With a reduced timetable, I assume there would be capacity for staff to have refresher training before they return.Proberbly not until timetable change.
With a reduced timetable, I assume there would be capacity for staff to have refresher training before they return.Proberbly not until timetable change.
It appears a new path is in the system in the Poole/Brockenhurst area. Keep an eye out for 5Q40, I’ve got a feeling it might run this week. DC units.
It ran today. Anyone know any more about it?Keep an eye out for 5Q40, I’ve got a feeling it might run this week. DC units.
It ran today. Anyone know any more about it?
One does have to wonder why you'd refresh your crews on something which is going to have a complete change to the traction system, braking system, auxiliary supplies and cab desk.led to believe its crew handling refreshers
One does have to wonder why you'd refresh your crews on something which is going to have a complete change to the traction system, braking system, auxiliary supplies and cab desk.
Is that just a standard 3 step brake, similar to the 455s?but it looks like it's westcode and completely different traction behaviour.
I can't recall if it's implemented as three or four step, but it uses smart valves so won't "Feel" like the 3 step on a 455, because the rate enforcement of smart valves is very different to the rate valve on an actual 7 step valve system.Is that just a standard 3 step brake, similar to the 455s?
Ok, thanks for the info.I can't recall if it's implemented as three or four step, but it uses smart valves so won't "Feel" like the 3 step on a 455, because the rate enforcement of smart valves is very different to the rate valve on an actual 7 step valve system.
I had no idea a new desk was required in addition to everything else, the bill must be soaring!
Does make me wonder if it would have been cheaper to just overhaul the existing braking system and traction gear. It was all fit for purpose when it worked before. Seems to me they're ploughing far too much money into a class that surely doesn't have bags of life left in it? Just my opinion, happy to be corrected.
If anyone wants the full press release, this is available here;Class 442 panel contract awarded
UK: South Western Railway has awarded DB ESG a turnkey contract for the design, approval, supply, installation and testing of 36 drivers' desk panels for 18 Class 442 EMUs. The panels are required for the re-tractioning of the units, which will involve considerable alterations to the in-cab ...www.railwaygazette.com
This has only been announced today, makes you wonder if the news is slow or its going to add further delay to the reintroduction. Didn't I read that a couple of units have already been converted to AC, you'd think the desk update would have to be done at the same time
Design and installation of desk panels for South Western Railways
DB ESG is pleased to be able to announce that it has signed a contract with South Western Railways
(Derby, 15. July 2020) DB ESG is pleased to be able to announce that it has signed a contract with South Western Railways for the turnkey design, approvals, supply, installation and testing of 36 new desk panels for the 18 Class 442 units operating on the London Waterloo to Portsmouth Harbour route.
These new panels are required following the re-tractioning of these units, which will result in considerable alterations to the in-cab controls, including the removal of the brake system pressure gauge. The customer decided that these modifications warranted a new modern and clean layout for the driver desks, hence this new order.
DB ESG will be subcontracting the panel construction to the Swiss, family- owned company EAO AG, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of high-quality switches, keyboards, sophisticated control elements, and complete HMI control units. EAO will provide pre-assembled, renewed panels, indicators and switches.
DB ESG have a proven track record in delivering complex fleet modification programmes, including work in vehicle cabs, for example ETCS freight vehicle integration. They will create a prototype to check cab wiring and design Modifications are suitable including evaluation of the design from a human factors’ perspective. Installation will occur at Bournemouth traction and rolling stock maintenance depot.
Neil Drury, Engineering Director at South Western Railway, said, “We are pleased to confirm DB ESG will be taking on the work to design and fit new modern desks in the drivers’ cabs which forms part of our major overhaul to AC traction for our Class 442 fleet.”
Nick Goodhand, Managing Director, DB ESG added: “We look forward to forging new relationships with South Western Railways and EAO AG on this very interesting project.“
At this rate the 442s will be the railway equivalent of Trigger's broom!
In 20 years time they'll rebody them and the whole process can start againAt this rate the 442s will be the railway equivalent of Trigger's broom!
In 20 years time they'll rebody them and the whole process can start again
IIRC at least some of the traction equipment was recovered from the 4-REPs which the 442s replaced. They'd been built in the late 60s, so that equipment would now be over 50 years old.I thought most of the running gear on the 442's was salvaged from older SR EMU's - it had probably been overhauled at the time the units were built so by now must have been getting very outdated and perhaps as a result not fit for purpose?