Class 442s - Now at the end of the road and to be withdrawn permanently

[Nym]

About time...

Now for the 18 that have been ruined by the repeated poor quality on the cheap mods...

 

[Energy]

About time...

Now for the 18 that have been ruined by the repeated poor quality on the cheap mods...

The mods are cheap probably because Angel aren't sure how much longer they will be in service, not much point investing loads into a fleet which could be gone in a few years.

 

[fgwrich]

The mods are cheap probably because Angel aren't sure how much longer they will be in service, not much point investing loads into a fleet which could be gone in a few years.

Unfortunately the cheap mods started when they transferred over to Southern, who really should have swapped a batch of 377s for 442s for the Brighton Fasts / Gatwick Express services. It's probably rather regarded that Southern rather ruined the fleet, although the SWR refurb, which has also somewhat been cheapened to what it could have been, hasn't unfortunately made them much better.

 

[Nym]

The mods are cheap probably because Angel aren't sure how much longer they will be in service, not much point investing loads into a fleet which could be gone in a few years.

Yet they're still contracting out either directly or via First Group for some very expensive work... see AC Traction.

 

[444045]

U.2407 moved from Ely : Eleigh Works with 47812 earlier in the week, for spare parts, the last Wessex unit at Ely.

 

[Defiance149]

U.2407 moved from Ely : Eleigh Works with 47812 earlier in the week, for spare parts, the last Wessex unit at Ely.

Don't think so, only move between the two this week was Mk3s.

 

[gc1982]

Richard Clinnick on Twitter

“Scrapping of Cl.442 vehicles has begun at Eastleigh Works. Raxstar has dismantled a coach from 442405.”

twitter.com

The motor coach of 442405 has been scrapped.

Photos of this scrapping are now on Carl Watson’s page

 

[gc1982]

22nd April 2020 - Arlington Eastleigh Works

 

[O L Leigh]

There was, at the very least, a driving coach still at Ely yesterday (25/4). No more than the cab is visible, but I presume that the whole unit is there with it.

 

[444045]

There was, at the very least, a driving coach still at Ely yesterday (25/4). No more than the cab is visible, but I presume that the whole unit is there with it.

Thanks for the update O L Leigh, my mistake.

 

[paul1609]

Yet they're still contracting out either directly or via First Group for some very expensive work... see AC Traction.

Seems incredible when they're only 2 years newer than all the pacers recently scrapped in the north and west.

 

[spark001uk]

2419 on the move today, Bournemouth trsmd to Wolverton. 5Q77.
47815 hauling.

 

[Train wasp]

Seems incredible when they're only 2 years newer than all the pacers recently scrapped in the north and west.

But new isn’t always better. Just look at the class 800 compared to an HST set. Give me a HST set any day of the week. The same could be said for class 442. Always found them to be ok. Maybe a bit slow to get going compared to a 444 or 450 but does it matter. Not to me.

 

[pompeyfan]

But new isn’t always better. Just look at the class 800 compared to an HST set. Give me a HST set any day of the week. The same could be said for class 442. Always found them to be ok. Maybe a bit slow to get going compared to a 444 or 450 but does it matter. Not to me.

442 and HSTs have lots of things in common, they may provide good ride quality but they are not accessible for many travellers and they have excessive dwell times. There is certainly aspects I would take from old trains and incorporate into newer trains but neither 442s or HSTs are suitable for the modern era.

 

[gimmea50anyday]

I think the motor bogies (4-REP) might actually match class 73 bogies rather than EMU bogies !. But yes its the end of one line of EE (English Electric) era kit.

The motors are EE547, these are the same as those fitted to 73’s and were taken from withdrawn REPs. The reason the REP traction equipment was reused is because the motor coaches were less than 20 years old and the traction equipment fitted to them had plenty of life left in them whereas the trailer coaches converted from loco hauled mk1 stock was much older at nearly 40 years old and were life expired. The bogies however are the same as those fitted to other mk3 unit stock (317-322, 455 etc) whereas The bogies on 73/1 are the same as those used under CIG, BEP and VEP units. It was common for SR to reuse components across their fleets and many components were common across the entire fleet. some of the 455 motors were formerly used in EPBs and are the same EE507 fitted across the entire SR 1957+ fleet (CEP, CIG, VEP, HAP, Thumpers etc) and were still manufactured in Preston until quite recently as GEC507, the GEC motors fitted to other mk3 derived stock is essentially an updated design, plus the compressors fitted to 455s were recovered from SUBs. Some EPBs used underframes recovered from pre-war NOL units and Gatwick express luggage vans were converted HAP driving motor cars.

