[Trivia] Unused Features in rolling stock?

[D365]

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.

But they're not going to be removed permanently?

 

[ChiefPlanner]

There were plans for a "Teddy Bear" cupboard on what are now 390's - apparently.

 

[sk688]

Dont 350/1s have unused guard's cabins ?

 

[fairysdad]

There were plans for a "Teddy Bear" cupboard on what are now 390's - apparently.

... which is...?

 

[J-2739]

But they're not going to be removed permanently?

Nah, I suppose not, though I recon they'd get replaced with a more reliable system.

 

[racyrich]

The 'Close' button on every train I've been on. Unused except by me. Drives me mad that people no longer close doors behind them and will let all the heated (or cooled) air out just because it will close itself 30 seconds later.

 

[tsr]

But they're not going to be removed permanently?

Nah, I suppose not, though I recon they'd get replaced with a more reliable system.

The hand dryers on 700s are tripped out of use due to a revision of the safety precautions taken after the fire on 377442 at Eastbourne, which may have been caused by faulty/degraded hand drier wiring. Whether they will be replaced with another variant remains to be seen...

 

[Mag_seven]

1. Class 373/2 Regional Eurostars had certain features that would allow them to operate outside the Waterloo-Tunnel-Paris/Brussels corridor. You could argue they were never used as intended despite the small period of operation for GNER on the ECML.

2. the guards accommodation in early HST power cars.

3. Seat back TV's (thinking of GWR ("Volo") and DB ICE's)

 

[tsr]

The 'Close' button on every train I've been on. Unused except by me. Drives me mad that people no longer close doors behind them and will let all the heated (or cooled) air out just because it will close itself 30 seconds later.

Plenty of people in my area use them, especially regular commuters, but mainly on quieter stations (termini or with longer dwell times) where few people would be watching them do it anyway.

I like to use them as much as possible, though it has to be said that there comes a point where the sensors still detect you're there and it becomes frustrating when they don't close!

 

[ChrisHogan]

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.

On the W.R. the blinds weren't able to take the full set of destinations even on the Bristol/South Wales services - we had over 50 different labels at Paddington just for these services equals over a hundred including up services. As you say it would have taken an age to wind them to the outward setting on short turnrounds. Must easier and simpler to put on 14 (later 16) destination labels.
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Dont 350/1s have unused guard's cabins ?

Yes, LM Senior Conductors wouldn't use them and they were never fitted out.

 

[edwin_m]

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!

Up to about 1980 DMUs of all classes used separate tail lamps on brackets. After that red lamps were lit inside the two marker lights below the cab windows each side (there was also a clear bulb for use at the front of a train, and a three-position red-0off-white switch in the cab). I don't recall if the red lamps were fitted at that time or had been carried since the trains were built.

 

[ChilternTurbo]

The at seat headphone sockets on the Pendolino

I remember listening to BBC Radio 2 on a Glasgow to Euston Pendolino when they were first introduced but the FM reception was patchy to say the least. I may have imagined this but I'm certain that there was a Virgin Trains 'radio station' with chart music and pre-recorded links.

 

[The Box Photter]

The prototype HST power cars had (have) a driving cab at the "blunt end" too. I seem to remember it was mooted they could be used on overnight parcels/newspaper trains.

 

[najaB]

The prototype HST power cars had (have) a driving cab at the "blunt end" too. I seem to remember it was mooted they could be used on overnight parcels/newspaper trains.

I thought it was only intended for shunting and light engine moves?

 

[168lover]

The 110mph capacity of 168s

 

[JohnElliott]

The rewire on 205101 so it could run in multiple with electrics.

The prototype class 33/1, D6580, was briefly fitted with third-rail pickup shoes, which didn't do anything (presumably there were thoughts of adding a fully-electric mode at some point).

 

[61653 HTAFC]

The parcels lockers on 155s and 156s. The lockable doors at one end of 150s. Both intended to allow the units to carry mail, but this practice was discontinued within months of the units being built and was rarely used anyway.

One of the toilet cubicles on 158 MS vehicles. Taken out of use early on, now panelled over.

The 151s!

 

[Taunton]

The buffets on many Modernisation Plan dmus, especially those on the WR.

Door opening controls on many earlier emus (and on the Underground as well), where instead the whole door set was opened at each station.

