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Porterbrook Cl.769 'Flex' trains from 319s, initially for Northern

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The Ham

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edwin_m said:
To get the power of four cars of a 150 into half the space (two gensets versus four underfloor engines) they must have packed things in a lot more. I hope the cooling doesn't let them down when it gets round to next summer.


I think, but I'm not certain, that you intended to refer to just coal rather than coal gas, which went out in the 60s.

Certainly the electrical generation side has done better than expected in decarbonizing, although the reduction in consumption may be partly due to industry being exported to other countries where the generation mix is less environmentally friendly. However on the whole the UK is heading for missed targets on decarbonization, with transport emissions one of the main offenders. There's actually an argument to say we should accept continued use of diesel traction on routes that are too lightly used for electrification, because battery or hydrogen will increase costs or reduce capacity and result in more people driving instead.
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I've corrected the typo, which should have said "Coal has fallen".

Carbon emissions for diesel trains are loads better than cars, so keeping them for lightly used services (at least until the end of their lifespan) does make sense.
 
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Meerkat

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Are the overspeed tests as necessary these days, since OTMR etc ended the fun of over-enthusiastic drivers?
 
F

furnessvale

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Meerkat said:
Are the overspeed tests as necessary these days, since OTMR etc ended the fun of over-enthusiastic drivers?
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I suppose it is rather like pressure testing a vessel. By testing at a percentage over normal working limits you are more sure it will survive everyday use.
 
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edwin_m

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The hazard of the test itself has to be taken into account when planning it. A derailment at 110mph could be catastrophic so a test at that speed would not be attempted unless the engineers were absolutely confident that all the running gear was up to it. Similarly they would have to be sure the brakes could stop the train from that speed, although perhaps not in the normal distance (in which case the test would have to be run somewhere with extra clear track ahead). With the pressure test the equivalent precaution is doing it with cold water which will just spray out if there is a leak, rather than boiling water and steam which will explode the boiler.
 
507021

507021

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According to a post on WNXX, 769450 has completed testing and has been accepted by Northern.
 
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AndrewE

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507021 said:
According to a post on WNXX, 769450 has completed testing and has been accepted by Northern.
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Aaargh! Much as I want them to work, and to enter squadron service(?) asap, I wonder how many trains will be cancelled so that Northern can train staff on them, and how long it will take?
 
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A

AM9

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AndrewE said:
Aaargh! Much as I want them to work, and to enter squadron service(?) asap, I wonder how many trains will be cancelled so that Northern can train staff on them, and how long it will take?
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Hasn't it been stated on here that the 769-specific training is an add-on to the exisiting 319 knowledge. ISTR one day was mentioned.
 
B

big all

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AM9 said:
Hasn't it been stated on here that the 769-specific training is an add-on to the exisiting 319 knowledge. ISTR one day was mentioned.
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would assume one day would be a fully trained diesel and 319 trained driver as a conversion rather than an electric only trained as would assume at least a week to 3 weeks for diesel course but fully a guess as my training was 30-35 years ago
 
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AndrewE

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Senna1210 said:
Eyes out this week lots of 769 movements incoming both wales and northern
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Deliveries then?
How much fault-free-running will be needed? And how many traincrew (which Northern haven't got enough of anyway) will be taken off booked trains for their "1 day" conversion?
 
Bob Price

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Jack Brown said:
That's happening on Friday. 47813 + 47815 are dragging it with barrier wagons too (T2s, 6330, 6338, 6340, 6344)
5Q78 09:35 ex Castle Donnington - Cardiff 15:00
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It that the 29th? Can't find it on RTT. I am down by the tracks on Friday pm and would like to photo it.
 
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Ribbleman

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A senior Northern manager confirmed a few weeks ago that any 769s available after the requirement for the Southport-Alderley Edge service was fulfilled would indeed be used on the Southport-Stalybridge route. After Instructor training, January should see Driver training commence with a view to having 3 sets in service sometime in March, the remaining 5 to be phased in after that.
 
anthony263

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Jack Brown said:
That's happening on Friday. 47813 + 47815 are dragging it with barrier wagons too (T2s, 6330, 6338, 6340, 6344)
5Q78 09:35 ex Castle Donnington - Cardiff 15:00
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769008 is supposed to e getting taken back to castle donington by the 47s after delivering 769006
 
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Senna1210

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769008 awaiting path from Pullman’s to castle donnigton tonight 769006 dropped off at Pullman’s as a 12 car this afternoon FYI
 
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FenMan

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Nearly two weeks later, updates there are none. An extended Christmas break?
 
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a_c_skinner

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Or perhaps some really mundane mileage accumulation, but I too was wondering if anyone had news.
 
anthony263

anthony263

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I think we wint see much happening g now till after the new year. 769008 is supposed to be going from castle donington to crewe soon to do its millage runs before it returns to Tfw which I was told would be the end of January
 
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JBuchananGB

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Don't know if this is relevant, but Real Time Trains is showing the services from Alderley Edge to Southport as "Starts as Class 319 EMU, changes en route" when these are most certainly being operated by DMUs.

In the other direction, from Southport it says "Starts as Class 150/153/155/156 DMU, changes en route"

The change seems to take place at Bolton.

Is this a precursor of things to come?
 
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