Wick sleeper idea

[najaB]

You would have to run the locomotive around at Georgemas to access the main line when coming off the Thurso branch, in my head it'd be easier to just run this train from Wick should it ever exist.

That's true, but it might equally be possible to get a derogation to allow a low-speed propelling move - it's only 6 miles or so.

 

[flash]

That's true, but it might equally be possible to get a derogation to allow a low-speed propelling move - it's only 6 miles or so.

Barking.....

 

[Johnuk123]

That's true, but it might equally be possible to get a derogation to allow a low-speed propelling move - it's only 6 miles or so.

I very much doubt it.

 

[jopsuk]

Yes, but just a few crates in the cargo area of the Inverness seated coach.

Which makes the bike area (said cargo area) rather whiff on subsequent services

 

[cf111]

That's true, but it might equally be possible to get a derogation to allow a low-speed propelling move - it's only 6 miles or so.

It takes 10 minutes to cover the branch at line speed (60) in a 158, in anything that isn't 15X you're limited to 40 with special limits over certain structures and you'd need to navigate loads of user worked crossings and the Hoy AOCL (B) level crossing. You'd also need to somehow rig the RETB radio to work from the Thurso end of the train too because someone will have to tell the signaller that the train has passed the station limits marker.

While yes, I think it'd be great fun to have a sleeper for Caithness, I'm unconvinced that much actual thought has went into the idea so far. I lived there for more than 20 years and I just don't see the market.

 

[najaB]

Iou'd also need to somehow rig the RETB radio to work from the Thurso end of the train too because someone will have to tell the signaller that the train has passed the station limits marker.

Hadn't thought about RETB - the other restrictions aren't show stoppers. What did they do in pre-unit days, run the loco around?

 

[Agent_c]

Hadn't thought about RETB - the other restrictions aren't show stoppers. What did they do in pre-unit days, run the loco around?

Wasn't it a split train with two locos?

 

[najaB]

Wasn't it a split train with two locos?

Yes, but I meant when running back from Thurso.

 

[cf111]

Yes, but I meant when running back from Thurso.

Now you're making me think!

The Thurso train would arrive at the platform in use now, where the station building is, the Wick train would arrive into the second, now demolished, platform. From now on I'm somewhat trying to remember but I was quite young back then - I think once the Wick train had arrived, the Thurso train would pull forward towards Wick, then once the points had been changed back on to the Wick portion in the second platform, the Thurso loco would detach and the Wick loco would take the train to Inverness.

Happy to be corrected!

 

[HSTEd]

It takes 10 minutes to cover the branch at line speed (60) in a 158, in anything that isn't 15X you're limited to 40 with special limits over certain structures and you'd need to navigate loads of user worked crossings and the Hoy AOCL (B) level crossing. You'd also need to somehow rig the RETB radio to work from the Thurso end of the train too because someone will have to tell the signaller that the train has passed the station limits marker.

What about just finding a Class 09 from somewhere and dragging the train back?
You would be able to run it as a 'conventional' loco hauled train at the high high speed of 27.5mph

 

[47271]

What about just finding a Class 09 from somewhere and dragging the train back?
You would be able to run it as a 'conventional' loco hauled train at the high high speed of 27.5mph

Ha, when I read this first it was within the context of catching up with the Fort William to Euston train at Crianlarich.

Mind you, you're about as likely to find a shunting loco in Crianlarich as a taxi quickly

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk