Driving Van Trailer

A Driving Van Trailer (DVT), sometimes referred to as Driving Luggage Van (DLV), is a purpose-built railway vehicle that allows the driver to operate a locomotive at the opposite end of a train. Trains operating with a DVT therefore do not require the locomotive to run round to the other end of the train at terminal stations. Unlike many other control cars, DVTs resemble locomotives (specifically, classes 90 and 91) and thus when the train is operating in "push" mode it does not appear to be travelling backwards. The vehicles have no passenger accommodation due to rules in place at the time of building that prohibited passengers in the leading vehicles of trains that travel at more than 100 mph (161 km/h).

Development

On the InterCity 225 (IC225) sets operating on the East Coast Main Line (ECML) the Mark 4 DVTs and locomotives operate in push-pull formation utilising a Time-Division Multiplexer to send control signals along specially screened cables which run the length of the train.

On the original Mark 3 DVTs, which operated on the West Coast Main Line (WCML), the intention was to use the RCH jumpers to carry the signals therefore allowing the same cables to be used for lighting and the public address system, as well as driver-guard signalling. However this proved to be very troublesome in service and eventually the rakes of coaches on the WCML were re-wired with specially screened cables exclusively for the TDM system.

In addition to the driver's cab, some DVTs have luggage and cycle storage space and a guard's office.

When a train is operated by a DVT, the control signals are encoded and multiplexed onto the cables by the TDM equipment in the DVT. At the locomotive, these signals are demultiplexed by the TDM equipment, and the signals are used to control the locomotive. The air braking system is operated directly from whichever cab the driver is driving from. If the TDM fails and cannot be reconfigured, the train may still operate, but if the DVT is leading, it will be necessary to uncouple the locomotive and attach it to the front of the train.

The British DVT was developed from the Mark 2 DBSO, but unlike its predecessor, it was built specifically for this purpose. The original DVTs were designed to be used with Mark 2 D, E & F and Mark 3 coaches, and the second design with Mark 4 coaches, which have a narrower profile. This enables it to be converted to tilting operation if required in the future.

Mark 3 DVTs can be seen in service in the UK today with EWS, with National Express East Anglia Mainline services and occasionally with Virgin West Coast. The new open access operator Wrexham & Shropshire will utilise Mark 3 DVTs on its services between London and Wrexham. Class 67 and Class 90s provide the power to these DVTs. The Mark 4 DVT is operated by National Express East Coast and powered by Class 91s and by the unique Class 89 Co-Co locomotive which once operated between London Kings Cross and Leeds.

Mark 3 DVT

Virgin West Coast

Virgin West Coast used to operate push-pull services on WCML between London Euston, Liverpool Lime Street, Manchester, Birmingham and Glasgow in conjunction with class 86, 87 and Class 90 locomotives, but now the services are run exclusively by Class 390 Pendolinos. Virgin retained 2 DVTs for backup purposes, both DVTs have recently been fitted with on-train monitoring recorders (OTMR) so it appears their future is more secure with Virgin West Coast.

'one' Anglia/National Express East Anglia

National Express East Anglia operate push-pull services between London London Liverpool Street and Norwich in conjunction with Class 90 locomotives. These DVTs were originally used by Virgin West Coast until the Pendolinos were fully operational. All the WCML DVTs needed refurbishing when they came off lease and were re-painted into 'one' colours.

EWS

EWS operate a Mark 3 DVT as part of their EWS Company Train. 82146 is painted in the Silver colours of the company train and operates with Class 67 67029 and three Mark 3 coaches.

Wrexham & Shropshire

Wrexham & Shropshire were due to start operating push-pull services on 28 April 2008 between Wrexham General and London Marylebone in conjunction with Class 67 diesel locomotives. The DVTs require modification to work with the Class 67, involving adding a notched power controller as is used in the locomotive and a 27 wire jumper cable the same as used between all the GM EMD locomotives known as the AAR Multiple Working system. These DVTs were originally used by Virgin West Coast until the Pendolinos were fully operational. The Wrexham & Shropshire DVT's are currently undergoing refurbishment and modification including fitment of OTMR data recorders.

