John

 

That's also because the masts are closer together on HS1 than they are on ECML, so they can take the strain from a "stronger" pantograph. The joys of BR trying to save money on installing masts, meaning the wires now flop around if a sparrow farts nearby.

 

The ECML Cheapo Knitting is always the first to fall down if a stiff breeze gets up and decides it want a class 91 pantograph as a present, hopefully in all the recent WCML work, they used the original sturdy 60's cantenary as a blueprint.