RoscoTrain107

Just an update on my spotting that at the moment is on pause so you going to have to be patient and wait on that

Although I will be back to doing some quizzes on my community post soon

So I’m sorry about that

In other news regarding my 2nd channel I can confirm that after nearly 2 years off I will be back on the plane spotting this year

However for those who probably don’t know that all plane ✈️ content I do film won’t be on this channel

It will be on my 2nd channel ‪@RossBrutyPlane707‬ which has just over 380 subs which actually was my first channel set up back over 11 years ago as a music channel but since May 2022 is my second channel for aviation content and a few other things from time to time like buses or cars.

So that’s a bit of an update where things are at the moment

So for now take care and have a good one

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2 days ago | [YT] | 83

RoscoTrain107

What could be the definition of a Great Trainspotter?

Quality? Passion? Discipline?

Which if you have all 3 of course then that’s good but doesn’t mean your great overall

But what about sub count?

Well I go back to something I said a few weeks ago on my Christmas Day post

Well firstly you don’t need to be the biggest spotter overall to try to inspire the next generation

What about criticism or pushback?

That’s something you will end up getting at some point but you have to keep an open mind and not get drawn into a situation which can end up being worse.

Sometimes if your quality isn’t good enough then use that to improve yourself going forward

Its hard to really give a exact definition of a great trainspotter and it’s up for debate

Now if I was asking myself if I’m a great trainspotter as I mentioned a few times in the past week that I’m not the best and I wouldn’t consider being a great trainspotter either.

So what are your thoughts and what do you think would be your definition of a great trainspotter?

Leave your thoughts in the comments below and for now have a good one

3 days ago (edited) | [YT] | 123

RoscoTrain107

In recent months Great Western Railway have had issues with their IETs

From around late November reports began to emerge that IETs on GWR have had issues when the trains are in diesel mode

Whilst so far its been traced to a issue with their Fuel Filters in their Diesel Generator Units (GUs) 

One of the problems is that if the fuel filters get blocked or contaminated then it makes it difficult to provide the diesel fuel to the Diesel Generator Units which can lead to them shutting down.

In recent weeks a more enhanced maintenance overhaul has been implemented which includes replacing the fuel filters more often either when fuel pressure drops or once every 36 days or 5 weeks.

It seems that the problem maybe not just confined to GWR in fact checks were going on across the network for fuel storage and quality issues.

Some reports would point out that constant use of the IETs in diesel mode along with potentially factors like water contamination in the fuel or something blocking the fuel filters.

Some claim that the sources could be traced for those either at Long Rock near Penzance or the obvious culprit especially in bad weather would be Dawlish although investigations are still ongoing.

Modern Railways article about more of the story from December 9th reveals a bit into it and I will leave a link down below
www.modernrailways.com/article/fuel-pump-issues-hi…

I will say from my perspective its got to be frustrating on the outside looking in not just for passengers but also in a way its frustrating for Great Western Railway themselves 

So far they have kept their services running despite the problems and the last thing they don't want to do is end up in the same scenario as May 2021 with the Yaw Damper issues that were uncovered which led to one of the biggest train unit crisis in modern British Rail History

As for right now the Yaw damper modification programme is still ongoing since first began back in April 2022 after the ORR issued their final report into the Yaw Damper issues like a rail version of a Airworthiness directive as well as promote more better understanding into the design of use of Type 7000 Aluminium.

Now based on my previous visit to Didcot Parkway back on Friday December 12th so far apart on GWR from a few 5 car sets however at the moment I recall that only one 9 car set (800309) is the the one with the modified yaw dampers.

Although the practice to modify the yaw dampers on GWR down at Eastleigh for one set takes about 3 - 4 weeks in some cases its taken longer for other reasons.

So now with the Fuel Pump Issues well so far at least Hitachi and GWR have managed to keep the trains running and have avoided another May 2021 emergency timetable scenario but its something that could be considered if it becomes a much wider problem say for LNER, Transpennine Express or Hull Trains which all 3 operate Biomode sets.

Another example comes from Avanti West Coast when it turned out that on their newer Class 805 Everos the radiators have had to be modified due to overheating problems

Whilst questions will get be asked about quality control on Hitachi but I will say this that if anyone is going to mention the simple nonsense of "Bring Back HSTs" is a complete fool and they need to get over it completely because most of them apart have been shipped out and operating are either in Nigeria or Mexico. 

