Class 373 Eurostar withdrawals

[AnonymousUser1]

A quick flick through but can't see where this has been pointed out - the 373s are too heavy for key bridges, hence their limitations on the ECML. This is why they were kept to the Leeds route in the end.

Best
D

the summary is

class 373
too heavy, too long, struggle to run effectively at 125 never mind higher speeds on classic lines ( where HSTs and 91+mk4 run at 125 in daily service and can go faster with special permission and at the cost of overall line capacity) ... power hungry

HST good RA - very nearly go anywhere especially short link suspended sets , runs happily at 125 on classic lines where limits allow , doesn;t tax infrastructure greatly

 

[flash]

the summary is

class 373
too heavy, too long, struggle to run effectively at 125 never mind higher speeds on classic lines ( where HSTs and 91+mk4 run at 125 in daily service and can go faster with special permission and at the cost of overall line capacity) ... power hungry

HST good RA - very nearly go anywhere especially short link suspended sets , runs happily at 125 on classic lines where limits allow , doesn;t tax infrastructure greatly

If I recall correctly class 373 were limited to one pantograph on the ECML, were too long, I agree, but were certainly lighter than anything else on that line bar units... (axle load 17t). Certainly power hungry 16000hp with 2 power cars -1 power car half that. Given that it was geared for 186mph no doubt it was a bit sluggish with only 1 out of 2 power cars working. Wrong train for the poor infrastructure on the ECML is more the likely reasoning

 

[Suraggu]

The Class 373's on the ECML were a nightmare. So many restrictions such as single pan working for a far chunk of the route between KGX -LDS/YRK, Coaches locked out for certain stations plus the limited top speed on many sections = never again.

 

[Harbornite]

I'm so sorry to expressed my opinion on this topic, based on ignorant layman's non-industry understanding, plus a bit of insider advice. I have clearly wound up a number of people for reasons best known to themselves so shall now bow out of this conversation for good.

It doesn't take an industry insider to know that 125mph still counts as high speed on the railways.

 

[SpacePhoenix]

Would two of them on the ECML have tripped the power supply if they'd ever tried to both run at the same time in the same electrical section?

 

[D365]

Would two of them on the ECML have tripped the power supply if they'd ever tried to both run at the same time in the same electrical section?

Running just one of them tripped the supply - they were effectively barred from Kings Cross at peak hours.

 

[gimmea50anyday]

If GNER had such a disasterous faff on running a single eurostar set how would the network have coped with the NOL's in the proposed every day service?

(Thats the eurostar NOL sets, not the former SR 2-NOL units....)

 

[jopsuk]

Presumably it would have required substantial remedial infrastructure work.

 

[59CosG95]

I recall something about Virgin's early 2000s bid for the ICEC franchise involving construction of a "VGV" bypass for some of the more constrained sections of the ECML-the NOLs would have been more suited to that I think, had it ever come about.

 

[swt_passenger]

Would two of them on the ECML have tripped the power supply if they'd ever tried to both run at the same time in the same electrical section?

There's a page or so of restrictions for 373s in the publicly available version of the online LNE sectional appendix. The wording of the power supply restriction is:

"(g) The total number of Class 373/2 trains operating under their own power between Mitre Bridge, Kings Cross, York and Leeds is limited to four."

So that looks like it is OK for four to be in use, it doesn't go into any further detail. There is also no mention of having to run on half power, or with only one pan up. The next section however covers restrictions on pantographs for double headed freight trains, maybe that has been read across to 373s accidentally?

Here's the link if anyone wants to read the LNE route Class 373 restrictions, they appear to date from Dec 2006, and can be found on page 27 and 28 of the introduction:

http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse...x/london north eastern sectional appendix.pdf

 

[gsnedders]

Presumably it would have required substantial remedial infrastructure work.

Or just reliant on the the level of traffic not increasing as it did from the date of order of the sets.

 

[59CosG95]

Any news on when the first set's due to head north for the chop? Or has the paperwork still not been sorted yet?

 

[sd0733]

LOoks to be a 23:40 st pancras to kingsbury on real time trains for tonight so maybe it's going this time. Looks like its formed off a 9s75 from temple mills and there's also a loco from Peterborough timed in again.

 

[59CosG95]

LOoks to be a 23:40 st pancras to kingsbury on real time trains for tonight so maybe it's going this time. Looks like its formed off a 9s75 from temple mills and there's also a loco from Peterborough timed in again.

ooo, thanks for that! Do you know which set's alloxed?

 

[sd0733]

ooo, thanks for that! Do you know which set's alloxed?

Not sure sorry but would presume it's still same as last time with 3005/3006 being the ones to go. That's not a fact though just a presumption!

 

[rebmcr]

Make sure to get pictures, if anyone is there!

 

[Harbornite]

Thanks for the head's up. Had this ran on the original path, there would have been enough light to make a picture at Tamworth feasible.

 

[59CosG95]

Make sure to get pictures, if anyone is there!

I'll see if I can nab it at Tamworth!

 

[tellytype]

Wouldn't mind being kept abreast of such moves - especially daytime ones - wouldn't mind grabbing some footage

 

[sd0733]

The loco for this has just passed Palmers Green heading down the ECML so looks like its running this time.

 

[Harbornite]

Set is at St Pancras, due to leave soon.

 

[34D]

It would appear 6x73 is about to run http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/R02809/2016/10/26/advanced

 

[Harbornite]

It would appear 6x73 is about to run http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/R02809/2016/10/26/advanced

Indeed, 32 late at Finsbury Park. I'm gonna photograph it at Tamworth, though I'm not looking forward to getting up at half 5.

Hopefully I can a fairly decent picture.

 

[BestWestern]

Is no part of any set (3001 would seem logical) earmarked for the NRM? Just a power car and one coach or something?

 

[Bigfoot]

Is no part of any set (3001 would seem logical) earmarked for the NRM? Just a power car and one coach or something?

Nrm already have a power car...

 

[superalbs]

It would appear 6x73 is about to run http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/R02809/2016/10/26/advanced

The capitalisation on that made me think the train was going to be hauled by six Class 73s!

 

[jamieP]

Out of TMI seems feasible, as the barrier coaches need to be attached.

No barrier coaches needed.

 

[59CosG95]

No barrier coaches needed.

Indeed, there were certainly no coaches when I saw it at Tamworth this morning.

 

[Techniquest]

Just starting to follow this thread, the sight of 373s going for scrap saddens me but understand it has to be happen. Just means I need to move a final trip on a 373 up my priority list...

They must make quite a sight at Tamworth mind!

 

[D365]

Just means I need to move a final trip on a 373 up my priority list...

What do you mean? Eurostar are still keeping eight of them in service.

They must make quite a sight at Tamworth mind!

I thought that the intention was to dispose of them discretely...