Do different TOCs open Sprinters` front gangways when in multipe

[Andy1673]

Do TOCs usually open front gangways of the two or more units coupled together when classes 150/2, 153, 155, 156, 158 and 159 operate passenger service formed of more than one unit?

 

[supervc-10]

SWR definitely do with the 159s. It's a necessity beyond Salisbury, due to short platforms at places like Tisbury.

 

[LOL The Irony]

Northern usually do but it's not a guarantee.

 

[sw1ller]

Same as above for TFW too. They’re meant to be opened up but if they’re just coupling for one station (couple at Crewe, detach at Chester for example) then they tend to stay closed. Also, now the guards are working from the middle a lot due to covid, they keep the vestibule doors closed but the gangways will be open.

 

[driver9000]

When I signed corridor units we normally opened them between sets unless there was a defect with the doors or if the trailing unit was in transit off a depot to be detached en route for another service. For sets in transit we would also turn the saloon lights off and lock the unit out to deter passengers trying to board.

 

[Andy1673]

When I signed corridor units we normally opened them between sets unless there was a defect with the doors or if the trailing unit was in transit off a depot to be detached en route for another service. For sets in transit we would also turn the saloon lights off and lock the unit out to deter passengers trying to board.

Thanks!!!

 

[hexagon789]

Do TOCs usually open front gangways of the two or more units coupled together when classes 150/2, 153, 155, 156, 158 and 159 operate passenger service formed of more than one unit?

ScotRail most definitely do with 156s when attaching at Glasgow Central, and I've walked through a double 158 a few times.

 

[158757]

As above it depends on if the unit is coming on or off, but can also depend on the crew or if there is a defect with the gangway door that prevents it from being unlocked or held open (e.g. seized lock, missing catches/hooks).

 

[hexagon789]

As above it depends on if the unit is coming on or off, but can also depend on the crew or if there is a defect with the gangway door that prevents it from being unlocked or held open (e.g. seized lock, missing catches/hooks).

It seems a mercifully uncommon fault, at least with Sprinters. I have only once known them to not open the gangway connection and that's in at least 15 years that I can distinctly remember my travels on trains.

 

[Taylorgb19]

I know it’s not the same class but did the 317s have there gangways open in multiple

 

[hexagon789]

I know it’s not the same class but did the 317s have there gangways open in multiple

Yes, they were used on some services with a trolley service in earlier years and it was needed for that as much as for the guard/passengers

 

[talltim]

I can remember standing in the intermediate cabs of paired 317s and watching the speedometer

 

[gimmea50anyday]

I can remember standing in the intermediate cabs of paired 317s and watching the speedometer

I used to do that on CEPs. Of course you had the added advantage of motor bogie whines and bangs which always made the ride more exciting!

 

[Journeyman]

ScotRail most definitely do with 156s when attaching at Glasgow Central, and I've walked through a double 158 a few times.

Yes, you can walk between units on the West Highland too.

 

[Halish Railway]

Whenever I've been on a Northern service using two gangway units coupled together the doors have been open.

I managed to get a picture of a 150/2's cab when coupled to a 158 (a bit of an odd combination)

The cab of 150277

Explore Halish Railways' 852 photos on Flickr!

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[hexagon789]

Yes, you can walk between units on the West Highland too.

And they only have one trolley serving a six-car formation when they run the Oban/Mallaig splitters - so again they need the gangway connection

 

[Journeyman]

And they only have one trolley serving a six-car formation when they run the Oban/Mallaig splitters - so again they need the gangway connection

Absolutely. It's also needed if they run 4-car trains to Mallaig, because Corrour is local-door-only due to short platforms.

 

[hexagon789]

Absolutely. It's also needed if they run 4-car trains to Mallaig, because Corrour is local-door-only due to short platforms.

Another excellent point and one I'd forgotten. There must be a few other routes where short platforms mean local door only - the Cambrian I think and that uses 158s

 

[Journeyman]

Another excellent point and one I'd forgotten. There must be a few other routes where short platforms mean local door only - the Cambrian I think and that uses 158s

There's a few on the Far North line as well, but I'm not sure any trains are formed of more than one unit these days.

 

[Scotrail314209]

Absolutely. It's also needed if they run 4-car trains to Mallaig, because Corrour is local-door-only due to short platforms.

All the stations on the Fort William - Mallaig stretch are also local door only due to the length, meaning that a 4 car service is local door only.

 

[hexagon789]

There's a few on the Far North line as well, but I'm not sure any trains are formed of more than one unit these days.

I don't think they are, not since Wick/Thurso services still split at Georgemas Junction with one two-car unit going seperately to Wick and to Thurso instead of a single unit running first to Thurso and then on to Wick.

 

[CBlue]

Yes, they were used on some services with a trolley service in earlier years and it was needed for that as much as for the guard/passengers

Admittedly I haven't travelled on a 317 since October last year but I found the gangways were usually locked out of use on 317's back in 2019 at least.

 

[snookertam]

I think have the front end gangway not in use while in multiple will be the exception in the majority of cases.

 

[hexagon789]

Admittedly I haven't travelled on a 317 since October last year but I found the gangways were usually locked out of use on 317's back in 2019 at least.

Perhaps they don't anymore then, but the definitely used to - they were certainly designed to be used!

 

[D6975]

I don't think they are, not since Wick/Thurso services still split at Georgemas Junction with one two-car unit going seperately to Wick and to Thurso instead of a single unit running first to Thurso and then on to Wick.

No they don't. They are formed of one unit which visits both Wick and Thurso.

 

[hexagon789]

No they don't. They are formed of one unit which visits both Wick and Thurso.

The latter I knew, but I wasn't sure if they had any booked four-car in say the summer or something on the FNL or to Kyle.

 

[SeanG]

No they don't. They are formed of one unit which visits both Wick and Thurso.

Correct, the unit travels Inverness - GJ - Thurso - GJ - Wick - GJ - Thurso - Inverness

This started when the 156s replaced 37s (now Cl 158s)

 

[SteveyBee131]

This practice didn't start that early. On Sprinterisation, Far North services were formed of 2 units, which split at Georgemas Junction, 1 going to Wick and 1 to Thurso. It's only relatively recently that the whole line had 1 unit which covered both northern terminuses (or termini if you prefer )

 

[hexagon789]

This started when the 156s replaced 37s (now Cl 158s)

It must be later than that because as SteveyBee says:

This practice didn't start that early. On Sprinterisation, Far North services were formed of 2 units, which split at Georgemas Junction, 1 going to Wick and 1 to Thurso. It's only relatively recently that the whole line had 1 unit which covered both northern terminuses (or termini if you prefer )

Which is exactly what I remember. Either it happened while the 156s were still operating the FNL/Kyle, at the 156 to 158 transition or at some point during the 158s tenure.

I suspect one of the former two options.

 

[Kite159]

Great Northern used to lock the gangways out of use between the 387s, I think they still do