Network Rail New Measurement Train (HST) out of service until 2020?

[jaketaylor]

Hi all! Not sure if this post belongs in here! I’ve just been told something about the network rail hst being out of service until January 2020? Is this true? If so what are the reasons?

 

[Elecman]

Due a maintenance exam?

 

[AnthonyRail]

Oh what’s replacing it. 37s.

 

[MELVYN]

67s They have been in Devon this week.

 

[anthony kelly]

Suppose to be a pair of class 67s

 

[Boodiggy]

Due a maintenance exam?

Correct - it has various planned maintenance and this is one of the bigger exams including all systems calibration etc etc.

 

[Aictos]

Are the 67s running around at 125mph or a lower speed?

 

[jaketaylor]

Ah ok thanks all for the information! I just wasn’t sure as why it was going to be out of service until January! Ive also seen class 37s will be doing some of the test trains as well as 057+219 covered it’s weekly run to heaton

 

[jopsuk]

it's a bit weird processing that "until 2020" actually means "for a couple of months".

 

[Class 170101]

I'm surprised that they do the exam now. Thought it would be in the summer when alternative traction wouldn't be covering RHTT traims.

 

[Townsend Hook]

The NMT is undergoing a C4 exam plus modification and replacement of some of the recording equipment. It is due to commence test running w/c Monday 16th December, with it resuming operational shifts from Saturday 21st if all goes to plan. NMT shifts are currently being covered primarily by the Colas 67s with certain shifts being covered by Colas 37s as required for scheduling reasons, or due to class 67 route availability. As an aside, one NMT shift has recently run with DRS 37s (059 and 716) on hire to Colas.

Are the 67s running around at 125mph or a lower speed?

The NMT is being covered by the PLPR1 and PLPR2 loco-hauled test trains, which are limited to 100mph.

 

[Bezza49]

Any chance of Network Rail snapping a couple of extra redundant HST's from the growing pool of stored examples? They could make two NMT's and cover the network twice as quick

(I am aware its not that simple!)

 

[Aictos]

The NMT is undergoing a C4 exam plus modification and replacement of some of the recording equipment. It is due to commence test running w/c Monday 16th December, with it resuming operational shifts from Saturday 21st if all goes to plan. NMT shifts are currently being covered primarily by the Colas 67s with certain shifts being covered by Colas 37s as required for scheduling reasons, or due to class 67 route availability. As an aside, one NMT shift has recently run with DRS 37s (059 and 716) on hire to Colas.



The NMT is being covered by the PLPR1 and PLPR2 loco-hauled test trains, which are limited to 100mph.

What are PLPR1 and PLPR2?

 

[Nick Ashwell]

What are PLPR1 and PLPR2?

Plain Line Pattern Recognition vehicle

http://www.departmentals.com/departmental/72631

 

[Aictos]

Plain Line Pattern Recognition vehicle

http://www.departmentals.com/departmental/72631

Thank you for explaining

 

[Townsend Hook]

What are PLPR1 and PLPR2?

The PLPR1 and PLPR2 formations are two of the five track recording formations (PLPR1-4 and NMT) used as part of a four-weekly pattern of track recording runs around the country. PLPR (Plain Line Pattern Recognition) is a visual system used to replace manual track patrolling. PLPR1 and 2 each incorporate one of the Mk2 PLPR recording vehicles (PLPR1 72631 and PLPR2 5981), a radio survey vehicle for monitoring the GSM-R network, an overhead line inspection vehicle (although 975091 MENTOR is currently missing from the PLPR1 formation for a couple of months while it's own recording equipment is upgraded), plus a brake runner.

 

[Townsend Hook]

Any chance of Network Rail snapping a couple of extra redundant HST's from the growing pool of stored examples? They could make two NMT's and cover the network twice as quick

(I am aware its not that simple!)

Acquiring more class 43 power cars to work with the Mk1/Mk2-based PLPR sets wouldn't be the stupidest idea in the world. Significantly more modern and powerful than the 37s, and with more route availability than the 67s.

 

[Tempest3K]

Any chance of Network Rail snapping a couple of extra redundant HST's from the growing pool of stored examples? They could make two NMT's and cover the network twice as quick

(I am aware its not that simple!)

