Class 460 DVT

[59CosG95]

Perhaps, on subjects less wibbly, Network rail could turn them into inspection DVTs, to supplement/replace the existing Mk3 ones?

 

[jopsuk]

Why would they do that? They're not long acquired, refurbished and fitted the Mark 3 DVT's with generators and other equipment

 

[Philip Phlopp]

Perhaps, on subjects less wibbly, Network rail could turn them into inspection DVTs, to supplement/replace the existing Mk3 ones?

They don't have any bogies - they're sat on accommodation bogies, their original bogies went into the pool for the Class 458/5 program, I believe so very severe wheel flats at this time of year can be dealt with by a bogie swap rather than wheelset change with a unit potentially out of service whilst that happens.

 

[SpacePhoenix]

Would converting them for use as DVTs for a loco hauled train mean a complete re-plumb and re-wire?

 

[DarloRich]

Perhaps, on subjects less wibbly, Network rail could turn them into inspection DVTs, to supplement/replace the existing Mk3 ones?

no, in fairness, that is fairly wibbly and begs the question: WHY?

Would converting them for use as DVTs for a loco hauled train mean a complete re-plumb and re-wire?

give it up - these units are ready for scrapping once every reusable part has been taken.

 

[theblackwatch]

Would converting them for use as DVTs for a loco hauled train mean a complete re-plumb and re-wire?

It would probably need a lot more work than reactivating a Mk. 3 DVT or two currently sat at Long Marston.

 

[zn1]

there will be a few spare 321 ATS's around im sure the technical staff could do some basic rewiring, replumbing of the air system so they could work in with the DMOS to create a couple of hybrids..nothing special about a 321 ATS. it is if i recall just a TSO with the lavvies fitted...

 

[jopsuk]

there will be a few spare 321 ATS's around im sure the technical staff could do some basic rewiring, replumbing of the air system so they could work in with the DMOS to create a couple of hybrids..nothing special about a 321 ATS. it is if i recall just a TSO with the lavvies fitted...

another case of "vast amounts of work to create two Franksenstein's monsters of limited use"

 

[glbotu]

Gatwick Express were under a franchise obligation to replace the 'aging' class 73s and associated stock. They only needed eight units for the service and so an order for eight units was placed. They entered service around 2000/2001.

It wasn't until the Franchise merged with South Central (2008) that there was an obligation to extend the Gatwick Express services to Brighton. Eight units simply wasn't enough for that and, by now, the class 442s were sitting unused after SWT had replaced them with new units.

The 460 Fleet was withdrawn from service and with no one needing an eight strong 'fleet' of DC only electric eight-car units, the fleet sat around doing nothing.

SWT then benefited as the 460s were very similar to their class 458 units, and so the instruction was given to convert the 460s into 458s, leaving four unusable driving vehicles.

Ah, I see. I didn't realise the fleet was so small. I've been on all incarnations of GatEx stock and remember the pseudo-InterCity Gatwick Express service, operated by Class 73s, but didn't realise they just like-for-like swapped them out. I guess having a mixed fleet would have been more expensive than just one common fleet of 442s.

 

[D365]

Class 460s were still in occasional use until 2012, having even made a few trips down to Brighton!

 

[RobShipway]

I think that converting the 'Darth Vader' driving vehicles would be a good, but I don't think that they should be used with the class 442's.

I think that the DMLFO vehicles should work with the 387/2's that are do the purely Victoria - Gatwick airport services, as I presume that the majority of the 27 class 387/2's will be working Brighton - Gatwick - Victoria express trains.

 

[swt_passenger]

I think that converting the 'Darth Vader' driving vehicles would be a good,

There isn't enough of them left to convert. Did you not read this thread?

 

[ainsworth74]

There isn't enough of them left to convert. Did you not read this thread?

Plus making a Juniper (designed and built by Alstom) work with a Electrostar (designed and built by Bombardier) seems like a recipe for disaster.

 

[RobShipway]

There isn't enough of them left to convert. Did you not read this thread?

Yes, I have been reading this thread all the way through.

 

[D365]

Plus making a Juniper (designed and built by Alstom) work with a Electrostar (designed and built by Bombardier) seems like a recipe for disaster.

Do you remember what it was like trying to make an Electrostar work with another Electrostar?

 

[jopsuk]

Yes, I have been reading this thread all the way through.

There's only four DMFLOs, and they're lacking many essential components. The 387/2 will operate as a common pool. Your suggestion is entirely impractical and unworkable

 

[507 001]

Do you remember what it was like trying to make an Electrostar work with another Electrostar?

Or just trying to make a juniper work full stop.....

 

[Andrew1395]

They are going to be filled with concrete blocks and used as snow ploughs on the Settle & Carlisle

 

[TrainBoy98]

They are going to be filled with concrete blocks and used as snow ploughs on the Settle & Carlisle

Maybe the most sensible option mentioned so far!