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DRS's 57/3s

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jopsuk

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so unlike NR, they're retaining the coupler then? I guess it means they can still be hired in as required for extra thunderbird cover by West Coast.
 

SprinterMan

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so unlike NR, they're retaining the coupler then? I guess it means they can still be hired in as required for extra thunderbird cover by West Coast.

I think some of NR's retained dellner couplers. I'm not sure why some were removed.
 

Royston Vasey

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I think some of NR's retained dellner couplers. I'm not sure why some were removed.

Seems to be a mixture. I recall them being modified to be able to rescue 377s etc, having been a different height previously, 390s having them at "non-standard height"
 

SprinterMan

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Seems to be a mixture. I recall them being modified to be able to rescue 377s etc, having been a different height previously, 390s having them at "non-standard height"

That was certainly the original plan, but then they ended up being used on the snow train, and I'm not sure if they were modified in the end.

Adam :D
 

Jedipickles

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The NR 57/3's which had the coupler removed look awful as there is a gaping hole in the front of it! they surely could have covered it over or left the coupler in even if it was disabled!
 

cj_1985

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Seems to be a mixture. I recall them being modified to be able to rescue 377s etc, having been a different height previously, 390s having them at "non-standard height"

as i have posted on another thread... im 99% sure that the different coupler heights between the pendolino/22X units and other dellner like couplers is down to EU directives for high speed train interoperability/specifications.

We already know that Pendolinos and Voyagers can couple together (atleast mechanically).. both of these falling into the high speed trains catagory.

So that should mean that a Class 390 Pendolino could couple upto a DB ICE, SNCF TGV, a Eurostar class 373 or a SouthEastern class 395

other units ie. turbostars, desiros, Junipers and Electrostars would not be covered by the EU directive/specification as they are not classed as "High Speed Trains"

and since the 57/3s were modified to allow use with pendolinos... thats why the couplers are (iirc) set higher, than if they had been modified for use with desiros or electrostars.
 

cj_1985

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How many 57's are NR getting..? Shame they did not keep their names.
NR took over 6x class 57/3s last summer/autumn

as regrards the names...
Virgin had an agreement with the owners of the "Thunderbirds" trademark, to allow the use of the brand/trademark...
if NR and/or DRS wished for their newly aquired 57/3s to retain the "Thunderbirds" related name.. they would have to negotiate an agreement with the Andersons, or whoever it is that holds/owns the trademark.
 
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yummy125

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These 2 x 57's were in Eastleigh Works on May Bank Hols Sat when our railtour arrived:

040120103232.jpg


040120103227-1.jpg


040120103228.jpg
 

jopsuk

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NR are using them primarily for their 3rd-rail-land snow and ice trains that they've had built specially. Not sure whet they're supposed to be used for for the rest of the year- I guess general departmental work alongside the 73s, 31s and 37/97s
 

Hydro

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I guess general departmental work alongside the 73s, 31s and 37/97s

No indication that this is the case at the moment. The fleet is undergoing a shake up with introduction of new test trains and DVT's, but no word on whether the 57's will be part of this.
 

Rhydgaled

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Couldn't Virgin have retained 57301 - 57305, or if they wanted to keep locos that were in better nick changed the names and numbers round so they had Thunderbirds 1 to 5 with their respective pilot's nameplate?
 

Big Chris

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Couldn't Virgin have retained 57301 - 57305, or if they wanted to keep locos that were in better nick changed the names and numbers round so they had Thunderbirds 1 to 5 with their respective pilot's nameplate?

Virgin have more than likely kept those 57 which have the lowest engine hours and have had fewest issues. Changing numbers of engines isn't just a case of painting a new one on the side so that just isn't worth it for the short time that that may have left. Hence why they seems to be little sign of a repaint of the ATW liveried examples.
 
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