Mail Rail (Post Office Railway) visit
 

wrote:
On Mon, 12 Mar 2018 16:51:56 -0000 (UTC)
Anna Noyd-Dryver wrote:
wrote:
On Mon, 12 Mar 2018 13:28:34 -0000 (UTC)
Anna Noyd-Dryver wrote:
wrote:
On Mon, 12 Mar 2018 11:04:07 +0000
Roland Perry wrote:
In message 2132316179.542480534.571005.recliner.ng-
, at 17:05:04 on Sun, 11 Mar
2018, Recliner remarked:
Additionally the conductor rail has to be removed to allow the passenger
train to run; this is not a problem in itself but it does prevent future
demonstrations of automatic trains (something I'd love to see, but I
don't
know if it's on anyone's agenda) if you remove too much of it.

I didn't know the line had been used for trials of automatic trains? How
would they get them up and down, given that the old depot can no longer
be
used for surface access?

Here's how they took out some of the remaining trains in 2011:

https://www.londonreconnections.com/...ving-the-mail-
rail/

Some quite thin chains given how heavy those locomotives must be.



Surely the single yellow fabric strap is the more concerning part of the
set up?

Depending on what they're made of fabric straps can be exceptionally strong.
Plus I doubt that carraige is as heavy as the locos.



There are four yellow straps lifting the carriage. There's just one lifting
the power units.

I saw 4 metal chains lifting those. Rather thin looking chains IMO given
those loco sections must be at least a ton each.




Look at the second picture in the link above. From the loco, working
upwards: four chains, stretcher bar, single yellow strap,
hook/block-and-tackle, cables.


Anna Noyd-Dryver

Mail Rail (Post Office Railway) visit
 

John Williamson wrote:
On 12/03/2018 16:59, wrote:
On Mon, 12 Mar 2018 16:51:56 -0000 (UTC)
Anna Noyd-Dryver wrote:
wrote:
Depending on what they're made of fabric straps can be exceptionally strong.
Plus I doubt that carraige is as heavy as the locos.



There are four yellow straps lifting the carriage. There's just one lifting
the power units.

I saw 4 metal chains lifting those. Rather thin looking chains IMO given
those loco sections must be at least a ton each.


Those chains look to me as if they are rated at a couple of tonnes each,
with the strap being wrapped a few times round the support and hook, for
a load rating of about 4 to 6 tonnes.

The straps used on the carriages are a size I've seen used to lift a 7
tonne narrowboat in a similar configuration.


I have no doubt at all that the lift was well within the capabilities of
the equipment used!


Anna Noyd-Dryver

Mail Rail (Post Office Railway) visit
 

On 12/03/2018 17:46, Anna Noyd-Dryver wrote:

I have no doubt at all that the lift was well within the capabilities of
the equipment used!


Having looked at the pictures, nor have I.

--
Tciao for Now!

John.

Mail Rail (Post Office Railway) visit
 

On 12/03/2018 17:46, Anna Noyd-Dryver wrote:


Look at the second picture in the link above. From the loco, working
upwards: four chains, stretcher bar, single yellow strap,
hook/block-and-tackle, cables.



I think there may possibly be 2 straps. In any event, a single 75mm
webbing strap can often be rated at more than 10 tonnes


--
Robin
reply-to address is (intended to be) valid

Mail Rail (Post Office Railway) visit
 

wrote:
On Mon, 12 Mar 2018 16:51:56 -0000 (UTC)
Anna Noyd-Dryver wrote:
wrote:
On Mon, 12 Mar 2018 13:28:34 -0000 (UTC)
Anna Noyd-Dryver wrote:
wrote:
On Mon, 12 Mar 2018 11:04:07 +0000
Roland Perry wrote:
In message 2132316179.542480534.571005.recliner.ng-
, at 17:05:04 on Sun, 11 Mar
2018, Recliner remarked:
Additionally the conductor rail has to be removed to allow the passenger
train to run; this is not a problem in itself but it does prevent future
demonstrations of automatic trains (something I'd love to see, but I
don't
know if it's on anyone's agenda) if you remove too much of it.

I didn't know the line had been used for trials of automatic trains? How
would they get them up and down, given that the old depot can no longer
be
used for surface access?

Here's how they took out some of the remaining trains in 2011:

https://www.londonreconnections.com/...ving-the-mail-
rail/

Some quite thin chains given how heavy those locomotives must be.



Surely the single yellow fabric strap is the more concerning part of the
set up?

Depending on what they're made of fabric straps can be exceptionally strong.
Plus I doubt that carraige is as heavy as the locos.



There are four yellow straps lifting the carriage. There's just one lifting
the power units.

I saw 4 metal chains lifting those. Rather thin looking chains IMO given
those loco sections must be at least a ton each.

They're not loco sections: they're just power bogies from the later mail
units.

Mail Rail (Post Office Railway) visit
 

On 2018\03\11 14:54, Recliner wrote:

- The museum entrance is very discreet, and it's easy to walk right
past it. They've had to put a little sign on the pavement to identify
it.

The words "M A I L R A I L" high up are lit beautifully at 2am though.

Mail Rail (Post Office Railway) visit
 

Basil Jet wrote:
On 2018\03\11 14:54, Recliner wrote:

- The museum entrance is very discreet, and it's easy to walk right
past it. They've had to put a little sign on the pavement to identify
it.

The words "M A I L R A I L" high up are lit beautifully at 2am though.


Indeed, but not visible from the pavement outside the door. It's probably
much more easily spotted from the ITN building.

Mail Rail (Post Office Railway) visit
 

In article , Recliner
writes
- You still need to book in advance, but only a few days. You must
book tickets for a particular, timed train, and turn up 10 mins
before.

When I went my plans had changed, so I turned up about 3 hours before my
booked trip. I explained to the staff both at the surface and in the
depot that I was early. They got me to wait around near the boarding
queue in case someone didn't turn up; I got to ride about 40 minutes
after arriving, taking the last very-cramped place on the train.

(I didn't have to stand there the whole time; I was able to look at the
other exhibits between trains.)

--
Clive D.W. Feather

Mail Rail (Post Office Railway) visit
 

Clive D.W. Feather wrote:
In article , Recliner
writes
- You still need to book in advance, but only a few days. You must
book tickets for a particular, timed train, and turn up 10 mins
before.

When I went my plans had changed, so I turned up about 3 hours before my
booked trip. I explained to the staff both at the surface and in the
depot that I was early. They got me to wait around near the boarding
queue in case someone didn't turn up; I got to ride about 40 minutes
after arriving, taking the last very-cramped place on the train.

Yes, the seats in the tiny train work best one-abreast. Two-abreast is very
cosy.


(I didn't have to stand there the whole time; I was able to look at the
other exhibits between trains.)

Yes, there's plenty to see there. However, I think the exhibits need better
labelling. In particular, it's not clear what the old stock is.