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Locomotive Services Fleet (LSL) updates

fgwrich

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Some talk elsewhere that this is destined for Margate. It always seemed to be the plan in the past that the LSL HST would be powered by MTUs. Using VP185s would have some advantages, but would make the powercars very much loaners once the EMR fleet is retired.
Plan according to who? There were some mighty big assumptions by enthusiasts, but there was never any statement from LSL as to which configuration of vehicles they were taking.

Not only that, but if LSL / 1:1 Wanted something for Margate, surely they would have taken the dead 075 than a runner?

Speaking of, 083 has been seen coupled up and presumably providing some ETS to at least one of the Eastleigh based TF's today.
 
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matt

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Not only that, but if LSL / 1:1 Wanted something for Margate, surely they would have taken the dead 075 than a runner?

Speaking of, 083 has been seen coupled up and presumably providing some ETS to at least one of the Eastleigh based TF's today.

I saw a photo on one of the Facebook groups of 43083 being started up. I'd be surprised if a working power car was sent to Margate. Most locos that have gone so far are non-runners.
 

43096

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Not only that, but if LSL / 1:1 Wanted something for Margate, surely they would have taken the dead 075 than a runner?

Speaking of, 083 has been seen coupled up and presumably providing some ETS to at least one of the Eastleigh based TF's today.
They'd be stark raving mad to put 83 into a museum. It got a set of overhauled bogies in January!
 

sprinterguy

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I hope LSL get several other HST’s from possibly FGW or LNER but if they’re any good.

glad they got 046 and 055.
I would think that two power cars in use and a maintenance spare would be sufficient - They also have 43083 already at Eastleigh as noted in previous posts. LSL seem to be amassing quite a large fleet of locos and stock and there's only so much railtour work to go around.
 

Skymonster

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I hope LSL get several other HST’s from possibly FGW or LNER but if they’re any good.
If LSL needed any more HST power cars, I think it would be bizarre decision to go for ex-FGW or ex-LNER. Now it has three, it seems that LSL has decided to hang its hat on VP185s, and subsequently adding MTU power cars to a small fleet would ramp up maintenance complexity and spares holdings considerably.

Aren't MTUs more demanding in terms of needing pre-heating, etc when cold? Maybe VP185s are seen as more flexible in a market where the power cars are not likely to be used so frequently, and can be shut down at destination when out on a tour without complex shore supply.

It would be nice if sometime in the future LSL could work with 125Group, which will also have VP185 power cars initially but plan to re-engine at least one with a Valenta.
 

47827

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Aren't MTUs more demanding in terms of needing pre-heating, etc when cold? Maybe VP185s are seen as more flexible in a market where the power cars are not likely to be used so frequently, and can be shut down at destination when out on a tour without complex shore supply.

Would say that anyone wanting them for charter use would be better off with VP185 especially if they will sit on shed most days of the year. There is the fact they sound a little more like the originals too of course!
 

Colby James

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I hope LSL can get EMR mk3’s dispite having HSTs from LSL the three saved. I guess will have to see seeing that some HST mk3s are being used as spares in Eastleigh.
 

ScotRail158725

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I hope LSL can get EMR mk3’s dispite having HSTs from LSL the three saved. I guess will have to see seeing that some HST mk3s are being used as spares in Eastleigh.
EMR Had the worst MK3s and pretty sure it was confirmed they’d be getting some from GWR/LNER
 

JonathanH

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EMR Had the worst MK3s and pretty sure it was confirmed they’d be getting some from GWR/LNER
Who says they were the 'worst'? On what measure? The interiors were closest to the original condition as they never replaced the IC70 seats but that doesn't necessarily mean they are in the worst condition mechanically or structurally (not that I have any means to make that assessment). They were the least exposed to salt air and sea spray and arguably worked the least hard of all the fleets.
 

43096

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Who says they were the 'worst'? On what measure? The interiors were closest to the original condition as they never replaced the IC70 seats but that doesn't necessarily mean they are in the worst condition mechanically or structurally (not that I have any means to make that assessment). They were the least exposed to salt air and sea spray and arguably worked the least hard of all the fleets.
The length of time it has taken to get the LNER set(s) into service with EMR rather suggests the native Midland fleet is actually in the better condition.
 

fgwrich

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I hope LSL can get EMR mk3’s dispite having HSTs from LSL the three saved. I guess will have to see seeing that some HST mk3s are being used as spares in Eastleigh.

