Class 458/5

[Crossforth]

In terms of third rail units: when a unit comes to rest without any of its pick up shoes in contact with the third rail. Most likely to happen if a unit is moving slowly over point work as there are lengthy gaps there. generally only an issue for train formations of four cars or less. Drivers know trouble spots and adjust their driving accordingly- but with only two cars can be hard.

Thanks for that. That makes sense now.

 

[455driver]

There used to be a 4 coach gap at Strawberry Hill as you pulled out of the shed and headed towards the signal, if the train stopped in it you just used the short circuit bar and placed it on top of the ramp and bridged the gap to the shoe, no drama, no crisis, no report!
It was only a problem on a Saturday because that was the only day we were likely to be running 4 coach trains out of there.

 

[Matt Taylor]

Quite. Someone who'll remain nameless did precisely that with an ECS move I was on one Saturday night, no trains or crew could get in or out of the depot for quite some time!

That's one of the few times I had to walk the track.

 

[nowananorack]

I was on a 8.455 once that stopped at a signal just after leaving Waterloo and the front unit came to a stop over a gap (all the lights went out). So lucky it wasn't a single unit

I remember being gapped on a CEP on a hot summers day leaving Waterloo.
If I recall it was the 1728 Waterloo - Portsmouth via Basingstoke.
Should have been twin unit CEP/VEP/CIG combination so was packed!!!
I think the problem was a sticky shoe on the front bogie, with the rear bogie still over the points. Power had to be dropped and the driver gave it a bash with his "paddle"

 

[Bigfoot]

There used to be a 4 coach gap at Strawberry Hill as you pulled out of the shed and headed towards the signal, if the train stopped in it you just used the short circuit bar and placed it on top of the ramp and bridged the gap to the shoe, no drama, no crisis, no report!
It was only a problem on a Saturday because that was the only day we were likely to be running 4 coach trains out of there.

Still is a 4 car gap. A few of them too... Plus a couple of 8s too if you're going too slowly too or from the main...

 

[Juniper Driver]

In terms of third rail units: when a unit comes to rest without any of its pick up shoes in contact with the third rail. Most likely to happen if a unit is moving slowly over point work as there are lengthy gaps there. generally only an issue for train formations of four cars or less. Drivers know trouble spots and adjust their driving accordingly- but with only two cars can be hard.

I got gapped on an 86 with empties coming out of Thornton Fields (you could do it on overheads as well) about 1987 and did it famously on Saturday afternoon at Woking in the early 90's when shunting into the down sidings closing up the shop for a little while,whilst I got assistance. Almost got gapped at Clapham yard on a five car (desiro) but managed to roll out at 3mph once.

On a separate note I made my debut on the 458/5's today.(Both sets)
458535+458534 then 458533 and 458531.Only minor trouble with the PIS not announcing correctly on the first set and it not working till a reset on the second set.Must admit I do like them.Had no time to worry about it as I was told about an hour before the first departure that I was working on them all day.Two Windsors and a Hounslow.

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

I understand that there is a section of the Line to the Isle of Sheppey that has no electric rail, it's the bit where the lifting Kingsferry Bridge goes across the Swale and the central part that can rise to let ships pass through has no third rail, the little trains cruise across that part. They are mainly 2 carriage units.

 

[SpacePhoenix]

Why don't modern units have a battery supply that can provide enough juice to get a unit back onto the 3rd rail if the unit gets gapped?

 

[antharro]

Why don't modern units have a battery supply that can provide enough juice to get a unit back onto the 3rd rail if the unit gets gapped?

The extra weight, cost and space required would make this unviable to retrofit to existing stock. I believe there was discussion of this in for the IEP trains.

 

[Defiance149]

Can anyone confirm by sight what the numbers of the additional cars in 458501 and 458502 are please? There appears to be some discrepancy on official records.

 

[Juniper Driver]

Can anyone confirm by sight what the numbers of the additional cars in 458501 and 458502 are please? There appears to be some discrepancy on official records.

Dunno,haven't got close enough to 502 yet.My next turn on Tuesday is two trips to Windsor on these units.Will get the numbers if I can but aren't these units generally parked up in Wimbledon?

The extra weight, cost and space required would make this unviable to retrofit to existing stock. I believe there was discussion of this in for the IEP trains.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Rail_Class_419

Although I was trained on these although.didn't pass out on them.Didn't need to anyway as we didn't have them at Waterloo.All preserved.Didn't know that.

 

[antharro]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Rail_Class_419

Although I was trained on these although.didn't pass out on them.Didn't need to anyway as we didn't have them at Waterloo.All preserved.Didn't know that.

Interesting indeed. I stand corrected!

