Other trains on the DLR

[melikepie]

I swear I keep seeing either a diesel locomotive or steam train at Poplar depot. What is the purpose of this train? Also possibly stumbling into RIPAS, what is the feasibility of running other types of trains on the DLR?

[phillw48]

DLR have a couple of diesel locomotives for works purposes.

[domh245]

I suspect that it is a diesel hydraulic type loco for shunting purposes. IS it this one by any chance: linky?
They certainly have had a Ruston in the past which is now resident at the EOR, read about it here if you are interested.

As for running other stock, provided it was specified to interface with the infrastructure and other units, it shouldn't be a problem, the only problem being a lack of space to store them!

[Chris M]

Indeed, even a steam train is theoretically possible, at least on the above ground sections. The main issues would be weight and curve radii I think, as the loading gauge is relatively generous, but given that narrow gauge and port railways have solved these problems before I don't see them as insurmountable given sufficient desire and funds.

It would need to be able to communicate with the signalling as well of course.

[bassmike]

Notice in the photograph in link how the loco is fitted with extra wide profile buffers to accomodate the sharper curves.

[theblackferret]

Aug 14, 2014 9:01:00 GMT Chris M said:

Indeed, even a steam train is theoretically possible, at least on the above ground sections. The main issues would be weight and curve radii I think, as the loading gauge is relatively generous, but given that narrow gauge and port railways have solved these problems before I don't see them as insurmountable given sufficient desire and funds.

It would need to be able to communicate with the signalling as well of course.

As my late father, Normandy veteran & 1st class stoker would have told us, it's all in creating enough steam fast enough & then maintaining a head of it for the tricky bits, train engine or battleship.

The tricky bits on the DLR are the switchback humps and bumps on certain parts. But I reckon if you had two or three Hunslets, Kitsons or the like heading a train & possibly one or two at the back, you would overcome the head of steam and weight problems vide motive power.

In all honesty, you would also then need scaled-down carriages regarding the weight problems, but having been on the Bure Valley Line, when a 15" loco hauled fifteen full narrow-gauge coaches and was only half an hour late in arriving at Dereham, it's surprising what can be done.

Platform heights would be a problem, but it would be worth it just to see a train like that passing through the DLR & leaving suits, bankers, yuppies and PR people open-mouthed at what can be done. Though not too open-mouthed, we don't want anybody swallowing smuts, of course.

[crusty54]

That would have been very interesting as the Bure Valley Railway doesn't go further west than Aylsham.

[davidp]

It may be technically possible to operate other stock on the DLR but The OP asked about *feasibility* of running other stock So apart from gauging issues and any access or passenger egress issues with running through tunnels, there's the obvious issue that the DLR has no physical connections to other railways so there's the logistics issue of getting stock to and from the DLR that would affect that feasibility.

[brigham]

A good portion of the DLR utilises existing full-size railway infrastructure, so working a steam train on these parts should be feasible. The lighter construction would possibly limit the passenger stock to simple 4-wheelers from the 75lb/yd. era. Plenty still exist, usually recovered bodies from gardens and cricket fields &c., and mounted on surplus Fruit G frames.
Any decent industrial four-coupled engine should be able to work a short rake of perhaps three or four. An Andrew Barclay saddle-tank has a comical vintage 'look' about it, which would doubtless appeal to the public at large.
Quite what the purpose of the exercise would be, I'm not sure. The DLR itself has no steam history, and the earlier components have very little left in the way of distinctive structures apart from bridges and earthworks. Is part of the London & Blackwall used? Perhaps we could run a cable-hauled train?

[norbitonflyer]

Aug 16, 2014 20:43:37 GMT brigham said:

Is part of the London & Blackwall used? Perhaps we could run a cable-hauled train?

Indeed - most of the way from Tower Gateway to Westferry is on the old L&B viaduct. Part of the route at the southern end of the Isle of Dogs is also old railway alignment, and of course Canning Town to Stratford and Poplar to Bow are part of the North London Railway (originally known as the East & West India Docks and Birmingham Junction Railway, until they realised they couldn't fit the name on the side of their locomotives! )

[Deleted]

Aug 14, 2014 7:41:40 GMT domh245 said:

I suspect that it is a diesel hydraulic type loco for shunting purposes. IS it this one by any chance: linky?
They certainly have had a Ruston in the past which is now resident at the EOR, read about it here if you are interested.

As for running other stock, provided it was specified to interface with the infrastructure and other units, it shouldn't be a problem, the only problem being a lack of space to store them!

I'm afraid that locomotive was stripped for spares to get our other Ruston going and was sent for scrap some time last year. I was the last person (other than scrapmen) to screw down the handbrake once it had been loaded onto the lorry!

Also the DLR ballast hopper was also sent for scrap last year


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