Many of the multiple unit connections on BR diesels, not many of which operated in multiple - certainly the hydraulics.

DVTs for Mk 3/4 stock which are unused apart from the driver's cabin.

The end luggage vehicle on Heathrow Express.

Much of the First Class provision on many services, notably on the WCML (it has been like this since the 1970s), through to local dmu services, which the Provincial part of BR eliminated but modern TOCs seem determined to reintroduce, generally as empty as ever.

 

[Marklund]

The lockable doors at one end of 150s. Both intended to allow the units to carry mail, but this practice was discontinued within months of the units being built and was rarely used anyway.

Remember getting chucked out of that section on a trip between Aberystwyth and Shrewsbury on a near brand new 150/1

 

[Penmorfa]

The door controls on Merseyrail 507 and 508 stock. Plated over many years ago.

 

[Clansman]

Never seen the electronic destination board operational on any Grand Central or Hull Trains class 180s...well, at least not the ones I've been on.

Also the RETB slot in each cab onboard Scotrail 170s, where a gaping hole is left on the wall. Although conductors and drivers alike often use this as a newspaper or drinks holder from what I've seen anyway.

Haven't seen any class 380s doubled up since testing, 7 years ago (crikey, 7 years already!). I guess the gangways only purpose is to impede the driver as much as possible.

 

[fgwrich]

One of the toilet cubicles on 158 MS vehicles. Taken out of use early on, now panelled over.

Ah, I thought as such. It's now a noticeable feature on the 159s. I'm surprised in a way that successive refurbishments haven't seen these removed and the space made more useful really!

 

[SpacePhoenix]

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.

For the HST coaches that are still in use and will be for a while, would it cost much to retrofit electronic destination displays?

Ah, I thought as such. It's now a noticeable feature on the 159s. I'm surprised in a way that successive refurbishments haven't seen these removed and the space made more useful really!

Are them toilets still fully functional or have they had their plumbing and/or electrics disconnected?

There's the buffet area of the class 444s, which iirc is only used for the storage of the trolley

 

[fgwrich]

For the HST coaches that are still in use and will be for a while, would it cost must to retrofit electronic destination displays?



Are them toilets still fully function or have they had their plumbing and/or electrics disconnected?

There's the buffet area of the class 444s, which iirc is only used for the storage of the trolley

No idea. But from the post above it sounds a little like they had most useful things removed and were just then boarded up by BR.

The 444s don't always end up with the counter storing the trolley - It was brought back into public use on my 444 this morning into the city as no Hot Water could be provided from the Trolley.

The Adelantes on FGW Have a buffet counter which I don't think has been re-instated since their re-introduction onto the GW?

 

[ChilternTurbo]

For the HST coaches that are still in use and will be for a while, would it cost much to retrofit electronic destination displays?

Possibly, although VTEC and it's predecessors on the ECML sets have used the space for a slip board and paper destination labels. GWR use paper labelling too.
It's surprising, give the various refurbishments that these units have had over the years, that an external dot matrix/LED destination display was never fitted.

 

[anme]

How about BT Trainphones?

Not used now, but I remember a few occasions before I had a mobile phone when these were absolute lifesavers.

 

[jopsuk]

DVTs for Mk 3/4 stock which are unused apart from the driver's cabin.

Well, they also contain the guard's office.
On the Mark 4s at least, the bike store is well used. And when I've used it, there's usually been stock of non-perishable catering supplies (especially water) in there.
And at Christmas they do get used for luggage.

Unused? Hardly.

 

[yorksrob]

I recall hearing that when the VEP's were refurbed in the 1980's, through cabling was included to allow for central door locking. Obviously this was never used.

 

[Ash Bridge]

Not used now, but I remember a few occasions before I had a mobile phone when these were absolute lifesavers.

Yes I agree with that, the calling costs were eye watering though! Seem to remember phonecards were sold over the buffet bar counter as you couldn't use cash?

 

[anme]

Yes I agree with that, the calling costs were eye watering though! Seem to remember phonecards were sold over the buffet bar counter as you couldn't use cash?

I think you're right. I remember on one occasion buying a GBP 5 phone card at the buffet and spending all of it rearranging a family visit when the train I was on was delayed for three hours!