 

[WWTownEnth]

Any sign of 458536 yet?

Also are there still just two diagrams in service or has a third now started?

 

[swt_passenger]

Also are there still just two diagrams in service or has a third now started?

They run around in pairs, so there are already four unit diagrams. (But that's not really what you are asking is it?) Is there a third set of services yet - I don't think so.

 

[Juniper Driver]

They run around in pairs, so there are already four unit diagrams. (But that's not really what you are asking is it?) Is there a third set of services yet - I don't think so.

Only seen 458531/458533/458534 and 458535.Worked them all although haven't been in the cab of 531.(It was rear unit on the Hounslow)

Interesting indeed. I stand corrected!

It was actually a (happy) memory of training on them although I can't remember for the hell of me where I got on the unit.Not to correct.

Most preserved not all.Got that wrong.

 

[455driver]

Any sign of 458536 yet?

Also are there still just two diagrams in service or has a third now started?

That one (and 532) has the ex driving luggage coaches in it so these have to have a thorough rebuild!

 

[hassaanhc]

8532 (and 8502) are both doing their 1000 mile fault-free testing here in London.
Seen by Pooley Green level crossing in Egham:

458502 by stavioni, on Flickr

458532 by stavioni, on Flickr

 

[455driver]

Oh I never realised 532 was out and about, I have lost a bit of interest in all the SWT changes now I wont be involved in any of it! :cry:

 

[Juniper Driver]

Oh I never realised 532 was out and about, I have lost a bit of interest in all the SWT changes now I wont be involved in any of it! :cry:

Whereare you going?

Looking forward to driving 459's tomorrow.Was tempted to do a changeover for a 456 involved diagram but not sure if other driver signs 459's.I think I'd rather practice on a 459 at the mo.

 

[455driver]

Whereare you going?

I would rather not say but I have got my cream tea and pasty on order!

 

[Juniper Driver]

I would rather not say but I have got my cream tea and pasty on order!

Oh good luck...Gotta be better than Feltham?

Im not sure if I have driven 532 yet.Probably not.Must be 531/533/534 and 535.Wish they'd change the memory in the TMS it's slower than my phone.

 

[455driver]

To be honest it is a decision which I was forced into, the other halfs Mum is seriously ill (but with plenty of care can have a reasonable life) so she is going down to look after her, leaving me and the kids up here so it makes sense to all move down there.
I am really going to miss SWT (and the depot banter) and if the decision was mine (and mine alone) then I wouldnt be moving but family comes first.

Somebody said to me that it is the wrong decision but made for all the right reasons. That just about sums it up.
So its bye bye 12 coach 450s and hello 143s!

Do you think my hammer will work as well on 143s as it does on 455s?

 

[Juniper Driver]

Good luck...it's a new adventure.You have to do what's right for you and your family but at least you will still be on here and I will be able to tell you how the 455's are behaving.

Couldn't get changeover for tomorrow as the other driver doesn't know 459's (458/5s)

 

[Peter Mugridge]

So its bye bye 12 coach 450s and hello 143s!

Do you think my hammer will work as well on 143s as it does on 455s?

Will you be changing your ID to "143driver" ?

 

[Juniper Driver]

Will you be changing your ID to "143driver" ?

Or Ex 455 Driver?

 

[455driver]

I dont know what my new ID will be but I am sure you will recognise me by my posting style.

 

[Juniper Driver]

534+535 were as good as gold.The other set was in Clapped Out yard till after dinner time.

 

[hassaanhc]

534+535 were as good as gold.The other set was in Clapped Out yard till after dinner time.

Yep, still a 4-car of some sort on the 1737 Hounslow via Brentford (return via Richmond). The 1752 Weybridge was also 4.450 instead of 8. Not the best of days when there is a match at Brentford. The 1737 was also fast from Waterloo to Putney so it covered the 7 late start, but the 1752 didn't stop at Queenstown Road only and being wedged left it 5 late by Brentford.

 

[Juniper Driver]

Yep, still a 4-car of some sort on the 1737 Hounslow via Brentford (return via Richmond). The 1752 Weybridge was also 4.450 instead of 8. Not the best of days when there is a match at Brentford. The 1737 was also fast from Waterloo to Putney so it covered the 7 late start, but the 1752 didn't stop at Queenstown Road only and being wedged left it 5 late by Brentford.

Dunno where 531+533 went but they had disappeared.Possibly Wimbledon Yard?

 

[Goldfish62]

534+535 were as good as gold.The other set was in Clapped Out yard till after dinner time.

What keeps going wrong with these trains? They can barely manage a day with all four units in service. It's worse than when the 458/0s were first introduced.