Night Riviera Sleeper train - between Paddington and Penzance

[whole diary]

[GBM]

This morning's sleeper arrival from London was over 90 minutes late after problems near Redruth.   The loco developed problems and was declared a failure. 

At one stage plans were formulated to use the 08 shunter from Long Rock to rescue it but that would have taken an hour each way.   However eventually the train was able to limp into Redruth station to let passengers off.  The stock finally reached Penzance just before 10am.

Would have been embarrassing if Rishi had travelled on this service.

Just wondering if the service he was on was top 'n tailed all the way, or even double headed 'just in case'.

[bobm]

According to Realtime Trains at the time, it wasn't.  I did look out of curiosity.

[Witham Bobby]

I am not sure about speed limited - in that any artificial restriction is needed.   They are designed for working on depots and have a top speed of 15-20mph at full whack.

From memory, the Class 08 shunters were speed limited at 25mph.  Yes, actual limiters.  They probably could not have gone much faster than this anyway, but they were designed in the era of non-braked vehicles and shunting them, or running short local trips with them could have presented problems on any downhill bits - too much overspeed and the side-rods could have been thrown off

The ver=y similar looking Class 09 shunters were geared differently, and had a limited top speed of 29mph, if I recall correctly.  These were a bit more useful on local trip work.  The Taunton footplate crews loved to hate the diagrams that took them to Bridgwater on the 09 pilot loco to collect or drop off the nuclear flask traffic.  Only a few miles, but it took a while

[TaplowGreen]

Bit of a lie-in this morning!

21:45 Penzance to London Paddington due 05:04

08/07/24 21:45 Penzance to London Paddington due 05:04 has been previously delayed, is being further delayed between Taunton and Reading and is now expected to be 142 minutes late.

This is due to a problem currently under investigation.

[bobm]

Went through Melksham in daylight and due into Paddington just after 8am.

[LiskeardRich]

Berks and hants line closed. Driver didn’t sign diversion route. Had to wait for someone who signed the route to arrive and accompany

[bobm]

Been disruption in Cornwall this morning after the down sleeper expired just past Truro.    Almost all trains into and out of Penzance have been cancelled since 8 o'clock.

[TaplowGreen]

Been disruption in Cornwall this morning after the down sleeper expired just past Truro.    Almost all trains into and out of Penzance have been cancelled since 8 o'clock.

Pretty chaotic at both the Penzance/Paddington end today.

[alexross42]

Just went out for a run and as I crossed the Tamar bridge I was totally unprepared to see it being hauled  backwards across the RAB^▸ (Royal Albert Bridge, Saltash) by a castle class set!

And what's the one thing I don't take with me when out running.....yes, a phone!

[bradshaw]

Some images appearing on X/Twitter

https://x.com/firstgw_00/status/1811011476636725717?s=61&t=VlafMC5gF9tidw36b1Y8JQ

[GBM]

21:45 Penzance to London Paddington due 05:04
Facilities on the 21:45 Penzance to London Paddington due 05:04.
This is due to a shortage of trains because of extra safety inspections.
Will be formed of 5 coaches.
Additional Information
Due to a maintenance issue we are unable to operate this evenings Sleeper service between Penzance and London Paddington.

We have arranged for this service to be operated by one of our regular Intercity Express Trains which will offer a Standard and First Class seating service only. There will be no accommodation facilities.

If you are affected by this change to your journey and have not been contacted by our dedicated team concerning your travel arrangements, please contact our Customer Services team on 03457000125.

AND
23:45 London Paddington to Penzance due 07:54
23:45 London Paddington to Penzance due 07:54 will be terminated at Plymouth.
It will no longer call at Liskeard, Bodmin Parkway, Lostwithiel, Par, St Austell, Truro, Redruth, Camborne, Hayle, St Erth and Penzance.
This is due to a broken down train.
Further Information
We're sorry for the disruption to your journey.
-
If you're travelling to Liskeard, Bodmin Parkway, Lostwithiel, Par, St Austell, Truro, Redruth, Camborne, Hayle, St Erth or Penzance, please change at Plymouth and join 05:33 from Plymouth to Penzance.

Fri, 12 July 05:33 Plymouth to Penzance due 07:29
12/07/24 05:33 Plymouth to Penzance due 07:29 will be starting late from Plymouth and is expected to be 15 minutes late.
This is due to the train departing late to maintain customer connections.

[1st fan]

That would really suck especially if you didn’t get a first class seat. I think it might actually be a locomotive issue.

[Sleepy]

Sleeper woes tonight - up Sleeper substituted with IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train - replacement for HSTs (manufactured by Hitachi in Kobe, Japan)) and down Sleeper terminating at Plymouth 

[Timmer]

I think it might actually be a locomotive issue.

They desperately need replacing, failing too often. But as we always say here….oooooozzz gonna pay for it!

[grahame]

I think it might actually be a locomotive issue.

They desperately need replacing, failing too often. But as we always say here….oooooozzz gonna pay for it!

Not happening of course, but what was wrong with the idea of a couple of HST^▸ (High Speed Train (Inter City class 43 125 units)) power cars on the end of a rake of coaches ... I will get my coat ...