It is the usual issue with the railways. Re-tractioning was all the rage when DfT favoured price over quality with the 321s expected to last another 10 years. Now new stock counts towards a successful bid the lifespan of re-tractioned units is a lot shorter than expected.Also known as the Explodey AC Traction...?
I still honestly don't see the point in re-tractioning something that only realistically has a lifespan of another 2 - 5 years.
It is the usual issue with the railways. Re-tractioning was all the rage when DfT favoured price over quality with the 321s expected to last another 10 years. Now new stock counts towards a successful bid the lifespan of re-tractioned units is a lot shorter than expected.
I don’t think it’s that black and white. With the SWR Franchise you had both fleet replacement of 455s with brand new (havying just been retractioned), and reintroduction of elderly 442s (still being retractioned). So both sides of the argument in one bid?It is the usual issue with the railways. Re-tractioning was all the rage when DfT favoured price over quality with the 321s expected to last another 10 years. Now new stock counts towards a successful bid the lifespan of re-tractioned units is a lot shorter than expected.
I see your point and I did think about that. It comes back to money in some respects. Replacing the 455/456s with 5/10 coach emus made sense but they probably couldn't then justify new emus from Portsmouth fasts so 442s were the obvious solution - retractioned to give extended service.I don’t think it’s that black and white. With the SWR Franchise you had both fleet replacement of 455s with brand new (havying just been retractioned), and reintroduction of elderly 442s (still being retractioned). So both sides of the argument in one bid?
Video on my phone of one going into Fratton depot. There was another already in there
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Wouldn’t it be easier all round to just buy new stock for XC, such as the bimode IETs that are suggested every couple of months?Given that the 450's are able to be converted to use OHLE then it's entirely possible for Northern to use them as a replacement for their current EMU's.
(Runs and hides after suggesting that cast offs from the South should be used in the North!)
More seriously though they could be useful for routes which have a mix of 3rd rail/OHLE.
The 444's could be useful for the likes of XC on their Southampton to Manchester services with some extra wires. Likewise, GWR could find the 450's useful for Reading/Gatwick services with some wires.
Monday the 18th 15:12When was this?
Class 442 units that they got AC traction motors fitted are 2402, 2415 & 2419. All 3 units now currently at Wolverton.
It was not 2416. It was 2419.
If you're referring to the 5Qxx workings, it was discussed a couple of months back that they are more likely to be test paths for the 701s
basically a state of like a 'new' 4 TC
Or perhaps Asbesdos issues?I’m sure it was mentioned further up that some reformations are taking place to create some better condition units, the trailers will also go in due course once component recovery takes place. I suspect the motors have gone first because of the higher value metals in the control equipment
I doubt such a late build (even with reused traction equipment) would have an asbestos issue. Even if they did line breakers could be removed as a whole assembly and placed aside before wholesale scrapping begins.Or perhaps Asbesdos issues?
I'm not sure if the line breakers etc would have still been ACM, but it has to be suspected as such.
If you're referring to the 5Qxx workings, it was discussed a couple of months back that they are more likely to be test paths for the 701s, delivery of which has been delayed. As for why they aren't showing on RTT until the 15th, that's probably because they are currently getting set as planned cancellation, but this is generally only done a couple of weeks ahead. If you select the CAN switch on RTT and search again for today you'll see them.
Another 442 move tomorrow, Bournemouth Depot - Wolverton.
1140 Bournemouth TRSMD to Wolverton Centre Sidings
Associated workings (due to run today)
1048 Eastleigh Arlington to Bournemouth TRSMD via Winchester Baltic Siding
5O86 1018 Derby RTC to Bournemouth TRSMD
5086 now running as 5F95 and left Derby 177 minutes lateNeither 5O86 1018 Derby RTC to Bournemouth Depot nor 010N 1048 Eastleigh Works to Bournemouth Depot have departed yet.
It vanished for a while, but looks like it went via Leicester/Nuneaton. Back on track now, passing Water Orton (1505).5086 now running as 5F95 and left Derby 177 minutes late
Incident at Tamworth has shut the lines through the high-level platforms, so it was sent the long way round.It vanished for a while, but looks like it went via Leicester/Nuneaton. Back on track now, passing Water Orton (1505).
Ah yes, I see that now. Showing as fire svc attending 6E54 Kingsbury - Immingham oil, hot wheelsets apparently.Incident at Tamworth has shut the lines through the high-level platforms, so it was sent the long way round.