Peak Rail Annual Report and Action Group

Can you not get a Derbyshire Wayfarer ticket with a student discount at all. Here's a link: https://www.derbyshire.gov.uk/trans...the-derbyshire-wayfarer-day-rover-ticket.aspx

Annnnd....just to try and keep semi on topic. I saw this headline on my twitter feed: "Peak District freight sidings get £18m Network Rail boost", which peaked my interest. It was kinda semi-relevant: http://www.railtechnologymagazine.c...ct-freight-sidings-get-18m-network-rail-boost

 

Thanks, but no student discount, add on the bus fare in to the city centre and it's all too much. Never mind, I've got alternatives.

 

Which is what we knew was going to happen anyway. There's still capacity around Buxton and along the Hope Valley for a good few years yet. Opening up a long, slow line for southern facing trains only is a real 50/50 on whether it'd be of any benefit to the quarries (mostly because it shifts the long, slow trains from one busy junction to another).

 

Interesting, what's going to haul these longer trains, word is 66s are at their limit.
Dave

 

Well, I would say an 8F. However if they are coming down through Bakewell on a rebuilt line, then I think they'll just let them go and ride them like slate trains in Wales.

You know, I think it might be time for my pill....

 

Interesting that over my way the Biomass train from Liverpool to Drax is regularly causing delays on the Calder Valley route as the 66s at max load are losing time. Using 60s has been suggested but they have a lower top speed.
Dave

 

Class 70's have higher output, perhaps we'll see more of them coming to blighty?

Another alternative would be to start double heading, I suppose.

 

Unlikely given that Freightliner are warm storing a number of them.


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Double heading was what developed last time the train weights got beyond the capacities of the locos - happy memories of double and triple headed tractors storming out of Buxton.

Isn't there going to be a physical limit on T.E. achievable by a single co-co diesel loco, so unless the loco weights get significantly heavier, 66s run in multiple sound like the option of choice.

 

Well, yes, but they don't have the haulage contract for Peak Forest etc as far as I know. Shunting is handled by DRS, and haulage was DB Schenker and GBRF, I believe.

 

A couple of minor corrections if I may..................

Unlikely given that Freightliner are warm storing a number of them.

• All the class 70's are planned to be in store after this weekend - what a waste!!

Shunting is handled by DRS, and haulage was DB Schenker and GBRF, I believe.

• Victa Rail have the contract for shunting at Peak Forest & they are hiring in a DRS 37 & a Colas 56 at the moment.

 

The annoying thing is that a few weeks ago I missed a chance to photograph a double-headed 70: I imagine one was being towed for storage. I am astonished at this - anybody know why they're doing this?

 

Reported elsewhere as a combination of traffic and hire terms.


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Flicking about the tinterwebs, it seems to be a combo of slower railfreight needs and cost of spare parts. GE tends to sell you the base unit absolutely dirty cheap, then makes you pay on service and spares. There's simply not enough long container trains the 70s are used on kicking about at the moment that Freightliner has the contracts for.

 

Don't worry, there will be no reopening of the Peak line, Peak rail don't want it, can't handle and can't afford it. All this talk of reopening is just an exercise to exite the shareholders and get them to rally round the flag and support the PR board in their hour of need.

 

Going off the core subject of this thread, why do you think that GBRf have taken over the 10 Colas 60's? GBRf tried a Colas 70 a few months ago, but have opted for "old" traction with a quantity of 56's which will accelerate quicker on sub 2000 tonne loads than a "shed" - providing everything is fastened down in the cab!!!! The first 60 is to be tried out on the northeast Biomass circuit, then the Liverpool Biomass trains. Now that GBRf have moved into the heavy haul aggregates and petroleum markets they need +100,000 lb tractive effort kit for the jobs.

Having done some research into the corporate set up of Peak Rail, the current Board are "Teflon" coated, so the only option is a "hearts and minds" winning over of shareholders to get enough votes in the room of the next AGM, no doubt, on a weekday with the next room user waiting outside!!!!!

 

A little insight from my local user group STORM today re the Liverpool biomass trains:

"I have been told that in order to run at a profit the biomass have to run at
25 wagons with one engine, and even then the profit is marginal. On
observation the biomass trains pass Castleton South Junction at between 20
and 25 mph, which when the trains were introduced was acceptable. With the
enhanced Northern service whilst the timetable says these trains can still
run the reality seems to be that a biomass only needs to be a few minutes
late or loose a few minutes after passing Thorpes Bridge and the passenger
trains start backing up behind them."

Dave

 

Perhaps, along with the Thameslink timetable misfortunes, it's time to do some manual checks when a freight train is set to run with close headways in front and also behind passenger trains. You only have to look at the problems last autumn on the S & C when the trees dropped their leaves early, when a Gypsum train following a stopping passenger train stalled and was rescued on one occasion by a Rail Head Treatment Train.....

 

As there have been no postings for a month can I assume that this thread has hit the buffers at the terminus or just run out of steam?

 

Once the Peak Railway Association AGM notices start landing on doormats in a few months, this thread may well get some movement, just a case of "cleaning the fire" not hitting the buffers! No doubt someone somewhere is giving thought as to what's next. Has anyone heard any BIG announcements about the grand Peak line rebuild lately or are you getting cynical such as myself, now the smoke has cleared???? Thinking about it, haven't had a PRA magazine since May..........