Train with modern EMU topped and tailed with old carriages, plus diesel loco - what was it?

[robintw]

I was passing Redbridge station in Southampton today, and saw an interesting train pass through. It's shown on RealTimeTrains here: https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/K06304/2021-02-23/detailed.

It had a diesel loco at the front (branded as DRS), a few carriages (also branded DRS), followed by a modern SWR EMU - not sure exactly what class, but of the same type that often run the Waterloo-Bournemouth/Poole/Weymouth services - followed by some very tatty looking old coaches at the end.

Does anyone know what the purpose of this train would have been? It seems to have been going from some sidings to a depot - but if so, why couldn't they have just run the EMU under its own power? And what was the purpose of the extra carriages - including the very old looking ones?

Thanks!

 

[221129]

A stock move after refurbishment I would guess, good luck moving a 3rd rail equipped EMU over non 3rd rail lines...

what was the purpose of the extra carriages - including the very old looking ones?

Translator vehicles and there to assist with breaking force.

 

[nlogax]

Sounds like a 442 being dragged to Bournemouth depot along with its accompanying barrier / translator coaches.

 

[swt_passenger]

I was passing Redbridge station in Southampton today, and saw an interesting train pass through. It's shown on RealTimeTrains here: https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/K06304/2021-02-23/detailed.

It had a diesel loco at the front (branded as DRS), a few carriages (also branded DRS), followed by a modern SWR EMU - not sure exactly what class, but of the same type that often run the Waterloo-Bournemouth/Poole/Weymouth services - followed by some very tatty looking old coaches at the end.

Does anyone know what the purpose of this train would have been? It seems to have been going from some sidings to a depot - but if so, why couldn't they have just run the EMU under its own power? And what was the purpose of the extra carriages - including the very old looking ones?

Thanks!

It would almost certainly be a move of a 442 from Wolverton works to Bournemouth, as the RTT link showed. But it runs with the 442 itself unpowered and unbraked, and the extra carriages are to both adapt the couplers and provide brake force for the overall train length.

 

[Rebus]

Probably this one (57312 & Class 442 - 442403)

https://youtu.be/novFdgo630E

 

[DelW]

It had a diesel loco at the front (branded as DRS), a few carriages (also branded DRS), followed by a modern SWR EMU - not sure exactly what class, but of the same type that often run the Waterloo-Bournemouth/Poole/Weymouth services - followed by some very tatty looking old coaches at the end.

In case you're not familiar with class numbers of SWR trains, it's maybe worth pointing out that the EMU you saw is quite different from those in current service, although it's been painted to look similar.

The class 442 you saw is in fact over thirty years old and was built by BR. The similar looking trains in regular service (class 444) were built by Siemens for South West Trains, and were introduced around 2004.

Apologies if you were already aware of that

 

[ExRes]

I was passing Redbridge station in Southampton today, and saw an interesting train pass through. It's shown on RealTimeTrains here: https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/K06304/2021-02-23/detailed.

It had a diesel loco at the front (branded as DRS), a few carriages (also branded DRS), followed by a modern SWR EMU - not sure exactly what class, but of the same type that often run the Waterloo-Bournemouth/Poole/Weymouth services - followed by some very tatty looking old coaches at the end.

Does anyone know what the purpose of this train would have been? It seems to have been going from some sidings to a depot - but if so, why couldn't they have just run the EMU under its own power? And what was the purpose of the extra carriages - including the very old looking ones?

Thanks!

I think you'll find that the loco, 57312, is branded Rail Operations Group rather than DRS

 

[Surreytraveller]

It would almost certainly be a move of a 442 from Wolverton works to Bournemouth, as the RTT link showed. But it runs with the 442 itself unpowered and unbraked, and the extra carriages are to both adapt the couplers and provide brake force for the overall train length.

I'm surprised it would be unbraked, as being an old train, surely its braking is compatible with everything else in the consist?
Is the brake continuous, or presumably there would be staff in the rear if is not?

 

[Rockhopper]

We often get similar movement with a class 47 on either end. The EMU/DMU or whatever is unbraked as their brake systems are not compatible with those on the Class 47’s and there is a pipe or hose running the length of the train connecting the two 47’s together.

 

[swt_passenger]

I'm surprised it would be unbraked, as being an old train, surely its braking is compatible with everything else in the consist?
Is the brake continuous, or presumably there would be staff in the rear if is not?

Don’t forget the traction and braking system have both been completely rebuilt during the overhauls. But we’re straying into detail already covered in the long running 442 overhaul thread here:

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

Taken from the 'Class 387' thread: Don't forget the plan is by the end of the year to only have Electrostars on the BML bar the Eastbourne 442s. Is the plan for these to be replaced by 387/2s and if so, when is this expected to begin? Many thanks.

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