GWR Cornish Night Riviera Sleeper and GWR Class 57 updates from Long Rock

[CosherB]

Getting close to the end of the franchise to be actually buying locos for long term use. Then there is 310s reliability....... (Banned from Riviera unless ab.ness.).
No news yet on release date of lounge car.

Cue the Class 67 debate once again!

 

[mushroomchow]

It surprises me that GWR hasn't toyed with retaining one or two pairs of HST power cars for use on the sleeper, not least since they're retaining 24 pairs anyway. Surely it wouldn't be a difficult job to modify them to work with them?

Bound to be more reliable than the 57s, at least - though I guess their flexibility for thunderbird duties would be limited. If that's an issue they could always pick up Grand Central's Flying Ducks when they get their bi-mode wheezers, perhaps?

 

[Mordac]

It surprises me that GWR hasn't toyed with retaining one or two pairs of HST power cars for use on the sleeper, not least since they're retaining 24 pairs anyway. Surely it wouldn't be a difficult job to modify them to work with them?

Bound to be more reliable than the 57s, at least - though I guess their flexibility for thunderbird duties would be limited.

Would require rewiring either the coaches or the power cars.

 

[co-tr-paul]

NO !!!!
Please not THAT conversation again either.
And our 57s have had just ONE fail this year.

 

[43096]

It surprises me that GWR hasn't toyed with retaining one or two pairs of HST power cars for use on the sleeper, not least since they're retaining 24 pairs anyway.

They're not. Retained fleet is 24 power cars, i.e. 12 pairs.

 

[co-tr-paul]

Stop it ! HSTGTi is nothing to do with CNR. No encouraging !!

 

[IanXC]

I wonder if they'll end up buying 310, would make better sense than hiring it endlessly? They'll need something to work with the 387s, unless they're confident enough to leave it to spot hire should anything go wrong?

Once there isn't a non electrified section in an awkward position (ie between the main area of operation and the depot) then usual practice would be to use another EMU to rescue a failure. A 387 will be perfectly capable of dragging a classmate.

 

[spark001uk]

Once there isn't a non electrified section in an awkward position (ie between the main area of operation and the depot) then usual practice would be to use another EMU to rescue a failure. A 387 will be perfectly capable of dragging a classmate.

What about in the event of a power loss / dewirement and the likes?

 

[IanXC]

What about in the event of a power loss / dewirement and the likes?

Is this anymore likely to happen on the Great Western than elsewhere?

To my knowledge no AC EMU operator has thunderbirds - think of ScotRail, London Midland, Thameslink, Northern....

 

[spark001uk]

Is this anymore likely to happen on the Great Western than elsewhere?

To my knowledge no AC EMU operator has thunderbirds - think of ScotRail, London Midland, Thameslink, Northern....

Fair point, I suppose the same could be said for the DMU fleet, can't say I've ever seen them dragged by anything other than another unit.

Anyway sorry about the drift, back OT - I see all the B coaches are refurbed now, how long will it be before we see a refurb A coach in service? Not being impatient, quite the opposite; I'm gonna be using it a few times the last week of this month hopefully, and would much rather sit in a comfy IC70 seat ! Is that still likely?
.

 

[co-tr-paul]

One A coach already at Wolverton as per previous posting. I'm hoping to do the last but one Veg Ex so hoping for a comfy seat too !!

 

[spark001uk]

One A coach already at Wolverton as per previous posting. I'm hoping to do the last but one Veg Ex so hoping for a comfy seat too !!

Yes saw that post about one going away, was just wondering if it'll stay there long enough!
I should be doing the Veg on 26/8. Hopefully I'll a bit more lucky than last time, I shuffled my holiday to include a Saturday for veg-ex, arrived in pnz off 1C99, then the driver told me the whole veg-ex turn was cancelled! Can't remember if it was a jammed parking brake on 605, or they were just short staffed. Think it was the latter. Either last summer or the one before.

