Class 442s - Now at the end of the road and to be withdrawn permanently

[swt_passenger]

I wondered about that as well, but apparently those two units (2401 and 2417) are now off-lease and Eastbourne Sidings has a spare berth, hence why they're being stored there for the time being.

It would've been sensible for GTR to have kept a couple of spare 442s with them for this sort of issue. But, GTR is GTR...no hope! :roll:

A couple of units to support four in service ( as has been described already) would normally considered quite reasonable. Most EMU fleet managers would expect to run at something like 85-90% utilisation. Someone even posted that they thought there'd be 8 units to cover 4 in service each day, and I think that would be incredibly unlikely.

 

[RichardKing]

A couple of units to support four in service ( as has been described already) would normally considered quite reasonable. Most EMU fleet managers would expect to run at something like 85-90% utilisation. Someone even posted that they thought there'd be 8 units to cover 4 in service each day, and I think that would be incredibly unlikely.

To be honest, I thought there was a plan to keep 6 units (2 for the Eastbourne service, 2 for the Brighton services and 2 spare).

Yeah, retaining 8 units is very unlikely!

 

[spark001uk]

I wondered about that as well, but apparently those two units (2401 and 2417) are now off-lease and Eastbourne Sidings has a spare berth, hence why they're being stored there for the time being.

It would've been sensible for GTR to have kept a couple of spare 442s with them for this sort of issue. But, GTR is GTR...no hope! :roll:

They should preserve 2401 (or one end at least), as it's the 3rd rail speed record holder.
2417 has history too, if it weren't for vandals derailing it the night before, it would've formed the service involved in the Clapham crash. Mind you, better crashworthiness may well have afforded less fatalities. That is if it were even involved, it may have run several minutes early (or late), and missed it, I guess we'll never know.

 

[swt class 450]

What allocated 442? It isn't booked for a 442. Monday was the first day of full 387/2 usage so of the diagrams I gave, only the two that goes to/from Eastbourne are booked 442 now.

Ok. Thanks for the info. I didnt realise. So was Friday (16/9/2016) the last day of a 442 on this diagram?

 

[MrB]

I wondered about that as well, but apparently those two units (2401 and 2417) are now off-lease and Eastbourne Sidings has a spare berth, hence why they're being stored there for the time being.

It would've been sensible for GTR to have kept a couple of spare 442s with them for this sort of issue. But, GTR is GTR...no hope! :roll:

So GTR have 4 x 442s and need 4 to operate the service?! Surely this is port planning and organisation on their part.

 

[Dart34518]

So GTR have 4 x 442s and need 4 to operate the service?! Surely this is port planning and organisation on their part.

GTR is keeping 6 442s.
2,6,8,10,13 & 19.

The 2 at Eastboune will be moved to Three Bridges for futher storage over the next few weeks.

2405 is at Lovers Walk and is also stored out of service.

 

[spark001uk]

GTR is keeping 6 442s.
2,6,8,10,13 & 19.

The 2 at Eastboune will be moved to Three Bridges for futher storage over the next few weeks.

2405 is at Lovers Walk and is also stored out of service.

Any particular logic they've followed for keeping those units? Looking at the HVAC report posted here earlier most of those units have faults so they can't have gone by that? Mind you I suppose there are more important factors they've taken into consideration?

 

[neilm]

Any particular logic they've followed for keeping those units? Looking at the HVAC report posted here earlier most of those units have faults so they can't have gone by that? Mind you I suppose there are more important factors they've taken into consideration?

Indeed HVAC seems to be broken on all of them with at least 1 coach, perhaps they are the cheapest to lease for GTR?

 

[spark001uk]

Indeed HVAC seems to be broken on all of them with at least 1 coach, perhaps they are the cheapest to lease for GTR?

Well we had 2415 and 18 on the tour, and the aircon worked beautifully throughout. However those are both bound for Ely! Well one has already gone in fact, 15 I believe.

 

[Class377/5]

Indeed HVAC seems to be broken on all of them with at least 1 coach, perhaps they are the cheapest to lease for GTR?

Or simple fact that they must be given back in working order to avoid a fine so ensuring money is saved with limited resources?

 

[neilm]

Or simple fact that they must be given back in working order to avoid a fine so ensuring money is saved with limited resources?

