Mark Saunders Posted September 1, 2021 Share Posted September 1, 2021 1 hour ago, Fat Controller said: I believe they now have a 'vacuum-cleaner' type device; previously they flew everywhere, with predictable results for point detection and track circuits, and even lineside fires on occasion. On of them was at Darlington last week and it seems to be accompanied by a road skip carrier for the swarf . The same vehicle followed it to York. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold big jim Posted September 1, 2021 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted September 1, 2021 Yes the swarf is collected in the machine on site and the accompanying roll on roll off wagon collects it all up in a container when it returns to base, the container off the truck is in the first picture, the grey one with a door and window, I’m not sure how it’s taken out of the machine but it may actually me removed manually, I’ll ask the guys later it needs stabling between turns in locations where the truck can get alongside and be serviced by the technicians, hence the long transits sometimes such as craven arms on wrexham to bidston jobs, Carlisle upperby or carnforth on northern WCML jobs and Lichfield on southern WCML jobs, for some reason though it’s bescot this week which is unusual unless Lichfield isn’t available 1 8 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold 5BarVT Posted September 1, 2021 RMweb Gold Share Posted September 1, 2021 11 hours ago, Fat Controller said: I believe they now have a 'vacuum-cleaner' type device; previously they flew everywhere, with predictable results for point detection and track circuits, and even lineside fires on occasion. I think that was the rail grinder, the Miller is a different (and I understand better) machine. At one time the grinder had to have a fire crew alongside it. Paul. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Popular Post big jim Posted September 2, 2021 Author RMweb Gold Popular Post Share Posted September 2, 2021 This is the swarf bin on the unit, that swings out on a platform and onto the truck for emptying the container behind the truck is some sort of messroom thing that they roll off in site then use the empty bed for the swarf bin and put it back on when it heads to the next site and one of the train in nuneaton same again tonight then a Stone train tomorrow and I’ve just been asked to conduct the ‘This time it’s personal’ charter between Bescot and Rugeley via Cannock, Class 86 up front, that should be a interesting end to the night learning some new traction next week too (no it’s not the 69) 18 2 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold CovDriver Posted September 2, 2021 RMweb Gold Share Posted September 2, 2021 Something with an EE power unit inside ? Can't think of anything else at the moment. Great pics as ever Jim. Cheers Colin Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold big jim Posted September 2, 2021 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted September 2, 2021 Not as exciting at that I’m afraid, still looking forward to a challenge! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Siggie in the east Posted September 2, 2021 Share Posted September 2, 2021 8 hours ago, big jim said: ‘This time it’s personal’ charter between Bescot and Rugeley via Cannock, Class 86 up front, that should be a interesting end to the night That charter came through Colchester today on the Thames Haven-harwich International-ely-euston leg of the charter with a 66 and two 73s, had the hammer down, very impressive sight. Cheers 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Popular Post big jim Posted September 3, 2021 Author RMweb Gold Popular Post Share Posted September 3, 2021 (edited) Just 3 from last night nuneaton, changing ends Atherstone, waiting to move further into the possession to start work and back in Bescot all shut down today is also the 20th anniversary of me starting on the railway as a conductor for First North Western in Chester, I did that for 6 months before going driving and have done that ever since, had some ups and downs in that time, ups being signing lots of routes and traction and becoming an instructor and assessor and some of the downs (not too many thankfully) include losing my job with one company only to have it happen again a few years later when Fastline went bust in the 20 years I’ve signed unit classes 101, 142, 150, 153, 156, 158, 165, 168, 170, 175, 196 loco wise it’s class 08, 20, 37, 47, 56, 60, 66, 67, 70, DVT, DBSO and HST, next week to that I can add MPVs to the list too ive signed (and still sign some of) north to Carlisle and south to london (Marylebone) and Aberystwyth in the west and Doncaster in the east ive worked Trains, being conducted, to the likes of fort William and oban, Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth, Brighton and eastbourne and Cardiff and Bristol and lots of places in between signalling I’ve worked under the usual stuff like colour light and semaphore but also sign token working on the heart of Wales and RETB and ERTMS on the Cambrian In all quite a varied bag of stuff over the 20 years oh and it’s also @Big jim s dad birthday today too! Edited September 3, 2021 by big jim 30 20 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold 5BarVT Posted September 3, 2021 RMweb Gold Share Posted September 3, 2021 (edited) Congratulations, and to Big Jim’s Dad too. I won’t do the “I’ve done (did) xx years” as there are so many here who could probably get a bigger number! It’s a good industry in the Up times and a right pain in the down. Fortunately the Up is generally more than the Down. Paul. Edited September 3, 2021 by 5BarVT Correcting autocorrect! 