DB Cargo Company Train
The EWS Company Train, or Corporate Train, is a special train operating in the United Kingdom for use by the freight operator English Welsh and Scottish Railway (now taken over by Deutsche Bahn AG and trading as DB Schenker Rail (UK)) as a replacement for its aging managerial inspection saloon,[1] and intended for entertaining corporate clients.[2] It is notable for solving problems of electrical compatibility and indirectly leading to the reintroduction of regular daytime locomotive-hauled trains onto the National Rail network.
The fixed configuration set consists of three British Rail Mark 3 coaches sandwiched between a driving trailer and locomotive. The concept of rewiring older passenger rolling stock for compatibility with different electric systems lead to the reintroduction of locomotive-hauled services by train operating companies within the United Kingdom. The design of a British Rail Class 67, rewired British Rail Mark 3 passengers coaches and a Driving Van Trailer (DVT) was followed, starting with the introduction of services by open access operator Wrexham & Shropshire in 2008.
The train is explicitly exempted from regulations covering "Working of Passenger Trains Over Non-Passenger Lines", allowing the train to operate between EWS freight depots without additional documentation requirements.[3]
Background
The coaches use a maroon-coloured paint scheme and are used for hospitality. The conference coach provides a cinema and boardroom suite, with seating for 14 people in each area. In the centre, there is a dining coach with reception and bar areas. The third coach is a renovated sleeping car; with half the usual number of bedrooms and addition of en-suite facilities.
The end units, a dedicated Class 67 No. 67029 diesel locomotive and Driving Van Trailer also sport a special livery differing from the main coaches—striking silver with black lettering. DVT No. 82146 has been modified with controls for Electro-Motive Diesel's AAR system used on British Rail Class 59/66/67 engines, the signals are conveyed over additional cabling installed in the intervening coaches.
Both the DVT and locomotive contain cab-mounted video cameras to provide patrons with a "driver's eye view" from the conference coach.
Rolling stock
The train is a fixed formation of five vehicles. The matched Class 67 locomotive undertaking other freight activities between hauling the company train.[4]
| Vehicle | Number[5] | Livery | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class 67 | 67029 | Silver | Locomotive (cab-mounted cameras) |
| Mk3a FO | 11039 | Maroon | First Open (reception and dining) |
| Mk3 RFM | 10211[n 1] | Maroon | Restaurant First Modular (conference and cinema) |
| Mk3a SLEP | 10546 | Maroon | Sleeper Either Pantry (5 bedrooms, 2 ensuite) |
| Mk3 DVT | 82146 | Silver | Driving Van Trailer (AAR multiple working controls) |
References
- ^ "EWS Company Train (CoT)". Case Studies. Engineering Support Group.
- ^ "News from the Routes" (PDF). Firstclass - Rail Gourmet News. Compass Group. 2005-08-29.
...appointed caterers to the EWS Corporate Train, specially built for taking EWS clients around the country and for hire to corporate customers.
- ^ "04/252/DGN" (PDF). Deviations in Force Register. Rail Safety and Standards Board. 2007-09-17.
EWS company train ... exempt ... from the requirement to provide additional documentation ... in respect of an Officers Special train.
- ^ "Notable Workings" (PDF). 2005-04-01.
Silver Class 67 No. 67029 found itself in London Euston on the SERCO test train ... however was back on normal duties the following day when it worked the 'Executive' train
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|Publisher=ignored (|publisher=suggested) (help) - ^ Cook, David. "EWS Hospitality Train". Manor Lane TMD model railway. Retrieved 2009-06-01.
External links
- External and Interior photographs during Wrexham & Shropshire Railway testing
- OO gauge model, Doncaster OO Gauge layout