I suspect the answer to that lies with D(a)fT and if they are willing to loosen the purse strings a little....

 

[43096]

I suspect the answer to that lies with D(a)fT and if they are willing to loosen the purse strings a little....

Ummmmmm. Why?

If NR can make a business case for it, then they can go ahead with it. I’m not aware that DfT control NR as tightly as the TOCs.

 

[Hairy Bear]

Acquiring more class 43 power cars to work with the Mk1/Mk2-based PLPR sets wouldn't be the stupidest idea in the world. Significantly more modern and powerful than the 37s, and with more route availability than the 67s.

Which is why they have been sniffing around our ex Grand Central ones.

 

[Tempest3K]

Ummmmmm. Why?

If NR can make a business case for it, then they can go ahead with it. I’m not aware that DfT control NR as tightly as the TOCs.

I'd expect something like creation of another NMT to be a special bid for funds rather than coming out of general funding due to its specialist nature - happy to be corrected if someone knows differently

 

[Class 170101]

The PLPR1 and PLPR2 formations are two of the five track recording formations (PLPR1-4 and NMT) used as part of a four-weekly pattern of track recording runs around the country. PLPR (Plain Line Pattern Recognition) is a visual system used to replace manual track patrolling. PLPR1 and 2 each incorporate one of the Mk2 PLPR recording vehicles (PLPR1 72631 and PLPR2 5981), a radio survey vehicle for monitoring the GSM-R network, an overhead line inspection vehicle (although 975091 MENTOR is currently missing from the PLPR1 formation for a couple of months while it's own recording equipment is upgraded), plus a brake runner.

If NR can make a business case for it, then they can go ahead with it. I’m not aware that DfT control NR as tightly as the TOCs.

In light of the recent incidents at Margam and elsewhere I'm surprised that working red zone is still allowed (I believe Scotland zone is banned) and that the idea of manned track patrolling seems decidedly old fashioned these days if the same job can be done 'electronically'.

Which is why they have been sniffing around our ex Grand Central ones.

A good sign maybe but presumably more Mark IIIs (or even Mark IVs) will need to be acquired to increase the amount of coverage done.

 

[GWHST107]

43013 and 014 were both in service yesterday on a Reading to Derby service but RTT shows the service stopped at Bristol Parkway and did not continue from there. Would anyone know whether the NMT is still there or if RTT had an error?

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/C28376/2020-02-07/detailed

 

[D365]

Which is why they have been sniffing around our ex Grand Central ones.

Is there a reason for favouring the use of buffered 43s?

 

[duffield]

43013 and 014 were both in service yesterday on a Reading to Derby service but RTT shows the service stopped at Bristol Parkway and did not continue from there. Would anyone know whether the NMT is still there or if RTT had an error?

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/C28376/2020-02-07/detailed

It was a data feed issue, as per this thread:
https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/what-happend-with-the-flying-bannana-today.199969/

 

[The_Train]

43013 and 014 were both in service yesterday on a Reading to Derby service but RTT shows the service stopped at Bristol Parkway and did not continue from there. Would anyone know whether the NMT is still there or if RTT had an error?

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/C28376/2020-02-07/detailed

I've seen a TOPS list at 1400 today and both 43013 and 43014 are showing as at Derby RTC. So either TOPS hasn't been updated or they stopped reporting on RTT yesterday for whatever reason but did make it home

 

[Doomotron]

Are they getting PRM modifications?

 

[Rikki Lamb]

Is there a reason for favouring the use of buffered 43s?

Simplification of coupling if there is a fault and the train requires rowing I suspect

 

[43096]

Is there a reason for favouring the use of buffered 43s?

Assuming you mean the current set, I'm not aware that they are favoured. Normally the power cars will stay on the set until they need to be swapped off for maintenance reasons.

 

[D365]

Assuming you mean the current set, I'm not aware that they are favoured. Normally the power cars will stay on the set until they need to be swapped off for maintenance reasons.

I was referring to the buffered ex-GC power cars that are currently with EMR. The question being why Network Rail would favour them, rather than ex-LNER power cars, if they needed to bolster their stock of yellow Class 43s.