Thank you for showing the uncoupling process and the custom drawbar they used. It might not mean a lot to most people but it's significant to me as it's likely what they would have to do if one of these units broke down whilst in service.
@@railion6513 It's shown in the video. What they attach to is not designed to be compatible with other coupling systems, so they have to use an adapter and some extra service lines to move them. Since they're scrapping them, they're not too worried about operating the units, they're just being dragged by the locomotive coupled to them, and really only need braking from the brakes on the unit sets.
@@DarkVoidIII I know, but I have looked it up. The yellow NS6400 clones of Eurotunnel have a permanent auto coupler built on, which they lift when not in use to use the normal hook.
To add to this: my Platform 5 book from David Haydock about 25 years of the Channel Tunnel clearly shows them with AK and even states that the reason for Eurotunnel to buy the former NS locos to increase their hauling power after several sets simultaneously broke down in the Tunnel.
Apparently they can't be used on domestic routes because they are too long? So why not reduce the carriages refurbish them and then use them on the east coast mainline?
Gavin Sharp they're too long and when they were used in the East coast their width was prohibitive on how far north they could go; the bridge over the river Tyne Is rather narrow and so the Eurostar sets can only work up to York and Leeds, and even then the shorter sets were a squeeze in the platform length
No-one has mentioned the commercial reality of why they were scrapped: Eurostar did not want these units falling into the hands of rivals who could become competition on the Eurostar key routes, using trains especially designed for the channel tunnel and high speed running purpose. That is the real reason why these were scrapped quickly and with little fuss, and not sold, repurposed, cascaded to secondary routes etc. All the talk about corrosion from the salty tunnel, moisture into the electrical systems, stress from high speed running is all a distraction from the commercial reality. Scrap the surplus assets before someone else can get hold of them and run them as direct competition. If the Class 373 was really that knackered, rusted, etc, then why would Eurostar keep any in service, yet alone almost half of them?
They weren't economical or cheap to maintain, as they use different power inputs depending on where they ran, from overhead lines to old UK third rail that is no longer on the Eurostar route. They were built to run on old French and old UK signals, so were complex to repair and upgrade, they also cant run on to German lines, so the Eurostar service cant expand with those trains, and it less cost effective to upgrade the old trains than just to build the latest models. On top of all of that, they had bad body corrosion. There were some attempts to use these sets for UK only mainline operation, but compared to newer trains they sucked too much juice, and were not cost effective to run at high speed with those fares. Simply put, they were obsolete.
They could always be put into preservation and an agreement signed between Eurostar and whoever is preserving them to promise that the will never be put back in service anywhere
These are amazing, good sounding trains and they are being scrapped! Would look happy on the East Coast Mainline! Then again the consume LOTS of energy. Good video.
Incredible number of views on this video Mike. No. 3003 was my favourite of the class. I have been to Paris pulled by her a few times over the years. I particularly used to enjoy the trip in the buffet car with a nice coffee, watching the French countryside passing by. I'm not so keen on the newer sets to be honest, and the breakfast in first class has taken a turn for the worst. However, once this pandemic begins to ease I see a bright future for Eurostar as I cannot see air travel recovering...
Yes you have made a valued point there Julian about air travel not getting back to how it was. I've never been on a Eurostar under the Channel, only on the ECML, but been through the tunnel many many times. Cheers for finding this very poplar video of mine Julian. Going to film the purple PC on Monday evening. Mike.
@@antman09ful1 Fingers crossed you get the video of 274 you want, indeed I look forward to seeing it. I had the good fortune to be on 1C15 the day it was released and although it had 102 leading from Derby to St. Pancras (no complaints from me, it looks stunning) I had the privilege of being the first person to drive it in its new colours when I took the empty stock (5C15) to Cricklewood. Incidentally, there were an incredible number of people on the over-bridges and at stations taking pictures, even though the aubergine machine was on the rear! I am on afternoons on Monday but not wholly sure what trains I'm working, but time wise I could well be on a Neville Hill bound HST. Off for 6 days then, so looking forward to a few trips out. Almost definitely an HST to Pancras and also a cross-country HST to Plymouth. Julian
Oh that's good having 6 days off so you will be seeing the Devon coast at Dawlish on that week. i had my last ride on a MML HST last Monday. Right I better get myself ready for Leicester Julian. Cheers Mike.
Hi again Julian was you working 1D48 this afternoon, If yes thanks for the toot coming into LR, I heard there was a big crowd on the footbridge at Kilby Bridge, as I was going to drive there, but will go another day. Enjoy your six days off. Mike.
@@antman09ful1 Can't recall the headcode but I was working the 19:35 Derby to St. Pancras. It had a set change at Derby (not sure why). Then did the 22:20 St. Pancras back to Derby via Castle Donington branch. I do though always toot where I see people. I also allow people in the cabs to get a better picture, or if its children I will often let them sit in the drivers seat. Alas my 6 days off are reduced to 4 now as I have been allocated 'rest day work' on Wednesday and Thursday. Got a feeling I will also be allocated a turn on Saturday. Don't ind though as the extra money always comes in useful. While waiting at Derby yesterday evening I did get a cracking short video of a 37 leaving the service platform. He opened her right up for a few seconds. I don't have any more rostered HST work now so keeping my fingers crossed to get one off spare or on a rest day. I'm hearing rumours EMR are looking at putting a 'special' on for the staff AFTER their final day in service, but if I get any concrete details I will let you know. Hope you got some good footage. Julian.
