Varamis Rail Given Operators Licence from ORR

[Class 170101]

Notably, Varamis are not proposing to ru services in those areas…

There have been a lot of announcements of Varamis acquiring new units recently - how many do they have now?

Also, what are there routes at this point? obviously there is:
- Mossend/Glasgow - Birmingham International
- London Liverpool Street - ???
- Birmingham International - Willesden PRDC
- Any others?

Well they might be going to Norfolk actually (see link to map below)

https://twitter.com/Clinnick1/status/1767888736019235285/photo/1

Photo link above shows services Kings Cross / Liverpool Street to Kings Lynn and Liverpool Street to Norwich.

 

[Phillipimo]

On 13th March 2024, Varamis Rail held a showcase event at London Liverpool Street station. Converted units 321428 & 321429 were on display, along with a number of "green" vehicles for forwarding goods and parcels from the train to their destination.

Speeches were made by Phil Read (Varamis Rail), Lord Hendy (Network Rail), Scott Wilding (Transport for London) and Steve Evans (XeroE).

 

[D365]

In most circumstances, however, if the OLE is out of volts you need something to rescue you. Provided Varamis is successful and builds trust then maybe new build units with a "get you home" powerpack under one car might be a solution. They have certainly helped LNER out of some holes with class 801s. I recall an OLE incident at Wakefield Westgate where the 801 had to continue to Leeds using it's single GU. It didn't lose any time either.

Are ’Thunderbird’ locomotives with Tightlock coupling adaptors available on the WCML?

 

[pokemonsuper9]

Are ’Thunderbird’ locomotives with Tightlock coupling adaptors available on the WCML?

This post made me try to research what loco is called a Thunderbird, turns out that seems to be a nickname for any rescue train.
With LSL at Crewe I'd expect something can probably be found in an emergency.

 

[james_the_xv]

With LSL at Crewe I'd expect something can probably be found in an emergency.

Are ’Thunderbird’ locomotives with Tightlock coupling adaptors available on the WCML?

LSL would be under no obligation to provide a loco / crew for thunderbirding duties.

If a unit failed and could not be rectified by the driver/fitter then it could cause many issues depending on location. Would probably be worth Varamis paying for a Tightlock/Dellner barrier wagon to be stabled at Rugby & Preston/Carlisle, or even LSL to keep a compatible loco on standby. Will it happen? No, and Varamis will suffer the consequences when a train fails (for example) up shap and causes chaos.

 

[Brissle Girl]

Varamis has reported on X that the 7th 321 (440) has entered its fleet. (Link to X post that reports this, along with a picture of it at Northampton.)

https://twitter.com/RailVaramis/status/1771217604788564476

 

[357]

LSL would be under no obligation to provide a loco / crew for thunderbirding duties.

If a unit failed and could not be rectified by the driver/fitter then it could cause many issues depending on location. Would probably be worth Varamis paying for a Tightlock/Dellner barrier wagon to be stabled at Rugby & Preston/Carlisle, or even LSL to keep a compatible loco on standby. Will it happen? No, and Varamis will suffer the consequences when a train fails (for example) up shap and causes chaos.

I drive trains that run on routes with nothing nearby than can rescue us without an adapter. As a result, we have an adapter on all of our trains.

Problem solved.

Also worth noting that when operating a 321 in multiple one unit can in effect rescue the other.

 

[Wyrleybart]

Are ’Thunderbird’ locomotives with Tightlock coupling adaptors available on the WCML?

ROG have supplied class 37s to "sweep up" failed and dewired class 323s on the Birmingham cross city route, which are tightlock fitted. So the answer is sort of yes.

 

[Class 170101]

Also worth noting that when operating a 321 in multiple one unit can in effect rescue the other.

In theory though not always the case

 

[172007]

Varamis has reported on X that the 7th 321 (440) has entered its fleet. (Link to X post that reports this, along with a picture of it at Northampton.)

https://twitter.com/RailVaramis/status/1771217604788564476

They now have 8 as per their X Feed. 321 339.

 

[Carlisle]

I drive trains that run on routes with nothing nearby than can rescue us without an adapter. As a result, we have an adapter on all of our trains.

Problem solved.

Also worth noting that when operating a 321 in multiple one unit can in effect rescue the other.

Voyagers always had those adapters behind the cab but how often were they actually used ? They always seemed to find another Voyager if rescue was needed.

 

[357]

Voyagers always had those adapters behind the cab but how often were they actually used ? They always seemed to find another Voyager if rescue was needed.

Who said I drive Voyagers?

I've known them used on both stocks I sign during loco rescue.