Tubeguru gets a new job

[tubeguru]

Al - I'll be called into action whenever I am needed, which will usually be when I'm on a shed or night turn and they need shunting doing - coaches being taken out of/put into HSTs, dead sets and locos need moving, HEX trains need to use the wheel lathe or underframe wash etc. You make it sound as if I have to ask if I can drive one.

TR - the 15mph top speed is in place for a simple reason:

When the loco is operating under its own power, the gear ratios will only allow a speed of 15mph. Also, 08s have wheel linkages like steam locos, which also restrict the speed. If the linkages are disconnected, the 08 can be hauled by another loco at at a maximum speed of 25mph.

As the maximum speed on the depot is 5mph, the 15mph only applies when the 08 is used to do the sleepers, which regularly happens when the 57s fail.

[The Raven]

Thanks for the information tubeguru.

Though looking at Wikipedia the 08 has only 350hp? A BMW M3 has more power, or am I missing something?

[Sam]

Sorry Neil. As a link 3 driver I will sign:

Woking stoppers
Guildford via Cobham
Guildford via Epsom
Dorking
Epsom
Shepperton
Chessington South
Kingston rounders
Hounslow rounders
Reading
Weybridge via Hounslow
Windsor and Eton Riverside
Hampton Court

[tubeguru]

Though looking at Wikipedia the 08 has only 350hp? A BMW M3 has more power, or am I missing something?

I'm not entirely sure of the physics of it all, but it's all to do with how the power from the engine is transmitted to the axles. A BMW M3 is designed to send its power directly to the axles, via the transmission, at several thousands revs, hence high acceleration.

On a diesel-electric loco (such as an HST), the engine is there purely to turn the alternators/generators that produce electricity. The 08 is one of these locos - the engine simply turns the DC generator, which feeds its power to the DC traction motors. It is this system that gives the 08 its supreme pulling power. The engine does not need to rev quickly to turn the generator at the speeds necessary for the correct amount of electricity to be generated.

The 08s were fitted with English Electric 6KT engine, an in-line 6-cylinder engine , pictured here: http://www.railwayscene.co.uk/image.php?imgref=524. Try fitting one of those in a BMW ...

The 6KT revs at between 600 and 680rpm, depending on which power setting is chosen. An HST engine revs at 1500rpm maximum (full power), but the ability to run at 125mph comes from how the power is fed to the axles - the DC traction motors, which each receive 2000v DC (four traction motors per train).

The BMW M3 may have the same power output as a 6KT, but I bet it can't produce the tractive effort required to pull three HSTs coupled together. So it's not all about power per se.

[tubeguru]

Sorry Neil. As a link 3 driver I will sign:

Woking stoppers
Guildford via Cobham
Guildford via Epsom
Dorking
Epsom
Shepperton
Chessington South
Kingston rounders
Hounslow rounders
Reading
Weybridge via Hounslow
Windsor and Eton Riverside
Hampton Court

That's a fair bit of work. So what do link 2 and link 1 drivers get as extra? The longer-distance stuff to the south-west?

[Sam]

As I mentioned above, link 2 add Alton to that list and link 1 get Portsmouth and Alton!!

Waterloo do Salisbury/Poole/Bournemouth services I believe.

[tubeguru]

As I mentioned above, link 2 add Alton to that list and link 1 get Portsmouth and Alton!!

Waterloo do Salisbury/Poole/Bournemouth services I believe.

Ah, you're not based at Waterloo are you? SWT confuses me.

[Sam]

As I mentioned above, link 2 add Alton to that list and link 1 get Portsmouth and Alton!!

Waterloo do Salisbury/Poole/Bournemouth services I believe.

Ah, you're not based at Waterloo are you? SWT confuses me.

Heck no!! I'm a Womble

[palkanetoijala31]

Heck no!! I'm a Womble

and you starting to look like one as well couldnt resist

[Sam]

Heck no!! I'm a Womble

and you starting to look like one as well couldnt resist

It's better than looking like you

[tubeguru]

Important Tubeguru job news coming to a forum near you soon. Just waiting for the official letter of confirmation.

[tubeguru]

Tubeguru can't be arsed to wait for the official letter. As usual, it's late.

I don't think there are many of you who don't know via Facebook or Twitter, but for those ignoramuses among you, I applied for a depot transfer to Plymouth in July 2011. Last Friday the transfer was activated, so I now have three months to move down there. How exciting.

[RichieG]

Possibly odd question TG... what's your 'uniform' when you're driving? I've got a 'dress up as what you wanted to be when you were older' thing coming up... to be honest, it sounds like it'll be a room full of broken dreams, but there we go.

[tubeguru]

Possibly odd question TG... what's your 'uniform' when you're driving? I've got a 'dress up as what you wanted to be when you were older' thing coming up... to be honest, it sounds like it'll be a room full of broken dreams, but there we go.

That's the weirdest question I've been asked about my job. But I am compelled to answer it.

FGW driver uniform consists of the following:

VERY dark blue (almost black) trousers.
Light blue (sky blue?) shirt (I prefer the short-sleeved ones).
Jumper optional - the company-issue ones are shit; I've got my own.

Then you have the coats and jackets. The jacket can be either a Harrington or a more classic blazer type. I prefer the blazer as it has more pockets for stuff. The more laddish drivers prefer the Harrington, because they think the blazer makes them look geeky. Whatever.

If you sit on the platform of a busy station and study our drivers carefully, you will notice that a lot of them have their own "version" of the above - it's not policed rigidly. The management have more important things to worry about.

That's more or less it. Make sure you have your safety shoes/boots of course.

[The Raven]

a room full of broken dreams

and thus a new Emo Rock Band name is formed!