Thunderbird Locomotive Crewing Arrangements

[Iskra]

Could anyone kindly clarify how the various Thunderbird locomotives around the network are crewed please?

I’m thinking mainly of the DRS WCML 57’s and the WCRC ECML 47/57’s, but are there any more across the network?

Are there dedicated drivers provided for these by DRS/WCRC who sit waiting for a job round the clock, or is it a case of Avanti/LNER drivers sign them and drive them as and when they are needed?

Thanks

 

[800001]

Could anyone kindly clarify how the various Thunderbird locomotives around the network are crewed please?

I’m thinking mainly of the DRS WCML 57’s and the WCRC ECML 47/57’s, but are there any more across the network?

Are there dedicated drivers provided for these by DRS/WCRC who sit waiting for a job round the clock, or is it a case of Avanti/LNER drivers sign them and drive them as and when they are needed?

Thanks

The thubderbird loco at Newark is staffed by West Coast Railway, paid by NWR.

 

[87015]

Thunderbird for 745s and 755s at (usually) Orient Way - ROG drivers

 

[D6130]

The thubderbird loco at Newark is staffed by West Coast Railway, paid by NWR.

So are there WCRC drivers sitting on the two locos at Newark - or in a nearby messroom - 24/7?

 

[endofthetunnel]

So are there WCRC drivers sitting on the two locos at Newark - or in a nearby messroom - 24/7?

Yes there’s a driver and MOM on duty on site at Newark pretty much 24/7. (Just 1, the second loco is spare)

 

[D6130]

Yes there’s a driver and MOM on duty on site at Newark pretty much 24/7. (Just 1, the second loco is spare)

Thanks.

 

[dk1]

Thunderbird for 745s and 755s at (usually) Orient Way - ROG drivers

We also have a standby class 755 Thunderbird and driver at Ipswich (crewed by Norwich) who can rescue a 745 or 755.

Used to be a Norwich driver on a class 47 based on Colchester shed in the olden days (pre-2020).

 

[Viper]

Thunderbird for 745s and 755s at (usually) Orient Way - ROG drivers

Is this NR or TOC operated?

 

[dk1]

Is this NR or TOC operated?

I think that’s TOC but maybe shared.

 

[Viper]

Thanks. I'm inclined to agree it's TOC as I haven't been able to find anything to show it's NR. I think Newark might actually be the only NR one?

 

[craigybagel]

Could anyone kindly clarify how the various Thunderbird locomotives around the network are crewed please?

I’m thinking mainly of the DRS WCML 57’s and the WCRC ECML 47/57’s, but are there any more across the network?

Are there dedicated drivers provided for these by DRS/WCRC who sit waiting for a job round the clock, or is it a case of Avanti/LNER drivers sign them and drive them as and when they are needed?

Thanks

DRS provide the drivers for their 57s. I don't know what the hours are but I understand there is normally a dedicated driver on hand.

TfW have rostered loco standby drivers (in addition to a regular cover driver) during the day at Crewe and Cardiff, and normally at least 1 spare loco on hand at the nearby traction depots for them to drive if necessary.

 

[PyrahnaRanger]

One of the WCRC drivers at Newark will often post on Facebook when he's being called out with a little summary of what's occurred, and the reasons why - Arno something, from memory.

 

[Tilting007]

DRS provide the drivers for their 57s. I don't know what the hours are but I understand there is normally a dedicated driver on hand.

TfW have rostered standby drivers during the day at Crewe and Cardiff, and normally at least 1 spare loco on hand at the nearby traction depots for them to drive if necessary.

I think coverage is 0500-2300..
Maybe a bit later.
On West Coast they are only at Crewe and Carlisle now.

 

[12LDA28C]

One of the WCRC drivers at Newark will often post on Facebook when he's being called out with a little summary of what's occurred, and the reasons why - Arno something, from memory.

Arno Brooks.

 

[Efini92]

I think coverage is 0500-2300..
Maybe a bit later.
On West Coast they are only at Crewe and Carlisle now.

Allegedly this is about to change and drs will no longer rescue the 390’s.

 

[Iskra]

Allegedly this is about to change and drs will no longer rescue the 390’s.

Does this imply the impending end of DRS class 57’s then?

 

[Efini92]

Does this imply the impending end of DRS class 57’s then?

I’m not sure, we just got told drs won’t be rescuing us for much longer.

 

[Adam0984]

When the ECML thunderbird was the EWS/DBS 67 they were crewed by LNER drivers

 

[Tilting007]

I’m not sure, we just got told drs won’t be rescuing us for much longer.

I think Dec 2025 has been mooted as the end date…

 

[Carlisle]

M

I’m not sure, we just got told drs won’t be rescuing us for much longer.

At the rate freight is disappearing from round here Royal Mail , Dalston Tanks etc coupled with a reliable 390 fleet I can see a declining argument for these locos.

 

[Efini92]

M

At the rate freight is dissolving from round here Royal Mail , Dalston Tanks etc coupled with a reliable 390 fleet I can see a declining argument for these locos.

The question is, as the 390’s continue to age, will they still be reliable?

 

[whitrope]

M

At the rate freight is disappearing from round here Royal Mail , Dalston Tanks etc coupled with a reliable 390 fleet I can see a declining argument for these locos.

Withdrawal of Thunderbirds would tick a quick win on cost grounds for someone I’m sure. I recall an ill informed NR train running controller not allowing a 57 to assist a class 88 on the WCML as they couldn’t couple in multiple. On another occasion Avanti control wouldn’t agree to their thunderbird going slightly off route for a while to assist an ailing 4V44. Still some way to go for a joined up railway I guess.

 

[PeteFLT]

Isn’t there a 57 at Reading to help out with GWR units? Is this crewed?

 

[12LDA28C]

Isn’t there a 57 at Reading to help out with GWR units? Is this crewed?

The 57 at Reading is there for ECS movements of the Night Riviera. It’s not a ‘Thunderbird’ locomotive.

 

[PyrahnaRanger]

Arno Brooks.

Thank you, that's the fella.

 

[PeteFLT]

The 57 at Reading is there for ECS movements of the Night Riviera. It’s not a ‘Thunderbird’ locomotive.

I was under the impression that it was equipped with the correct coupler to move at least 387’s if there was a problem

 

[43096]

I was under the impression that it was equipped with the correct coupler to move at least 387’s if there was a problem

It is. That is why that loco (57312) is leased - it gives flexibility in that it can be used on the Night Riviera and also as a rescue loco.