Could SWR obtain original equipment from GWR and return the Island Line 484s to standard?

[cav1975]

Moderator note: Split from

Island Line Class 484 Reliability

After a highly splendid recent trip to the Isle of Wight, utilizing the Island Line frequently I have become quite knowledgeable about the Class 484s, on my trip during between the 22nd and 25th February 2024. Meanwhile, apart from them being extremely charming and well-designed (at least for...

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While they had DC pickup Vivarail replaced the motors and controllers. On paper more reliable, less maintenance and greater efficiency as in less energy loss. The downside is the software. I recall during early testing the software had to be changed then drivers told they had to operate the controller in a specific way. If the original motors and controllers had been retained then a pile of spares put into the stores while more maintenance on the DC components staff would have basic familiarity from the 1938 stock.





Had the existing motors and controllers been retained the minimum turn-around time, so long as not increased as a result of other software that did not exist as bought from LT, ought to have been similar to the 1938 stock.
Regarding the running time Brading <> Ryde Pier Head if modelling of this was based on the LT performance but the required driving style with the new motors and controllers has made the Brading <> Ryde Esplanade section say a minute longer so two minutes on a circuit it would add to not being able to reliably run Brading > Ryde Pier Head > Brading in 30 minutes resulting in the current timetable.

Only time will tell how reliable the new motors and controllers turn out to be.

Given that GWR has purchased the unconverted stock of D78s, maybe the best thing for SWR to do would be to get 20-30 sets of original equipment from GWR and return them to as built D78 LT standard.

 

[Chris125]

Given that GWR has purchased the unconverted stock of D78s, maybe the best thing for SWR to do would be to get 20-30 sets of original equipment from GWR and return them to standard.

Let's be sensible, please - it's the infrastructure that's the primary cause of Island Line's issues.

 

[D365]

Given that GWR has purchased the unconverted stock of D78s, maybe the best thing for SWR to do would be to get 20-30 sets of original equipment from GWR and return them to standard.

Absolutely not. Even 230001 [as per the original specification with Brush DC motors] did not reuse the LU control gear.

 

[GC class B1]

Let's be sensible, please - it's the infrastructure that's the primary cause of Island Line's issues.

Has it been established that the infrastructure is the cause of the reliability issue?

 

[Gloster]

My feeling is that it is a mixture of the infrastructure, which adds slightly to the journey times, and the trains, which add slightly to the dwell and turnaround times. Ultimately it is the fault of the whole cack-handed system on the railways in this country. There is no single guiding mind that coordinates projects like this, just individual interests that are out to make as much as they can for themselves, with no reference to others or the ultimate interest: an efficient train service.