Sad to see, doesn't seem like 5 minutes since they were all - new. Used to pass or see these regularly while working on the South Eastern Division of BR as was. We used to joke that when one went by, everyone's lights went dim from Dover to Tonbridge because of the amps they pulled on 3rd rail. Some of my colleagues went to Eurostar, and they'd always wave at me and blow the horns as I rattled along on my old 4 CEP or VEP unit, I'd always blow up and wave too.. Seems somewhat wasteful to destroy these, They were built at the Met-Camm Works, but, I suppose, in today's profit before everything railway, not too surprising as no-one seems to want them. So glad I'm retired. Amazes me what gets chucked now. Found an immaculate, fully working 32" LCD telly only the other day, at the tip. Wasteful society these days.
I didn't realise they were so bad that they'd have what seems a short life, maybe that's what you get when something is made for a specific role rather than being adaptable.
I remember them being on the ECML, unfortunately they consume too much power. Each one took up 4 signalling blocks, due to their power consumption, whereas you could have one class 91 per block. Lovely magic carpet ride, managed to get the York to London services from Grantham on quite a few occasions.
It took 6, all in bright unblemished hi viz jackets some 30mins on one occasion to couple a diesel onto the back of a steam special at Shrewsbury station. 45mins later they had to uncouple it when it was realised what was blocking the main line and stopping normal traffic!
hi why cant the carriages be used for homeless people, put the carriages in a place thats safe and let the homeless sleep in them, better than a cardboard box i think
Angela O'kane Mainly since they aren’t very structurally safe due to the harsh conditions experienced in the Channel Tunnel. They’re basically high speed rust machines
What a dumb boomer you must be, you actually think that leaving rail cars somewhere for destitutes to shoot up and sleep in is a good idea. There's never been a generation like the baby boomers, you idiots become less wise as you grow older. No generation before you did that.
Me too. In Japan，all highｰspeed trains of same generation as Eurostar class 373 have already been scrapped (except monuments ). For example, series of 300, series of 400, series of E1.
These could be placed at the channel tunnel station at Folkestone so that people waiting for delayed channel tunnel trains can sit inside them instead of wandering about the shopping centre until they lose the will to live.
I have many fond memories of riding these trains for holidays to Britain. They are my favorite mode of travel, much better than planes. And hurray, soon I'll be able to go to London and back directly from Amsterdam.
I don't get the logic of this, in the 60's we were using rolling stock that was the best part of 100 years old, well maintained and perfectly safe and usable.
I guess you're right on that one, I also doubt the old classes of locos 20-55 would pass emission tests these days, the 55 Deltic put out more soot than a Volkswagen.
100 year old vehicles are far from safe. By family rules I am only allowed to travel in a vehicle less than 10 years old due to the fact that the older it gets the more unsafe it is.
Yes it is but we all think like this when most trains go out of service, but I think some of these could find work in other parts of the country in time.
I see a lot of people trolling about why these train sets should be saved but there is one good reason why they should be - decay. These trains were running through the salty air of the Channel Tunnel for over 20 years and that causes steel to oxidize. These trains are built with steel as the primary construction material (as opposed to stainless steel/aluminum with other train types) which means that beneath the shiny coat of paint lies several layers of oxidized steel and the trains are basically falling apart from the inside. The chassis, bogies, and all other critical support structures of the train are more or less degraded to the point where they should be scrapped and the materials re purposed. Even if they could be re-purposed for domestic use, the crippled structure of the trains simply make them unsafe to use.
A Brilliant comment from you thank you very much.I wish people would read this comment first before they say something like our country could have these trains.
Shame to see such a young trainset scrapped, surely there is use for them elsewhere; I wonder how they would look in Virgin Trains, Virgin Trains East Coast or the new GWR Green liveries.
One loco has been sent to the NRM already, and these units use too much power to be used off of HS1. The only times they've been off of there they've been reduced to either 110mph for 25kV AC and 100mph for 750V DC
Had the pleasure of working these units a few times back in the days GNER as onboard catering staff. Can remember when they first came out too, still think of them as pretty new. Suppose all that salt air has taken a massive toll.
Think about it, in the the future, you would see that 66 dragged into the scrapyard. Atleast the eurostar wouldn't be torn up by shredders but yet again, they would be full of grafitti, smashed windows etc
They are quite new compared to some stock but the problem is they are a little bit wider than most of the stock on UK national rail. GNER borrowed a couple a few years ago for the East Coast Main Line and only 2 platforms at Kings Cross could accommodate them. I think it was 2 & 6 but memory fades with age. The other issue is the nose cone. 2 of them passing at Winchmore Hill would have caused a collision. They are a nice and relatively young train but are not fit for most UK lines.
Eurostar is a diesel operated train. In the colonies (Australia) we mostly have a gauge of 4'81/2" the same as the Poms. The only thing that may and should be upgraded is the crap rail we still have. Believe me the best HST we have is limited to 150KPH
150 KPH is great when all you have in your country is limited to 50 KPH. It takes about 35 minutes to reach the station that is 20 kilometers away. At some parts of the rail the speed is limited to 20 KPH and that's why it takes so long to travel 20 kilometers. Croatia-absolutely the best!
Reading the comments below I see salt water damage is the main culprit.it was my understanding they went under the sea 😀as for the taxpayers money don’t worry lots more where that came from
Will be interesting to see how long the Japanese E5 and H5 shinkansen last going under the sea between Honshu and Hokkaido. Mind you they do replace their shinkansen more regularly than we do, although they do tend to relegate them to slower services first.
So we have a diesel powered rolling stock shortage due to OHL delays and increasing ridership and then scrap perfectly usable carriages that could be attached to diesel locos like Class 66s, 68s or whatever until electrified kit is able to run and cascade the DMUs that are needed? Utter madness ... Interesting videos though thanks.
Firstly, these sets are multiple units, they can't be split into more than 2 pieces so there's no point. Even under electric, the 373s take too much power to run, that's why when they were in service on GNER services they were limited to 110mph, and when on the DC lines into Waterloo they could only go 100mph
Firstly the 66's 67's etc require a special coupling to be fitted to be attached to the Eurostar. The 66's and 67's are better suited for freight - and there isn't an infinite amount of them. It wouldn't be practical to use a 400 meter long Eurostar train, especially considering issues such as Gauging. Those are just some of the most basic issues you will find.
