A HST to be used in Mexico?

[Bletchleyite]

Is that actually the train horn we're hearing?

I think so, but perhaps it's been replaced with a Mexican standard one.

Thing that surprised me most was that it is formed of slamdoor coaches - I didn't know any still existed.

 

[HST2FIT]

Is that actually the train horn we're hearing?

Yes,
It seems the drivers weren't taught to use it the way it sounds in Britain. I can only hear the "long" in the American way

 

[sprinterguy]

Thing that surprised me most was that it is formed of slamdoor coaches - I didn't know any still existed.

They were selected from amongst the last Angel Trains-owned slam door vehicles still in store at Ely Papworth. While Porterbrook seemed to send their mark 3 stock off to the Newport shredder quite rapidly, Angel favoured the storage route initially.

I note there are also a lot more TGS vehicles in that formation than we'd expect in this country! Further movements of mark 3s potentially bound for ships seem to have been of the power door variety, though I don't know where they might be heading.

 

[yorkie]

Any posts of a speculative nature (including what might/could/should happen or any other speculative enquiry) is best placed in this current thread, but for progress updates regarding what's confirmed to be actually happening, feel free to use the following new thread, which I've just created:

HSTs in Mexico - news and progress updates

https://www.railjournal.com/fleet/mexico-receives-british-hst-fleet-for-isthmus-of-tehuantepec-railway/ THE Mexican government has received 11 former British High Speed Train (HST) coaches and three HST class 43 diesel power cars, which will operate on the upgraded Isthmus of Tehuantepec...

www.railforums.co.uk

 

[Baxenden Bank]

Saw a post on Facebook about a HST being bound for Nigeria? Presuming this is wibble?

Well, they bought two TALGO sets (11 years old but never used) to use on the new metro line in Lagos. Why not.

 

[dgl]

In terms of extra traction cooling requirements would they just have to look at the Australian XPT power cars for an example of what's required.

I will say they do look smart in their new livery!

 

[AlterEgo]

This whole project is set up to be a disaster. HSTs in 80-90% humidity is a mental idea and the infrastructure is not geared towards supporting them.

 

[ac6000cw]

In terms of extra traction cooling requirements would they just have to look at the Australian XPT power cars for an example of what's required.

They could just derate the engines to reduce the cooling load to what the existing system can handle in the ambient temperatures they have. The less fuel you burn, the less waste energy you have to dissipate.

 

[aem7ac]

Well, they bought two TALGO sets (11 years old but never used) to use on the new metro line in Lagos. Why not.

These were originally built for Amtrak services in the US state of Wisconsin. They were only purchased recently from the US.
Back to the topic of HSTs, I've also heard South Africa thrown around? Possibly wibble as well.

 

[hexagon789]

Back to the topic of HSTs, I've also heard South Africa thrown around? Possibly wibble as well.

I doubt it, bar the Gautrain, South Africa uses Cape Gauge (nominal 3ft 6in/1067mm; actual 1065mm since 1960s metrication).

 

[Sorcerer]

I doubt it, bar the Gautrain, South Africa uses Cape Gauge (nominal 3ft 6in/1067mm; actual 1065mm since 1960s metrication).

It might still technically be possible to convert HSTs to the Cape Gauge. The Mark 2 coaches for example were re-gauged for New Zealand whose track gauge is the same as South Africa. The power cars might need some re-engineering but the Mark 3 coaches could definitely be re-gauged.

 

[hexagon789]

It might still technically be possible to convert HSTs to the Cape Gauge. The Mark 2 coaches for example were re-gauged for New Zealand whose track gauge is the same as South Africa. The power cars might need some re-engineering but the Mark 3 coaches could definitely be re-gauged.

True, I was thinking more of the additional cost.

 

[aem7ac]

Not necessarily.

In Canada VIA happily run UK and North American loading gauge coaches not only through the same stations but (bizarrely) in the same train.

The UK sized coaches cope fine both with low platforms (thanks to built-in steps that fold down as required) and with high platforms (with a simple "ramp" - it's level but I'm not sure what else to call it - a gangway? - across the considerable gap).
Of course it does require sufficient staff to put the ramps out but if you don't have any high level platforms it isn't a problem.

The UK loading gauge coaches are actually better at low platforms because the steps go all the way down to platform level whereas the Canadian ones have a bit of a step up to the lowest step.

