LSL Mark 4s

[Masbroughlad]

Wonder if LSL are considering buying any mk4s? Or will their fleet of Mk3s keep their Intercity and Scotrail business going for a while?

 

[43096]

Wonder if LSL are considering buying any mk4s? Or will their fleet of Mk3s keep their Intercity and Scotrail business going for a while?

Why would they? The Mark 4s are much less flexible in terms of forming a train up and are limited in route clearance (basically East Coast plus branches/diversions and Swansea-Manchester/Holyhead) compared with the extensive route availability nationally for Mark 3s.

 

[Nym]

The big question would be why?

They're not exactly easy or good to work without having the appropriate locomotive or conversions done.

 

[Masbroughlad]

That's why I put in in speculative discussion. Was thinking of the 89 and thought they'd go well together!

Flexibility-wise - I guess that's their downfall. Definitely prefer a mk3 (or Mk1 or mk2!).

Can they not also travel up the West Coast? And GEML? Granted - limited, I admit.

 

[Bertie the bus]

Yes, they can be used on the WCML. Grand Central were all ready to start operations with Mk 4's until Covid struck. It would be a very strange decision to buy Mk 4's for just one loco they don't even own.

 

[Masbroughlad]

They can be used with other locomotives. As I say, just thought it would look good! They could buy a 91 too. Lol.

 

[The Bear]

With being a product of the BR era they will be gauge cleared for more places than you think but are incompatible with LSL's Mk1, Mk2 & Mk3 fleet, for a start (except the TSOE's & DVT's) Mk4s have Tightlock couplers not buckeye's.
The power operated doors operate on different traction interlocked circuits which differ from CDL fitted slam-door stock.
For any train formed of Mk4s you need a Mk4 DVT at one end and a TSOE at the other to complete the door control & interlock circuits.
A Mk4 formation can be hauled around by any Loco but unless modified like the ones in use with ATW, compatibility with the DVT for push-pull operation is limited to 91s, 90s and the 89 as Mk4 DVTs use a slightly different version of TDM.

In short, highly unlikely.......

 

[31160]

That's why I put in in speculative discussion. Was thinking of the 89 and thought they'd go well together!

Flexibility-wise - I guess that's their downfall. Definitely prefer a mk3 (or Mk1 or mk2!).

Can they not also travel up the West Coast? And GEML? Granted - limited, I admit.

They definitely have worked the WCML, they did Manchester to Euston as a full set as part of a commonwealth games thing,and they worked Edinburgh to Euston on a tour

 

[Darandio]

And on the northern WCML nearly every year on diversions.....

 

[D365]

With being a product of the BR era they will be gauge cleared for more places than you think…

Why would one think that? The Mk4s were a captive ECML fleet.

 

[Nym]

Why would one think that? The Mk4s were a captive ECML fleet.

Given that they weren't gauge cleared for the TfWR operations, and gauge clearance as well as brake testing was needed as significant expense. I'd be inclined to agree with you.

 

[The Bear]

They definitely have worked the WCML, they did Manchester to Euston as a full set as part of a commonwealth games thing,and they worked Edinburgh to Euston on a tour

And on the northern WCML nearly every year on diversions.....

Yes they did test & publicity runs on the full length of the WCML.....
https://flic.kr/p/asC1kp

As a young lad I remember seeing one of these runs just north of Oxenholme.

Why would one think that? The Mk4s were a captive ECML fleet.

That's what they ended up being due to privatisation, but I think BR had other ideas.
Certainly 91s & Mk4s were cleared for the whole WCML.
For instance, the design specifications for the 91s included hauling heavy sleepers over the northern WCML.....

Given that they weren't gauge cleared for the TfWR operations, and gauge clearance as well as brake testing was needed as significant expense. I'd be inclined to agree with you.

I didn't say they were cleared nationwide.

 

[Bertie the bus]

Considering Mk 4's are cleared to Heysham, Colne, Windermere and Blackpool South I think it is fair to say they are cleared for far more than the ECML and various diversionary routes.