Not sure what you mean, it will only be fixed when they return it? So commuters have two more years with these trains being ran into the ground?

 

[Class377/5]

Not sure what you mean, it will only be fixed when they return it? So commuters have two more years with these trains being ran into the ground?

No its not. You've misunderstood. There is a limited supply of parts so the hardback units will be made good first and then the others secondary. We are talking about a small different measured in days. It's just right now the air con has had a tough summer and the numbers have been agreed last year with dates so it's impossible to change as the 700 owner have made plans accordingly.

 

[neilm]

No its not. You've misunderstood. There is a limited supply of parts so the hardback units will be made good first and then the others secondary. We are talking about a small different measured in days. It's just right now the air con has had a tough summer and the numbers have been agreed last year with dates so it's impossible to change as the 700 owner have made plans accordingly.

That all makes sense if with hardback you mean handbake?

And thanks for the reply.

 

[D365]

"hand-back"?

 

[SpacePhoenix]

Is there any point in them being "fixed up" before being returned to the ROSCO as they'll likely all be going to the scrapyard?

 

[Domh245]

Is there any point in them being "fixed up" before being returned to the ROSCO as they'll likely all be going to the scrapyard?

Yes, because that is the lease agreement, and otherwise they'd be fined for it (see Northern and their 180s).

 

[fgwrich]

That all makes sense if with hardback you mean handbake?

And thanks for the reply.

Can you do that on board when the air con fails in summer?

Or if Mary Berry boards?

 

[neilm]

Can you do that on board when the air con fails in summer? [emoji38]

Or if Mary Berry boards?

Tbh sometimes commuters have called it an oven when the AC fails and we know the BBC were looking for a cheaper version, perhaps merry berry does bakes on a 442?

 

[Class377/5]

That all makes sense if with hardback you mean handbake?

And thanks for the reply.

Indeed I did! The joys of replying on a mobile whilst travelling on the BML!

 

[spark001uk]

2412 going the other way now; de-shoed and on its way to Ely. 47812 hauling.

 

[CosherB]

2412 going the other way now; de-shoed and on its way to Ely. 47812 hauling.

Could almost be a Cardiff to Taunton service next year!

 

[387star]

Could those comfy first class seats not find a new home

 

[Bishopstone]

17.57 London Bridge - Brighton short-formed 1x442 vs 2x442.

I assume neither of the spares were available, with (at least) two hours notice.

 

[neilm]

17.57 London Bridge - Brighton short-formed 1x442 vs 2x442.

I assume neither of the spares were available, with (at least) two hours notice.

It's been like it all week, I suspect lack of train crew means if it the spare was available they don't have the train crew to bring it in.

All week there have been cancellations across the network and it is going to get worse next week with the Seaford trains running again.

 

[sarahj]

It's been like it all week, I suspect lack of train crew means if it the spare was available they don't have the train crew to bring it in.

All week there have been cancellations across the network and it is going to get worse next week with the Seaford trains running again.

You don't have to worry about the Seafords, they are not being crewed by regular staff.

I think that 5 car has been running round all week. It was forming the Ebn to LBG earlier this week.
If there is a spare, its not been coming out to play.

 

[Class455]

442408 and 442413 were on the Eastbourne-London Bridge service today. I saw them at East Croydon. I suspect these 2 are being retained?

 

[D365]

442408 and 442413 were on the Eastbourne-London Bridge service today. I saw them at East Croydon. I suspect these 2 are being retained?

Yes! According to this post from not long ago:

GTR is keeping 6 442s.
2,6,8,10,13 & 19.

 

[BestWestern]

You don't have to worry about the Seafords, they are not being crewed by regular staff.

I think that 5 car has been running round all week. It was forming the Ebn to LBG earlier this week.
If there is a spare, its not been coming out to play.

Who is crewing them then?!

 

[broadgage]

Is there any point in them being "fixed up" before being returned to the ROSCO as they'll likely all be going to the scrapyard?

Not by any common sense standards ! unfortunately however leased assets including trains generally have to be retuned in good working order.

 

[yorkie]

Who is crewing them then?!

A manager to do the doors, despatch etc and an OBS doing tickets, I'm informed, according to a source who wishes to remain anonymous.