Class 442s - Now at the end of the road and to be withdrawn permanently

[neilm]

Can anybody confirm if 1F83 1823 London Bridge to Eastbourne is still booked as a 442? Southern claim it is not, but platform staff say it is

Yes it is and will be until 2018 most likely

 

[RichardKing]

Can anybody confirm if 1F83 1823 London Bridge to Eastbourne is still booked as a 442? Southern claim it is not, but platform staff say it is

Was it the Twitter team that claimed it's not operated by a pair of 442s?

 

[spark001uk]

I got this shot at Eastleigh on 11th August, I believe 442423 and 442418 were also there (there were only three units present). This is 442415.

Sounds about right, this is a shot I got of 2423 minus its shoegear on its way to Ely on 17th Aug. Seems likely the tour is going to be 15 and 18 then. The vt site mentions 2403 as well, but that's already gone up to Ely too.

 

[Harbornite]

Sounds about right, this is a shot I got of 2423 minus its shoegear on its way to Ely on 17th Aug. Seems likely the tour is going to be 15 and 18 then. The vt site mentions 2403 as well, but that's already gone up to Ely too.

Nice shot there, it took me a while to found out but I did, thanks to the reponses I got to my request on another thread.

 

[HMS Ark Royal]

Was it the Twitter team that claimed it's not operated by a pair of 442s?

Yes... Seemed to think they only ran from VIC, so had to give the full headcode and service description. Managed to get some nice shots of them

 

[Islineclear3_1]

When they were being designed, did BREL ever consider overhead provision during the early design phase?

They were designed specifically to replace 1960/1970s REP/TC stock for the Waterloo - Bournemouth, and newly electrified stretch to Weymouth in 1988. They were not designed with OHLE in mind.

 

[neilm]

Don't forget the motors were from the 60s.

 

[JohnElliott]

Don't forget the motors were from the 60s.

The same motors were used in AC stock (such as the class 310) so reuse of the motors wouldn't have precluded an AC or dual-voltage 442.

 

[neilm]

Indeed but those units have been scrapped, so I doubt they would have thought the 442s would of been cascaded in the future to an AC location.

 

[spark001uk]

Forgive my ignorance, but if their motors are "shot to pieces", wouldn't we have been seeing numerous units failing?

 

[neilm]

Forgive my ignorance, but if their motors are "shot to pieces", wouldn't we have been seeing numerous units failing?

The motors aren't but everything else is, mainly the doors, air con, heating and the wipers on the driver's windscreen.

 

[spark001uk]

Let's hope 15 and 18 have working air con on Monday then, don't wanna be in a sauna all the way to Poole!

 

[neilm]

Let's hope 15 and 18 have working air con on Monday then, don't wanna be in a sauna all the way to Poole!

I did think that, as at least 4 442 trains seem to be dead but back in may 15 & 18 were working https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&s...MTgT0MxT6_rdufeuA&sig2=LftNe1QHhq9lPYXDLdvUig

 

[dubscottie]

The same motors were used in AC stock (such as the class 310) so reuse of the motors wouldn't have precluded an AC or dual-voltage 442.

Different motors all together.

310 etc had 4 x 250-270hp motors where the 4-REP/442 has 4 x 365hp motors.

An AC 442/REP would need a big enough transformer, one which may be too big to sling under a coach.

365hp needs lots of current so I would think the electrical equipment on the 442's is shot.

 

[spark001uk]

The REP had 8 400hp motors per unit, each 442 only used 4 of those, so two 442s out of one REP in effect.
Those REPs though, what a powerhouse in their day. 3200hp is just short of a deltic's max output!

 

[randyrippley]

The REP had 8 400hp motors per unit, each 442 only used 4 of those, so two 442s out of one REP in effect.
Those REPs though, what a powerhouse in their day. 3200hp is just short of a deltic's max output!

Not in the same league. REP had 3200hp continuous output from the traction motors. Deltic had 3300hp maximum from the crankshaft. Continuous rating would be lower, and you have to allow for transmission/alternator losses as well - so maybe 20% lost there? REP had far more power available at the rail.
Of course the REPs usually ran in 12 car sets, while the Deltics usually had flyweight 8 coach sets and so had an unfair advantage when comparing.........
Anyone who ever rode in an REP/TC set would know they were the fastest accelerating trains on BR at the time

 

[Harbornite]

Here's another shot I got of the 442s at Eastleigh on August 10th. The unit to the left and rear is 442415, I don't know which is which regarding 442423 and 442418...

 

[spark001uk]

Looks like another going to store, 47815 booked to come down from Ely to Eastleigh today, and a run back booked tomorrow. Could be one of the units from the tour!

 

[Juniper Driver]

The railtour passed me at Queenstown Road with a 455 on the up slow and I realised a ten car 442 on the up fast...Just about caught a glimpse.Just after 20 past 5.I was on the 159 6 car set down fast.

 

[50047]

2420 heading to Ely tomorrow

 

[Train wasp]

2420 heading to Ely tomorrow

Timings for tomorrow's move from Eastleigh to Ely.

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/K91075/2016/08/31/advanced

 

[jopsuk]

they do know there's a shorter route from Cambridge to Ely, right? Seems rather convoluted to go via Bury St Edmunds and reverse

 

[NSEFAN]

they do know there's a shorter route from Cambridge to Ely, right? Seems rather convoluted to go via Bury St Edmunds and reverse

Is it possibly a clearance issue with the Mk3 vehicles?

 

[Galaxy]

Indeed it is. West River Viaduct being the issue.

 

[jopsuk]

No, when HSTs are on diversion between Peterborough and Hitchin they happily trundle down the line through Waterbeach. We're talking a shortish run on an almost-dead-straight line with very few structures versus a winding country single track branchline
edit:
really?

Indeed it is. West River Viaduct being the issue.

 

[NSEFAN]

Perhaps then a paperwork issue? It's easier to reverse at Bury St Edmunds than to get NR to do the paperwork to clear 442s on the direct route?

 

[Galaxy]

No, when HSTs are on diversion between Peterborough and Hitchin they happily trundle down the line through Waterbeach. We're talking a shortish run on an almost-dead-straight line with very few structures versus a winding country single track branchline
edit:
really?

Yes. Really.

 

[jopsuk]

I appreciate 442s are not identical to HST trailers, but I'm amazed that the latter is cleared but the former isn't- especially given the low structure of the viaduct mentioned? The railways really are a strange place at times!

 

[najaB]

I appreciate 442s are not identical to HST trailers, but I'm amazed that the latter is cleared but the former isn't...

How often would 422s have travelled that route in normal service? There's your answer as to why nobody did the paperwork to clear them.

 

[D365]

How often would 422s have travelled that route in normal service? There's your answer as to why nobody did the paperwork to clear them.

I don't think the 4BIGs would have travelled that route either