GWR Cornish Night Riviera Sleeper and GWR Class 57 updates from Long Rock

[Nym]

I didn’t until I checked the other day. 4 still on their books and mostly being used as WCML Thunderbirds.

57304, 57307, 57308 and 57309. That said, I believe 304 is currently on jacks receiving a bogie overhaul in Eastleigh Works.

Yep, had to double check myself, can't help wondering if a long since back discussion on converting 68s to drop head or swing head Dellners with limited through working will be back on the cards again at some point.

 

[43096]

I didn’t until I checked the other day. 4 still on their books and mostly being used as WCML Thunderbirds.

57304, 57307, 57308 and 57309. That said, I believe 304 is currently on jacks receiving a bogie overhaul in Eastleigh Works.

57301 is also still on lease to DRS and will remain so until they repair it and hand it back operational.

 

[irish_rail]

I’ve never found it to be one of the strongest, or more reliable of the 4. Though I don’t know if that’s changed of late. The last time I travelled behind it, the ETS gave up somewhere over the Devon banks giving me a somewhat cold arrival into Cornwall, and it started losing a fair bit of time on the Cornish banks.

See I'd say 602 is by far the least reliable of the 4, I've had numerous issues with it over the years.

 

[co-tr-paul]

The class 57 fb group will provide you with who owns and operates what.
I'm not at liberty to say but things will change come may timetable... LA Thunderbird...

 

[strimmer]

Sleeper car swap between Reading and Eastleigh Works, booked to run this Saturday. Does anybody know how many more are due to go for repaint?

 

[co-tr-paul]

Around another 15 !
17173 being done currently.
2 at LA for C6 with 3 left .

 

[strimmer]

Thank you very much.

 

[fgwrich]

Sleeper car swap between Reading and Eastleigh Works, booked to run this Saturday. Does anybody know how many more are due to go for repaint?

Small point of note, the repaints are being done by Arriva traincare in the TMD than by Arlington in the works.

 

[FGW_DID]

Sleeper car swap between Reading and Eastleigh Works, booked to run this Saturday. Does anybody know how many more are due to go for repaint?

Realtime Trains | 5V50 1007 Eastleigh Trsmd to Reading Traincare Depot | 08/02/2025

Real-time train running information for 5V50 1007 departure from Eastleigh Trsmd to Reading Traincare Depot on 08/02/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Realtime Trains | 5O50 1436 Reading Traincare Depot to Eastleigh Trsmd | 08/02/2025

Real-time train running information for 5O50 1436 departure from Reading Traincare Depot to Eastleigh Trsmd on 08/02/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[Anonymous10]

Yep, had to double check myself, can't help wondering if a long since back discussion on converting 68s to drop head or swing head Dellners with limited through working will be back on the cards again at some point.

I did notice a class 57 at Carlisle, which this now tells me why - sorry its off topic.

 

[co-tr-paul]

With 57604 and 57605 on G Exam, 602 and 603 doing excellent work this year but have now been joined temporarily by GBRF 57311.
57312 still on hire too.

 

[43096]

With 57604 and 57605 on G Exam, 602 and 603 doing excellent work this year but have now been joined temporarily by GBRF 57311.
57312 still on hire too.

57311 is an LSL loco.

 

[Zerothebrake!]

57605 has been laid up on Laira for over 550 days now awaiting parts.

 

[31160]

57605 has been laid up on Laira for over 550 days now awaiting parts.

Wow that's staggering

 

[Express380]

57605 has been laid up on Laira for over 550 days now awaiting parts.

605 Was used until mid January this year it's 604 that's been laid up

 

[Towers]

605 Was used until mid January this year it's 604 that's been laid up

What’s it waiting for?

 

[FrodshamJnct]

What’s it waiting for?

As far as I know a lot of bits were sent away for overhaul (bogies, alternator, compressors) and then it’s getting everything back and putting it all back together.

