HST coupling question

[Phoenix]

Just wondering over the years I have seen pictures of HST's being saved by class 37's ECT but was wondering how do you couple a normal loco to the front of a HST power car ,I know there is a draw bar involved that's about it.

 

[1D53]

Drawbar under a cover on the sloping panel under the cab.

 

[BlueGrey]

There is a special bar coupling kept in the luggage compartment on the HST PC which you can use to couple the PC to a loco (or another HST PC or even something like a voyager).

 

[Phoenix]

There is a special bar coupling kept in the luggage compartment on the HST PC which you can use to couple the PC to a loco (or another HST PC or even something like a voyager).

Cheers that's what I needed thanks for your help guys.

 

[driver9000]

Doubt any rolling stock with auto couplers could be used to assist a failed HST, as the drawbar was only designed to go over a conventional drawhook. As Voyagers have Sharfenberger (or whatever it is) autocouplers I cant see how it would be able to assist an HST. Also the failed HST still needs air connections for main air and the brake pipe, most modern rolling stock dont have the air connection pipes.

 

[JoshW1992]

Similar to a Eurostar. However, I do believe there has to be a wagon in between the loco and the Eurostar. I could be wrong.

 

[Phoenix]

Similar to a Eurostar. However, I do believe there has to be a wagon in between the loco and the Eurostar. I could be wrong.

Yeah im sure there has to be some sort of Translator wagon

 

[JoshW1992]

Yeah, there must be.

 

[BlueGrey]

Doubt any rolling stock with auto couplers could be used to assist a failed HST, as the drawbar was only designed to go over a conventional drawhook. As Voyagers have Sharfenberger (or whatever it is) autocouplers I can see how it would be able to assist an HST. Also the failed HST still needs air connections for main air and the brake pipe, most modern rolling stock dont have the air connection pipes.

Sorry, my orginal message was slightly misleading. You need the emergency coupler off the Voyager as well to couple to an HST. The Voyager also carries emergency air brake pipes.

 

[Donny Dave]

All units carry emergancy couplers and the associated gear (air brake pipes, etc), so they can be dragged by what ever loco is nearby if needed.

 

[P156KWJ]

Yes, cos I remember a few years ago a voyager failed after fire damage and was rescued by an EWS 37/4

 

[Turbostar]

Doubt any rolling stock with auto couplers could be used to assist a failed HST, as the drawbar was only designed to go over a conventional drawhook. As Voyagers have Sharfenberger (or whatever it is) autocouplers I can see how it would be able to assist an HST. Also the failed HST still needs air connections for main air and the brake pipe, most modern rolling stock dont have the air connection pipes.

Dellner 12

 

[driver9000]

I know a locomotive can be coupled to a BSI, Dellner, Sharfenberger by means of an adaptor coupler which is basically the mehanical portion of the coupling head (although Ive not seen an adaptor coupler in the box on the 15x units I drive recently) brakes are dealt with seperately on Westcode braking system.

The HST BR33056 manual I have refers only to usage of the emergency drawbar with a locomotive drawhook. Even in this day I doubt very much there is a Dellner adaptor that has a drawhook on it

If anyone knows for certain or has photos of such equipment, please feel free to correct me

EDIT: I did some digging thorough my old manuals and found reference to a BSI adaptor that came in 3 parts and could be used to couple an HST to a failed 155 or 156. Using this method the failed set could only be moved at 10mph. I havent found any further information on similar equipment for a Voyager.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

All units carry emergancy couplers and the associated gear (air brake pipes, etc), so they can be dragged by what ever loco is nearby if needed.

Class 14x & 15x dont tend to carry the adaptor coupler anymore, the box under the secondmans side floor being empty or missing. 14x & 15x dont have a traditional brake pipe, the air brakes being controlled electrically via brake units which control the flow of air from the brake res to the brake cylinders. The air connection on the BSI coupler being purely for the main air, in case of failure and assistance by locomotive this feature is lost and you have to close the main air pipe off at the coupler and use an emergency main air pipe (Schrader) carried onboard the unit. Moving a 14x or 15x DMU with a locomotive under these conditions usually requires the movement to be made with the brakes isolated at 5mph as the Westcode system is not compatible with any other type of brake, if the unit can maintain main air, then the brake isolation might not be needed (depending on the failure)

 

[Royston Vasey]

I did some digging thorough my old manuals and found reference to a BSI adaptor that came in 3 parts and could be used to couple an HST to a failed 155 or 156. Using this method the failed set could only be moved at 10mph.

