European Railroad Discussion > Questions: ballast in bags, and dynamic braking on Brit locos

I recently watched a YouTube video "Wakefield to Knowsley via the Calder Valley" by Don Coffey (nicely done). Was that ballast in big woven plastic bags I saw along the r-o-w? And, do British electro-diesels typically not have dynamic (electrical resistance) braking?

Yes that is ballast in those bags, usually delivered for minor maintenance.

You use the term electro diesel, is that what you are specifically asking about, the class 73 and 74 and the modern class 88s? Or do you mean diesel electrics, there's a difference.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/11/20 15:44 by 86235.

Probably not ballast, probably either sand or maybe gravel, possibly even rail clips or other hsardware. Most UK diesels don't have dynamic brakes, because very heavy trains are not common (most freights about 1500-2000 tonnes) and long steep gradients are also quite rare where heavier freights do run.
The relatively new class 68s (Caterpillar engined mixed traffic 4-axle) do have dynamic brakes, however. As do the class 70s (General Electric 6-axle freight loco).

Just saw 86235's answer above... maybe it was ballast then... the ones at 1' 37'' are I think, those at 1' 49'', possibly not.



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 03/11/20 16:10 by exhaustED.

I guess I'm about to learn something. I did not mean locos capable of running from diesel power or from 3rd rail or overhead electricity. I thought "electro-diesel" is what the world beyond North America calls "diesel-electric."
On the bags, yes I at first thought track hardware, but then guessed ballast for spot leveling.
Glen Matteson
San Luis Obispo, California
 

No, they're diesel electrics everywhere else too.

exhaustED Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Probably not ballast, probably either sand or
> maybe gravel, possibly even rail clips or other
> hsardware. Most UK diesels don't have dynamic
> brakes, because very heavy trains are not common
> (most freights about 1500-2000 tonnes) and long
> steep gradients are also quite rare where heavier
> freights do run.
> The relatively new class 68s (Caterpillar engined
> mixed traffic 4-axle) do have dynamic brakes,
> however. As do the class 70s (General Electric
> 6-axle freight loco).
>
> Just saw 86235's answer above... maybe it was
> ballast then... the ones at 1' 37'' are I think,
> those at 1' 49'', possibly not.

Gravel in bags is pretty common. You can probably go down to your local home improvement store and find some with no effort at all.

Nik is correct, they are bags of ballast, seen all over the place. I get fed up of cloning them out of photos. Here's a few at Wakefield Kirkgate towards the rear of the train. Chris uk

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Don Coffey's video's are first rate ! Everybody should subsribe to his "You Tube" channel !!! :):):)

mile250 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I recently watched a YouTube video "Wakefield to
> Knowsley via the Calder Valley" by Don Coffey
> (nicely done). Was that ballast in big woven
> plastic bags I saw along the r-o-w? And, do
> British electro-diesels typically not have dynamic
> (electrical resistance) braking?