I do accept the IETs have their problems and their flaws 

Which considering their are around 8 to 9 years old out of 27 years lease life and unfortunately like them or dislike them all you want but we have to put up with them and deal with it.

Yes could onboard facilities like the seats be improved? 
Absolutely and for many it hopefully does happen although time will tell if that will happen especially when nationalisation of Great Western Railway does eventually take place which is likely be sometime late in the year probably around Autumn Time although no date set so far.

So there you have it so I will pass it over to you

What are your thoughts on the Fuel Filter issues on GWR IETs and do you think it could also effect other operators like the 800son LNER and the 802s on Transpennine Express and Hull Trains respectively?

Leave your thoughts in the comments below

Anyway that will do for now and have a good one

5 days ago (edited) | [YT] | 126

RoscoTrain107

One post I forgot to mention before Christmas was that after I got back to London Paddington from Didcot Parkway on the afternoon of Friday December 12th I manage to find this

The Railway200 Inspiration Train that was sat in Platform 8 throughout the week although would leave a few days later

I didn’t have time to go inside and have a look because I was too exhausted after filming at Didcot Parkway

So yeah something you don’t see everyday and for those who have been lucky to see it or explore onboard inside it good for you.

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6 days ago (edited) | [YT] | 132

RoscoTrain107

So change of guard as the Class 175s well some nearing a month in service on Great Western Railway although full operation of 26 sets isn't expected until later 2026.

Just a reminder the 27th unit 175008 will not be part of GWRs fleet because it was too badly damaged by an Engine Fire at Wilmslow in February 2023.

Also theres also more detail emerged about what's happening to the recently retired Castle HSTs which finished back on December 13th which will move to Mexico.

Eventhough Mexico so far has been a problem with HSTs regarding Level Crossing collisions so far at least 2 locos have been written off in collisions.

Regarding the Class 175s some of you might be asking why are they taking so long to get them up and running on Great Western Railway

Driver Training, Gauge Clearance Testing and Maintenance facilities being overhauled are a few factors of course

But it turns out the biggest problem according to Managing Director of GWR Mark Hopwood revealed that more work was needed on the 175s which included on some sets Engines needing to be replaced and also alongside other mediation works.

In the article regarding the first point about the Class 175s taking much longer to get them up and running Mark Hopwood says

"We've been disappointed by the amount of work needed to get these trains working again - for example, we've had to change whole engines in some"

The engines on the Class 175s has been the units achilles heel in the past 24 - 25 years from First North Western, Arriva Trains Wales, Transport For Wales and even temporary on lease at Northern.

One of the problems that came out in February 2023 was that the Engine Bays kept getting blocked by debris and also the intercoolers had to be modified after a series of Engine Fires which ultimately led to the 175s being taken out of service for a period of time which was several months before they went off lease from TFW.

Mark Hopwood also mentioned in a recent interview with Modern Railways about a warning of what lessons could be done regarding stock transfers especially with modern trains when it comes under GBR in the next few years which he does have a point in the way he says

"There is an important lesson here for rolling stock policy and cascades under Great British Railways. It is not a good idea to take modern rolling stock, with complex electronics, and store it for months in outside sidings.

Based on our experience wit the 175s, on reflection, stock transitioning between regions should either be properly cared for in warm storage or transfer immediately from one duty to the next"

So I will leave a link of the article from Modern Railways down below which he also discuss other things mainly regional fleet for GWR, transition to GBR etc
www.modernrailways.com/article/gwr-focuses-regiona…

So my take on this

When it comes to Marks last point about rolling stock transfers or leasing in a way he's correct because the problem we got in Britain and it has been for a while is when trains go off lease in some cases they go off lease without a new home available whether its another company or warm storage facility.

I mean Great Northern had this situation with the Class 379s when they went off lease from Greater Anglia in February 2022 which at the time Akiem had the lease of those and wasn't until March 2024 when Porterbrook finally bought the lease and Great Northern was able to add them to their fleet but took over 7-8 months to at least get them working again.

Some were stored at Ilford but others ended up idle at Parkeston Quay near Harwich or Worksop in the open air which unfortunately Great Northern had to carry out extensive overhauls and corrosion repairs to those to get them back in good condition.

Great Western Railway have had a similar situation with the Class 175s which at the moment is still ongoing and won't be the last case annoyingly.

Then you got the Class 350/2s going off lease from LNWR whilst will be kept in warm storage but theres no operator at the moment who is going to take them.

The Class 222 Meridians will be another example with 5 going to Lumo for their London Euston to Stirling service starting in June this year approximately but there is still little word of the remaining Meridians where they will go after they go off lease from EMR 

The Class 222 Meridians on EMR are being replaced by 33 x 5 car Class 810 Auroras which the first one began operations in early December.

Whilst some Scotrail think is likely a destination which if it was will likely replace the ageing Inter7city HSTs however so far there is no confirmation at this stage.

Now If I was Transport Secretary or head of a Rail Company when it comes to transferring trains from one place to another I would make sure I have the agreements in place from the beginning

If it was me in this case then regarding the future of the Class 350/2s or Class 222 Meridians then I would make it clear to the lease holders and rail companies that if your going to send a train unit off lease then you must have another operator lined up or negotiated an agreement with a facility to warm storage that particular unit.

As Mark Hopwood mentioned about storing modern trains 5 - 10 years or 20 - 25 years old in the open air with no warmth then that becomes a major problem.

I do think going forward when it comes to modern day trains we won't have trains lasting 50 years ever again it probably be around 30 - 40 years in most cases depending on how much usage they undergo in their lifespan and by now we have to accept the fact thats how things are going to go in the years to come whatever modern present or new rolling stock that turns up on the UK Rail network.

So what do you think about the lack of strategy regarding modern rolling stock transfers and how would you resolve it?

Leave your thoughts in the comments below

Leave a Like, share and subscribe and for now take care and have a good one

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1 week ago | [YT] | 84

RoscoTrain107

On Sunday on my recent community post I asked a question of Whether I am one of best rail channels?

Now for clarification that whilst I did ask the question which is an interesting one in a way but even so that doesn't mean I'm one of the best if at all.

Have to say Im completely astonished by the overwhelming responses already not even after 2 days.

Once more as I mentioned already on my previous post that whilst very kind for some who may think I am one of the best however despite this I still maintain that Im not one of the best rail channels out there and its not even close despite my sub count.

When you compare some of the big known names of rail channels like these guys. below
Geoff Marshall
Tornado922
The Right Track
Francois Bourgeois
Planes, Trains, Everything
DJ Scania RigRider
KTV Videos

And then you got some of those who are on the rise in the rail community like
Zack Murray
LocoLover
Noah's Train Adventures
BRTrainspotting
Will Denholm
RomeosWorldofTFL
Random TFL Updates

Just to name a few and there are more of course.

What's obvious that not only I'm not on the same level that these guys I've mentioned although some Im not even the level below 

One of the things I would never claim to be is the best and to be honest never will be but thats ok and Im fine with that.

For me it is what it is and I've got too much respect for some who are trying to pursue that passion to make a name for themselves.

Whilst been doing this for over 8 years and whilst my channel is over 4200 subscribers which was something that was impossible to think of at the beginning however even now I never set any main goals or milestones and even if I did reach any I wouldn't getting carried away even if I did reach say 5000 subs for example although knowing very well that is sometime away.

Hopefully that clarifies things a bit more and whilst I’m not the best all I can do is to keep going when possible

So that will do for now, take care and have a good one

1 week ago | [YT] | 123

RoscoTrain107

Am I one of the best rail channels?

It’s a interesting question overall

To some yes which on paper very kind of those who may think that

But in reality and I rather be very honest I’m not and not even close even having been doing this for over 8 years

Some may ask why?

Well the answer is simple is that I don’t really see myself as a big channel if at all despite my sub count and also I’m not a person who likes to get carried away

I don’t really set any goals or timelines to get to a milestone say 5000 subs which would be the next one but that’s not only sometime off but also even if I was to reach it I just take it if it comes.

Whilst I’m grateful for those who have supported my channel so far but I will concede that I’m not at the level of some of the bigger known channels out there and also including some other channels who are on the rise in the rail community

So I thought I just clear that up today

Hope everyone has had a good Christmas / New Year Break and hopefully raring to go again on rail travels for 2026

So that will do for now, be safe, take care and have a good one

1 week ago | [YT] | 180