Trains new Stocks?

Another fare Hike!

Is it because we need new signalling, new track alignment or are the operators just getting their arm in? Many nations from time to time change their fleets and improve their traction, but this is done over years and the colour schemes also gradually change with the upgrade of the fleet?

But the private fleets in the U.K. do this on a regular basis and one understands why but then has to ask at what cost to the season ticket holder? We cannot do without the train today, most of the operations are freight in and out of the U.K. The cross channel link now means trains from China can make the journeys without relying on the seas and all the problems of piracy around the world!

Many improvements have been made, but shorter trains do not help with overcrowding, while at other time trains run empty on a new timetable that remains controversial. New stock is coming into service and older engines moved on to Wales, and Scotland, but this is not the real problems?

British Rail Class31/33.

Dwindling to Preservation?

Today these are either found working Departmental or Network track testing trains and one hopes may of what is left will soon head for the various preservation societies?

The Class 31 is the Brush/English Electric A1A-A1A, built between 1958-62 and could be described as a light engine. These Loughborough engines were originally numbered D5520-5862, today only one locomotive still carries D5613, 31190.

31/1 Is standard and only six remain, 31/4 has electric supply fitted and only six also remain in service. The last is 31/6 two with ETS wiring remain.

Top speed was originally 90mph, continues traction was 23.5 mph and weights 106-111 tons.

The Class 33 was built between 1960-61 at Birmingham BRCW/SULZER Bo-Bo Speed 85mph and weights were lighter than the Class 31's coming in at 78-78tons.

These locomotives were also originally numbered D6500-D6597 but not in order. Only 33012 still carries D6515.

33/0 Standard class has only four left, while 33/2 is one engine

Engineering, Maintenance and Building. Part-one.

Railways need cared For!

Every railroad or way around the world has a dedicated fleet of rolling stock to cater for all engineering types work, from general maintenance to rebuilding sections that are outdated. 

Millions is spent each year on the upgrading of rail track, signals and preventing flooding? Every country has many different situations in realtion to climate from ice and snow to desert!

Much humour is made about wet leaves on the lines in the fall, but to some systems this is serious in relation to wheel slippage. Older trains are more prone to this problem, but it is hoped that the newer types of rail alignment and layout of the track sleepers willin the future not happen again.

Engineering trains were once the speciality of each company or country meeting the local needs or costs, but now that a standard fleet is available such as Bombardiers and Plieser's track machines and they can be exported around the world.

Coaching Stock. Part-Three.

Engineering to Specialist Stock.

Generally when everyday coaching stock comes to the end of its life, it is either sold on or scrapped. But some coaching stock is kept for a new lease of life in the engineering side of the railways, while others become track recording and various measurement vehicles.

This type of stock in Great Britain is generally painted yellow, while in other countries they will have their own schemes. Some older locomotives are also kept in a pool known as Departmental for special duties and for back up, if new trains have power failures.

Many of these trains also work on behalf of the military, with unlisted movements at night and other government work. 

They also operate on lines that are no longer listed on maps, but if you are in the know or are good at hunching then you might be able to film one?

Rail Engineering. Part-Two.

Easter Weekend Nightmares.

This is the time of the year where the opportunity arises to get those yellow engineering trains out of their various depots or holding areas to repair the rails. Many train enthusiasts don't really bother with them, its more the freight that takes their interest.

But like a few out there, they fascinate me because of their technical innovation and the ability now to lift and replace rail tracks in whole sections with very little human activity. There are so many different kinds of machines employed in railway building and demolishing that it can leave one wondering.

Many of the manufacturers of these new complex machines, just specialise in these types and their locomotives. These trains come in various sizes and gauges and are deployed all over the world under and above ground.

Construction Vehicles. Part-One.

Roads, Rails and Homes.

Where ever you live in the world today, you will come across some form of vehicle or machine being employed to help, support and construct. The construction machine has existed since the days of moving large stone blocks to developing cranes, these machines where not motorised as today. 

But then we had to start some were to progress forward to today. Mechanical diggers, JCB types, Tractors in all sizes, cement mixers, Tarmac rollers, Bulldozers. Before you start to lay a railway line, the area has to be cleared by these conventional machines. Track laying is now done as a one piece pre-assembled unit, but it still needs to be joined.

The good old engineering vehicles, which are bi-passed by many railway film makers are perhaps more interesting than the locomotives and worth further study.