Class 93 Tri-mode Loco

[hwl]

2x Class 90s are six motors (out of eight) apparently to reduce power draw.

That was the old arrangement and not that much better than a pair of 86s...

The new (rolled out over the last 15 months or so) way of doing things (a joint venture by FL and DB) is current limiting each of a pair to 3.9MW, hence you get the full use of 8 motors below 78% of max power power draw, an extra 300kW available to use (worth a few extra wagons) and improved tractive effort even above the 78% when power to the motors is limited. The motors will also run cooler and under less stress.

 

[Domh245]

In respect of Pan up on the move that also depends on NR. I seem to recall certain restrictions on GWML for this - the OLE was tightened to accommodate the force of the pan raising in certain areas

On GWML at least I was under the impression that the whole thing was tensioned so that pantographs could be raised (almost) anywhere, but it was restricted to certain stretches and points so that they could monitor any additional wear caused by this. However, other lines with lesser OLE systems do have specific sections for high speed pantograph raising where they are reinforced

 

[HamBuoy]

Comparison of tractive effort from Rail Engineer 21st April 2021

 

[MikePJ]

Comparison of tractive effort from Rail Engineer 21st April 2021

That's a really useful graph! So it's a bit better than a 37 in diesel mode and a lot more efficient - I'm sure that'll make it very popular for flows that are predominantly electrified. EDIT: a Class 68 has a starting tractive effort of 317kN, so very slightly higher than the 93.

 

[ac6000cw]

So it's a bit better than a 37 in diesel mode

I think the cl.93 diesel/battery graph line is actually for diesel + battery mode (which also equates to it being a bit higher than than the cl.37 line).

So I think/suspect this statement from the Rail Engineer article is not entirely accurate (diesel + battery isn't 'just' a diesel engine):

However, with just a 900kW diesel engine, the Class 93 can manage 60% of a Class 66’s tractive effort at 75mph.

...but I still think the cl. 93 is a great idea and definitely the way forward for some freight haulage work.

How about a Co-Bo version (to enable it to match the low-speed tractive effort of a 66) with more off-wire power?

 

[ABB125]

How about a Co-Bo version (to enable it to match the low-speed tractive effort of a 66) with more off-wire power?

BuT tHaTs NoT sYmMeTrIcAl



In other words, it would irritate my OCD!

 

[Bald Rick]

I think the cl.93 diesel/battery graph line is actually for diesel + battery mode (which also equates to it being a bit higher than than the cl.37 line).

That’s correct.

It’s bascially a similar graph / article to the one Ian Walmsley did on the same subject in Modern Railways a couple of months ago.

 

[BRX]

A shame it'll not be able to work off third rail too.

 

[Richard Scott]

Sure I read somewhere they could possibly squeeze another 50kW or so out of the diesel engine but much more than that would require substantial improvement to cooling. That would give a small improvement in performance on diesel.

 

[furnessvale]

How about a Co-Bo version (to enable it to match the low-speed tractive effort of a 66) with more off-wire power?

I have been suggesting a Co-Bo arrangement for some time, to allow for a larger diesel engine and or batteries. This would produce a geniune electro-diesel capable of performing away from the wires.

 

[BRX]

What's the advantage of Co-Bo vs Co-Co?

 

[ac6000cw]

What's the advantage of Co-Bo vs Co-Co?

One less axle, traction motor and traction inverter etc., so potentially cheaper than a Co-Co, and maybe with a bit more space between the bogies for equipment.

 

[TRAX]

One less axle, traction motor and traction inverter etc., so potentially cheaper than a Co-Co, and maybe with a bit more space between the bogies for equipment.

Isn’t the Class 93 supposed to be Bo’Bo’, though ? In which case it would be one extra axle.

 

[ac6000cw]

Isn’t the Class 93 supposed to be Bo’Bo’, though ? In which case it would be one extra axle.

Correct, but BRX's question - which I quoted - was 'Co-Bo vs Co-Co?' i.e 5 versus 6 axles.

My original Co-Bo suggestion was a bit tongue-in-cheek, but it could have some advantages over a Co-Co (other than for real heavy-haul, where every powered axle you can get is worthwhile...)

 

[Mollman]

Rail Advert reports that Grand Union have revised their application for Euston - Stirling service with Class 93s instead of 91s. An interesting move as although the 93 will be able to run away from the wires when needed (power failure, diversion etc.) it will surely be heavier than a 91 and thus have a higher access charge.
https://www.railadvent.co.uk/2021/0...ng-services-grand-union-revises-proposal.html

Class 93 locomotives on London to Stirling services – Grand Union revises proposal​

by MICHAEL HOLDEN

24th June 2021

in Rolling Stock

Reading Time: 3 mins read
4

Credit: Stadler
6.5k
VIEWS



Grand Union Trains has revised its plans for its London to Stirling service, including what locomotive will be used.
Originally, Grand Union planned to use Ex-LNER Class 91s for the service, but in the revisions made this month, new ROG Class 93s are being used.
The new tri-mode locomotives will be used on services, which currently planned to run every 3 hours, with the first services leaving at 05:15 from Stirling and 07:30 from London Euston.

Whilst a new locomotive class has been named, the plan remains to use Mark 4s that will be cascaded from the East Coast Main Line and LNER.
Each train will consist of a Class 93 locomotive, 9 Mark 4 coaches, and a Class 82 Driving Van Trailer (DVT)
The proposal says that the new Stirling to London Euston service would make use of the Scottish Central Line that avoids both Glasgow and Edinburgh.