They're already getting a replacement, which were ordered around the same time as the 374s in 2009 or sometime around then. The problem however is that the 373s are both extremely long and would require shortening, major overhauls to prevent corrosion, and even then it will still not fit the loading gauge for most routes, and they would draw too much power from the overhead lines. And they would still need to be converted to bi-mode units for the non-electrified sections of the GWML and ECML
Very nicely covered there Mike with the opening shot at Portway just fitting the whole set in, and then a look at the special coupling arrangements required to move it. Question is how long were you sat waiting for it considering it was booked to pass Tamworth at 08:35!
I don't know Darren I wasn't going to bother filming this one, but as I was filming other workings in the area I thought as there was the failed 60 story to film I would wait around another hour and then go, I notice a good gap they could get out onto the main line and they did so I was in luck being in the right place. I did speak to guys at Kingsbury at 09.00 who were going to wait for it, and I said your looking at least four hours.
What’s wrong with them?? I think they would be good operating on the ECML and the WCML a because like hs1, and LGV Nord the WCML And The ECML are both long routes like they used to operate om
These would be great for newly electrified great western main line but it is always better to run forty odd years old HSTs all the way under the wires...
Ha ha! If you knew anything about the GW electrification, you’d soon realise that it isn’t all the way, and may not be for several more years to come. Also, the sets would have to be significantly shortened to get into Paddington these days after Network Rail remodelled Paddington some years ago to create more retail space. However, the good news is that it could be quickly reversed as they only built over the lines and not filled them in. Agree with most on here that these units are being scrapped to damn quickly though. Could have been perfect for limited stopping services to as far as Weymouth on third rail in shortened form.
It's not fully electrified and these quite literally would not fit into any station on the GWML. Not to mention the power consumption of these is insane
When i was a kid here in australia you used to be able to buy ex rolling stock. Lots of people had train carriages in theri backyard, I remember trying so hard to get my dad to get one hahaha, They make awesome portable buildings and stuff, maybe they dont do the same anymore?
On the face of it, to a layman like myself this doesn't seem right, but I'm sure that better brains than mine have decided that this is the best course to take.
Andrew Chaston That must be why so many countries are spending billions on high speed rail. You’d better start talking to all these misguided countries and get them to buy busses instead. They obviously haven’t heard you. And it’s so much more pleasant to stand in queues at airports for hours, get poked and prodded by officious security staff then get stuffed in a tin can gazing at a seat back just inches from your head. Doh!!
I remember being so excited as a kid, seeing the Eurostar adverts on TV and getting a model for Christmas. Such a shame their life was so short. Why are they being scrapped? Surely the stock could be upgraded/converted? Didn't GNER have a few of them?
What an utter waste of perfectly servicable trains. This is what happens when you have accountants running everything - the only thing that matters is this years balance sheet - to hell with the future.
The costs were to high to fix and they were in bad condition, they basically couldn't survive serving the Channel Tunnel much longer due to the conditions in there. Even if they were serviceable, no one would want them since the only line in the country with enough space physically and electrically for them is HS1, which they're already running on
Okay so why not donate them to an African nation as foreign aid. (Instead of sending £££s) Watch Chris Tarrant’s Extreme Railway journeys to see there are plenty of countries in need of younger rolling stock. England, you Need to stop being so wasteful! .
+Turbo617 These carriages can be converted into accommodation easily, and let's not forget some already have living quarters inside them. I'm pretty sure the people won't want to travel anywhere anytime soon, especially to your country mate.
Hello, these trains are twenty year old and are electric, they are not a get off the shelf train with the signalling gear they have, that's why they are no good for other country's.
@ Conor James Mahony. I just developed THAT mental image ! Any further comment by me would just be politically incorrect, But funnier than Hell none the less :-)
I remember buying the materials to build the Class 91 in the 80's. It was built to exacting standards to aircraft quality spec. and the engineering was second to none. I am surprised on hearing about its demise. I hope that the locos that are imported to replace them are reliable enough because we no longer have the manufacturers in this country to produce anything in the traction field.
Thanks David for sharing your working life in the 1980s, this video didn't involve the class 91 which is still about our railways, but some could be going to scrap yards in 2021. I must agree with you the that the locos built in this country will always be better then the one's built aboard.
Excellent video, and I agree - it seems a sad end to such recognisable trains and a waste of decent rolling stock. Surely a buyer could be found somewhere on the global market?
this train is a piece of history!!! this train connects uk with france, the opening of st. pancras, and many more!!! isn't it should be in the museum of transportation???
wow, didn't expect to see these being scraped so soon. I know they did test them on ECML, but the draw too much power from the overhead lines. They had hoped to run a service from Edinburgh to Paris.
Even when they’re going to the scrap they’re late
lol
Hey this is torture
Darren Rose so is seeing class 66’s still in action! Scrap the entire fleet and replace with the 68’s😊
Blame 66768!
NO! I've a soft spot for Sheds...
They are no longer cost-effective, the maintenance is more expensive than income from them. they LOOK modern but that's all.
Hope more people read this comment.
DroidTech Expect they're falling to pieces. The chassis is rusted.
just dont use the locos, and use the carriages with another loco, i must think the carriages dont use much power.
@@AndreasP07 exactly ... these carriges are pretty nice.. i guess some slow local routes would highly appreciate these coaches
Stick a Crompton and a rake of Mk 1's on the service...much more fun.
Thank you for showing the uncoupling process and the custom drawbar they used. It might not mean a lot to most people but it's significant to me as it's likely what they would have to do if one of these units broke down whilst in service.
Pleased you got the info by watching my video mate.