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium corneliuslundie Posted September 3, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted September 3, 2021 Sounds like just Stanier Pacifics and Terriers to go then on your loco list! I guess that one small downside is that you do not often get to the Tywyn area these days. And I admire your determination to lose weight. I like cycling but some of your trips would leave me well behind. Many thanks for your regular posts. Jonathan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben B Posted September 3, 2021 Share Posted September 3, 2021 1 hour ago, big jim said: Just 3 from last night nuneaton, changing ends Atherstone, waiting to move further into the possession to start work and back in Bescot all shut down today is also the 20th anniversary of me starting on the railway as a conductor for First North Western in Chester, I did that for 6 months before going driving and have done that ever since, had some ups and downs in that time, ups being signing lots of routes and traction and becoming an instructor and assessor and some of the downs (not too many thankfully) include losing my job with one company only to have it happen again a few years later when Fastline went bust in the 20 years I’ve signed unit classes 101, 142, 150, 153, 156, 158, 165, 168, 170, 175, 196 loco wise it’s class 08, 20, 37, 47, 56, 60, 66, 67, 70, DVT, DBSO and HST, next week to that I can add MPVs to the list too ive signed (and still sign some of) north to Carlisle and south to london (Marylebone) and Aberystwyth in the west and Doncaster in the east ive worked Trains, being conducted, to the likes of fort William and oban, Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth, Brighton and eastbourne and Cardiff and Bristol and lots of places in between signalling I’ve worked under the usual stuff like colour light and semaphore but also sign token working on the heart of Wales and RETB and ERTMS on the Cambrian In all quite a varied bag of stuff over the 20 years oh and it’s also @Big jim s dad birthday today too! Congrats on the milestone! Out of intrest, what's your favourite loco out of all that lot to drive? And favourite route too? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold big jim Posted September 3, 2021 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted September 3, 2021 I do like the Cambrian but don’t sign it any more (more to the point is need a fresh ertms course) I miss going down there, my fave current route I sign is the s+c I suppose but it does get a bit boring, other than that the marches are quite nice traction wise my fave has got to be a 47, least favourite a 66, no particular reason as they do the job that’s expected of them day in day out and they rarely go wrong but they are a bit soul less compared to say a 37 or 56 10 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
KeithHC Posted September 3, 2021 Share Posted September 3, 2021 5 hours ago, corneliuslundie said: Sounds like just Stanier Pacifics and Terriers to go then on your loco list! I guess that one small downside is that you do not often get to the Tywyn area these days. And I admire your determination to lose weight. I like cycling but some of your trips would leave me well behind. Many thanks for your regular posts. Jonathan Well done Jim on 20 years quite a record but you are missing one piece of classic traction. What about that brilliant loco of the Southern region the class 33…… Keith Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold big jim Posted September 3, 2021 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted September 3, 2021 8 minutes ago, KeithHC said: Well done Jim on 20 years quite a record but you are missing one piece of classic traction. What about that brilliant loco of the Southern region the class 33…… Keith I do like 33s but I’ve never even been in one since I was a kid train spotting, DRS got theirs the same time I started there but I never got on one 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Popular Post big jim Posted September 4, 2021 Author RMweb Gold Popular Post Share Posted September 4, 2021 Cracking night in work last night, first up was working a Stone train from nuneaton to bescot, it was running an hour early so I could get there for the second part of the job, looks like the loco had an argument with the loader though! for the next bit I even put on my shirt and tie so I looked like someone owned me, I’m normally in full orange gear on worksites or terminals! After I worked the Stone train to bescot where I then jumped onto the GBRf “This time it’s personal’ charter to conduct it over cannock chase, as the timings were right between me getting to bescot and that passing through I asked the box to hold the train on the down goods, much to the delight of the track bashers on board, so the final couple of passenger trains could pass though, in the end I arrived 8 mins after it should have passed though so we didn’t lose much time but then there was a trespass incident so we lost a couple more minutes before we moved off the goods The driver on the 86 told me I could drive it as he’s an instructor on them so I got in the seat and worked it over to rugeley, quite a significant event as it’s the first 86 over the chase and indeed the first electric loco over there too! ready for the off from the goods obligatory hand on the controller picture I then rode on it to crewe in the 2nd mans seat where I managed a pic before the throng of people jumped off the train for pics this was only about 1/4 of those who piled to the end of the platform for pictures! The 86 was removed and a 92 put on for the run to Carlisle and mossend, everyone got back on board so again a chance for a picture with no one about walked back to the car in basford hall, passing the 86 which had been put back on the depot in all a great way to end my anniversary day, certainly not something I thought I’d be doing 20 years ago that’s for sure! back to normality tomorrow with a possession job again then a week learning MPVs 