It really would depend on what they would want them for, we already know that they've taken a predominantly ex FGW TF Mk3 Fleet to cater for the Pullman Dining type market which seems to be their core business.
 

JonathanH

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It really would depend on what they would want them for, we already know that they've taken a predominantly ex FGW TF Mk3 Fleet to cater for the Pullman Dining type market which seems to be their core business.

Moving a few seats between carriages is a bit easier that repairing corroded or rusty bodywork though isn't it.
 

fgwrich

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Moving a few seats between carriages is a bit easier that repairing corroded or rusty bodywork though isn't it.

Not if you've moved those GW First Class seats. Besides, what really would be the point if LSL want the interior of those? The GW TF's were available first, fairly recently before being stopped had all received C6 Overhauls and chosen because of their interiors - still widely considered some of the best first class on the network. I can see little point in stripping out the interior of them, then waiting for the EMR ones to become available to put the ex GW interior into those.
 

DB

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It really would depend on what they would want them for, we already know that they've taken a predominantly ex FGW TF Mk3 Fleet to cater for the Pullman Dining type market which seems to be their core business.

Indeed - being worked on at Eastleigh at the moment, I believe?

They may well now have all the HST trailers they want. If their main market is dining / midmarket charters then all first class probably makes sense - standard class is more suitable for lower-end charters, and people-mover type trains.
 

Colby James

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Also does anyone know when’s the fourth HST class 43 power car set to be.

is it going to be either FGW or EMR or LNER Liveried 43 HST powercar at this stage we only have 43046 and 43055 and 43083 for the time being.
 

Kettledrum

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It's an amazing collection of motive power. A bit heavy on ETH 47s, and no Peaks or smaller Sulzers. Lets hope we see plenty of the collection out on the main line.
Assume the fleet is being assembled from a practical and usable perspective. Commercial considerations such as reliability and cost might make a Peak less desirable for them, and perhaps a Sulzer would not have enough power. ETH 47's lasted longer in BR use than the others for a good reason.
 

43 302

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Also does anyone know when’s the fourth HST class 43 power car set to be.

is it going to be either FGW or EMR or LNER Liveried 43 HST powercar at this stage we only have 43046 and 43055 and 43083 for the time being.
How do you know they're getting four? I would assume they're only getting three. What need to they have for another?
 

Colby James

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How do you know they're getting four? I would assume they're only getting three. What need to they have for another?
Because they have three MK3 sets the third is mostly for parts at Eastleigh.

the two are for Operation. I also heard roumers they might make an 11 car HST set from a friend but I don’t know this from a source yet.
 

43 302

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Because they have three MK3 sets the third is mostly for parts at Eastleigh.

the two are for Operation. I also heard roumers they might make an 11 car HST set from a friend but I don’t know this from a source yet.
I still think they will only have three, and change the sets according to the charter. If they wanted to run two sets at once, they would need more than four power cars!
 

DB

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Because they have three MK3 sets the third is mostly for parts at Eastleigh.

the two are for Operation. I also heard roumers they might make an 11 car HST set from a friend but I don’t know this from a source yet.

How do you know they have two active sets? Could well have a selection of vehicles so that they can make up the train to suit the charter - this is how charter operators often work.

As regards power cars, IF they get a fourth one, it's pretty certain to be an ex-EMR one - there would be no logic at all in having three VP185s and one MTU.
 

XCTurbostar

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Just noticed theres a path for 5Z90 and 1Z90 from Crewe H.S. to Euston on Tuesday (14th):


I take it these are 90001 and or 90002 on testing?
 

47827

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Just noticed theres a path for 5Z90 and 1Z90 from Crewe H.S. to Euston on Tuesday (14th):


I take it these are 90001 and or 90002 on testing?

87002 mentioned elsewhere. Looks very much like Jeremy running a train up to Crewe to reach the Fellsman (which leaves Crewe the next morning) to avoid the unpleasant atmosphere of service train travel, making use of new stock and locos. Don't blame him. For several grand in overheads (which he can afford) he can have a pleasant train ride up. Personally I'd have gone for the full 1998 style WCML farce experience and had a 47 painted up in either parcels or RES livery to top the 87 which would keep its pan down.
 

fgwrich

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Minor Update, 90002 Now carried the name "Wolf of Badenoch" as previously carried by scrapped 87027, and Ex Caley Sleeper 10520 now carries a rather bold and rather odd looking version of Blood and Custard.
 
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DBS92042

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There is also a Crewe to Eastleigh and return tomorrow (5Z36 & 5Z37). Could the return be some repainted HST stock?
 

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