43096
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HST buffets have an emergency door release mechanism on them I think.
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5x Class 153 conversion to bike and baggage vans for Scotrail
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61653 HTAFC
Veteran Member
The bodyside panels in 153/155s don't appear to be structural... with a blank cheque perhaps the doors could be relocated (though it would have made more sense to do so when they were originally turned into single cars). You could even provide deeper windows to create an "observation car" area...
Never going to happen of course, I'm just spit-balling.
Never going to happen of course, I'm just spit-balling.
61653 HTAFC
Veteran Member
Though isn't the structural part of the bodyshell a frame, with the panels riveted on? The skin certainly doesn't look as if it holds much strength in itself.
hexagon789
Veteran Member
So doors both ends is a requirement then? I wasn't imagining that.
hexagon789
Veteran Member
Don't the buffet doors have an emergency release though?
LOL The Irony
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They do.
hexagon789
Veteran Member
In which case the only thing which doesn't seem to have emergency egress doors either end would be one of the Flirts.
61653 HTAFC
Veteran Member
Do they have crew-only doors into the cab or the area behind? Presumably they'd be used to get passengers out under crew supervision in an emergency?
hexagon789
Veteran Member
The intermediate cars don't have more than one door each side through. Though someone pointed out they have emergency windows presumably that meets the requirements.
hexagon789
Veteran Member
Back to 153s though, how much could one extend the small cab back and leave a usable vestibule for passenger access?
61653 HTAFC
Veteran Member
Not by much, maybe an inch or two at the very most. The "bulge" of the no.2 cab already makes the doorway pretty tight, and I'm not big by any stretch of the imagination.
hexagon789
Veteran Member
So it's either block off the vestibule or major reconstruction - which I doubt would pass.
Rick1984
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Looking at this picture from traintesting.com it's amazing they managed to fit the cabs at all!
Looking at this picture from traintesting.com it's amazing they managed to fit the cabs at all!
I'm guessing the polystyrene straps on the coach are the old method of checking gauge clearance, if the polystyrene is unscathed at the end of the run the train fits and if it's not then it doesn't?
Bletchleyite
Veteran Member
Talking of the cabs, the "bulge" into the vestibule wasn't original - the small cab used to be even smaller!
Rick1984
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It is as it's explained on the website I found image
A website which you did not provide a link for...
OmniCity999
Established Member
One can almost see a situation where the bulge is made bigger, passenger access is just about maintained, but it’s impossible to get a bike into the saloon...
hexagon789
Veteran Member
"Bulge" being the cab area?
Which end do bikes normally go and which end are ScotRail using for bikes? Wouldn't it be possible to have the cycle storage area at the large cab end and then it would be easier for people to get them on?
Bletchleyite
Veteran Member
Could the effect be mitigated by removing the partition at that end? The existing bog won't be needed.
sprinterguy
Established Member
Based on the Scotrail renders, the cycle storage area will be at the original large cab end of the unit.
hexagon789
Veteran Member
The only thing is if the 153 has no toilet then that's only 1 toilet for 156+153 and 2 for 156+156+153. Unless a small non-accessible toilet could be fitted that takes up less room?
hexagon789
Veteran Member
So they maybe could get away with a smaller vestibule at the other end.
It will be interesting to see what they do as a work around.
61653 HTAFC
Veteran Member
Making the small vestibule any smaller would be a fool's errand even if a way of doing so can be found. I'm sure it could be done, but you'd be left with something that wasn't really fit for purpose. Bikes may go in the other end but what about tents, rucksacks, climbing equipment or even snowboards? All things this project is intended to assist with. You'd be hard pressed to get anything bulky on board a 153 at the narrow end as it is.
hexagon789
Veteran Member
In which case we're left with either making no modifications to the small cab or blocking off the vestibule and extending it back.
61653 HTAFC
Veteran Member
Unless the modifications are more about ergonomics than simply making the cab bigger.
I'd have thought that if all the seating that's included after the conversion is at the large cab end, it would be permissible to keep the no.2 end for staff use only except in emergencies. Possibly even permanently seal the door on the driver's side.
GrimShady
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I've just been watching a series called "The Munro Show" from 1991. One particular episode is very critical of the recently introduced Sprinters, usual stuff, too small, not enough luggage space, not enough cycle storage, bad catering (if any). Also featuring an interview with Charlie Sinclair ScotRail Services Manager who is desperately trying to defend these things.
The shows host, Muriel Gray, describes the 156 as a "Hopeless little train"
Unreal it's taken 30 years to do anything about it!
The shows host, Muriel Gray, describes the 156 as a "Hopeless little train"
Unreal it's taken 30 years to do anything about it!
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