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[Trivia] Unused Features in rolling stock?

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J-2739

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Good Afternoon,

Any parts in trains trains that was to serve a purpose, but in the end, unused?

It can also include things that were only used for a short time (like half a year), before being put out of use.

The only one I can think of is the hand dryers on the class 700s, which were disabled.
 
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najaB

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Tilt profile of the Mk4 rolling stock.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Blunt end driving cab of the Class 91s locomotives for that matter - rarely used in the grand scheme of things.
 

adc82140

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750V DC capability of the Class 350/1s- only used briefly when a handfull were loaned to Southern.
 

Clansman

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Blunt end driving cab of the Class 91s locomotives for that matter - rarely used in the grand scheme of things.

I'd call that genius. The amount of failed services having been recovered thanks to the blunt end show how valuable it is. If HSTs had the same feature then there'd be far less disruption in the event of power car failure.

As for the tilt body, at least we know you can make tilting rolling stock without scarificing windows and space in general.

EDIT: Misread the title as "Unusual".
 
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najaB

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I'd call that genius. The amount of failed services having been recovered thanks to the blunt end show how valuable it is.
I agree, but they weren't really used for the purpose they were intended for - hauling high-speed freight.
 

Clansman

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Is the buffet counter on the sleeper Mk2s ever used? I just tend to see seated sleeper passengers in the lounge car rather than the counter. Don't see why it should only be limited to sleeper passengers anyway.
 

ChilternTurbo

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I recall reading that HST Mk3 trailers were equipped with destination blinds in the lower half of the toilet window. I have seen these blinds for sale in the past but have never seen actual pictures of them being used. I imagine it would have been fairly labour intensive to walk through an entire HST and wind each blind around to the correct destination.
 

futureA

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The at seat headphone sockets on the Pendolino. The door control buttons on the 1992 tube stock.
 

J-2739

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Is the buffet counter on the sleeper Mk2s ever used? I just tend to see seated sleeper passengers in the lounge car rather than the counter. Don't see why it should only be limited to sleeper passengers anyway.

On their website, it says;

Counter service available for food and drink

Meaning that the counter service is still available!
 

Clansman

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On their website, it says;
Meaning that the counter service is still available!

I understand that technically it's still in service, but more so wondering if anyone bothers to use it.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
I recall reading that HST Mk3 trailers were equipped with destination blinds in the lower half of the toilet window. I have seen these blinds for sale in the past but have never seen actual pictures of them being used. I imagine it would have been fairly labour intensive to walk through an entire HST and wind each blind around to the correct destination.

Still used on VTEC HSTs. Not sure about the others though.
 

Ianno87

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Seat reservation screens in Class 395s

Headphone sockets in the centre cars of 3 car Class 175s.

The Parcel compartments on BR Mk3 EMUs.

Pantographs on some Southeastern Class 375s.
 

Ash Bridge

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The lowered ceiling profile on mk2 b/c Intercity stock to accommodate the aircon equipment that was never actually fitted.
 

fowler9

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The windows on a 390. Unless you are lucky enough to get a seat that lines up with one.
 

Waldgrun

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I believe I remember correctly that, some of the first generation D.M.U's where fitted with built in tail (red) lights,and that British Rail didn't have an agreement with the unions as to theirs use. I think it was the units used between Bedford and St Pancras, and these light where used in the last few months of service before the units where withdrawn!:p
 

Marklund

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I'd call that genius. The amount of failed services having been recovered thanks to the blunt end show how valuable it is. If HSTs had the same feature then there'd be far less disruption in the event of power car failure.

I guess it depends on the failure though. The power car at the other end of an HST will bail you out of a failure of one, where the 225 can't.

Now a ICE1/TGV style with power at both ends would have been interesting.
 

47271

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Is the buffet counter on the sleeper Mk2s ever used? I just tend to see seated sleeper passengers in the lounge car rather than the counter. Don't see why it should only be limited to sleeper passengers anyway.

The counter is used all the time. As a rule seated passengers are bounced from the lounge unless they manage to sneak by, which is very rare, so the counter is the only way they can get served.

On a busy Highlander departure from Euston the lounge can be absolutely rammed with First Class sleeper users to the extent that they won't even let Standard berth occupants in. No chance for anyone from the seats...
 

signallerscot

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Some of the original Adtranz/Bombardier Electrostar family were fitted with FM radios in the cab. That's right - just like you'd have in your car. Unsurprisingly there was never an agreement reached about their use and they may well have since been removed.
 

D6975

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I agree, but they weren't really used for the purpose they were intended for - hauling high-speed freight.

No, the blunt end cab was to enable them to haul sleeper trains at night. But after the ECML electrification was completed, the 'temporary' move of some services to the WCML turned out not to be so temporary and there weren't any sleeper services for the 91s to haul.
 

najaB

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No, the blunt end cab was to enable them to haul sleeper trains at night. But after the ECML electrification was completed, the 'temporary' move of some services to the WCML turned out not to be so temporary and there weren't any sleeper services for the 91s to haul.
Okay, thanks. I've heard it said that it was freight but it never really made that much sense.
 

tsr

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I'm not sure if the catering trolley bays on 171s or the static catering cupboards on 377s have ever seen regular use. Obviously 377s used to have trolley services before the reign of GTR! There was a TV advert for Southern quite a few years ago showing a trolley service on the 171s but I'm not actually sure it was ever routinely done.

Antimacassars - does anyone use macassar oil these days?

I'm not sure about macassar oil, but they certainly end up visibly absorbing various hair products used by a couple of the "regulars" who travel on one or two of my local routes!

Some of the original Adtranz/Bombardier Electrostar family were fitted with FM radios in the cab. That's right - just like you'd have in your car. Unsurprisingly there was never an agreement reached about their use and they may well have since been removed.

There was also a feature where you could play music from an external source over the PA system of Electrostars. My understanding is that this was briefly used, or should I say exploited, by a handful of train crew. The only usable remains of the system are the music volume controls on the saloon PA handsets!
 

317666

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The highest power notch on a 185? I believe it was used at first but was later locked out of use to save fuel.

The hydro-dynamic brakes on a 175.
 
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