Whilst these services did start operation in April 2008, no DVTs were initially used due to delays in the refurbishment of the units. Upto mid October WSMR trains comprised of 2 Class 67 Locomotives - one at either end of the train. On 11th October 2008 the first DVT entered traffic on a WSMR service.

As a result of the modification to work with the Class 67's, the WSMR DVT's have been renumbered 82/3 series although they do retain the ability to work with TDM fitted electric locomotives.

Key:	In Service	Withdrawn	Scrapped

Number	Name(s)	Dates	Built	Final Livery	Operator	Withdrawn	Status
82101	Wembley InterCity Depot 101 Squadron	1996-1997 2000-2007	1988 Derby	Virgin Red/Black	Porterbrook Leasing Company	-	In service
82102	-	-	1988 Derby	Totally de-branded 'one'	National Express East Anglia	-	In service
82103	-	-	1988 Derby	'one' rainbow, with logos removed	National Express East Anglia	-	In service
82104	-	-	1988 Derby	Virgin Red/Black	National Express East Anglia	Summer 2006	Training vehicle for drivers at Norwich Crown Point
82105	-	-	1988 Derby	Totally de-branded 'one'	National Express East Anglia	-	In service
82106	-	-	1988 Derby	Virgin Red/Black	Porterbrook Leasing Company	?	Withdrawn, Stored at Doncaster
82107	-	-	1988 Derby	National Express East Anglia Silver	National Express East Anglia	-	In service
82108	-	-	1988 Derby	Virgin Red/Black	DB Regio UK		Stored
82109	-	-	1988 Derby	Virgin Red/Black	First ScotRail	?	Withdrawn
82110	-	-	1988 Derby	Virgin Red/Black	Porterbrook Leasing Company	?	Withdrawn
82111	-	-	1988 Derby	Virgin Red/Black	Porterbrook Leasing Company	?	Withdrawn
82112	-	-	1988 Derby	'one' rainbow, with logos removed	National Express East Anglia	-	In service
82113	-	-	1988 Derby	Virgin Red/Black	Porterbrook Leasing Company	?	Withdrawn
82114	-	-	1988 Derby	Totally de-branded 'one'	National Express East Anglia	-	In service
82115	-	-	1988 Derby	BR Blue	Porterbrook Leasing Company / Hull Trains	?	In service - reinstated 18/12/07
82116	-	-	1988 Derby	Virgin Red/Black	DB Regio UK		Stored
82117	-	-	1988 Derby			Renumbered 82301
82118	Britannia	2004-2005	1988 Derby	'one' rainbow with logos removed	National Express East Anglia	-	In service
82119	-	-	1988 Derby	’one’ Anglia	National Express East Anglia	10/2005	Scrapped at MoD Caerwent (11/2005)
82120	Liverpool Chamber of Commerce	?	1988 Derby	Virgin Red/Black	First ScotRail	?	Withdrawn
82121	Carlisle Cathedral	?	1988 Derby	’one’ logo with branding removed	National Express East Anglia	-	In service
82122	-	-	1988 Derby	Virgin Red/Black	DB Regio UK		Stored
82123	-	-	1988 Derby	Virgin Red/Black	DB Regio UK	-	Under Refurbishment & Conversion to work with Class 67
