Defiance149
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There was a pair of 442s out on test between Southampton and Poole on Wednesday. Can anyone ID the sets - presumably two of 442406/08/10?
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Class 442s - Now at the end of the road and to be withdrawn permanently
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BestWestern
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Stripey, or GatEx?
Multiple 5Qxx paths between Bournemouth, Poole, Totton and Southampton up goods loop, although none of them have been activated for today. Real time trains will likely be your friend. Keep an eye on them to see if they active.
dan bennett
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2406 & 2410
I went on a visit to the works last Saturday. Norman, the guide told us that the units are worked on there first, then go to BOMO for repainting, then back to the works for finishing. Yes there was a repainted unit in there and I did take photos, but the visits are on the condition that the phots are not to be published, so I’m not going to post one as it could result in an end to the works visits.
ps the livery is very plain, but I suspect much of it will disappear under vinyls.
ps the livery is very plain, but I suspect much of it will disappear under vinyls.
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nlogax
Established Member
These are on Flickr, apparently taken today. Not my photos.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/28132...3jjto3-HWuakU-26bjot8-267vY6m-26bjo52-23jjteW
https://www.flickr.com/photos/28132...3jjto3-HWuakU-26bjot8-267vY6m-26bjo52-23jjteW
i use rtt but dont know how to use it very well, and dont know what all the numbers and letters mean re how to identify what train it is - what do they come under, passenger or non passenger services
spark001uk
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In brief: They'll usually be a non-passenger empty stock working, in which the headcode will start with a 5, then a letter, then two numbers. If it's units going to/coming from storage at Ely etc it can show up as a freight in which it could start with a 5 or a 6 and often be masked (followed by two numbers and a letter rather than a letter and two numbers). This will usually be if it's unit(s) being loco hauled by another operator.
If it's a unit on a test or driver training run it's often a 5Q / 5X / 5Z headcode.
More info on headcodes can be found here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Train_reporting_number
antharro
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Here's a pic of a 442 in a very boring livery. No trespassing occurred to take this pic and it was not taken as part of any official visit, so D6975 should be safe!
cactustwirly
Established Member
Here's a pic of a 442 in a very boring livery. No trespassing occurred to take this pic and it was not taken as part of any official visit, so D6975 should be safe!
It's only boring because the vinyls haven't been applied yet.
antharro
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Indeed. But it is still rather boring. Chances are it won't be once the vinyls have been applied.
swt_passenger
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I guess it’ll look very like a completed 444, so there’s little to look forward to....
Dougal2345
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Yes it's quite difficult to get excited about the return of the 442s really. Given that very little of the original Wessex Electric is left - traction equipment replaced, seats replaced, the original 'snug', first class compartments etc all long gone - there's very little to really differentiate it from a 444. I just hope it doesn't have the Desiro-style "air conditioning roar".
nlogax
Established Member
Too true. I fear it'll be like watching the familiar presence of an old friend without any of the loved personality. However, that's progress. SWR needs reliable trains over anything else and originals would likely not have cut the mustard.
Goldfish62
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Oh, but it is exciting for me. Whatever is done to them, that unbeatable Mk 3 ambience will remain. The FGW refurb is awful IMO, but the ambience still REMAINS.
Re the aircon, to fit the now outdated Desiro UK system you'd have to move the aircon from underfloor to the roof. Not sure why anyone would want to spend money doing this.
antharro
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Mm, I'm not sure about that, @Goldfish62 . If they are stripping them right back to the shell, then they can completely re-do them however they like and keep none of the Mk3 ambience. As you say, the *only* good thing about the GatEx "refurb" was they still felt like Mk3s - they kept the lighting and wall panels, so they still maintained some semblance of originality. I can just imagine the current "refurb" will fit high colour temperature LED lighting, the thinnest and most upright seats, etc, etc. And if they're not on their original or similar bogies then the ride quality won't be the same.
Call me a pessimist, but I have very little confidence in the UK rail industry to understand and implement a decent refurbishment these days. Still, the proof of the pudding is in the eating, so let's see what happens.
Call me a pessimist, but I have very little confidence in the UK rail industry to understand and implement a decent refurbishment these days. Still, the proof of the pudding is in the eating, so let's see what happens.
cactustwirly
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I imagine they're refurbishing them up to 444 spec, which isn't bad thing as 444s are excellent units.
Goldfish62
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I've not seen or heard any indication that the bogies are being replaced. That would be most unusual.
As you say, though, let's wait and see. There have been some good refurb recently.
dorsetdesiro
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Still looking forward to their return, good or bad the refurb may be, this is better than going on the scrapheap or left to fester at Ely.
My concern is they may fit those nasty bright white glarry LED striplights already present in some GWR units, quite like those in Poundworld shops. Hope these would be placed behind diffusers.
Also the possibility of sitting on ironing boards, for me, I suppose this isn't too bad going to Portsmouth from Havant or Bedhampton. Perhaps the ironing boards will get softer material as on ScotRail.
My concern is they may fit those nasty bright white glarry LED striplights already present in some GWR units, quite like those in Poundworld shops. Hope these would be placed behind diffusers.
Also the possibility of sitting on ironing boards, for me, I suppose this isn't too bad going to Portsmouth from Havant or Bedhampton. Perhaps the ironing boards will get softer material as on ScotRail.
hexagon789
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I thought someone had said they were going to enter service with original traction equipment, for the time being, because of delays to the refurbishment programme.
antharro
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I'd heard the opposite, that that had been categorically ruled out. But I wouldn't object if they did!
antharro
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Don't know why I didn't post this earlier.
hexagon789
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I wouldn't object either, I've still to enjoy the sounds of those EE motors.
Bletchleyite
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Bet those roofs won't stay white.
BestWestern
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Apart from the roaring, excessively cold aircon, the not particularly comfortable seats, the shonky PIS, and the total lack of any luggage space.
I've never had a problem with the Aircon, if needed just sit towards the end of the coach and stop the end doors open (so that the Aircon needs to cool the vestibule which isn't well cooked and gets lots of warm air coming in at each stop).
Seats are a matter of personal preference, for instance I prefer the seating in a 220 over that in the Mark 4's, others disagree (or at least think they disagree as they want to justify keeping them).
The PIS are off a lot of the time and don't appear to be any worse than others I've seen.
The lack of luggage space is sometimes a problem on the busiest of services. However if it was there it would require the loss of some seats and often there's only 2-4 seats blocked by cases per coach so having a luggage rack may gain you about 6-8 seats per unit (on some services maybe a few more) but still most likely a few percent on a few percent of services a day.
Aircon is noisy but grateful when it’s hot out as long as the air is circulating properly.
Personally find the seats quite comfortable.
PIS is reasonably reliable, the biggest issue is with lack of codes for the system during weekend works. Occasionally the GPS needs turning off and on again.
Agree that a 158 style luggage rack would have been good.
Passengers doing this causes the majority of HVAC coach by coach failures on the 444 fleet. Leave the green buttons alone!
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