I can remember incorrectly, but as far as I remember, those loco's for the Tunnel have an automatic coupler attached permanently, right?
@@railion6513 It's shown in the video. What they attach to is not designed to be compatible with other coupling systems, so they have to use an adapter and some extra service lines to move them. Since they're scrapping them, they're not too worried about operating the units, they're just being dragged by the locomotive coupled to them, and really only need braking from the brakes on the unit sets.
@@DarkVoidIII I know, but I have looked it up. The yellow NS6400 clones of Eurotunnel have a permanent auto coupler built on, which they lift when not in use to use the normal hook.
To add to this: my Platform 5 book from David Haydock about 25 years of the Channel Tunnel clearly shows them with AK and even states that the reason for Eurotunnel to buy the former NS locos to increase their hauling power after several sets simultaneously broke down in the Tunnel.
RIP aka class 373 eurostar
1994 to 2016
U will never be forgotten
Well said pal.
Apparently they can't be used on domestic routes because they are too long? So why not reduce the carriages refurbish them and then use them on the east coast mainline?
Gavin lots of people have come up with Idea's but nothing will change, thanks for watching.
Gavin Sharp they're too long and when they were used in the East coast their width was prohibitive on how far north they could go; the bridge over the river Tyne Is rather narrow and so the Eurostar sets can only work up to York and Leeds, and even then the shorter sets were a squeeze in the platform length
Also, the trains withdrew so much power that they were forced to run at reduced speeds, and the ECML is already getting new trains so there's no point
This should have been considered in the original design!
These train were on the east coast once
No-one has mentioned the commercial reality of why they were scrapped: Eurostar did not want these units falling into the hands of rivals who could become competition on the Eurostar key routes, using trains especially designed for the channel tunnel and high speed running purpose.
That is the real reason why these were scrapped quickly and with little fuss, and not sold, repurposed, cascaded to secondary routes etc. All the talk about corrosion from the salty tunnel, moisture into the electrical systems, stress from high speed running is all a distraction from the commercial reality. Scrap the surplus assets before someone else can get hold of them and run them as direct competition.
If the Class 373 was really that knackered, rusted, etc, then why would Eurostar keep any in service, yet alone almost half of them?
They could have cascaded them down to third world countries
They weren't economical or cheap to maintain, as they use different power inputs depending on where they ran, from overhead lines to old UK third rail that is no longer on the Eurostar route. They were built to run on old French and old UK signals, so were complex to repair and upgrade, they also cant run on to German lines, so the Eurostar service cant expand with those trains, and it less cost effective to upgrade the old trains than just to build the latest models.
On top of all of that, they had bad body corrosion.
There were some attempts to use these sets for UK only mainline operation, but compared to newer trains they sucked too much juice, and were not cost effective to run at high speed with those fares. Simply put, they were obsolete.
Nice one Thanks for sharing
They could always be put into preservation and an agreement signed between Eurostar and whoever is preserving them to promise that the will never be put back in service anywhere
Since HS1's completion, you can basically use a standard European HST, as proved by the ICE tests.
I used to build these units at Loughborough brush in the 1990’s. I loved that job. I’d love to turn back the clocks.
Nice one David, and thanks for watching.
That is sooooooo cool!!!!!
The first time I travelled on a set like these ones, I immediately liked the simple livery: off-white, mainly, with a shade of yellow beneath.
Thank you for your comment, and watching.
These are amazing, good sounding trains and they are being scrapped! Would look happy on the East Coast Mainline! Then again the consume LOTS of energy. Good video.
And I just realised, it's easy to replace a Eurostar but not a pacer. LIFE IS POINTLESS!
Cheers for your comment HD Transport, and thanks for watching. ps Pacer's will be soon I believe.
I know :) Anyway Pacers operate nowhere near Cambridge. GOOD!
@@trainswithnickyt and up here near Blackpool as well mate, for now.
Incredible number of views on this video Mike. No. 3003 was my favourite of the class. I have been to Paris pulled by her a few times over the years. I particularly used to enjoy the trip in the buffet car with a nice coffee, watching the French countryside passing by. I'm not so keen on the newer sets to be honest, and the breakfast in first class has taken a turn for the worst. However, once this pandemic begins to ease I see a bright future for Eurostar as I cannot see air travel recovering...
Yes you have made a valued point there Julian about air travel not getting back to how it was.
I've never been on a Eurostar under the Channel, only on the ECML, but been through the tunnel many many times.
Cheers for finding this very poplar video of mine Julian.
Going to film the purple PC on Monday evening. Mike.
@@antman09ful1 Fingers crossed you get the video of 274 you want, indeed I look forward to seeing it. I had the good fortune to be on 1C15 the day it was released and although it had 102 leading from Derby to St. Pancras (no complaints from me, it looks stunning) I had the privilege of being the first person to drive it in its new colours when I took the empty stock (5C15) to Cricklewood. Incidentally, there were an incredible number of people on the over-bridges and at stations taking pictures, even though the aubergine machine was on the rear! I am on afternoons on Monday but not wholly sure what trains I'm working, but time wise I could well be on a Neville Hill bound HST.
Off for 6 days then, so looking forward to a few trips out. Almost definitely an HST to Pancras and also a cross-country HST to Plymouth.
Julian
Oh that's good having 6 days off so you will be seeing the Devon coast at Dawlish on that week. i had my last ride on a MML HST last Monday.
Right I better get myself ready for Leicester Julian. Cheers Mike.
Hi again Julian was you working 1D48 this afternoon, If yes thanks for the toot coming into LR, I heard there was a big crowd on the footbridge at Kilby Bridge, as I was going to drive there, but will go another day. Enjoy your six days off. Mike.