82124	The Girls' Brigade	?	1988 Derby	Virgin Red/Black	Porterbrook Leasing Company	?	Withdrawn
82125	-	-	1988 Derby	Virgin Red/Black	Porterbrook Leasing Company	?	Withdrawn
82126	G8 Summit Birmingham 1998 Wembley Traincare Depot	1998-2004 2004-	1988 Derby	Virgin Red/Black	Porterbrook Leasing Company	-	In service
82127	Abraham Darby	?	1988 Derby	’one’ rainbow with branding removed	National Express East Anglia	-	In service
82128	-	-	1988 Derby	Virgin Red/Black	Porterbrook Leasing Company	?	Withdrawn, Stored at Doncaster
82129	-	-	1988 Derby	Virgin Red/Black	Porterbrook Leasing Company	?	Withdrawn
82130	-	-	1988 Derby	Virgin Red/Black	DB Regio UK	No	Under Refurbishment & Conversion to work with Class 67
82131	-	-	1988 Derby	Red/Black	DB Regio UK	-	Stored
82132	West Midlands Industry '96	1996-2005	1988 Derby	'one' rainbow, with branding removed	National Express East Anglia	-	In service
82133	-	-	1988 Derby	'one' rainbow with branding removed	National Express East Anglia	-	In service
82134	-	-	1988 Derby			Renumbered 82305
82135	Spirit of Cumbria	?	1988 Derby	Virgin Red/Black	DB Regio UK	-	Under Refurbishment & Conversion to work with Class 67
82136	-	-	1988 Derby	’one’ rainbow with branding removed	National Express East Anglia	-	In service
82137	-	-	1988 Derby	Virgin Red/Black	DB Regio UK		Stored
82138	-	-	1988 Derby	Virgin Red/Black	Porterbrook Leasing Company	?	Withdrawn
82139	-	-	1988 Derby	'one' rainbow with branding removed	National Express East Anglia	-	In service
82140	-	-	1988 Derby	Virgin Red/Black	Porterbrook Leasing Company	?	Withdrawn
82141	-	-	1988 Derby	Virgin Red/Black	Porterbrook Leasing Company	?	Withdrawn
82142	-	-	1988 Derby	Virgin Red/Black	Porterbrook Leasing Company	?	Withdrawn
82143	-	-	1988 Derby	’one’ rainbow with branding removed	National Express East Anglia		In service
82144	-	-	1988 Derby	Virgin Red/Black	DB Regio UK		Stored
82145	-	-	1988 Derby	Virgin Red/Black	Porterbrook Leasing Company	?	Withdrawn
82146	-	-	1988 Derby	EWS Hospitality	EWS	-	In service
82147	The Red Devils	?	1988 Derby	Virgin Red/Black	Porterbrook Leasing Company	?	Withdrawn
82148	International Spring Fair	?	1988 Derby	Virgin Red/Black	Porterbrook Leasing Company	?	Withdrawn
82149	101 Squadron	1998-2000	1988 Derby	Virgin Red/Black	Porterbrook Leasing Company	?	Withdrawn
82150	-	-	1988 Derby	Virgin Red/Black	Porterbrook Leasing Company	?	Withdrawn
82151	-	-	1988 Derby	Virgin Red/Black	DB Regio UK		In Service
82152	-	-	1988 Derby	Totally de-branded ’one’	National Express East Anglia	-	In service
82301	-	-	1988 Derby	WSMR Silver/Grey	DB Regio UK / WSMR	-	In service - Renumbered from 82117
82305	-	-	1988 Derby	WSMR Silver/Grey	DB Regio UK / WSMR	-	In service - Renumbered from 82134

