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Author Topic: Sleeper in daylight  (Read 1294 times)
bobm
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« on: May 14, 2022, 07:18:50 »

Presumably to turn the stock round one of the sleeper sets is off on a jaunt around the Thames Valley this morning.

Leaving Paddington just after 7.30 it’s going to Didcot Parkway, reversing to go back to Reading, via the West Curve and on to Newbury before coming back to Reading and into the depot at around 10.45am.

(Or perhaps it just needs an airing because I’ve been on it the last two nights!)
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bobm
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« Reply #1 on: May 15, 2022, 09:44:37 »

Just to complete the story - here is the stock back in Reading with the seating coaches now at the London end.



When in their correct formation IETs (Intercity Express Train) are usually marshalled so that first class is closest to the gateline at Paddington.  I assume the thinking behind having the berths, the premier product on the sleeper service, further down the train is so they are closer to the first class lounge on platform 1.
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« Reply #2 on: May 15, 2022, 11:22:28 »

I spotted this on the real-time trains and saw it returning from Didcot at Lower Basildon heading for Newbury. It then appeared not to make it beyond Theale as I watched a pair of 47’s on a charter pass Aldermaston. I had to head somewhere so I didn’t have time to see if it left Theale for Newbury and back. I have seen the set before pass Theale on a Saturday morning at around this time before so I’ve concluded that it must be a test run for the locos after servicing of some description.
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Ralph Ayres
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« Reply #3 on: May 15, 2022, 22:33:25 »

This sort of thing, along with other practices such as sending Heathrow Express stock all the way to Reading for servicing, does seem a poor use of fuel/energy and rather detracts from rail's green credentials even if overall rail is more environmentally friendly despite this. It's a pity a way can't be found to do it without so much empty running; some sort of turntable or crane perhaps?
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« Reply #4 on: May 15, 2022, 23:49:05 »

This sort of thing, along with other practices such as sending Heathrow Express stock all the way to Reading for servicing, does seem a poor use of fuel/energy and rather detracts from rail's green credentials even if overall rail is more environmentally friendly despite this. It's a pity a way can't be found to do it without so much empty running; some sort of turntable or crane perhaps?

There must be a lot of easier alternatives than a turntable that big!

First, you could just change the operating procedures for boarding so it didn't matter so much which end was which. After all, it's the other way round at Penzance.

Or you could split the rake and move the day coaches to the other end, most likely in the depot. Only a minor change in operation should be enough for that.

Didn't this manoeuvre used to be done round the loop via Greenford? That's now severed at Old Oak, but there is still a triangle at West Ealing that could do the trick (but not if you believe Traksy, which shows the wrong line taken out in singling that junction). If reversing on the branch is too unsignalled, I think you can still go up onto what's left of the Wycombe Line to do it there. Then you can continue straight on to the depot at Reading.

I'm assuming here that the consist ran/could run with a loco and driver at each end, so no walking is called for, let alone running around. Or was there only one driver on Saturday, which might explain why the reversals were done at platforms. Even that doesn't explain why it went to Didcot first, then Newbury - the other order would have avoided the third reversal at Reading.

In reality, it makes most sense to not worry too much about a tiny part of the diesel used in running the sleeper, let alone the railway as a whole. Unless it becomes important to up the greenness of the railway's image, of course.
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bobm
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« Reply #5 on: May 16, 2022, 02:04:05 »

Well whatever the reason it’s going to be around the other way again as both sleepers have run via Yeovil tonight!
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grahame
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« Reply #6 on: May 16, 2022, 03:54:42 »

Well whatever the reason it’s going to be around the other way again as both sleepers have run via Yeovil tonight!

Stupid Question time ...

Could it be (re)turned during the night at Laira?
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« Reply #7 on: May 16, 2022, 06:44:47 »

This sort of thing, along with other practices such as sending Heathrow Express stock all the way to Reading for servicing, does seem a poor use of fuel/energy and rather detracts from rail's green credentials even if overall rail is more environmentally friendly despite this. It's a pity a way can't be found to do it without so much empty running; some sort of turntable or crane perhaps?

It is more economical it terms of energy, facility and staff costs to move rolling stock to a large depot / train care that have many small depots / train care facilities.  The use of North Pole is ruled out as this not a GWR (Great Western Railway) facility also not set up for engine and coaches.

Stock movement costs are not as high as it would seem.  When the HST (High Speed Train)'s were introduced at OOC (Old Oak Common (depot)) turning the stock within the depot on the 'Factory' turntable was considered but was worked out it would take all day involve far to many staff to economical even for BR (British Rail(ways)), power cars were turned on the turntable but that involved using an 08 shunter which added to the mix.

 
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