43 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Popular Post big jim Posted September 5, 2021 Author RMweb Gold Popular Post Share Posted September 5, 2021 Just two from last nights job, however after I had to cancel my plans Friday night due to work when I should have been going to a comedy show in Whitchurch i discovered saturday afternoon via Twitter that comedy festival promoter had a show on at 5pm in Stourbridge so I grabbed a ticket with a couple of hours to spare and headed over there to see Paul Sinha and a couple of other acts before heading to work at 8pm! if your in the Midlands/Shropshire area then check out funnybeesness for some quality acts, next week I’ve got rich hall and the week after Russell Kane in Whitchurch then later in the year and into next year Justin Moorhouse and Rosie Jones amongst others anyway enough promoting that, last nights job was bescot to wilnecote with a possession train, once I got on site it was taxi to coleshill to work the 3rd train to site, supposed to shut it down in position at 01:00 and finished but I didn’t get into position until 04:00 so was mega late finishing this morning! all 4 trains ready for the off in Bescot and coleshill back at my 2nd train of the night A week of learning MPVs coming up which I’m looking forward to 21 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeWL Posted September 5, 2021 Share Posted September 5, 2021 Great photos of the 86. I looked and sounded lovely through Rugeley. Certainly the first time an AC loco has worked over there under power. They were often hauled dead over there on diversions in the 70s and 80s. The loco was left on the train and a diesel dropped on, usually a 47 but 40s were not uncommon. I'm pretty sure the last time an AC loco worked into Walsall station under power was one night shift sometime around 2007 when we had a problem at Bescot North and sent a light Class 90 from Darlaston Junction to Walsall platform 3 and back out to Pleck and Bescot Junctions to get round it! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Popular Post big jim Posted September 5, 2021 Author RMweb Gold Popular Post Share Posted September 5, 2021 Went for a ride on the bike earlier to Halfords (3 mile away) but took a 20 mile diversion on the way home as it was such a nice afternoon, glad I did as I saw this traction engine in sandbach 23 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Popular Post big jim Posted September 6, 2021 Author RMweb Gold Popular Post Share Posted September 6, 2021 (edited) Just one pic from today, first day of learning MPVs, seem simple enough but very temperamental, if you get something in the wrong order when setting up the cab etc it won’t play ball and take power etc so you have to start again! Hard to believe they are over 20 years old now! Edited September 6, 2021 by big jim 25 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
surfsup Posted September 6, 2021 Share Posted September 6, 2021 3 hours ago, big jim said: Just one pic from today, first day of learning MPVs, seem simple enough but very temperamental, if you get something in the wrong order when setting up the cab etc it won’t play ball and take power etc so you have to start again! Hard to believe they are over 20 years old now! Don't brake too sharply in those either (or leave your coffee un-lided if you do), those truck style cab air suspension don't half wobble when you do! 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold big jim Posted September 6, 2021 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted September 6, 2021 (edited) Yes I was surprised to see the cabs have air suspension, it’s in the manual that if you come to one that’s been sat for a while the cab may be tilted back until the airbags fill! Edited September 6, 2021 by big jim 5 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold big jim Posted September 7, 2021 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted September 7, 2021 Just a couple from today, a bit of an early finish so a ride back via bournville and the old Harbourne branch and back into new st out on the mainline with the MPV tomorrow morning, kings Norton, Worcester, Leamington and bromsgrove amongst other places 18 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Popular Post big jim Posted September 8, 2021 Author RMweb Gold Popular Post Share Posted September 8, 2021 Some from today, first day out handling with the MPV, a good round robin of the Birmingham area First up we went kings Norton - university - new st - Perry barr - soho - smethwick - Kidderminster- Worcester Then we went back the same way to soho - Perry Barr - new st Then New st - St. Andrews - small heath - Dorridge - Leamington spa Leamington spa - dorridge - new st - university - bromsgrove And bromsgrove to kings Norton! certainly a quirky unit to drive, not going to win any speed contests up the lickey that’s for sure! another day of it tomorrow and final pass out on Friday, looking forward to adding them to my traction card 33 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Heather Posted September 8, 2021 Share Posted September 8, 2021 That's some unusual weathering on the front of one end of the unit. What is up there under the panel that is rusting so badly and staining the front? Peter Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold CovDriver Posted September 8, 2021 RMweb Gold Share Posted September 8, 2021 (edited) I may see you on your travels as I'm back to work next week after 3weeks off. I've no idea what I'm working yet but I'm sure cross city will be heavily involved. Looking forward to be trying to get above 65mph at the top of the bank. I hadn't realised the MPV's had air suspension cabs sounds like fun. Cheers Colin Edited September 8, 2021 by CovDriver 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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