Buffer beam on class 43 DVT's

[GWR_fan]

Some class 43 locomotives are fitted with a buffer beam and apparently called a DVT. Is the buffer beam a recent fitting? What distinguishes the DVT from a standard class 43?

Tim

[Bufferstop]

The class 43s were fitted with the bufferbeams to allow them to be used as a substitute DVT whilst the genuine articles were being built. They kept the buffers when they were returned to their normal role.

[hairyhandedfool]

The eight buffer fitted HST power cars were never a true DVT as their engine was required to run at all times when in service. They were converted sometime around 1989.

The power cars initially had their traction motors isolated, so they had the buffer beam fitted to ease rescue should the Class 91, pushing the train, fail. Isn't wasn't long before the traction motors were reinstated though. The power cars kept the buffers and, from the front, are easily distinguishable from the non-modified power cars (google 'buffer fitted power car' and you'll get some images of them).

They remain in service to this day, currently in use with Grand Central (6) and Network Rail (2).

[amsie]

Would love to see Hornby release then in Exec livery

[hairyhandedfool]

Exec is too early for the Buffer fitted power cars, they were released in Intercity Swallow with full yellow ends.

[amsie]

Thats the one I meant

[GWR_fan]

Thankyou all. I have an inkling to modify a loco or two to the fitted buffer beam configuration. Would be an interesting alternative to have an Intercity 225 with a class 43 DVT trailing (or leading).

Tim

[GWR_fan]

I did an image search and some photographs are available. It seems operational use of 'power car' DVTs was very limited until sufficient DVT Mk4 replacement cars became available. I found a photograph, March 1991, showing a converted class 43 power car #43080 nose to nose coupled with a 91 class. The class 43 still had a 'conventional' paint scheme on the nose. This was during the test period as apparently the cars received a full yellow front when in DVT service. I do not know if the cars were repainted to the traditional yellow nose scheme after DVT service was finished.

Looks like very limited operational potential and unless modelling more modern versions hardly worth the effort.

Tim

[GWR_fan]

This video shows a converted class 43 DVT still with traditional yellow front end on a HST125. Vision is 2.00 minutes in.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=_8e ... =endscreen

Tim

[K9-70]

43 084 Leeds 15-07-1988 by K9-70, on Flickr


43 123 Doncaster 27-03-1989 by K9-70, on Flickr

From Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Rail_Class_43_(HST)
In 1987, as electrification of the East Coast Mainline was under way, British Rail realised that the new Mk4 carriages for the Class 89 and 91 locomotives were not going to be finished in time for the introduction of electric services on the East Coast Main Line so, in late 1987, a total of eight Eastern Region powercars (Numbers 43013/014/065/067/068/080/084/123) were sent to the Brush works in Loughborough to have the lower valancing removed and buffers fitted.

After being fitted with buffers, these power cars began work as surrogate DVTs to work with the Class 91s and 89. The locomotives, working with conventional Mk3 stock, worked on the line between 1987 and 1991, when the last Class 91 locomotives entered service. As well as buffers being fitted to these powercars, special remote control equipment was also added to the locomotives so they could be controlled by the locomotive at the front. Once these locomotives left DVT duties, the remote equipment was removed.

[GWR_fan]

Many thanks. I am suprised to see an Executive liveried locomotive with fitted buffers.

Tim