TRAINS


I like trains, i really do and i always have. I don't take pictures of them, nor do i record there numbers, but they are giant moving hunks of heavy engineering and i like that.

Some people like there engines to be 8 valves and 2 cubic litres capacity, i much prefer 24 valves with 96 litres of cubic capacity (a class 66 engine developing 3250hp). If when accelerating hard you cant feel the motion in your gut then there really is little point.

I do prefer to travel by train if at all possible, mostly because i don't have to drive, read a map, or get stuck in traffic jams, so instead i look at the country, have lunch and read a book.

Here are a small selection of trains (with pictures) that i have personally travelled on, there are almost a hundred diffident classes of trains running on UK rails, so i can't comment on all of them.

In the UK there are basically 3 diffident ages of trains still working. The 1960's modernisation plan locomotives, Diesel Class 31/33/37/47 etc and the Electrics Class 73/86/87. Then there are the 1970/80s HST's (Intercity 125's) and finally there are the trains ordered after privatisation, the Class 22x DEMUs, and all the Turbostar and Electrostar units along with the de-facto freight locomotive the GM Class 66.

The selection below is taken from ones seen through Coventry on the WCML (West Coast Main Line), which you should know if you live in the UK, if you don't then, its a medium sized city on the country's most heavily used passenger and freight tracks.

I don't have the dedication to include lots of stuff here so i would recommend visiting some of the following links.

Links
  • https://www.railmagazine.com/ - My favourite rail publication, quite technical but with industry news and usefull stuff like cheap fairs.
  • http://www.trainspots.co.uk - Another very detailed community website, i don't use this one (its for trainspotters), but for sheer dedication its included here.
Note: You can view these images at full size 800 by 600 by clicking on them.


class 165 Class 165 Interurban Commuter Diesel Multiple Unit

These multiple units are most often used by Chiltern railway, (which runs from Birmingham Snow Hill to London Marylebone), they are in my opinion very comfortable and offer a thoroughly pleasing (and very cheap) journey between here (Coventry) and the capital.

Technical Data

Built: 199?? by ?? etc
Class 170 Urban Commuter Diesel Multiple Unit

In the the colours of Central Trains, these units are often used on quite long between city, stopping services, they are quite quick and comfortable, but the underfloor engines are much more irritating than the class 165 clubman services operated by Chiltern, for example.

Technical Data

Built: 199?? by ?? etc

class 170
Class 220 Class 220 (Voyager) Intercity Diesel Electric Multiple Unit

First of the HST replacements on Virgin CrossContry (VXC), along with the tilting Class 221. The Voyager has been the bias for both Midland Mainline's Meridian's and Hull Trains Pioneer trains.

Technical Data

Built: 199?? by ?? etc

Class 31 Diesel Locomotive

These are just about the oldest main line locomotives in service, many approaching 50 years old. Here in FM rail colours.

Technical Data

Built: 195?? by ?? etc

class 31
class 33 Class 33 Diesel Locomotive

Pictured in FM Rail (Fragonset / Merlin) colours, these old 1950s locomotives that were built as part of the BR modernisation plan are still doing actual main line work. Mostly spot hire and rescue locos.

These are often called Heritage locomotives because many of them are in preservation.

Technical Data

Built: 195?? by ?? etc

Class 37 Diesel Locomotive

Straight from the BR 1960s modernisation plan the Brush (of Loughbrough) Type 4, re designated by TOPS Class 37. The were the most numerous locomotive built by BR, now they are almost out of service with EWS, in who's livery this example can be seen.

Technical Data

Built: 195?? by ?? etc

class 37
class 390 Class 390 Electric Locomotive

The second tilting train to enter service (after the Class 221 Super Voyagers), the Pendelo's replaced 1960s Class 87's and Mk2 stock on the west coast mainline, between London (Euston) and Edinbrough. Originally 7 and 8 car sets all have now been lengthend to 9 cars to increase capacity on the at times very crowded WCML.

Technical Data

Built: 199?? by ?? etc

Class 43 Diesel Locomotive

A modern classic, i think it would be fair to say. The Class 43, or HST (High Speed Train) or IC125 (Intercity). They Were and to a lesser extent still are, the backbone of inctercity high speed travel in the UK. Here in Vigin colours where they have now been completely replaced by Class 390s and Class 22x multiple units.

Technical Data

Built: 197?? by ?? etc

class 43 (HST! baby)
class 57 Class 57 Diesel Locomotive

An update of the Class 47 of 1960s origin. Class 47s used to work both freight and cross country trains across the country in the 70s and 80s, but are now rare except on certain freight trains. The Class 57s are re-engined and updated and are used by Virgin as 'Thunderbird' locomotives to rescue broken down trains, as well as hauling electric locos over non-electrified lines during works.

Technical Data

Built: 196?? by ?? etc

Class 66 Diesel Locomotive

The modern freight locomotive, built by GM in the USA almost 400 (as of 2005) had been imported to replace Class 21/37/47 freight trains to great effect. Shown here in the colours of GBRf, the biggest British owned freight operator in the UK, (EWS is owned by an American operator).

Technical Data

Built: 199?? by ?? etc

class 66
class 87 Class 87 Electric Locomotive

For a long time the Class 87 + Mk2 combination was the WCML people mover, now that they have been replaced by Class 390's they have moved to pulling freight (for Freightliner) and working for NR as overhead line testers.

Technical Data

Built: 197?? by ?? etc

Class 90 Electric Locomotive

The Class 90s are fast 110mph capable freight locomotives that are used for parcels work but also for Scotrails overnight sleeper trains, not many of these locomotives were built and for a time worked on the WCML for Virgin.

Technical Data

Built: 198?? by ?? etc

class 90
class 91 (225) Class 91 Electric Locomotive

The Intercity 225 (max speed is 225 km per hour), locomotive trainsets along with there Mk4 coaches were built for the electrification of the ECML (East Coast Mainline), today GNER run this route and use these very powerful and reliable trains to pound up and down between London and Glasgow, making huge wadges of cash in the process.

Technical Data

Built: 198?? by ?? etc