RMweb Gold Popular Post big jim Posted May 15, 2020 Author RMweb Gold Popular Post Share Posted May 15, 2020 Important news regarding the GBRF charity railtour........ At GBRf Charity Railtours we are very proud of the fact that we have raised an incredible amount of money for great causes over the years, causes that genuinely change the lives of many. We now however live in a time where all of our lives have been changed, and where life may never be quite the same for a long time to come. Over the past weeks and months during lockdown, the organisers of GBRf 2020 have considered carefully what the impact of the global pandemic may do to our operation, always taking into account and reviewing the latest government advice on social distancing and how it intends to release the UK from lockdown. It is still not clear what the rules in society will be come September, as the latest government advice suggests that this will be conditional on the UK passing a number of tests to reduce the alert level. But also, it’s worth noting that the alert level, and therefore the rules could well vary geographically. How we overlay any rules that may be in place onto a twelve coach train full of passengers is not clear. What is clear though, is that even if somehow by September that the pandemic has passed and relative normality is restored, the appetite for such travel is likely to have significantly diminished, either because of remaining concerns about contracting the virus, or not least because many of us may have suffered some level of financial hardship through the course of this summer. With all of the above in mind, and the ongoing uncertainty, it does not feel appropriate to continue to make arrangements for GBRf 2020 to take place this September. All that said, whilst reviewing the latest information over the last eight weeks and coming to this decision, it was always in the back of our minds that if we arrived at this point, we would want to announce such a decision with a plan B. It is not in our nature to give up, and there is still very much the desire to deliver this operation at a later date. We also considered though that a short postponement for such a big operation would be unwise, given that a number of other railtour operations are now being postponed to later in the year - a large number of tours in a short timeframe would be unsustainable for both the number of people wanting to travel and their ability to afford to travel on them all. As such, we are pleased to advise provisionally that GBRf 2020 (ish) – “This Time it's Personal” will now take place from Thursday 15th April to Sunday 18thApril 2021. We intend to keep the itinerary broadly the same, though there were a few ideas we had originally that were scuppered by engineering work. We will need to review the operation against the engineering work planned for that weekend and expect there to be a few modifications/improvements which we’ll share over the coming months as and when confirmed. It would be remiss of us not to be clear that the re-dated operation is of course still conditional on the global situation. Let us all hope things are very different by the turn of the year. We will release tickets for sale when we are confident that we can run and will give plenty of notice of that date as things progress. We have not taken the decisions above lightly, and we trust you understand why we have come to the conclusions we have. We are very grateful for your support and we very much look forward to you joining us in April next year. The sad problem with the current situation, is that many charities have lost their funding streams as people are unable to raise money through their usual activities and many projects are stalling. Redating our train will have the same effect on what is potentially a huge donation to Prostate Cancer research funding. As this year progresses, GBRf Charity Railtours may still look to offer some of our more simplistic operations, similar to those we have done previously perhaps using the empty coaching stock moves from other operations. As the ability to do this becomes clearer over the coming months we will share details as soon as we can. We hope that you and your families are all safe and healthy, and enjoy what you can of this summer. The GBRf Charity Railtours Team 1 1 19 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold adb968008 Posted May 15, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted May 15, 2020 (edited) 15 hours ago, big jim said: I remember when I was at DRS @charliepetty kept asking me at exhibitions if I knew what was happening to them as he said they could be used to provide power to ex woodhead electrics instead of using the overheads? Ive heard the group behind E27000 several times investigate powering it up by other means, first time I heard it was back in the 1990’s, though realistically it could only work on the mainline (lack of run round / needing to turn it + Van connected). Interesting thought, though not cheap and i’d imagine a ton of certification, would look odd running with pantographs down, unless of course they isolated them, power somewhere similar to a class 37. I wish i’d seen 1501 in Holland working (saw it several times between Dordrecht and Rotterdam stored in the yard). As a kid I got a claim to fame of driving a 76... 