Creation of class 230 DEMUs from ex-LU D78s by Vivarail

[Bletchleyite]

I was about to comment on the knowledge of MK as Bletchley is by far the closest station to MK stadium...

Did you look at a map? Fenny is very, very slightly closer. (Fenny is 0.9 miles on foot, Bletchley is 1.4). Part of the issue is that the entrance is on the wrong side.

Of course Bletchley's hugely superior service (if you're not going to/from a Marston Vale destination) tips it

 

[A0wen]

Did you look at a map? Fenny is very, very slightly closer. (Fenny is 0.9 miles on foot, Bletchley is 1.4). Part of the issue is that the entrance is on the wrong side.

Of course Bletchley's hugely superior service (if you're not going to/from a Marston Vale destination) tips it

I was thinking more MKC vs Bletchley than Fenny to be fair as the post had been suggesting extending the Marston Vale services to MKC would be a benefit for those heading to MK Stadium, which is clearly nonsense.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I was thinking more MKC vs Bletchley than Fenny to be fair as the post had been suggesting extending the Marston Vale services to MKC would be a benefit for those heading to MK Stadium, which is clearly nonsense.

Ah. I thought the suggestion there was not the Stadium but other commuters. Loadings would definitely increase if it served MKC, I don't think there is any doubt at all about that - and at one point it was going to.

 

[DarloRich]

I wouldn’t regard 230’s as being suitable for the far North

based on what?

I was about to comment on the knowledge of MK as Bletchley is by far the closest station to MK stadium...

no it ain't

to put things in perspective..for revenue...lets say MK don's get lucky and draw liverpool in the FA cup.....marston vale(with the right connections to MK stadium) COULD earn as much on that day as an entire month with the present set-up.

the train is already busy on match days, especially with away fans. The pubs in fenny do a good trade.

I have no idea about the 150’s mind.

I have gps'd the route and thanks to the stop start nature the 150 hits 60 once or twice. The 153's don't. OF COURSE that is entirely unscientific before anyone starts!

extending the Marston Vale services to MKC would be a benefit for those heading to MK Stadium, which is clearly nonsense.

you would be surprised at the numbers who get off at MKC looking for the ground!

Ah. I thought the suggestion there was not the Stadium but other commuters. Loadings would definitely increase if it served MKC, I don't think there is any doubt at all about that - and at one point it was going to.

SIGH. I think we got close at one point but that opportunity has slipped away.

 

[Bletchleyite]

you would be surprised at the numbers who get off at MKC looking for the ground!

To be fair there is a not unreasonable walking route from CMK - basically straight down the Redway which runs along Grafton St, though at night the underpasses at the A5 roundabout would feel quite scary - but it would take somewhere around an hour to walk it.

Anyway, back on topic to 230s and the Far North - I don't see why they wouldn't be suitable, after all they are just a tube with seats in. Pick the right seats and I can't see an issue.

 

[DarloRich]

To be fair there is a not unreasonable walking route from CMK - basically straight down the Redway which runs along Grafton St, though at night the underpasses at the A5 roundabout would feel quite scary - but it would take somewhere around an hour to walk it.

and no pubs!

 

[Bletchleyite]

and no pubs!

Very true

 

[Class37.4]

To be fair there is a not unreasonable walking route from CMK - basically straight down the Redway which runs along Grafton St, though at night the underpasses at the A5 roundabout would feel quite scary - but it would take somewhere around an hour to walk it.

Anyway, back on topic to 230s and the Far North - I don't see why they wouldn't be suitable, after all they are just a tube with seats in. Pick the right seats and I can't see an issue.

As I have said before these trains seem to be more suited to shorter distance services.

I'm sure far north uses would be pleased to swap the 158 for one of these. To make them suited to such a journey you would loking at the most expensive options for interior refits and possibly air cooling, by the time you've done all that maybe buy a 195 instead which a better longer distance train.

I believe some of the northern sections of the line have 90mph speed limits with 75mph on the lower sections. The journey takes long enough as it is.

 

[HLE]

I meant hitting 75mph between MK and Bletchley in response to the question about extending the shuttle to MK. A 150/153 in real terms is no improvement on a 230, if it were to happen, despite the higher top speed.

 

[Chris217]

Does anyone know
The former identity of the
current 230s please.?

 

[Clip]

I'm sure far north uses would be pleased to swap the 158 for one of these. To make them suited to such a journey you would loking at the most expensive options for interior refits and possibly air cooling, by the time you've done all that maybe buy a 195 instead which a better longer distance train.

Why would it have to be the most expensive of interior fit outs for them? Granted longitudinal seating would suit because people want to look at things but all that can be changed - air cooling of what ? The interior? I believe thats what they are doing for the ones on the Marston vale line anyway so i dont understand.

And how long would a 195 take to build for them?

