Things you learn

by "Cé hé sin" (michael-m-mouse)
Published 02/20/2017 at 16:38

Tags: Trainlopnik ; DVT
STARS: 3

The observant of us will notice that this is a passenger train.

It’s a traditional loco hauled design, something that is becoming a minority in many places as multiple units (engines under the floor) become increasingly common. So nearest us is the locomotive which contains a really big engine and associated bits and hauls the rest of the train.

Right? No, wrong. That’s not a locomotive. It’s a DVT. No, not DVT . A DVT . It’s a kind of dummy loco with a driving cab at one end and depending on the maker and operator may have (and does in this case) auxiliary engines for brakes and electricity. Sometimes it’s an empty space which may be used for luggage, bikes and the guard’s office. The actual loco is one of these, a GM model with an ancient and filthy EMD two stroke. Diesel locos are about the only American rolling stock to be found in Europe as they’re something of a niche market here.

So why do we want a DVT? Because the other choices are to have a very expensive loco at each end which is usually unnecessary for a passenger train or do a spot of time consuming shunting with one loco (uncouple it, transfer to a parallel line, recouple to the other end) or two (drive in with one, leave it there and then get hauled out by another which attaches to the end).

So there we have it. How to drive a train bi directionally with one locomotive.

Replies (5)

"The Lurktastic Opponaught" (oppolurker)
02/20/2017 at 16:51, STARS: 3

Around here they’re called cabbage car; a portmanteau of cab and baggage.

"RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht" (ramblininexile)
02/20/2017 at 16:51, STARS: 0

Makes a great deal of logical sense. With locos typically already rigged for remote operation and able to run equally well in either direction, it’s actually a bit surprising that secondary control stages aren’t more common.

"facw" (facw)
02/20/2017 at 17:15, STARS: 0

Here in the US it’s pretty common (especially on commuter railways) to have the last passenger car be a cab car so the train can be run in reverse:

Those are all locomotive driven trains, but of course DMU/EMUs can have that layout as well.

Sounds like British safety rules prevented the passenger car approach, at least for fast trains at the time those DVTs were built.

"victor" (victor)
02/20/2017 at 17:36, STARS: 0

Isn’t the DVT a British regulatory thing?

"Cé hé sin" (michael-m-mouse)
02/20/2017 at 18:30, STARS: 0

At the time they didn’t allow passengers in a driving car capable of more than 100 mph, so yes - although that one isn’t in Britain..