76039 in the MOSI with a TV screen simulator, though I have memories of grounded bodies at Reddish, and seeing the last of them running before closure. Ive a picture somewhere sat in E26020 at Dinting circa 1980. Edited May 15, 2020 by adb968008 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold big jim Posted May 16, 2020 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted May 16, 2020 Some from today, coleshill to Doncaster iPort, nothing about so got a run at it, arrived amp hour early and no containers to unload so back mega early! Working it back again on Monday Doncaster decoy And parked up in the RMT bay with a line of 91s 19 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Barry O Posted May 16, 2020 RMweb Premium Share Posted May 16, 2020 Yes Charlie has an EM2 hidden away. It was at the NEC one year for the show. He was really happy playing with the horns! baz 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold The Stationmaster Posted May 17, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted May 17, 2020 On 14/05/2020 at 22:51, adb968008 said: Surprised they've not made their way into railtour rakes, though after 25 years i’d be impressed if they were any use at all. On 14/05/2020 at 22:58, newbryford said: Just search for 96372 96373 or 96375 for Long Marston pics. They are quite "weather-beaten" to say the least. I saw them in 2018 and they would make an interesting weathering project. They're probably a bit overpowered for the average railtour rake as they were designed for the high hotel power ETS loads of Nighstar coaches. Apologies for the O/T Jim! As they were designed to work with the ENS stock I doubt they'd be much use for anything else without modification because, as Mick has said, they were intended to produce quite a high power output. And of course there are no locos around or left with the necessary to work with them as I'm sure all of teh relevant bits of the Eurostar Class 37s have long since been removed. Eurostar couldn't find anybody to take them off their hands for a decent price when they were declared redundant and I hadn't been able to find any sort of hire market for them prior to that. Hiring out Class 37s and matchwagons wasn't too difficult and I made quite a good income for Eurostar with hire business (not so much for the match wagons of course but I could charge more or less what I liked for them without gping stupid). By the way as it happened they couldn't meet the maximum power demand of a even the short ENS sets under some operational conditions particularly fairly high and low outdoor ambient temperatures so the load shedding would have kicked into life at various times especially if all the showers were run at once. jUst one of the various technical flaws on the ENS sets. Incidentally if the ENS service to Amsterdam had come about the loco booked to head the first train to Amsterdam within Holland was lined up to be the preserved NS1501 ex E27003. 4 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Popular Post big jim Posted May 19, 2020 Author RMweb Gold Popular Post Share Posted May 19, 2020 Some from this evening, Wrexham to landor st with a cement train, I was supposed to get on at shrewsbury but the other driver lives in north wales and his car was in Wrexham and it was as easy for me to get there as shrewsbury so I did that, and it keeps me refreshed on the route! This picture I purposely stood where I did for a reason to compare it to this one from about 1985 and closer it came a blast down to shrewsbury where one of my former colas trainees was heading to pantyffynon with 97303 and that was about it, ran 3 hours early so got put into oxley until time before heading to landor st 30 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold 5BarVT Posted May 20, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted May 20, 2020 Thanks for the comparison photos. Really interesting seeing how it was. Paul. 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ess1uk Posted May 21, 2020 Share Posted May 21, 2020 Photobucket playing up again? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold big jim Posted May 21, 2020 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted May 21, 2020 (edited) Doesn’t seem to be, it was a bit slow uploading yesterday but I can see all the pics ok edit: see what you mean having gone back a page, yes I think there must be something up with it again! Edited May 21, 2020 by big jim 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Popular Post big jim Posted May 23, 2020 Author RMweb Gold Popular Post Share Posted May 23, 2020 (edited) Just one from yesterday, bit of an odd looking shot with the lamp in the middle but an unusual view of landor st jn, (taken safely from the walking route behind a protective barrier) freightliner 66 waiting to crossover into lawley st, HST heading to derby and voyager heading to new st! Edited May 23, 2020 by big jim 34 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium GWRPhil Posted May 23, 2020 RMweb Premium Share Posted May 23, 2020 1 minute ago, big jim said: Just one from yesterday, bit of an odd looking shot with the lamp in the middle but an unusual view of landor st jn, (taken safely from the walking route behind a protective barrier) freightliner 66 waiting to crossover into lawley st, HST heading to derby and voyager heading to new st! That’s a brilliant shot. 2 8 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Popular Post big jim Posted May 23, 2020 Author RMweb Gold Popular Post Share Posted May 23, 2020 Thanks, I’ve uploaded the wrong one to be honest, I think this one is better..... 37 2 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Popular Post big jim Posted May 25, 2020 Author RMweb Gold Popular Post Share Posted May 25, 2020 Just a couple from today, been feeling really ill as I got food poisoning Yesterday from an undercooked chicken pie, thankfully the first bit of my job was cancelled at 05:00 so I only had to get to nuneaton for 12:00 to work a train to bescot, thankfully I think I’m over it now! 66740 ‘Sarah’ with 20 auto ballasters 66303 passing through Tame Bridge Parkway with a daventry to Iport train 23 1 8 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shed Posted May 27, 2020 Share Posted May 27, 2020 Jim when you drive on the Cambrian under ERTMS what do you have to do to get the train to work? what does "Train fitted with Airtight System" mean? thanks Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold big jim Posted May 27, 2020 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted May 27, 2020 The first question could have a one line answer or a 10 page answer! easiest way of putting it, you can’t get the brake to pump up without putting the correct info into the computer! as for the 2nd bit, not a clue what your in about, what context have you heard the phrase? 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shed Posted May 27, 2020 Share Posted May 27, 2020 seen on a list for required on board data I would assume that this would all be specific to the train and thus stored in the EVC and not have to entered manually by the driver? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold big jim Posted May 27, 2020 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted May 27, 2020 I can honestly say “not a clue” You do I put individual data specific to the train but it’s in code form, ie there is a code for light engine 97, a code for loco hauled Trains, a code for 158 units etc the down side is the loco hauled code for example assumes you have 12 coaches behind you and adjusts the brake curve accordingly so if you have 4 coaches it will force you to brake earlier thinking you have 12 coaches behind, similarly coming off speed restrictions the system counts the invisible coaches before it lets you speed back up 1 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Popular Post big jim Posted May 27, 2020 Author RMweb Gold Popular Post Share Posted May 27, 2020 Some from today, bescot to toton tripper 66708 ‘Jayne’ in Bescot with a train of points carriers and side tippers and into toton TPE 68 on a train of lobsters bound for crewe iirc And back in Bescot, uncoupled and run back along an empty road mountsorrel tomorrow 31 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dvdlcs Posted May 28, 2020 Share Posted May 28, 2020 22 hours ago, big jim said: I can honestly say “not a clue” You do I put individual data specific to the train but it’s in code form, ie there is a code for light engine 97, a code for loco hauled Trains, a code for 158 units etc the down side is the loco hauled code for example assumes you have 12 coaches behind you and adjusts the brake curve accordingly so if you have 4 coaches it will force you to brake earlier thinking you have 12 coaches behind, similarly coming off speed restrictions the system counts the invisible coaches before it lets you speed back up When setting up the train there will be a number of profiles to choose from. The profile chosen will define the train length and elements of the braking curve. Unfortunately there can't be an unlimited choice of profiles, particularly for loco hauled stock, but surprised that you 'only' have the choice of loco+12 and there isn't at least one shorter formation available. Possibly more suited for fixed length rakes, such as multiple units. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold big jim Posted May 28, 2020 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted May 28, 2020 37 minutes ago, dvdlcs said: When setting up the train there will be a number of profiles to choose from. The profile chosen will define the train length and elements of the braking curve. Unfortunately there can't be an unlimited choice of profiles, particularly for loco hauled stock, but surprised that you 'only' have the choice of loco+12 and there isn't at least one shorter formation available. Possibly more suited for fixed length rakes, such as multiple units. it has been addressed on numerous occasions and it’s a software tweak to add the extra options but like most things railway related, no one wants to do it or be responsible for it, the reason given being it’s a still effectively a test system that is working as it should so why mess with it if you are just dragging say a single tamper then you put in a light engine code, I suppose you could put in a light engine code for a 3 or 4 coach IM train but you would have to be very on the ball with the brake to not be caught out by the ‘hook’ I believe the unit version does give you the option of number of coaches to give you a different brake curve, pretty much the same as (chiltern) ATP which gives adjusts the brake curve and if you have an isolated vehicle a slower top speed 3 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Popular Post big jim Posted May 28, 2020 Author RMweb Gold Popular Post Share Posted May 28, 2020 Some from yesterday, landor st to mountsorrel and back, thankfully with a loco with good air conditioning! 66759 ’’chippy” arriving with a 350 heading to new st above and after loading in mountsorrel 2 hours to wait until departure time took some pics out of the side window, the iPhone allows you to take a burst of pics and choose the best from them, these pics are pretty good considering the trains on the fast lines are passing at 110mph! note the midland mainline logo on the coupler door! local service on the slow line Ews 66 arriving in for loading same again tomorrow 31 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Popular Post big jim Posted May 29, 2020 Author RMweb Gold Popular Post Share Posted May 29, 2020 Same again today, only 2 pics though, both of 47s crewe to landore, ATW mk3s and a pair of 47s heading back to Leicester from derby 28 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack374 Posted May 30, 2020 Share Posted May 30, 2020 9 hours ago, big jim said: and a pair of 47s heading back to Leicester from derby Great shots Jim, we’ve had some belting weather recently! You scared me for a minute...thought I’d missed seeing shiny 812 if it had been to Derby but I’m pretty sure they went back to Leicester from Ely yesterday. Thanks, Jack. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Popular Post big jim Posted May 31, 2020 Author RMweb Gold Popular Post Share Posted May 31, 2020 Phone went 11 o clock this morning, GBRF control.... “just checking your on duty” “yeah I’m spare today” ”erm no your relieving 7G62 in rugby at 12:20” ”oh ****, I’m on my way!” thankfully it was running 20 minutes late then wa edit her delayed by another 30 by the time it got to rugby so I managed to get there 20 minutes before it arrived (even had time to stop for petrol!) 66740, Sarah, with 2 self propelled cranes (hence the class 7 45mph running), a train of falcons and another dead 66 on the rear Was booked to sit in Whitaker loop for 4 hours due to a possession but it was lifted early so I got it into bescot 4 hours early, dashed for the train back to rugby for my car hence no more pics! 29 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium ColinK Posted May 31, 2020 RMweb Premium Share Posted May 31, 2020 I’ve had calls like that. One morning I was in the land of nod on my rest day and the phone rings.. . ’Colin, Tim has called in sick, any chance of you working today?’ ‘Can do’ ’Can you get in for 0730?’ ’What time is it now?’ ’Ten past seven’. 1 1 3 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now