@@antman09ful1 Can't recall the headcode but I was working the 19:35 Derby to St. Pancras. It had a set change at Derby (not sure why). Then did the 22:20 St. Pancras back to Derby via Castle Donington branch. I do though always toot where I see people. I also allow people in the cabs to get a better picture, or if its children I will often let them sit in the drivers seat. Alas my 6 days off are reduced to 4 now as I have been allocated 'rest day work' on Wednesday and Thursday. Got a feeling I will also be allocated a turn on Saturday. Don't ind though as the extra money always comes in useful. While waiting at Derby yesterday evening I did get a cracking short video of a 37 leaving the service platform. He opened her right up for a few seconds. I don't have any more rostered HST work now so keeping my fingers crossed to get one off spare or on a rest day. I'm hearing rumours EMR are looking at putting a 'special' on for the staff AFTER their final day in service, but if I get any concrete details I will let you know.
Hope you got some good footage.
Julian.
4:17 that guys evil laugh thou... He be like “ We scrappin deez eurostars hahaha”
Well thanks for your comment.
They still seem quite new!
I think around 22 years Gaz
antman09ful1 and the hst 125s are not older?
The HSTs are 40 years old. These units are being scrapped due to major faults causing them to no longer be cost effective to run
Alasdair Clift not cost effective but the intercity 125 is and that's 40 years old
Newer than the temporary Pacers on our local line :(
Thank god I went on these beautiful machines back in 2013.
That's good that you went on one, and thanks for watching.
Sad to see, doesn't seem like 5 minutes since they were all - new. Used to pass or see these regularly while working on the South Eastern Division of BR as was. We used to joke that when one went by, everyone's lights went dim from Dover to Tonbridge because of the amps they pulled on 3rd rail. Some of my colleagues went to Eurostar, and they'd always wave at me and blow the horns as I rattled along on my old 4 CEP or VEP unit, I'd always blow up and wave too.. Seems somewhat wasteful to destroy these, They were built at the Met-Camm Works, but, I suppose, in today's profit before everything railway, not too surprising as no-one seems to want them. So glad I'm retired. Amazes me what gets chucked now. Found an immaculate, fully working 32" LCD telly only the other day, at the tip. Wasteful society these days.
I agree mate with your comment about being a throw away society, and thanks for your story's in the early days of the Eurostar's in Kent. Cheers Mike.
True
I didn't realise they were so bad that they'd have what seems a short life, maybe that's what you get when something is made for a specific role rather than being adaptable.
to be fair, they have a rather... salty life, the corrosion on some of those is pretty severe
I remember them being on the ECML, unfortunately they consume too much power. Each one took up 4 signalling blocks, due to their power consumption, whereas you could have one class 91 per block. Lovely magic carpet ride, managed to get the York to London services from Grantham on quite a few occasions.
Wow yes I remember the Eurostar’s In fact I came across a video on the ECML recently which I might put out soon. Cheers for watching.
I can’t believe it took a team of six guys to disconnect the unit from the power car.
Plus they are all on good money I bet. Thanks for watching Tony.
I can, there's always one doing the job and five watching these days.
I noticed this madness
@DwarvishPasty yoh chill man
It took 6, all in bright unblemished hi viz jackets some 30mins on one occasion to couple a diesel onto the back of a steam special at Shrewsbury station. 45mins later they had to uncouple it when it was realised what was blocking the main line and stopping normal traffic!
hi why cant the carriages be used for homeless people, put the carriages in a place thats safe and let the homeless sleep in them, better than a cardboard box i think
I can't answer that one.
best answer I've seen
Turning them into houses is a good idea or little cafes
Angela O'kane Mainly since they aren’t very structurally safe due to the harsh conditions experienced in the Channel Tunnel. They’re basically high speed rust machines
What a dumb boomer you must be, you actually think that leaving rail cars somewhere for destitutes to shoot up and sleep in is a good idea. There's never been a generation like the baby boomers, you idiots become less wise as you grow older. No generation before you did that.
Goodbye Eurostar, thank you for your many years of service.
Thanks for taking a look.
Me too. In Japan，all highｰspeed trains of same generation as Eurostar class 373 have already been scrapped (except monuments
). For example, series of 300, series of 400, series of E1.
I travelled in these units on numerous occasions and I found them very comfortable to travel in.
That is good Geoff, thanks for checking my video out.
These could be placed at the channel tunnel station at Folkestone so that people waiting for delayed channel tunnel trains can sit inside them instead of wandering about the shopping centre until they lose the will to live.
I like your comment James, thanks for watching.
Best comment so far!
Yeah! Waiting rooms made out of trains! I like that idea.
Brilliant video, that's one hell of a contraption to couple the 66 to the Eurostar!
Yes it is Dom, thanks for viewing this poplar video.
Like all those below I am staggered that these are being scrapped. HSTs date from the mid seventies. I don't get it. What squander.
Thanks for watching.
I have many fond memories of riding these trains for holidays to Britain. They are my favorite mode of travel, much better than planes.
And hurray, soon I'll be able to go to London and back directly from Amsterdam.
That’s good and thanks for watching this old video.
I don't get the logic of this, in the 60's we were using rolling stock that was the best part of 100 years old, well maintained and perfectly safe and usable.
I agree with your comment Clive, but we do have that disease called heath and safety now.
I guess you're right on that one, I also doubt the old classes of locos 20-55 would pass emission tests these days, the 55 Deltic put out more soot than a Volkswagen.
And so if there is an accident caused by someone's negligence no one's to blame or are you being sarcastic?
I am glad they do not use rolling stock that is 100 years old. Time to move on.
100 year old vehicles are far from safe. By family rules I am only allowed to travel in a vehicle less than 10 years old due to the fact that the older it gets the more unsafe it is.
Super video Mike. They've had a good life. Cheers. Allan.
Hello Allan, yes they have done a few trips to Paris and Brussels over the last twenty odd years. Cheers Mike.
what a sad sight :(
Yes it is but we all think like this when most trains go out of service, but I think some of these could find work in other parts of the country in time.
