Re: XPTs

["Jack" <bd107@tsn.cc>]

Hi Al

Al Barrett wrote in message <37ff1faf@news.hunterlink.net.au>...
>
>Jack <bd107@tsn.cc> wrote in message
>dJDL3.4$av3.1149@nsw.nnrp.telstra.net">news:dJDL3.4$av3.1149@nsw.nnrp.telstra.net...
>> Hi Al..
>>
>> Al Barrett wrote in message <37fef258@news.hunterlink.net.au>...

>yep.... I saw XP2000 leading the ex Murwillumbah XPT south at about ....
>well late anyway....

It was at Broadmeadow at 0934  just over an hour late..

>
>this one was still attached to its train dead and heading south (as the
>trailing unit). It crossed the Dungog squirt (endeavour) at 1345 at
>Paterson.
>For interests sake.... I didn't see the numbers because by the time I saw
>the train It was at the southern end of the loop and intensly reflecting
the
>sun..... so I couldn't make out the number.... but it was plain old blue
>countrylink livery.

Yep that would be NT26.... I saw it at Bundook and it was running then, so
she must have died between there and Paterson... from your description of
oil down the side of the unit I would say that it is 2010... It has been
blowing oil out of the stack for the last few days so maybe somethin has
finally let go...
>
>and.... it was the reliability of the power cars I was having a go at not
>the blowing up rate of them. I'm sure every one has seen a loco hauled XPT
>or lone power car. ( I spose that only includes everyone who observes
trains
>on the XPT routes)

Well Al, I work on the things and their reliability is fine... like anything
mechanical there will be breakdowns, but these units are xtremely highly
utilised and in a 7 day period are only at Meeks Road for a period of approx
28 hours (except the units workin WT27/28, they are home evry night), so I
think their reliabilty is pretty good.... it doesnt help having one unit in
for a repaint on any given day tho...

>From early next year the units will be fitted with new engines so maybe
their reliabilty will be further improved... at this stage there are 2 more
engine changes to be done with the old motors then the first of the new ones
will go in.. it is expected 2015 will be the first unit with a new engine..


Cheers
Jack
Queensland: Perfect One day
Beautiful the next
And wet for the other 363 days of the year