HSTs with buffers

37sRuleOK · Post by **37sRuleOK** » Fri Nov 28, 2003 10:54 pm

I saw a HST the other day. Nothing unusual about that, I hear you say. And indeed, the lead power car went past, followed by some coaches, and then the back power car...but even as it came into view, I could tell there was something wrong with its front...then as it went past, I noticed it had BUFFERS! The rear power car had buffers and looked really daft, its aerodynamics totally thrown out of the window.

I remember reading about this somewhere before, doesn't this signify that there was something done to this particular power car and several others at one point? I've heard several theories as to why. Which is true though?

1) I was told it had been done for safety purposes, but the initiaitive had been abandoned before they were all equipped with buffers

2) I was also told that HST power cars had been used as experimental DVTs at one point and these had buffers fitted under BR rules for DVTs. When they were returned to power car status, the buffers remained for some reason.

3) It's also been said that it was part of some big upgrade program for the HSTs that had fallen through before completion.

4) And finally I also heard a theory that some HSTs were considered for doing top-n-tail freight trains, and had to have buffers fitted for the tests to be done, which came to nothing.

SO MANY THEORIES! But which is it, or is it none of em? PLEASE HELP!

mikey2001 · Post by **mikey2001** » Fri Nov 28, 2003 10:56 pm

The answer is 2)

37sRuleOK · Post by **37sRuleOK** » Fri Nov 28, 2003 11:02 pm

Thanks

Been bugging me, has that.

mikey2001 · Post by **mikey2001** » Fri Nov 28, 2003 11:07 pm

No problem.

Stooopidperson · Post by **Stooopidperson** » Sat Nov 29, 2003 11:57 am

mikey2001 wrote:The answer is 2)

It's actually the Class 91 DVTs were not ready yet and used the HST as DVTs temporarily.

nightbeaver911 · Post by **nightbeaver911** » Sat Nov 29, 2003 12:26 pm

Yeah I heard they used HST power cars when they were testing the class 91s, so if the 91 failed the HST could cut delays. Doesnt rely explain why they had to have buffers mind. Lucazone will probibly know.

ianmacmillan · Post by **ianmacmillan** » Sat Nov 29, 2003 1:51 pm

This subject has come up several times.
Try searching the forums.

chriscooper · Post by **chriscooper** » Sat Nov 29, 2003 8:21 pm

The buffers were fittted so in the event of a fault with the TDM (remote control system to the 91) or another fault that prevented the powercar leading the train, the 91 could be run round and coupled to the powercar without spending ages fitting an adapter, or if another loco was required to assist from the HST end. Also the HST powercars originally had their traction motors isolated and the engines were only used for providing a train supply so the buffers were needed for shunting purposes. Aswell as the powercars, the TGSs were also fitted with buffers and drop head buckeyes to enable the 91 or another loco to couple up. As far as I know all the buffer fitted powercars went over to XC when they became redundant on the East Coast but now have been split between MML, Virgin West Coast (euston-hollyhead) and Network Rail (high speed test train).

anamorph · Post by **anamorph** » Sat Nov 29, 2003 8:58 pm

http://www.therailwaycentre.com
here you will find all this info and much more...