I see a lot of people trolling about why these train sets should be saved but there is one good reason why they should be - decay. These trains were running through the salty air of the Channel Tunnel for over 20 years and that causes steel to oxidize. These trains are built with steel as the primary construction material (as opposed to stainless steel/aluminum with other train types) which means that beneath the shiny coat of paint lies several layers of oxidized steel and the trains are basically falling apart from the inside. The chassis, bogies, and all other critical support structures of the train are more or less degraded to the point where they should be scrapped and the materials re purposed. Even if they could be re-purposed for domestic use, the crippled structure of the trains simply make them unsafe to use.
A Brilliant comment from you thank you very much.I wish people would read this comment first before they say something like our country could have these trains.
Shame to see such a young trainset scrapped, surely there is use for them elsewhere; I wonder how they would look in Virgin Trains, Virgin Trains East Coast or the new GWR Green liveries.
Well James you must be the 100th person to have said that, but I must say thank you for watching this video, feel free to watch others. Mike.
hello yes we Americans need some high speed trains too thanksssss
James McKelvey or they could of sent them to the national railway museum
One loco has been sent to the NRM already, and these units use too much power to be used off of HS1. The only times they've been off of there they've been reduced to either 110mph for 25kV AC and 100mph for 750V DC
These in green would be soooo goood
Great footage again Mike.I should of gone for that myself.Will have to do one in the new year.Thanks again
Yes I think you should do one in February mate. cheers.
just curious, but when were these Eurostars introduced>
Paul the first one from London Waterloo was around 1994, thanks for watching.
Great video. Very sad to see these beautiful trains at the end of their service life!!!
Thanks Paul.
1990/91 Ashford International opened in91
4:59 GBRF 66 simply justs dumps eurostar 3003/3004. how mean
Well yeah. Thanks for finding this video.
Your welcome😂
How can scrap these so soon? Aren't they good for a few more years or be rebuilt or sold to another rsilway?
They are rotting badly, thanks for watching.
They are no longer cost-effective, the maintenance is more expensive than income from them.
HST will be next.
Very nice catch cheers Steve ..
Thanks Steve for watching this poplar video I did a few years ago. Mike.
How did Eurostar's have a shorter service life than HST's???
Sea water has something to do with that decision Andrew. Thanks for taking a look.
Would have thought theyd have been built out of non corrosive materials then!
tsu 800 Non corrosive materiel ? If you find one, you will be a billionaire !
nessotrin jean Stainless steel?
@tsu8003 they were made by Alstom, you can't expect Alstom of all companies to make a good decision
nice video merry Christmas good video great video ☘☘☘☘🌹🌹🌹🌹🌲🌲🌲🌲
Thanks.
The carriages should be stuck along the M20 so the drivers can get a change of scenery during operation stack 😂
Ok, thanks for your point of view
lol
How much long is eurostar train
These have gone.
RIP Eurostar!!!! Never forget!!!
Thanks for your comment.
Love looking at British freight locos pulling things like this
That’s great, well thank you for watching my video.
RIP 373's
I will miss them
Thanks for watching.
antman09ful1 you don't need to reply to every comment in such a generic manner lmao
Will Melbourne Rude
Tank Engine 75 How?
Me too
Had the pleasure of working these units a few times back in the days GNER as onboard catering staff. Can remember when they first came out too, still think of them as pretty new. Suppose all that salt air has taken a massive toll.
Thanks James for your comment.
Think about it, in the the future, you would see that 66 dragged into the scrapyard. Atleast the eurostar wouldn't be torn up by shredders but yet again, they would be full of grafitti, smashed windows etc
I take your point but everything made with metal goes the same way.
They are quite new compared to some stock but the problem is they are a little bit wider than most of the stock on UK national rail. GNER borrowed a couple a few years ago for the East Coast Main Line and only 2 platforms at Kings Cross could accommodate them. I think it was 2 & 6 but memory fades with age. The other issue is the nose cone. 2 of them passing at Winchmore Hill would have caused a collision. They are a nice and relatively young train but are not fit for most UK lines.
Thanks for commenting.
Eurostar is a diesel operated train. In the colonies (Australia) we mostly have a gauge of 4'81/2" the same as the Poms. The only thing that may and should be upgraded is the crap rail we still have. Believe me the best HST we have is limited to 150KPH
Ok Mike thanks for watching my video.
They'd be no use to you Ozzies, they can't even handle leaves on the line so they would fail miserably if they hit any Kangaroo shit.
Not diesel, but electric. 25kv and 3000v dc [overhead]. Were also able to operate off 750v dc 3rd rail, but I believe that has now been removed
@@Electron1944 those Aussie's would put sanders on them.
150 KPH is great when all you have in your country is limited to 50 KPH.
It takes about 35 minutes to reach the station that is 20 kilometers away. At some parts of the rail the speed is limited to 20 KPH and that's why it takes so long to travel 20 kilometers. Croatia-absolutely the best!
Is there a video of a Eurostar being cut up?
I have never seen one.
Reading the comments below I see salt water damage is the main culprit.it was my understanding they went under the sea 😀as for the taxpayers money don’t worry lots more where that came from
Michael I can see where you are coming from but I haven't got a answer, but thanks for watching.
Will be interesting to see how long the Japanese E5 and H5 shinkansen last going under the sea between Honshu and Hokkaido. Mind you they do replace their shinkansen more regularly than we do, although they do tend to relegate them to slower services first.
No taxpayers' money to replace old Pacers and Sprinters - must be a European thing.
Ihate.pacers
hate.pacers
Very interesting. Have a nice day now.
Cheers,
I think the coaches should be used for storing vegetarians and vegans that eat quorn chicken and pork substitutes
Good idea.
YES
Was passiert mit dem zug?
It got cut up.
