Cumbrian Coast Loco Hauled Stock

[47802]

I do wonder why nobody seems to have asked WCRC for assistance. Plenty of locos sitting idle at Carnforth. When was the last time one of their diesels broke down? Lend a couple to Northern and everything could be sorted?
Only this morning both 37s running late due to "an obstruction" between Barrow and Carlisle.
Northern just don't seem to have any luck on this line!

And which of WCRC motley collection of clapped out diesels would be you be intending to use on an intensive daily basis that would be any better than DRS 37's? Also part of the issue seems to be the additional cost of having 2 Loco's given that the DBSO's were modified to work with 37's, and more modern Loco's use different multiple working control system and hence cannot use the DBSO's without significant modification and cost.

 

[Olankenny]

And which of WCRC motley collection of clapped out diesels would be you be intending to use on an intensive daily basis that would be any better than DRS 37's? Also part of the issue seems to be the additional cost of having 2 Loco's given that the DBSO's were modified to work with 37's, and more modern Loco's use different multiple working control system and hence cannot use the DBSO's without significant modification and cost.

Well a large part of the problems raised previously seem to imply there aren't enough locos. WCRC stock seems fairly well maintained (excluding the rusting hulks used for spare parts). Lend one or two to DRS/Northern as a stopgap while the new trains are built over in the Czech Republic.

 

[Ash Bridge]

I do wonder why nobody seems to have asked WCRC for assistance. Plenty of locos sitting idle at Carnforth. When was the last time one of their diesels broke down? Lend a couple to Northern and everything could be sorted?
Only this morning both 37s running late due to "an obstruction" between Barrow and Carlisle.
Northern just don't seem to have any luck on this line!

Only an armchair enthusiasts opinion, but would the WCRC 37s start to succumb to similar failures as the DRS versions when employed on these duties due to the constant stop-start nature of these services I wonder? re: the fallen tree on the line, there are some on here who would even direct the blame for that on the class 37s Welcome to the forum btw

 

[Olankenny]

Only an armchair enthusiasts opinion, but would the WCRC 37s start to succumb to similar failures as the DRS versions when employed on these duties due to the constant stop-start nature of these services I wonder? re: the fallen tree on the line, there are some on here who would even direct the blame for that on the class 37s Welcome to the forum btw

Perhaps the WCRC 37s would succumb to the same issues, but surely it's better to have more available? Short of installing water towers at every other station and borrowing some steam shunters from a Heritage line (L&HR have quite a few and people are always moaning the Fairburns don't get to travel enough Pay Mr Maher a handsome fee to install equipment into his nice preserved loco) I don't quite see what other options are available to Northern/DRS. Not enough rolling stock and the solutions are causing more headaches.

 

[Ash Bridge]

Perhaps the WCRC 37s would succumb to the same issues, but surely it's better to have more available? Short of installing water towers at every other station and borrowing some steam shunters from a Heritage line (L&HR have quite a few and people are always moaning the Fairburns don't get to travel enough Pay Mr Maher a handsome fee to install equipment into his nice preserved loco) I.

I do agree with you about having extra locos available, but sadly probably extremely unlikely due to the additional costs involved.

 

[Tringonometry]

Latest rumour:

0515CARLAN diagram to be class 68 hauled Mon/Weds/Fri from next week.

 

[Maxfly]

Perhaps the WCRC 37s would succumb to the same issues, but surely it's better to have more available? Short of installing water towers at every other station and borrowing some steam shunters from a Heritage line (L&HR have quite a few and people are always moaning the Fairburns don't get to travel enough Pay Mr Maher a handsome fee to install equipment into his nice preserved loco) I don't quite see what other options are available to Northern/DRS. Not enough rolling stock and the solutions are causing more headaches.

Among other issues, no wcrc 37's have ETH which would be required to work these trains.

 

[Karl]

Latest rumour:

0515CARLAN diagram to be class 68 hauled Mon/Weds/Fri from next week.

I hope it is still timetabled to Preston. I use the the 1003 Preston to Barrow quite often.

 

[Tringonometry]

I hope it is still timetabled to Preston. I use the the 1003 Preston to Barrow quite often.

If it runs then it certainly should go right through to Preston.

 

[Karl]

If it runs then it certainly should go right through to Preston.

It was the "CARLAN" that had me worried.

 

[Tringonometry]

It was the "CARLAN" that had me worried.

Aw, crap! Stupid autocomplete put that in and I didn't notice.

 

[Bornin1980s]

68s won't happen yet. They're significantly more expensive to use and no one is prepared to foot the bill.

I don't understand. Isn't newer stuff supposed to be cheaper to run?

 

[YorkshireBear]

I don't understand. Isn't newer stuff supposed to be cheaper to run?

Cheaper to run for the FOC. But lease costs (which they don't have for the 37s i believe as they own them) are quite a bit more!

