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PhilWakely
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« Reply #1 on: September 15, 2015, 23:04:52 » |
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On the subject of today's naming ceremony, I photographed the power cars on their way from Laira to Swindon for the ceremony. When somebody saw the pictures, I was asked the question "What is the sense in coupling the two locomotives?" (which I interpreted as "why can't a single power car go on its own?") Can any of the technical minded or actual drivers on here give a proper, technical answer to that question assuming it is more than "It can't go backwards!"   |
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Chris from Nailsea
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« Reply #2 on: September 16, 2015, 01:26:53 » |
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... I photographed the power cars on their way from Laira to Swindon for the ceremony ...
I think that's an absolutely brilliant picture #1, Phil: whereabouts were you, to include that great (Devon, I think) landscape in the background? |
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William Huskisson MP▸ was the first person to be killed by a train while crossing the tracks, in 1830. Many more have died in the same way since then. Don't take a chance: stop, look, listen.
"Level crossings are safe, unless they are used in an unsafe manner." Discuss.
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PhilWakely
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« Reply #3 on: September 16, 2015, 07:48:56 » |
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whereabouts were you, to include that great (Devon, I think) landscape in the background?
Between Stoke Canon and Rewe, just north of Exeter - so, yes you were correct with your Devonshire landscape assumption   |
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chrisr_75
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« Reply #4 on: September 16, 2015, 09:46:27 » |
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...I was asked the question "What is the sense in coupling the two locomotives?" Just one word springs to mind for me - symmetry!  |
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bobm
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« Reply #5 on: September 16, 2015, 09:50:21 » |
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I am not technical - but I am told it is to do with braking force. A single power car would take longer to stop that two coupled together.
There is also a practical consideration in yesterday's case. A single power car would have needed to continue to Didcot to turn on the triangular junction before heading home.
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PhilWakely
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« Reply #6 on: September 16, 2015, 10:47:06 » |
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I am not technical - but I am told it is to do with braking force. A single power car would take longer to stop that two coupled together.
Thanks, I'll relay that on to the person who asked the question. There is also a practical consideration in yesterday's case. A single power car would have needed to continue to Didcot to turn on the triangular junction before heading home.
Or, alternatively, for a longer 'round the houses' route - continue on to Reading and take the B&H▸ without the need for reversal |
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ChrisB
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« Reply #7 on: September 16, 2015, 12:49:40 » |
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Surely, no protection at rear (lights etc)?
And it couldn't be driven in reverse, which is prob the stonger reason
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Oxonhutch
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« Reply #8 on: September 16, 2015, 13:09:21 » |
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I am quite sure there is a lamp bracket on the back; and that it can be driven in reverse. I would expect though it has to be reversed under the supervision of a shunter on the ground.
I await II's contribution...
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Rhydgaled
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« Reply #9 on: September 16, 2015, 16:30:09 » |
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I seem to recall that, when the subject of whether a class 43 can run by itself has been raised in the past, somebody has produced a link. Said link lead to a page which shows an occasion when a lone power car was detached from a set of coaches and carried passengers to the nearest station.
Not sure about driving one in reverse, I guess it is possible but not easy.
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Don't DOO▸ it, keep the guard (but it probably wouldn't be a bad idea if the driver unlocked the doors on arrival at calling points).
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grahame
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« Reply #10 on: September 16, 2015, 16:41:38 » |
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I seem to recall that, when the subject of whether a class 43 can run by itself has been raised in the past, somebody has produced a link. Said link lead to a page which shows an occasion when a lone power car was detached from a set of coaches and carried passengers to the nearest station.
Not sure about driving one in reverse, I guess it is possible but not easy.
http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=14548.msg160949#msg160949 |
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Coffee Shop Admin, Chair of Melksham Rail User Group, TravelWatch SouthWest Board Member
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stuving
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« Reply #11 on: September 16, 2015, 16:44:32 » |
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I have seen one running on its own, through Reading. I can't remember which way it was going - I mean east or west, it was certainly pointy end first.
I assume it was running from depot to depot, and the likelihood of it having to stop and reverse was assessed as small: probably less than for it failing and needing to be rescued. For the jaunt to Swindon that probably wasn't true. Even if reverse running was not planned, if it could not be ruled out you wouldn't let one out on its own.
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ChrisB
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« Reply #12 on: September 16, 2015, 16:51:27 » |
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I can't think ot can go very far in reverse..how can any driver/pilot see forward without leaning out of the cab window?
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ChrisB
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« Reply #14 on: September 16, 2015, 18:39:08 » |
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Graham posted that link a short time before you did
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