Electric Door Operators

[tubeprune]

Can anyone tell me which was the first UK multiple unit stock to get electrically operated doors as opposed to air operation?

And, what system do Pacers use?

 

[WillPS]

Pacers use Air I believe, they certainly did when new - using exactly the same door system as the Leyland National bus on which they're based.

 

[mumrar]

Pacers use Air I believe, they certainly did when new - using exactly the same door system as the Leyland National bus on which they're based.

I know that the 303's were the first powered doors en masse, but I think they are air operated. What about Class 323s, 1992 built? Head blank on other suggestions.

 

[driver9000]

Pacers use Air I believe, they certainly did when new - using exactly the same door system as the Leyland National bus on which they're based.

Yes, Pacers still use air powered doors. The passenger buttons send an electrical signal to activate the air powered door ram.

 

[rail-britain]

I know that the 303's were the first powered doors en masse, but I think they are air operated. What about Class 323s, 1992 built?

Yes, the Class 303 were air operated from an electrical control system
I can't find any details for the mechanical device used on a Class 323

 

[tubeprune]

I know that the 303's were the first powered doors en masse, but I think they are air operated. What about Class 323s, 1992 built? Head blank on other suggestions.

Thank you for this. You reminded me that I have a copy of an I Mech E paper on this stock and it confirms it was the first main line train to have electric operators. LU had one on the Piccadilly Line in the 1960s but it was a test. The doors were very much faster than air doors so it kept catching up the train in front. They soon split the units so they had two trains with half & half. Shame .

 

[ChampsRacing]

458s are electrical, no air what so ever to open or close the doors and are held together electrically too.

 

[rail-britain]

458s held together electrically too

Are you sure they are not held together by a mechanical lock?
The emergency door release then releases that lock; same as a Class 334

 

[Pumbaa]

Modern Bombardier products are electrically operated with exception of 220/221/222, with a mechanical fixer lock that enables/disables door release, planned or emergency.

Siemens use air to open close, and their fixer lock is also air powered.

 

[ChampsRacing]

Are you sure they are not held together by a mechanical lock?
The emergency door release then releases that lock; same as a Class 334

Ur completly right there. Its been a long day

 

[O L Leigh]

I know that the 303's were the first powered doors en masse.

Nope.

The Shenfield line Cl306's (built 1949) had powered sliding doors, as did some of the DC classes around Manchester and Merseyside. I'm not even sure that they were the first.

O L Leigh

 

[mumrar]

Nope.

The Shenfield line Cl306's (built 1949) had powered sliding doors, as did some of the DC classes around Manchester and Merseyside. I'm not even sure that they were the first.

O L Leigh

Well, knew I'd probably be wrong, but thought I'd have a stab. So, has anyone found anything older than the 323s for electrically operated door mechanisms yet? Such a shame these units proved the swansong for Hunslet TPL, as after initial issues they have been revolutionary for the X-City and feature a lot of well thought out kit.

 

[jopsuk]

Aren't the door mechanisms on Networkers electric? 465 and 165 predate (just) the 323.

 

[mumrar]

Aren't the door mechanisms on Networkers electric? 465 and 165 predate (just) the 323.

Nah, you can hear the whoosh of air as they prepare to shut the doors, one of the easiest guides is if they all shut at very similar times, they're electric, but if they tend to shut at different times (ie 465s, you hear multiple 'clunks') then it's air operated.

 

[broadbander]

Nope.

The Shenfield line Cl306's (built 1949) had powered sliding doors, as did some of the DC classes around Manchester and Merseyside. I'm not even sure that they were the first.

O L Leigh

Class 503s (built 1938) had air operated sliding doors. They operated on the Wirral and Mersey lines initially for LMS. They managed to soldier on until 1985.