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Sulzer201

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Posts posted by Sulzer201

    Mark III Driving Trailers

    in Irish Models

    Posted

    IE originally planned to build a fleet of MK3 diesel-electric railcars for use on suburban and secondary lines in addition to the 124 MK3 main line coaches currenty authorised.

     

    The MK3 push-pull sets were designed to replace the Park Royal coaches on Northern Suburban services and the MK3 main line fleet capped at 99? coaches when the Government refused to authorise the building of the railcars or additional coaches beyond the 5 Driving Cars.

     

    Interestingly the driving cars were designed to be retrofitted with a generator set and 3 phase traction motors hence the fitting of EMU bogies.

     

    IE had an acute loco shortage at the time, the 121s fitted with 645 engines from scrapped B201 class fitted the bill, though a 6 coach push pull set was pushing it.

     

    At the time (late 80s) IE may have hoped to get funding for additional railcars, the situation had changed by the early 90s when manufacturing jobs was less of an issue and Government procurement was opened up to meet EU requirements.

     

    Thanks John and most informative and interesting points there. I remember 121 operated push pulls on Sunday services on the Rosslare line back in the early 90s and they did often struggle on that route. I also remember one absolutely flying down the Rathdrum Bank. Interesting use of limited resources at the time and they made do with what they had. A far cry from the I.E. scene today with one of the most modern train fleets in Europe.

    Mark III Driving Trailers

    in Irish Models

    Posted

    I had to do a botched repair on a buffer on my MK III DVT/Control Car. Got me thinking about these very unique vehicles and the great skill and ingenuity of the Inchicore workforce in adapting them for service as push/pull trains. In his book 'Irish Railway Rambler', Michael McMahon observes that five of these were built as 'Driving Brake Generator Second Class', better known as Control Cars. They had full width cabs with underfloor Cummins generators for on-board train services. Also a novel idea to have power generated underneath the coach (akin to practice in the USA), then I got to thinking, imagine if they had converted more of them up to full speed standard to work with push/pull fitted 071s! It would have made for some interesting sights and sounds and cut out the need for running around at the likes of Hueston and Kent stations on the top link workings. Initally the push/pulls were probably underpowered with the single 121 (still a great idea and lovely comfortable trains), from the mid 90s they got superpower in the shape of the 201s. Has any of these wonderful vehicles been preserved?

     

     

     

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    DSCF5592.jpg

    Special Delivery!

    in Letting off Steam

    Posted · Edited by Sulzer201

    Came across this incident and apologies to those who have seen it before, collision between a Royal Mail postal service hauled by a GM Cl 67 and a coal train hauled by a Cl 60. Bit of a spectacular and expensive i'd reckon.

     

    Track bed + ballast experiments

    in Tips & Tricks

    Posted

    Thanks Noel great demo and advice. My track is an absolute disaster area and my ballasting skills are very poor. I find it a challenge to try get the track level and the curves so that they don't derail a train, I'm not able to cut track neatly and I have old hornby stuff and running on budget. A 141 and 2 cravens made 3 laps of the single line last night and stayed on the road, and I thought that was an achievement! when one has overcome the challenge of laying consistent track the correct application of ballasting makes the scene so complete. There are some great examples by modellers on here and well done Noel for the tips.

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