 

[Tractor37]

From the 12th March 2C32 diagram will be top n tail 68's. The following day it will be on 2C33 diagram and so forth. It will still run through to Preston but from the May timetable change the lock hauleds will only run between Barrow and Carlisle.

 

[Adam0984]

From the 12th March 2C32 diagram will be top n tail 68's. The following day it will be on 2C33 diagram and so forth. It will still run through to Preston but from the May timetable change the lock hauleds will only run between Barrow and Carlisle.

Confirmed by Northern on Facebook
https://northern-newsroom.prgloo.com/news/class-68-is-coming-to-cumbria-thanks-to-northern-and-drs

 

[themiller]

The statement from Northern states that it’s one class 68! This is repeated in all other comments. So will it be tnt or do Northern drivers get to practice running round and coupling at each end of the run?

 

[YorkshireBear]

The facebook people can sometimes be a bit off with facts. It will be one set, it will indeed still be TnT.

People complaining that itd be better to upgrade the mk2s than the coaches. Many people disagreed and said the mk2s would be fine it they could try and not break down.

 

[daikilo]

The facebook people can sometimes be a bit off with facts. It will be one set, it will indeed still be TnT.

People complaining that itd be better to upgrade the mk2s than the coaches. Many people disagreed and said the mk2s would be fine it they could try and not break down.

How do you TnT with only one loco? Currently there is a 37 at one end and a driving trailer at the other.

 

[HLE]

WCRC loco’s would probably suffer the same problems only quicker. Class 37’s are over 50 years old and despite having thousands spent on them in refurbs, they are simply knackered.

Class 68’s will still have the occasional fault but it’ll be nowhere near as bad as the 37’s have been. Even though they aren't the quickest off the mark, class 67’s would potentially be a fit if they are permitted on that route - not the best loco for the job but the service would probably be a lot more reliable than class 37’s. Any commuter would take a slightly late train over a cancelled one.

 

[Tringonometry]

The statement from Northern states that it’s one class 68! This is repeated in all other comments. So will it be tnt or do Northern drivers get to practice running round and coupling at each end of the run?

It'll be TnT and Northern drivers will be in the comfort of the coaching stock because DRS drivers will be doing the driving.

 

[themiller]

It'll be TnT and Northern drivers will be in the comfort of the coaching stock because DRS drivers will be doing the driving.

I thought that Northern's drivers would be off to Barrow to learn how to drive 158s. Is that not the plan, now?

 

[Tringonometry]

I thought that Northern's drivers would be off to Barrow to learn how to drive 158s. Is that not the plan, now?

Barrow are learning 158s. Workington will remain Kings of the Coast.

No Northern drivers are learning 68s because it's not worth the cost of training 60 drivers for a short-term solution.

 

[a_c_skinner]

for a short-term solution

Is that a bit optimistic looking at the difficulties of electrification and (Scotland) the introduction of new stock, which proves there is many a slip 'tixt cup and lip?

 

[Tringonometry]

Is that a bit optimistic looking at the difficulties of electrification and (Scotland) the introduction of new stock, which proves there is many a slip 'tixt cup and lip?

You might say that. I couldn't possibly comment.

 

[Cumberlandkev]

I see the nb 0537 from Barrow has broken down ( again) this morning.
This is the 37 hauled service that should form the 0842 Carlisle - Barrow. Looks like the 0537 has been terminated at Sellafield. Oh dear! Roll on Monday and the arrival of the 68 hauled set - local travellers will be pleased!

 

[peri]

When the 68 is in operation should it mean more time for maintenance on the 37 and better reliability?
Or will the spare 37 be whipped off somewhere else?

 

[47802]

I see the nb 0537 from Barrow has broken down ( again) this morning.
This is the 37 hauled service that should form the 0842 Carlisle - Barrow. Looks like the 0537 has been terminated at Sellafield. Oh dear! Roll on Monday and the arrival of the 68 hauled set - local travellers will be pleased!

Wont it be roll on Tuesdays and Thursdays for that particular service

With my enthusiast hat on I will be extremely sad to see them go, but with my customer hat on its long overdue

 

[Tringonometry]

I see the nb 0537 from Barrow has broken down ( again) this morning.
This is the 37 hauled service that should form the 0842 Carlisle - Barrow. Looks like the 0537 has been terminated at Sellafield. Oh dear! Roll on Monday and the arrival of the 68 hauled set - local travellers will be pleased!

37423. First time I've seen that one in ages.

Issues creating brake pipe air.

 

[route101]

Seen a 37 set leaving Carlisle earlier . Perhaps my last time , glad i got to ride on them a few times.

 

[Grannyjoans]

Top & Tail is going to be extremely expensive. Having to hire two 68's instead of one 37. Hiring a DRS Driver to drive the 68 but they will still have to pay the Northern driver as well. This is going to be a very expensive service. I think if they're going to hire two 68's they can put them to much better use elsewhere than the Cumbrian Coast.