TPE iniative to save more fuel

[jackh]

Was reported tonight on Look North that First Transpennine Express are making modifications to their fleet of Pennine Class 185 units built by Siemens. The modifications will enable engines to shut down whilst the train is going down hill or flat sections of line. This would be controlled by satellite technology.

This will be piloted on the Leeds to Manchester stretch and will be anticipated that 10% of fuel could be saved through this.

[SF07]

So, to save fuel, the trains are going to coast down hills? Wonder who came up with that idea!

[jackh]

Pretty much, I wonder how long they will start doing this on buses!

[kendall17]

they cant do it on buses as if you turn the engine off the steering lock will be on and that isn't very safe to be honest. it was reported on Radio 5 this evening but saving fuel would come from not having the foot on the accelerator down the slopes and will keep the vehicle in control

[northrob]

According to an article I read in a magazine recently (I forget which one it was) the 185s currently run on two engines when on flat stretches of line which included York - Scarborough, Doncaster - Cleethorpes and Leeds - Hull (if they end up on that route). I have noticed that most of them do pass me going to Scarborough on two engines.

I also recall a reference to 'cruise control' where the engines automatically throttle back when the desired speed is achieved, which sounds similar to the original post so I guessing that is what was referred to in the original post.

[nick]

I saw the report and must say that one women must of not thought about what she was going to say. She said that she had hoped that it didnt make her late for work which i think is stupid, as when going down the hill (such as down the Pennines into Manchester) the train will gain speed as it is travelling down hill, so a set target for the driver such as 80MPH will mean in reality 90MPH making the train arrive into Manchester Early.

[jackh]

Well it won't arrive early into Manchester as it has regular stopping trains along the same route into Manchester from Guide Bridge and they have their allocated slots into Manchester so would have to wait at a signal for that slot.

[6u3zr]

This "initiative" has been ongoing for about 18 months!

Presumably Profits-First are now satisfied that it works, hence the recent media trumpetings.

The theory is that there is an interface between onboard GPS and the ECU system which puts the centre and trailing cars into idle when not required.

When this was first rolled out units with the interface mod had a sticky "E" on their cab ends.

[jackh]

I wondered why some of the 185s had E next to the number. Was travelling on a TPE yesterday and the train cruises from Standedge tunnel down to Huddersfield/Manchester. Had forgotten they had done this to the Units and wondered why it was so quiet!