Last Days of "HS 4000, KESTREL".
 

Hi Guys, I found this link; http://www.parovoz.com/newgallery/pg...=235774&LNG=EN

Regards, 62440.:(

Assuming that pic was taken in 1985 (my grasp of the language on that page isn't that good!), the paintwork is in remarkable condition. It's obviously work stained, and weathered due to where it's being stored, but when you consider how quickly diesels in this country get shabby looking, to (presumably) not having been painted at all in over 20 years, is quite impressive.

It's a shame that at this point in it's life and obviously being out of use and bearing in mind the active preservation movement in 1985 that it could not have been repatriated.

Had it not been "re gauged" ?

It had indeed, 5 foot gauge over there I believe? As it had an axleload of over 22 tons it would hardly have suited most preserved lines.:eek: Shame it went. I saw it being built, out on test, on display at the 1968 open day at Derby Loco Works and on shed at Finsbury Park. A very impressive bit of kit!:cool:

Regards, 62440.:D

Whilst firing at Kings Cross I fired on A1 Pacific 60130 Kestrel. sorry I'm a bit off topic as this thread is about a diesel.

Having translated the page I have found that if you go to comment No 16 and click on the first heavy black arrow you will be rewarded with another picture of Kestrel, whilst the second arrow will give you a photo of 10800 "HAWK"

Or most lines in Russia.

Always been fascinated by the 'one off' prototypes...so I bought 'Falcon' and 'Kestrel' in model form, cracking models they are too!
Very 'powerful yet sad' image though....

Its an awful shame to see a great loco like this just sat there rotting.

ccmmick.

First part of this film is about "Kestrel"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9rBcSZb3bE

Thanks for that Philip

Very interesting also the APT a shame it never got of the ground i do remember the HST Prototype it used to come down to Plymouth on a regular run.

What is the HP of the new class 70s are they 4000???

ccmmick.

Anyone spot the Metrovick? It's at about 1:57 in, just behind the APT-E.

Thanks for the Link, Regards, 62440.

New class 70's are rated at 3700HP I thik.

Cheers John

Not far off then
Thanks John.

ccmmick.

The reason that the APT did not get off the ground was almost totally political. There was very little wrong with the basic design and it would have taken very little work to sort out the teething problems!

The press did not help with their scare stories about motion sickness!

Best wishes for 2010.

John H-T.

Getting away from Kestrel for a mo and on the subject of APT, I have met one of the electrical engineers who worked tirelessly on testing the train and it was flawed because of the brakes. The aerodynamics of the carriages caused the brakes to freeze at high speed and that would have meant a very costly redesign of the carriage profile to make any significant difference. Apparently politics took over when it was axed.

I've never heard the brakes before.

The APT actually ran in service for many years did it not, just quietly and unloved.

The last bit is the key: "Politics took over." Today I spoke to one of the fitters who spent several months and thousands of miles on the APT on the West Coast Main Line.

The problem with freezing brakes was limited to a short period of extreme winter weather. So cold that the diesel in lorries was freezing!

Otherwise he felt that the brakes were more than adequate.

I don't think the APT spent very long in revenue earning service. The Tory Press saw to that!

Best wishes,

John H-T.

In the gallery "APT Cutting 21.03.1987", shows some of the last APT coaches being dismantled.

(Sorry, I'm lousy at cut and past or would have put up a link)

Cheers, 62440.

The APT worked Euston-Glasgow relief services three times per week from 1983-1985.

This one?
http://www.railwayforum.net/gallery/...imageuser=2802

Here is more evidence that the high speed railways dont work well in extremely cold temps. Perhaps they should be looking to aero technology which copes very well at 40K feet at -40 deg C. Even desending to surface humidity doesnt cause them any problems!

Anything that flies HAS to be designed to cope with very specific climatic conditions and nothing can be left to chance.

Even modern motor cars seem to be immune from the climatic vagaries that we have and don't suddenly break down when it gets cold/wet/hot/damp/freezing/dusty etc etc.

John/Swisstrains: Got it in one sir!:cool:

Regards, 62440.:o

I would agree with your comment re flying however I think you are being unfair to compare 70's design with modern cars. I recall having considerable problems with cars in winter conditions at that time. We have moved forward in winterising quite considerably since then.

The modern plane has been developed as the result of experience, sadly fatal in a number of cases.

History has proved that the basic design of the APT was not flawed which is why other manufacturers were happy to take it on, develop it and then sell it back to us!

Best wishes,

John H-T.

The same happened with Prof. Eric Laithwaite's Maglev train which ran across the Fens when I were a lad. I saw the track once and the actual train is plinthed at Peterboro Railway World. But everyone else with money to spend thinks its the future of railways. You dont have to worry about brakes freezing thats for sure!

Hs4000
 

I was reading some BR documents on saturday and the weight issue was one amongst several why BR didnt like it. Apprently the size of the Sulzer engine made the engine room a nightmare to work in as it was so cramped. Next time I go to Kew I'll dig out the file again and list out the reasons in more detail if people are interested?

Regards

Simon

All engine rooms are cramped the worst one from what i remember is the class 50.

ccmmick.

I'm glad to see some of the contributors feel cars are immune to climatic problems. So all the cars sliding on Black Ice was deliberate was it? The lorries inability to climb the smallest snowy incline even on a motorway was very attractive, were the drivers looking for a lock in the nearest hostelry. No form of transport is without problems, the difference is that they show up in different ways. Trains as opposed to motor vehicles are not allowed to proceed when the circumstances are dangerous. That is reflected in the statistics. When was the last public enquiry after a motor accident!

That would be the night when 1000 people got stranded on the hills (so called) on the M11 the other year between Stansted and the A10 exit. All night they were there - couldnt go forward or back until help broke through the treacherous 2 inches of snow fall. Have you seen the recent round of snowfall pictures from Norway - just unbelievable images of what a lot of snow looks like.