It would in any case by nice to see passenger rail returning to Mexico.

Edited to add: I've just seen that the article says that they expect to start operations "In September". Though to be fair they don't say which September.

Looks like the solution to the platform height issue has been found, as evidenced by a picture from another thread in the rolling stock subforum: portable stairs.
Picture credit to user "hstmexico".

 

[AdamWW]

Looks like the solution to the platform height issue has been found, as evidenced by a picture from another thread in the rolling stock subforum: portable stairs.
Picture credit to user "hstmexico".

That's one way to do it.

"We apologise for the delay in disembarkation. We are currently waiting for staff to put the steps in place" (but probably in Spanish).

Or maybe the train crew climb down and fetch the steps themselves. If nobody has pinched them...

 

[Bletchleyite]

That's one way to do it.

"We apologise for the delay in disembarkation. We are currently waiting for staff to put the steps in place" (but probably in Spanish).

Or maybe the train crew climb down and fetch the steps themselves. If nobody has pinched them...

To be fair this is also a thing at some rural stations in the UK, though it has largely been replaced by Harrington humps.

 

[AdamWW]

To be fair this is also a thing at some rural stations in the UK, though it has largely been replaced by Harrington humps.

True but not quite as far down as that.

 

[The_Train]

Does anybody know which power cars are which in respect of their new numbers and old UK numbers for the 2 power cars that have been out in Mexico this week please?

 

[Speed43125]

They could just derate the engines to reduce the cooling load to what the existing system can handle in the ambient temperatures they have. The less fuel you burn, the less waste energy you have to dissipate.

Been reported on a Spanish language FB post that they're limiting them to 2+5 for now for that exact reason.

 

[Sorcerer]

True, I was thinking more of the additional cost.

In that case it would just be a question of whether or not it's cheaper to re-gauge or buy new stock. Would be interesting to see HSTs in South Africa though.

 

[stuu]

It might still technically be possible to convert HSTs to the Cape Gauge. The Mark 2 coaches for example were re-gauged for New Zealand whose track gauge is the same as South Africa. The power cars might need some re-engineering but the Mark 3 coaches could definitely be re-gauged.

I can imagine they might want the coaches, as they don't look after those very well... but not the power cars, the main lines are all electrified

 

[Sorcerer]

I can imagine they might want the coaches, as they don't look after those very well... but not the power cars, the main lines are all electrified

Now this is where my wishful thinking comes in when I say an electric HST would still be cool to see!

 

[AdamWW]

Now this is where my wishful thinking comes in when I say an electric HST would still be cool to see!

I was waiting for someone to say that...

 

[Sorcerer]

I was waiting for someone to say that...

Then hopefully I said it to your delight rather than to your disappointment.

 

[AdamWW]

Then hopefully I said it to your delight rather than to your disappointment.

Oh absolutely!

This is the speculative discussions thread...

 

[Sorcerer]

Oh absolutely!

This is the speculative discussions thread...

Glad to hear then! Perhaps one day an electric HST won't be so speculative.

 

[dgl]

Glad to hear then! Perhaps one day an electric HST won't be so speculative.

Well you had the 91's with HST coaches and one power car before the Mk. 4's were ready.

 

[SPanto]

Hello, I am from Mexico, and I want to add a little information to this forum, recently a video came out of the president of the country saying that the trains will circulate at a speed of 80 km/h, the truth is very little to me, taking into account Note that these trains can go faster, I left a photo of the trains in case you wanted to see them better. (sorry if I have bad English)

 

[61653 HTAFC]

I doubt it, bar the Gautrain, South Africa uses Cape Gauge (nominal 3ft 6in/1067mm; actual 1065mm since 1960s metrication).

Hasn't ZA had a spate of problems with electricity blackouts and cable theft? Could perhaps see HSTs replacing the Electrostars on Gautrain...

 

[stuu]

Hasn't ZA had a spate of problems with electricity blackouts and cable theft? Could perhaps see HSTs replacing the Electrostars on Gautrain...

The urban lines in lost pretty much all their power and signalling cabling during covid, as the government closed them all down and stood down the security. About half of the lines have been restored so far... Gautrain didn't get rid of security, so it didn't have the same problem, and seems to be running normally

 

[Iskra]

Just seen something on Twitter regarding powercars heading to Nigeria now