Surely this has never been done in practice? Can't imagine a time when PCs or full HST sets would be the best or most convenient option to rescue a Sprinter rather than uising a loco or another Sprinter... would love to see it though!

 

[Sir_Clagalot]

and of course GC have it easy... nice traditional drawgear on each end, no messing about with drawbars, just dig out the red screw link coupling and away we go!

 

[driver9000]

Surely this has never been done in practice? Can't imagine a time when PCs or full HST sets would be the best or most convenient option to rescue a Sprinter rather than uising a loco or another Sprinter... would love to see it though!

I dont know if it was ever used in practice, but if a Sprinter failed and the only train in the local area was an HST, it may have been less disruptive to use the HST for assistance purposes, Yes another Sprinter would have made the job easier but if the nearest one was 35miles away......

 

[hairyhandedfool]

I'm right in saying EMUs can't couple to them, aren't I? I know 319s can't and I am pretty sure 317s can't either. They certainly don't carry the equipment needed.

 

[driver9000]

I'm right in saying EMUs can't couple to them, aren't I? I know 319s can't and I am pretty sure 317s can't either. They certainly don't carry the equipment needed.

correct, in todays terms I would say HSTs can only couple to locomotives with conventional couplings. I doubt the adapators for the BSI are in use anymore.

 

[Royston Vasey]

EDIT: I did some digging thorough my old manuals and found reference to a BSI adaptor that came in 3 parts and could be used to couple an HST to a failed 155 or 156. Using this method the failed set could only be moved at 10mph. I havent found any further information on similar equipment for a Voyager.

I must admit I first read the quoted post above as a Sprinter being able a rescue a HST, and I was about to question whether it could even reach 10 mph at all with a 2+8 HST behind it LOL :roll:

 

[ungreat]

Only a loco can rescue a HST set..units wouldn't have the power to move one,and would have difficulty maintaining the air pressure required to keep the brakes off

 

[Nym]

even a 185, which has the same amount of power as a HST powercar with lower gearing

 

[ungreat]

Yes..compressor couldnt cope I believe..it has lots of factors,despite having the same horsepower

 

[Phoenix]

I'm right in saying EMUs can't couple to them, aren't I? I know 319s can't and I am pretty sure 317s can't either. They certainly don't carry the equipment needed.

Im yet to see any evidence of a DMU (ok yes HST arn't DMU's) coupled to an EMU

 

[AlexS]

Southern DEMUs coupled to Southern EMUs back in the day in times of crisis.

Virgin conducted tests with a Voyager hauling a 390 and a 390 hauling a Voyager to see if it would work - which it did, apparently, just in case of a situation requiring it.

 

[Guinness]

Virgin conducted tests with a Voyager hauling a 390 and a 390 hauling a Voyager to see if it would work - which it did, apparently, just in case of a situation requiring it.

Although I believe the computers need to be destroyed for this to happen! It's like a Cat and Dog trying to mate.

 

[BlueGrey]

Only a loco can rescue a HST set..units wouldn't have the power to move one,and would have difficulty maintaining the air pressure required to keep the brakes off

I don't know if a Voyager has ever rescued an HST but in theory its possible. I don't know how long it would take to create the air pressure but they should manage eventually and they have enough power to get one moving at low speed.

 

[91101]

There are most certainly procedures in place for Voyagers coupling to an HST and a 390!

I am also fairly certain that there are procedures written for 377's coupling to 171's

 

[Bayum]

There are most certainly procedures in place for Voyagers coupling to an HST and a 390!

I am also fairly certain that there are procedures written for 377's coupling to 171's

Doesn't that happen anyways?? I'm sure I've seen a video on youtube somewhere of something like that

 

[JoshW1992]

Anyone seen this video?

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=q3xwtZ4FDNc

 

[Bayum]

Anyone seen this video?

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=q3xwtZ4FDNc

Thats just too cool =D