Saphos 2024

HSTS are not fitted with sanding equipment and have less adhesive weight.

 

Please explain your thinking. The gearing affects the available TE, but that is evidently perfectly adequate on a dry rail. On a slippery rail, the normally available TE ceases to be available if the wheels slip, and when that happens depends on the adhesive weight.

 

But still more adhesive weight in relation to the total train weight than with a typical train with a loco at one end only.

 

You have introduced TE; I've not mentioned it. The gearing (mechanical and electrical) is designed to optimise performance at high speed. That is, like so many things on the railways, a design compromise. Part of the compromise is that the performance of the HST at low speeds is comparatively poor in relation to other trains of similar configuration. Another, related, aspect of this is the difficulty in maintaining adhesion in adverse conditions on steep, and/or twisty lines, as seen in examples like last weekend or my 1990 trip over Copy Pit.

A lower geared locomotive (given the WHR is in question, let's say a class 27) is better able to apply it's available power in those conditions so, despite being markedly less powerful, may perform better in the specific conditions.

 

A loco at one end only? Ah, those were the days . <BJ>

 

Yes, a proper railway train!

 

The WCRC train would have been the heavier of the two trains, but had the advantage of sanding, lower gearing(?) and almost twice as many driving wheels as the HST. All these factors must have combined to allow it to climb away where the HST had failed

 

After the issue last weekend, I notice from Facebook that for this weekend's tour LSL sent the Class 40 up as a support loco to tail the HST. A sensible move I think.

 

Interesting, but could it couple up to the HST if it needed to?

 

Locos have always been able to attach to HSTs using an emergency coupling - the 40s will be no different to any other class in that respect. I'm not sure how good those emergency couplings are for banking, though - while the more noteworthy part of the whole move is seeing a 1-C0-Co-1 on the WHL.

 

On a line with RETB (which I assume still applies to the West Highland), if a train gets stuck and needs a banker, is there an easy procedure for allowing the banker into the single-line section?

 

It was 37521 that was sent to Fort William, not the 40. Not that it seemed to make a great deal of difference - the HST lost 56 minutes before even getting to Monessie Gorge!

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U30874/2024-11-03/detailed

 

Another reason to get some Buffers on it.

 

Saturday 16th, White Rose - 60007 from Peterborough. Note the return is diesel hauled York to Gascgoine Wood, before reversal.

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U32069/2024-11-16/detailed

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U32074/2024-11-16/detailed


Wednesday 20th, White Rose. Steam is booked to do this from Crewe. Again diesel hauled York to Gas Wood, before reversal.

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U35132/2024-11-20/detailed

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U35137/2024-11-20/detailed

 

Is there any indication which loco may work the White Rose on Wednesday 20th please?

 

Saturday 23rd White Rose, steam on rear from Preston to Warrington BQ then forward to York
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U35547/2024-11-23/detailed

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U35551/2024-11-23/detailed

 

I believe the B1, 61306

 

Yes B1 Wednesday, A4 this Saturday coming. Would assume the B1 the following Saturday too.

As far as I understand 46100 has one final trip pencilled in before withdrawal, with 70000 handling much of the Southall work this Xmas.

 

shame 60532 Blue Peter can’t do one