So we have a diesel powered rolling stock shortage due to OHL delays and increasing ridership and then scrap perfectly usable carriages that could be attached to diesel locos like Class 66s, 68s or whatever until electrified kit is able to run and cascade the DMUs that are needed? Utter madness ...
Interesting videos though thanks.
Thank you for your comment and for watching this video which has created a lot of interest.
I think power doors make for a big problem in this.
Firstly, these sets are multiple units, they can't be split into more than 2 pieces so there's no point. Even under electric, the 373s take too much power to run, that's why when they were in service on GNER services they were limited to 110mph, and when on the DC lines into Waterloo they could only go 100mph
Firstly the 66's 67's etc require a special coupling to be fitted to be attached to the Eurostar. The 66's and 67's are better suited for freight - and there isn't an infinite amount of them. It wouldn't be practical to use a 400 meter long Eurostar train, especially considering issues such as Gauging. Those are just some of the most basic issues you will find.
This does not seem to make sense on the face of it, but guess the experts have crossed all avenues. Seems a total waste
Why have they been taken out ?
This is a old video now and they have been replaced it’s new ones as the other were rusty.
I feel like these should replace our current hsts.
Do you, thanks for watching this video.
ThisIsBien idk how to agreee
Just don't
They're already getting a replacement, which were ordered around the same time as the 374s in 2009 or sometime around then. The problem however is that the 373s are both extremely long and would require shortening, major overhauls to prevent corrosion, and even then it will still not fit the loading gauge for most routes, and they would draw too much power from the overhead lines. And they would still need to be converted to bi-mode units for the non-electrified sections of the GWML and ECML
The GNER White rose units were beautiful
Very nicely covered there Mike with the opening shot at Portway just fitting the whole set in, and then a look at the special coupling arrangements required to move it. Question is how long were you sat waiting for it considering it was booked to pass Tamworth at 08:35!
I don't know Darren I wasn't going to bother filming this one, but as I was filming other workings in the area I thought as there was the failed 60 story to film I would wait around another hour and then go, I notice a good gap they could get out onto the main line and they did so I was in luck being in the right place. I did speak to guys at Kingsbury at 09.00 who were going to wait for it, and I said your looking at least four hours.
Jesus how many blokes does it need to uncouple a train!!
That's the railways all over this country.
More than it would be if the coaches were not connected by the bogies.
@matthew scoles they need a lot of people due to the (unpowered in this state) Delner coupler and adaptor.
@matthew scoles Excuse me? I was just explaining why there were 5 people!
I meant 6
What’s wrong with them?? I think they would be good operating on the ECML and the WCML a because like hs1, and LGV Nord the WCML And The ECML are both long routes like they used to operate om
They were rusting badly. all now scraped.
@@antman09ful1half are in service tho
These would be great for newly electrified great western main line but it is always better to run forty odd years old HSTs all the way under the wires...
I don't like overhead wires, but its called (this is the future of the railways )
Ha ha! If you knew anything about the GW electrification, you’d soon realise that it isn’t all the way, and may not be for several more years to come. Also, the sets would have to be significantly shortened to get into Paddington these days after Network Rail remodelled Paddington some years ago to create more retail space. However, the good news is that it could be quickly reversed as they only built over the lines and not filled them in.
Agree with most on here that these units are being scrapped to damn quickly though. Could have been perfect for limited stopping services to as far as Weymouth on third rail in shortened form.
Its not about the electricity its about the length of the carriages that are too long for the tighter curves on these routes.
It's not fully electrified and these quite literally would not fit into any station on the GWML. Not to mention the power consumption of these is insane
When i was a kid here in australia you used to be able to buy ex rolling stock. Lots of people had train carriages in theri backyard, I remember trying so hard to get my dad to get one hahaha, They make awesome portable buildings and stuff, maybe they dont do the same anymore?
Thanks for your story, and for watching.
Now these modern engines know what it was like to be a steam engine during the 1950s modernization plan ):)
That's right, thanks for your comment.
Plenty of 50-year-old locos running in 1950! And the A3s and Castles were over 40-years-old at the end of steam - and could have gone on for ever...
Also, I noticed they're not using a match wagon between the loco and the train.
One of the saddest videos I've seen :(
Oh sorry about that, but thanks for watching.
On the face of it, to a layman like myself this doesn't seem right, but I'm sure that better brains than mine have decided that this is the best course to take.
Yes Steve you are right, nobody wants them as there are rotting with the salt water over the last twenty odd years.
Staggering waste.
Thanks for watching this poplar video.
I’m sure the relevant rail authorities have got their money’s worth out of them. Nothing lasts forever.
Turbo617 they are not that old considering the hsts down south why don’t they just refurbish them how old even are they ?
Andrew Chaston That must be why so many countries are spending billions on high speed rail. You’d better start talking to all these misguided countries and get them to buy busses instead. They obviously haven’t heard you. And it’s so much more pleasant to stand in queues at airports for hours, get poked and prodded by officious security staff then get stuffed in a tin can gazing at a seat back just inches from your head. Doh!!
THey are old and stuffed and corroded by sea air and that is why they are not being used!
I remember being so excited as a kid, seeing the Eurostar adverts on TV and getting a model for Christmas. Such a shame their life was so short. Why are they being scrapped? Surely the stock could be upgraded/converted? Didn't GNER have a few of them?
No them that GNER had were on lone and were different to these being scraped. But thanks for watching.
oh ok shame it has to go coz they are awsome locos
Yes not good, HNY to you, and thanks for watching the video.
It was good to see & hear the Deltics passing at speed on the East Coast Main Line. Ian Thompson.
To right Ian, such great days.
Better than some of the shite being used in East York’s.
Thanks for you comment John.
Great video:
You are going back looking at my old video Madeline.