 

[spark001uk]

That should leave (44)2407 as the last 5-WES at Ely.

This one on its way down to Eastleigh works today, behind 66710.

 

[spark001uk]

There was another move in the early hours, 5Z42 Eastleigh to Ely, anyone know what this was? All I can find out is the traction was 66764.

Edit: Never mind, looks like this was related to an ex gwr mk3 stock move, not 442.

 

[4REP]

The motors are EE547, these are the same as those fitted to 73’s and were taken from withdrawn REPs. The reason the REP traction equipment was reused is because the motor coaches were less than 20 years old and the traction equipment fitted to them had plenty of life left in them whereas the trailer coaches converted from loco hauled mk1 stock was much older at nearly 40 years old and were life expired. The bogies however are the same as those fitted to other mk3 unit stock (317-322, 455 etc) whereas The bogies on 73/1 are the same as those used under CIG, BEP and VEP units. It was common for SR to reuse components across their fleets and many components were common across the entire fleet. some of the 455 motors were formerly used in EPBs and are the same EE507 fitted across the entire SR 1957+ fleet (CEP, CIG, VEP, HAP, Thumpers etc) and were still manufactured in Preston until quite recently as GEC507, the GEC motors fitted to other mk3 derived stock is essentially an updated design, plus the compressors fitted to 455s were recovered from SUBs. Some EPBs used underframes recovered from pre-war NOL units and Gatwick express luggage vans were converted HAP driving motor cars.

The motors were EE546 Not EE547

 

[gimmea50anyday]

Type-o, 6 and 7 are very close to each other on a phone screen

Yes, EE546 is correct

 

[The Ham]

Type-o, 6 and 7 are very close to each other on a phone screen

Yes, EE546 is correct

Indeed is very easy to write 1030 or 3010 rather than 2020.

 

[VEP3417]

any idea on when more diesel hauled moves to and from bournemouth might happen, i seem to miss all the good stuff, ive only ever seen the normal test trains, of which they seem to be doing more and more recently

 

[spark001uk]

47813 taking 2418 up to Wolverton tonight, 5Q77. Anyone know what for? I thought retractioning, but is Wolverton equipped for that?

 

[Bigfoot]

47813 taking 2418 up to Wolverton tonight, 5Q77. Anyone know what for? I thought retractioning, but is Wolverton equipped for that?

Hopefully to be scraped. Along with the rest of them

 

[theironroad]

47813 taking 2418 up to Wolverton tonight, 5Q77. Anyone know what for? I thought retractioning, but is Wolverton equipped for that?

I take it that 47813 is ROG operated and has ' thanks NHS ' or something similar on side.

 

[spark001uk]

I take it that 47813 is ROG operated and has ' thanks NHS ' or something similar on side.

That would be correct.

 

[Train Boy]

47813 taking 2418 up to Wolverton tonight, 5Q77. Anyone know what for? I thought retractioning, but is Wolverton equipped for that?

Yes, for AC retractioning along with 2415 (sent to Wolverton 7th Feb) and 2419 (sent to Wolverton 28th Apr).

 

[spark001uk]

Yes, for AC retractioning along with 2415 (sent to Wolverton 7th Feb) and 2419 (sent to Wolverton 28th Apr).

Ah OK, cheers for confirming. Still pressing ahead with keeping them running then.
That'll please the haters!!

 

[43096]

Hopefully to be scraped. Along with the rest of them

That's you disappointed then...

 

[fgwrich]

That's you disappointed then...

Where's a like button on the forum when you need one!

 

[spark001uk]

Yes, for AC retractioning along with 2415 (sent to Wolverton 7th Feb) and 2419 (sent to Wolverton 28th Apr).

Wasn't it reported some time ago 2419 has been converted already? Or has it just been sent up as a reference model?