 

[GeekyJamez]

isn't it time GWR started procuring some new locos or perhaps hiring in Class 68s?

 

[Anonymous10]

isn't it time GWR started procuring some new locos or perhaps hiring in Class 68s?

68s are very loud, I for one wouldn't want to be on a sleeper hauled by one.

 

[Towers]

isn't it time GWR started procuring some new locos or perhaps hiring in Class 68s?

I would think appropriate coaching stock ought to be the greater concern. Plenty of locos out there, not a great deal of modern sleeper stock! The Mk3s are lovely (and offer a far superior ride to the Mk5s), but they’re steel and 40 years old. The last refresh was a very decent job, but I imagine they may be a discussion or two around ongoing funding needed regarding a replacement fleet before too long!

 

[cj_1985]

isn't it time GWR started procuring some new locos or perhaps hiring in Class 68s?

Are we back here again

 

[fgwrich]

Are we back here again

Indeed, anytime anything seems to happen Deja Vu returns and we end up having the same endless questions. In this instance, it’s not exactly down to reliability but 2 x 57s being in their exams.

 

[co-tr-paul]

The bogies for 604 are trapped at contractor's location due to an unrelated incident so a bogie swap with 605 will enable 604 to return. 605 will then continue to have G Exam continued.
Let's not go back to the overwibbled replacement thing. The reasons are well documented.

 

[popeter45]

I would think appropriate coaching stock ought to be the greater concern. Plenty of locos out there, not a great deal of modern sleeper stock! The Mk3s are lovely (and offer a far superior ride to the Mk5s), but they’re steel and 40 years old. The last refresh was a very decent job, but I imagine they may be a discussion or two around ongoing funding needed regarding a replacement fleet before too long!

Wonder if it’s finally time to look into multiple units, modify a 802 with seated in the end cars and removing some of the motors from most of the inner cars?

DPMS-TSLE-TSLEP-TSLED-RBMS-TSLED-TSLEP-TSLE-DPMS

 

[Towers]

Wonder if it’s finally time to look into multiple units, modify a 802 with seated in the end cars and removing some of the motors from most of the inner cars?

DPMS-TSLE-TSLEP-TSLED-RBMS-TSLED-TSLEP-TSLE-DPMS

Good luck finding spare 802s for that! I imagine it’ll very much be a question of whether the relevant local authorities etc wish to find some funding to contribute to whatever newbuilds are required when the time comes. That’s assuming the TPE Mk5s are in use elsewhere by then of course, otherwise there’s a reasonable, ready made solution to at least look into.

 

[FGW_DID]

Realtime Trains | 0V55 1052 Leicester L.I.P. to Reading Traincare Depot | 08/03/2025

Real-time train running information for 0V55 1052 departure from Leicester L.I.P. to Reading Traincare Depot on 08/03/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

More back up, in the shape of 57305, arrives tomorrow:

0V55 Leicester L.I.P to Reading TCD

 

[GeekyJamez]

I would think appropriate coaching stock ought to be the greater concern. Plenty of locos out there, not a great deal of modern sleeper stock! The Mk3s are lovely (and offer a far superior ride to the Mk5s), but they’re steel and 40 years old. The last refresh was a very decent job, but I imagine they may be a discussion or two around ongoing funding needed regarding a replacement fleet before too long!

Yes true, they should have ordered replacements when the Caledonian sleeper ordered their Mk5 fleet.

 

[fgwrich]

On hire from LSL and pressed into service, 57311 is tonight’s down train loco.

 

[The_Train]

I don't suppose there is any indication of how long 311 is due to stay with GWR or is it just a case of get it whilst you can as it could be sent home at any point?

 

[FGW_DID]

I don't suppose there is any indication of how long 311 is due to stay with GWR or is it just a case of get it whilst you can as it could be sent home at any point?

2 weeks was mentioned on Facebook (Class 57 group) by someone with links to LSL.
57305 is also with us and I think that’s for 6 months.