QUOTE (bri.s @ 27 May 2008, 08:18)
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>hello mate you built a layout on the penistone-sheffield line is it dc overhead electric and also whats mmls project rio as a barnsley lad am intrested in anything from around the district.thanks bri.s
Currently there is no overheads, as I thought the idea of the DC system being removed was preferable to the thought of it being converted and made the assumption that BR would go the same way on cost grounds, with the portals and wires being removed as maintenance was required. Also, I have far too many 156s for it to be economic for me to use overheads at the moment.
That said I do need an excuse to run the 319s I have bought. I got them because I like them and used to drive them, but could use the excuse they are on test for potential use on the route (if I do finally decide to go for overheads)
MMLs (Midland Mainline) Project Rio was cooked up by someone who saw the closure of the West Coast Mainline (WCML) to Manchester on weekends, for tilt and speed upgrades, as a potential problem and saw to it that direct trains from London still ran to Manchester.
MML was given some spare HST sets that were previously used by Virgin Cross Country (VXC) until Voyagers started running. They were used to run services from London St Pancras, itself in a state of flux, to Manchester calling Luton/Bedford, Derby, Chesterfield, Stockport and Piccadilly, using the curve from the Midland Mainline at Dore to avoid Sheffield. Originally planned as an hourly service, it first ran as a four hourly service with the other three running as far as Leicester, due to the stock not being ready, most of the trains did not have a restaurant car, the exception being one set hired from First Great Western (43004/43009) which promptly broke down at Leicester on its first run. I went on one such train myself once which was totally Virgin liveried (minus the logos) and was formed as follows:
PC-TGS-TSO-TSO-TSO-TFO-PC
PC = Power car
TGS = Trailer Guard Standard
TSO = Trailer Standard Open
TFO = Trailer First Open
It was a time when MML decided to change from its 'Teal and Tangerine' colours to the now familiar white and blue livery, which saw full sets in a mixture of all three liveries, on any route. The only coach types not to appear in Virgin colours on these services were the buffet coaches as they needed to have a full kitchen fitted.
How does this fit in I hear you ask? Well it doesn't in real life, but I use the HSTs and a 170 to run to London St Pancras from Leeds via Huddersfield (HSTs) and as a space saving move from Sheffield (170/HST). It could be said that the 'Rio' service may have benefited from going through Sheffield and along the Woodhead, but we shall never know. I might include a few 'on diversion' when Hornby release the ex-Lima models later in the year (or even the brand new ones!) as I only have two sets currently.
QUOTE (bri.s @ 27 May 2008, 08:23)
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>also happy bday mate
Thank you.