FGW 57's.

[83G/84D]

With the 1A40 sleepers in trouble at Penzance last night and the unreliability of the Class 57'S it got me wondering.

What if anything would FGW hire in if it was short of 57's for a period of time? In the past they have used Virgin 57's and 47's but with Virgin's 57 fleet diminished and issues with driver knowledge on 47's how would they manage if say 2 57's were out of action for several weeks.

Short term a HST could suffice but not every night.

 

[David10]

Even with the reduced fleet there are usually a few spare Virgin 57/3s each day. And depending on the time of year most of Network Rail's are available.

 

[Monty]

Both DRS and WCR have ETH equipped 57s in their fleets if FGW would ever need to go elsewhere for a spothire. Both companies also have ETH equipped 37s & 47s if there was a dire or urgent need for traction.

 

[willc789]

Im sure its already been suggested but why cant they put the power cars on each end of the stock and run it like a conventional HST? surely much more reliable than the current 57's and less maintainence for the First depots?

 

[Nym]

Completely different wiring for one...

800-1000V DC Bus on the sleeper stock (Mk2 and/or Mk3a) and 400-440V LL RMS 3 Phase 3L+N on the Mk3 HST Trailers and Class 43 Locomotives.

 

[83G/84D]

Even with the reduced fleet there are usually a few spare Virgin 57/3s each day. And depending on the time of year most of Network Rail's are available.

Do the Network Rail 57's still have train supply fitted?

 

[fgwrich]

Do the Network Rail 57's still have train supply fitted?

In short, yes. And it has been looked into before, although now with NR, DRS & VT all having 57/3s in their fleets - more choice, but theres more flack in the VT Fleet so any future hire in's would probably continue to be from them.

(The Network Rail 57s are also set to be used by GBRF on NR Contract Engineerng Trains / Duties, whilst DRS only has 3 with one on GEML Thunderbird duties)

 

[87015]

(The Network Rail 57s are also set to be used by GBRF on NR Contract Engineerng Trains / Duties, whilst DRS only has 3 with one on GEML Thunderbird duties)

No 57 thunderbirding in Anglia any time soon, drivers don't sign them.

 

[David10]

No 57 thunderbirding in Anglia any time soon, drivers don't sign them.

Maybe 57309 was brought over last week to overcome this? http://www.flickr.com/photos/elettra1143/7964511656/in/photostream/