Atomic Systems

What companies usually haul infrastructure trains and operate snowplougs these days, and with what power? Is it all in the hands of EWS and GBRf Class 66s?

Who hauls the infrastructure trains depends on the region. In East Anglia and the South East it is GBRF and DBS (Though FL operate the HOBC). I believe further north it is FL and DBS that have the infrastructure contracts. Class 66's are mainly used due to their RA capability but 73's also make a regular apperance on 3rd rail lines.

Also Network Rail run their own trains. The RHTT (Rail Head Treatment Trains) that blast the leaves off the rails in autumn i think are operated by NR, then you also have the TRVs (Track Recording Vehicles) which are the yellow carriages that check the rails and measure the alignment and all kinds of nice things like that, which look very similar in colour to the NMT (New Measurement Train) which does the same thing, only its an HST rather than loco hauled. NR also runs the class 97s (class 37s really) up the cambrian towing ballast wagons and testing the new ERTMS signalling equipment.

Also Network Rail run their own trains. The RHTT (Rail Head Treatment Trains) that blast the leaves off the rails in autumn i think are operated by NR

Not quite. The RHTT is run and operated by who ever holds the contracts. In this case DRS and DBS. I believe there is a caveat within Network Rails operating license that states they themselfs are not allowed to run any trains which is why the contracts are tendered out to the FOCs. Even the NMT and other track recording trains are contracted out to the likes of Serco, DRS and DBS.

danielw2599 wrote:

Also Network Rail run their own trains. The RHTT (Rail Head Treatment Trains) that blast the leaves off the rails in autumn i think are operated by NR

Not quite. The RHTT is run and operated by who ever holds the contracts. In this case DRS and DBS. I believe there is a caveat within Network Rails operating license that states they themselfs are not allowed to run any trains which is why the contracts are tendered out to the FOCs. Even the NMT and other track recording trains are contracted out to the likes of Serco, DRS and DBS.

Ahh. I know that the guys that work on the likes of the NMT are usually NR though as I've met one or two that work on the NMT and have a few friends that have been for a ride on it as well.

It seems a farcical system though that the infrastructure maintainer can't run its own infrastructure maintenance trains!!