Cab ride aboard a Plasser & Theurer tamper from Tonbridge to East Croydon. The journey is routed via Sevenoaks, Orpington, Bromley South, Herne Hill and Clapham Junction.
Was somewhat round about, as the route from Tonbridge to Redhill was still closed (this was its last week of closure), and the machine needed to be facing a certain way for the next shift, thus it was needed to keep going, rather than reverse (such as at Crystal Palace)
Most enjoyable. Followed the route with tube and rail maps as well as google maps. Have travelled via Ashford and Tonbridge a few times on trips to visit family in Canterbury so fascinating to see your work and read the comments about Redhill etc. Nice to experience the cab view especially as we can’t come over for a while, great fun, thanks.
Thanks so much for you Cabride track machine. Im a Rail enthusiasts I get numbers off these as well. I live in Rugby we have a depot to maintain them. Its always the some ones knowing about 732##s 739##s Stoneblowers 802##s The complete set 80301,2,3 there only 3 they was all in the old emu Sidings opposite the station. . Cheers Hope to see more obscure moves. When I'm able to go out I love going out that sort of time in the morning bonus if the weather is on your side. Like it was for you that morning.
Very good! Went right by my local station, "Thornton Heath" I often tend to see the tamper at work when I'm on the job but on the London Underground and not Network Rail. I've always wondered what the inside of the tamper cab looks like 🤔
An interestingly roundabout route. Was the more direct route via Edenbridge and Redhill out of bounds (eg weight restriction)? Or was it to avoid rush hour traffic on the Brighton main line? Is there any other route that it could have taken without reversing?
emmo999 thanks! I’m planning to recreate this stretch of line in Train Simulator, so it would be really helpful as I can see what all the signs and signals are, as well as other line side details. I don’t suppose you have any idea when you may be able to capture some footage?
Are the tampers used on 3rd rail electrification tracks any different to tampers on non 3 rd rail track? Thinking of clearances between tines and the 3rd rail.
You can tamp 3rd rail areas. The difference is that in 3rd rail areas there is only one pair of tines that go down, whereas non 3rd rail areas have two pairs of tines that go in
Wow ! The dispatcher was fast at 1:22:50 ; He took less that half a minute to flip the switch from Up Brighton Slow to Up Victoria Slow. I am impressed !!! At East Croydon, are you quickly going to flip ends, drive north, and then back up into the 'hole' on the west side ?? Hole is North American for a siding. THE OBVIOUS QUESTION ! Why didn't you 'go west, young man' to Redhill, and then north to East Croydon, instead of the very convoluted routing ? Was it because the Brighton Main would be like an Expressway/Motorway at this time of the morning, and you'd be in the way ? A Most Satisfying and excellent video ! Aarre Peltomaa
The reason for not going the quick way, west to Redhill, was that the line was shut due to a major landslide. And yes, once at East Croydon, you change ends, shunt north, then back into the sidings
Kris Warren A tamper is used to lift and position track. Basically, it goes along, lifts the track and puts it down where it needs to go, removing any kinks or dips in the track as it goes. They’re pretty sophisticated!
A bit…! Headlights were more about being seen than what you can see. Because trains are inherently separated from other vehicles and you don’t have to steer, it’s easier to do higher speeds in dark or fog. More modern trains have better headlights, which is also what’s removed the necessity for yellow fronts as trains are easier to see
@@emmo999Yes, hopefully no wrong way drivers! I was more wondering about your ability to spot obstructions such as fallen trees. Thanks for the info :)