 

[DarloRich]

A live picture

 

[Bletchleyite]

Looking good!

 

[Fincra5]

Probably been answered.. but why are is there a Bright Light on the side?

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Probably been answered.. but why are is there a Bright Light on the side?

Isn't that just a reflection of a light over the platform the photographer (who may or may not be DarloRich) is standing on?

 

[Fincra5]

Isn't that just a reflection of a light over the platform the photographer (who may or may not be DarloRich) is standing on?

Its in a lot of Videos and Pictures. So I'm not sure.

 

[sw1ller]

Its in a lot of Videos and Pictures. So I'm not sure.

You’re correct. It’s in this video very clearly. It’s like an opposite orange hazard light. It goes out once the unit has stopped in this video. Very strange.

 

[Pete_uk]

Oh yes, it does have a couple of side lights

 

[DarloRich]

Probably been answered.. but why are is there a Bright Light on the side?

Isn't that just a reflection of a light over the platform the photographer (who may or may not be DarloRich) is standing on?

Alot of the light is reflection from the train in the platform behind me but on checking my video (that I can't seem to upload) there is one white light over the last window

 

[Fincra5]

You’re correct. It’s in this video very clearly. It’s like an opposite orange hazard light. It goes out once the unit has stopped in this video. Very strange.

Yeah its odd. I'm used to BIL/ Orange Hazard Lights.. So can't quite get what this one is!

 

[samuelmorris]

S stock side indicators can be white sometimes. Not sure what that means.

 

[Domh245]

As per this post on District Dave's forum:

Steady orange indicates that a door or doors in that car are not shut.
Steady white indicates that a PEA or PEAs in that car have been activated.
Flashing orange indicates that a door or doors in that car have had a sensitive edge activation.
Flashing white will indicate that the train has received a target point and is ready to depart (performing the same function as the 'ready to depart indicators' [RTDIs] on the Jubilee and Northern lines), once ATC is rolled out.

There are also blue lights to show when the deicing equipment has been activated.

 

[Class37.4]

Why would it have to be the most expensive of interior fit outs for them? Granted longitudinal seating would suit because people want to look at things but all that can be changed - air cooling of what ? The interior? I believe thats what they are doing for the ones on the Marston vale line anyway so i dont understand.

And how long would a 195 take to build for them?

If Scotrail do need extra capacity using these trains there are shorter routes they can be used on I believe an Anniesland has been suggested. Well ignoring the fact they cannot run at max line sped of the far north line, to make them suitable for a 4 hour journey you would need to rip out all the current seats and a complete new interior that pushes up the cost considerably, Isnt there also a scenic route remit on this route? possibly add Air Cooling to at least give something approving the quality of the trains you are removing, Air Cooling being a cheaper and simpler form of Air Con which cools but doesn’t de humidify. I believe Vivarail have said they can add that but I don’t think it’s being used on the WM units.

To me it’s a totally nonsense argument, use them on short runs with frequent stops and potentially keep some of the existing seating, in other words something more Metro which is what they were designed for.

 

[trash80]

Does anyone know
The former identity of the
current 230s please.?

According to Underground News 683...

230 001 is 7058+17058+7511
230 002 is 7122+7067
230 003 is 7069+7127
230 004 is 7100+7500
230 005 is 7066+7128

 

[Chris217]

Many thanks for that list.

My last one for haulage to clear
was 7036,but didn't get it in time!

Maybe this one might be converted
eventually if it hasn't been scrapped yet.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

It’s like an opposite orange hazard light. It goes out once the unit has stopped in this video.

I'd say that's a good thing because the hazard lights on most stock, which come on when the doors are cut in, are not fail safe. Having a light that is out to indicate a hazard is fail safe.

 

[causton]

I'd say that's a good thing because the hazard lights on most stock, which come on when the doors are cut in, are not fail safe.

Which is why that is not the decision maker on determining whether the doors are currenly released/open or not - it is the interlock light which illuminates when closed, which is fail safe, so I don't think that's too big of an issue.

 

[reddragon]

Many thanks for that list.

My last one for haulage to clear
was 7036,but didn't get it in time!

Maybe this one might be converted
eventually if it hasn't been scrapped yet.

http://districtdavesforum.co.uk/thread/23190/stock-withdrawals-list

*7036 derailed Ealing BDWY 02/03/2016.
Dispatched by road from ECom depot:
+7036 *17036 +8036 15/03/2016 -

Key
to scrap Booths = +7036
to VivaRail project= *17036

 

[samuelmorris]

Which is why that is not the decision maker on determining whether the doors are currenly released/open or not - it is the interlock light which illuminates when closed, which is fail safe, so I don't think that's too big of an issue.

I saw it as a means of identifying which door was stuck open if there was no interlock, not a judgement that all doors were closed.

 

[Chris217]

Thanks reddragon