Mark 4 DVT

A start has now been made on repainting the National Express East Coast flagship Class 91 fleet in corporate colours. Mark 4 DVTs were built in 1988 by Metro Cammell at their Washwood Heath plant in Birmingham and were introduced to the ECML with the IC225 rakes of Mark 4 coaches. They operate with class 91 locomotives using the TDM system via UIC screened cables through the nine Mark 4 coaches of the rake.

Initially operated by British Rail's InterCity sector in its familiar livery, following privatisation of the railways the services were taken over by Sea Containers under the Great North Eastern Railway (GNER) brand but following a change of operator in December 2007 they are now run by National Express and will in future be re-liveried into 'National Express East Coast' grey and white colours. As well as a drivers cab and a guards van, these particular DVTs have extra luggage space. National Express East Coast have applied an interim livery onto the Mark 4 DVTs. This livery is just until the full NXEC livery can be applied.

Key:	In Service	Withdrawn	Scrapped

Number	Name	Dates	Built	Final Livery	Operator	Withdrawn	Status
82200	-	-	1988 Metro-Cammell	NXEC Interim Blue	National Express East Coast	-	In service (Note: was involved in Hatfield derailment)
82201	-	-	1988 Metro-Cammell	NXEC Interim Blue	National Express East Coast	-	In service
82202	-	-	1988 Metro-Cammell	NXEC Interim Blue	National Express East Coast	-	In service
82203	-	-	1988 Metro-Cammell	NXEC Interim Blue	National Express East Coast	-	In service
82204	-	-	1988 Metro-Cammell	NXEC Interim Blue	National Express East Coast	-	In service
82205	-	-	1988 Metro-Cammell	NXEC Interim Blue	National Express East Coast	-	In service
82206	-	-	1988 Metro-Cammell	NXEC Interim Blue	National Express East Coast	-	In service
82207	-	-	1988 Metro-Cammell	NXEC Interim Blue	National Express East Coast	-	In service
82208	-	-	1988 Metro-Cammell	NXEC Interim Blue	National Express East Coast	-	In service
82209	-	-	1988 Metro-Cammell	Unbranded Blue	National Express East Coast	-	In service
82210	-	-	1988 Metro-Cammell	NXEC Interim Blue	National Express East Coast	-	In service
82211	-	-	1988 Metro-Cammell	NXEC Interim Blue	National Express East Coast	-	In service
82212	-	-	1988 Metro-Cammell	NXEC Interim Blue	National Express East Coast	-	In service
82213	-	-	1988 Metro-Cammell	NXEC Interim Blue	National Express East Coast	-	In service
82214	-	-	1988 Metro-Cammell	NXEC Interim Blue	National Express East Coast	-	In service
82215	-	-	1988 Metro-Cammell	NXEC Interim Blue	National Express East Coast	-	In service
82216	-	-	1988 Metro-Cammell	NXEC Interim Blue	National Express East Coast	-	In service
82217	Off to the Races	2006-	1988 Metro-Cammell	NXEC Interim Blue	National Express East Coast	-	In service
82218	-	-	1988 Metro-Cammell	NXEC Interim Blue	National Express East Coast	-	In service
82219	Duke of Edinburgh	2003-	1988 Metro-Cammell	NXEC Interim Blue	National Express East Coast	-	In service
82220	-	-	1988 Metro-Cammell	NXEC Interim Blue	National Express East Coast	-	In service
82221	-	-	1988 Metro-Cammell	GNER Blue	None	2001	Destroyed in the Selby rail crash on February 28, 2001. Stored at Doncaster.
82222	-	-	1988 Metro-Cammell	NXEC Interim Blue	National Express East Coast	-	In service
82223	-	-	1988 Metro-Cammell	NXEC Interim Blue	National Express East Coast	-	In service
82224	-Passionate People Passionate Places	-	1988 Metro-Cammell	NXEC Interim Blue	National Express East Coast	-	In service
82225	-	-	1988 Metro-Cammell	NXEC Interim Blue	National Express East Coast	-	In service
82226	-	-	1988 Metro-Cammell	NXEC Interim Blue	National Express East Coast	-	In service
82227	-	-	1988 Metro-Cammell	NXEC Interim Blue	National Express East Coast	-	In service
82228	-	-	1988 Metro-Cammell	NXEC Interim Blue	National Express East Coast	-	In service
82229	-	-	1988 Metro-Cammell	NXEC Interim Blue	National Express East Coast	-	In service
82230	-	-	1988 Metro-Cammell	NXEC Interim Blue	National Express East Coast	-	In service
82231	-	-	1988 Metro-Cammell	NXEC Interim Blue	National Express East Coast	-	In service

References