 

[spark001uk]

Just out of interest where did the term "veg-ex" come from?

 

[co-tr-paul]

I actually have no idea !

 

[spark001uk]

No me neither! All I can come up with, is vegetable, ie the meat of the train (sleps) have been taken off, leaving the veg?

 

[IanXC]

I've always thought it stemmed from the term "footex" ie a special football excursion, fans of particular traction are often known as "veg" and so a "vegex" would logically be a tongue in cheek suggestion of a train laid on specially for traction fans.

Well thats my take anyway!

 

[Bungle965]

I've always thought it stemmed from the term "footex" ie a special football excursion, fans of particular traction are often known as "veg" and so a "vegex" would logically be a tongue in cheek suggestion of a train laid on specially for traction fans.

Well thats my take anyway!

Yes it has been applied to various different events such as Shopex (Northern were the last users of that, that I can remember at least)
Rugex is another.
I'm sure there are more.
Sam

 

[59CosG95]

Yes it has been applied to various different events such as Shopex (Northern were the last users of that, that I can remember at least)
Rugex is another.
I'm sure there are more.
Sam

Yep, there's plenty more; cricketex, poshex (e.g. Northern Belle, VSOE), god-ex (pilgrimage or summat similar), peak-ex (3 peaks challenge or a train hauled by Classes 44-46), the list goes on.

 

[PHILIPE]

I've always thought it stemmed from the term "footex" ie a special football excursion, fans of particular traction are often known as "veg" and so a "vegex" would logically be a tongue in cheek suggestion of a train laid on specially for traction fans.

Well thats my take anyway!

In the days of more hooliganism, a Footex was often referred to as a "Yobbex".

 

[xotGD]

Yep, there's plenty more; cricketex, poshex (e.g. Northern Belle, VSOE), god-ex (pilgrimage or summat similar), peak-ex (3 peaks challenge or a train hauled by Classes 44-46), the list goes on.

When Pope J-P II visited the UK, we used the term Popex for the specials to York.

A railtour is a Nedex, since it is full of neds.

Anything steam-hauled is a Kettlex.

A service often used by a well known individual could then be referred to suitably, e.g. if Dave always caught the 08:00 A to B then that would be known as the Davex.

I suppose if your former partner was on a train, you could call that an Exex.

 

[co-tr-paul]

May have something to do with the Broccolli from Old Bank sidings ??

 

[spark001uk]

May have something to do with the Broccolli from Old Bank sidings ??

There isn't any of those tomatoes growing down there in the four-foot too is there? Frequent fertiliser being available for them and all that!

 

[spark001uk]

Well here I am, up to Exeter then back down, then veg-ex. Look how cosy this is, be sad to see it go.

 

[Cowley]

Well here I am, up to Exeter then back down, then veg-ex. Look how cosy this is, be sad to see it go.

Very nice.

 

[spark001uk]

Just seen 43002 arrive at pnz too. Takes me back as well.
I suppose they could stick a power car either end of the sleeper stock??

OK stop throwing the vegetables at me I WAS JOKING!

 

[co-tr-paul]

Just back from travels. No toms this year, Network Rail on top of things....... !

 

[spark001uk]

Ah ok. It wasn't you who tanked up 602 for the veg-ex Saturday just gone then! After Hayle we hit the left curve and she gushed a good few gallons out the overflow!

 

[Peter Mugridge]

I am hearing that 57 310 may be diagrammed for the down Sleeper on Friday night as there is an intention of having all four 57/6s at Old Oak Common on Saturday for the open day...???

 

[PHILIPE]

I am hearing that 57 310 may be diagrammed for the down Sleeper on Friday night as there is an intention of having all four 57/6s at Old Oak Common on Saturday for the open day...???

Will 604 be back from Derby by then ?

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Will 604 be back from Derby by then ?

I thought it came back during last week? Wasn't really paying attention to the convoy reports...