​

As before with the original proposed, the Class 82 DVT will be used to carry freight items, and Grand Union is working with Intercity Railfreight on this initiative. This space would be used for a number of items but will include a refrigerated space for NHS biological materials.
The new service would make calls at Stirling, Greenfaulds, Whifflet, Motherwell, Lockerbie, Carlisle, Preston, Crewe, Nuneaton, Milton Keynes Central and London Euston.
Grand Union says there are over 100 new jobs expected to be created by the new service, with the company saying it is ‘willing’ to fit into the current pattern of services to sit alongside the current timetables.
The Open Access Operator says that if approved, training could start in 2022, with the service starting in December 2022.
What do you think of this. Let us know in the comments below!
We have approached Grand Union, Eversholt Rail and Rail Operations Group for comment and these will be added when made available.
You can read the full revised proposal by clicking here.

 

[ABB125]

Rail Advert reports that Grand Union have revised their application for Euston - Stirling service with Class 93s instead of 91s. An interesting move as although the 93 will be able to run away from the wires when needed (power failure, diversion etc.) it will surely be heavier than a 91 and thus have a higher access charge.
https://www.railadvent.co.uk/2021/0...ng-services-grand-union-revises-proposal.html

How many locomotives would be needed?
My very quick estimate, based on 5.5-6 hour journey times and running every 3 hours, is 4 diagrams minimum, probably 5. This would probably need a pool of 7 locomotives available.

 

[Nottingham59]

heavier than a 91

The Class 93 is expected to be 86 tonnes, compared to the 81.5 tonnes for a Class 91, so not much difference there. Much lighter than a Class 66 though (130 tonnes), of course.

Re-engineering Rail Freight - Rail Engineer

Listen to this article Unlike most passenger train operators, rail freight must operate at a profit since it gets no government support. As it works to tight financial margins, it is difficult to justify large capital investment without a guaranteed market. In such an environment, it is...

www.railengineer.co.uk

 

[ac6000cw]

According to the article in 'RAIL' magazine about the cl. 93 order - https://www.railmagazine.com/news/network/rail-operations-uk-ltd-orders-class-93-tri-modes :

the initial batch of ten due for delivery in early 2023.

...which doesn't tie in with the start of training and service dates quoted in post #255 above:

Grand Union says there are over 100 new jobs expected to be created by the new service, with the company saying it is ‘willing’ to fit into the current pattern of services to sit alongside the current timetables.
The Open Access Operator says that if approved, training could start in 2022, with the service starting in December 2022.

But unless/until the Grand Union application is approved nothing is going to happen anyway (in terms of them using 93's or anything else).

 

[ainsworth74]

Just a note to say that for discussion of the Grand Union application in general please see the existing thread here.

 

[Mollman]

ROG are reporting on LinkedIn that the Class 93s are now in build with the first expected in the UK next March

Rail Operations Group7,818 followers1d • 1 day ago

Our new fleet of Stadler class 93 tri-mode locomotives start arriving in the UK in March … only 8 months away! The locomotives are the most technically advanced, game changing locomotives ever produced for UK train operations. As well as being fast (110mph), powerful (6,250hp), they are also future proofed and come armed with an array of environmentally-friendly credentials, allowing the Group to lead the way in rail decarbonisation. The locomotives will transform express freight, express passenger and specialist service operations. Investment in the class 93 programme is further evidence of the Group’s pioneering and industry-leading approach to UK rail modernisation. The photographs show various members of the class 93 fleet in different stages of the production programme.
#expressfreight #railmodernisation #railreform #decarbonisation #class93

 

[cj_1985]

They're gonna need more work for them than some stock moves...

Mind you, proof that they're actually happening

 

[fgwrich]

I’m not surprised they’ve put out this press statement now, they were almost in danger of the Model (by Revolution Trains) arriving before the loco itself.

 

[XCTurbostar]

93001 will apparently be named 'Mercury'

 

[D365]

93001 will apparently be named 'Mercury'

Heeeeeey-o!

 

[xotGD]

93001 will apparently be named 'Mercury'

93002 "Venus"?

 

[Doomotron]

Wait until they run out of planets and name one Vulcan.

 

[pdeaves]

93001 will apparently be named 'Mercury'

Heeeeeey-o!

Care to explain, please?...

Wait until they run out of planets and name one Vulcan.

Or 'Pluto'; will that be a loco or not? (Given that I asked for an explanation above, I better give one here; there is debate over whether Pluto should or should not be classed as a planet).

 

[Doomotron]

Or 'Pluto'; will that be a loco or not? (Given that I asked for an explanation above, I better give one here; there is debate over whether Pluto should or should not be classed as a planet).

I bet the loco named Vulcan won't actually exist, just lone trainspotters pretending they've seen it but they just saw a Class 92.

 

[ac6000cw]

Wait until they run out of planets and name one Vulcan.

They won't run out of exoplanet names in a hurry... here's a list of over a 140 exoplanets that have been given 'proper' names so far - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_proper_names_of_exoplanets

 

[ExRes]

I think you're all barking up the wrong tree here

001 - Mercury, 002 - Bowie, 003 - Meatloaf, 004- Bolan, 005 - Cocker