Shame some other rail operator couldn’t buy them and put them into service
No possible mate cost would be far to high.
i know shame thos to see such a nice trian getting scrapped, if i could id store them all in my garden lol :)
Nice capture 😀 when dose this working run plz
If you want to see this working you are three years to late mate.
Dam
What an utter waste of perfectly servicable trains. This is what happens when you have accountants running everything - the only thing that matters is this years balance sheet - to hell with the future.
The costs were to high to fix and they were in bad condition, they basically couldn't survive serving the Channel Tunnel much longer due to the conditions in there. Even if they were serviceable, no one would want them since the only line in the country with enough space physically and electrically for them is HS1, which they're already running on
they belonged to Eurostar which is 55% owned by the french railway
is this the same 'Kingsbury' as the jubilee line station and if it is where is this location
No its in the Midland.
3:35 i hope my sandwiches are in here still in there
Oh I think its cold now. Thanks for watching.
this train terminates her
Yes It did Tony.
Can the 66 also be scrapped please.
Out of my hands mate, but thanks for watching.
40022laconia unfortunatly not but #scrapnorthern323
They are the last thing to be brought into the UK equipped with 2-stroke engines, they are part of history now.
342 minutes late? that is ridiculous.
Well that's what happen, thanks for watching.
342 minutes late ridiculous? clearly you've never been to Italy lol
sasa051 This isn't Italy
Why was it scrapped
Because they are rusting.
Okay so why not donate them to an African nation as foreign aid. (Instead of sending £££s)
Watch Chris Tarrant’s Extreme Railway journeys to see there are plenty of countries in need of younger rolling stock.
England, you Need to stop being so wasteful!
.
I understand your comment, but these trains cannot be used just anywhere, that's why they are being scrapped because nobody wants them.
+Turbo617 These carriages can be converted into accommodation easily, and let's not forget some already have living quarters inside them. I'm pretty sure the people won't want to travel anywhere anytime soon, especially to your country mate.
Peter Harms Geez, I want some of the stuff you’re smoking dude!
They are expensive to maintain
the roofs are too curved for the Indian market they couldn't sit there
How old are these trains we could use them here in australia are they electric or diesel ?
Hello, these trains are twenty year old and are electric, they are not a get off the shelf train with the signalling gear they have, that's why they are no good for other country's.
Sell em To India
Nobody wants them.
@ Conor James Mahony. I just developed THAT mental image ! Any further comment by me would just be politically incorrect, But funnier than Hell none the less :-)
They can't even get proper windows and doors on their rail vehicles, so not sure where they're gonna get 25kv electricity from.
So are you saying if I wanna go to Paris on the euro star I will never be able to go one one of these ?
I think there are still a few in service which they are keeping a bit longer. Thank you for your interest in this video.
Brexit visualized.
Ok
Does that freight unit have an EMD 710 prime mover?
Don't know about that. But thanks for watching.
yes
I used to have a toy train that resembles a class 373 when i was a kid. It's sad to see them slowly going out of service.
All done.
Why is the eurostar getting scrapped!?
Same reason why all things get scrapped, these are the first Eurostar's from years ago.
I'm no train expert but I did ride on the Eurostar in 2006, are these style of trains all going out of service now? Are any still running?
Yes there are some still in service, thanks for taking a look.
I remember buying the materials to build the Class 91 in the 80's.
It was built to exacting standards to aircraft quality spec. and the engineering was second to none.
I am surprised on hearing about its demise. I hope that the locos that are imported to replace them are reliable enough because we no longer have the manufacturers in this country to produce anything in the traction field.
Thanks David for sharing your working life in the 1980s, this video didn't involve the class 91 which is still about our railways, but some could be going to scrap yards in 2021.
I must agree with you the that the locos built in this country will always be better then the one's built aboard.
Such a good looking train...
Well yes but nothing lasts for ever.
So they scrap these but still have pacers on the line?
Only for a few more months Andrew.
Excellent video, and I agree - it seems a sad end to such recognisable trains and a waste of decent rolling stock. Surely a buyer could be found somewhere on the global market?
Eurostar doesn't want a competitor using them
Well apparently not, but thanks for your comment Steve.
That's a good valid point.
Feb 2021. Strangely satisfying since Chunnel concern in dire straits too..
Thanks for watching Robert.
when theres another eurostar behind and made an accident be like: BrInG tHaT EuRoStAr HeRe tOo
Thanks for watching.
@@antman09ful1 yw (your welcome)
this train is a piece of history!!! this train connects uk with france, the opening of st. pancras, and many more!!! isn't it should be in the museum of transportation???
There is one like these in York museum, thanks for watching my video.
St Pancras was open before the tunnel was even thought about.
The locomotive have GM engine? It sounds like the ones from the USA.
Oh right thanks for that info.
I do believe the class 66 is built in Canada and not in the USA.
Can we see them being dismantled anywhere?
No Ronnie, unless you work at the scrap yard.
@@antman09ful1 Won't they let somebody in with a camera?
@@ronnieg6358 Heath and Safety
@@antman09ful1 How about using a drone?
good catch! great video!
Thanks.
Is this Kingsbury, London NW9 or another Kingsbury? And if so, where is Kingsbury Yard?
No It Kingsbury in Warwickshire, thanks for taking a look.
wow, didn't expect to see these being scraped so soon. I know they did test them on ECML, but the draw too much power from the overhead lines. They had hoped to run a service from Edinburgh to Paris.
Yes I remember them working on the ECML to Leeds. Thanks for your interest in my video.
Why???
Read the comments and that will give you all your answers Cornel.
Why does it have to be scrapped? Why can't it just be refurbished an sold off like the GWR HST's?
Its not possible, if you read some of the comment from the experts you we see why they are being scrapped.
Don't know why they scrapped them, as they could have continued to operate these on the domestic UK high-speed lines.
I'm told they were full of rot.