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GWML Thunderbirds

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chrisdmadd

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Where are rescue locos based on the Paddington to Oxford stretch?

Is there any near Slough or Reading?

Cheers guys
 
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Boothby97

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Don't think there are any, the 4x57s are used for the sleeper. But someone may have to back me up, not ventured onto the GWML,yet....
Hope this helps, Sam
 

chrisdmadd

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Don't think there are any, the 4x57s are used for the sleeper. But someone may have to back me up, not ventured onto the GWML,yet....
Hope this helps, Sam

Well now you say it you may be correct ive seen a video on youtube of a fully laden 66 towing a FGW HST.

Youd expect them to have some sort of a backup plan though as there are hundreds of FGW HSTs on that route
 

Rich McLean

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Old Oak Common would be where 2 of the 57's are, with the other 2 down at Laira or Penzance, but this would depend on availability.
 

LE Greys

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Only the ECML and WCML have rescue locos strategically stabled, all other lines just rely on whatever is around.

It makes operational sense to do it that way. Both lines relied on electric trains hauled by a single loco when this started, one still does. The other now has EMUs with couplings incompatible with freight locos. HSTs have the useful ability to be able to get to their destination (or at least the next station) on one power car if the other fails, so they can usually rescue themselves.
 

TEW

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Old Oak Common would be where 2 of the 57's are, with the other 2 down at Laira or Penzance, but this would depend on availability.

3 at Old Oak Common in the day, 1 at Penzance Long Rock. They only go to Laira if they require heavy maintenance or repairs. As people have said above, rescue locos are just what's around. Class 59s have rescued trains a couple of times as well.
 

Tiny Tim

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Apart from problems with incompatible couplings, TOCs probably don't want the expense of spare locos. Making do with whatever's available seems to be generally standard procedure.
 
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3 at Old Oak Common in the day, 1 at Penzance Long Rock. They only go to Laira if they require heavy maintenance or repairs. As people have said above, rescue locos are just what's around. Class 59s have rescued trains a couple of times as well.

They don't go to Laira any more, all heavy maintenance is done at Old Oak Common. (With the exception of 57604 having a wheelset fitted in Laira a couple of months back due to bearing failure and it was near to Laira)

A lot of time the spare 57 is sent from OOC although i imagine that if a set is blocking the mainline then they will use whatever's near to clear the track.
 
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