Recent content by simonmpoulton

Sounds like another misinformed individual - these units were perfectly reliable when Alstom were maintaining them. The issues started once CAF took over, i'm sure that given Alstom are involved again at Laira with the maintenance that they will get back to being as reliable as they used to be.

I do know the reason why this hasn't happened yet but it was told to me in confidence and I won't be posting it here in public. All I will say is that given time it will eventually happen.

Yes the cab doors on the 507/508's if operated using the guards panel do not break the interlock - if they are manually opened using the handle however then yes they do break the interlock. Also in terms of 150/2's back in the Arriva Trains Wales days i've used the cab door to board even on a...

That would certainly seem sensible but this is the railway so who knows!

The units are fine for over 20 years with only the odd issue. CAF get a hold of them and you get many many fires in a short period of time = it's pretty obvious from simple logic who is to blame for that and it's got absolutely nothing to do with the units themselves!

The 3-car ones are quick!

Just remember there was a distinct lack of proper maintenance once CAF took over Chester depot from Alstom & these units have been stored. I'm sure once the maintenance gets done and the crews get more familiar the reliability will go back up to where it was when Alstom were maintaining them.

It's great to have some insight from someone more in the know with regards to the fantastic work that GWR have been doing with the full battery powered unit! Your biggest problem however is the very tight turnaround times on the Bidston-Wrexham line (2-4 minutes at Wrexham) - not sure how much...

Pretty sure the chime was only added when Arriva Trains Wales reprogrammed them. I don't remember ever hearing it in First North Western days.

Whilst I don't know the process on the 175's specifically the process for similar vintage systems as fitted to say for example the Turbostars involves the use of a serial cable and programming software - the software in question does run on later OS's and doesn't require anything special other...

I'd say you need to figure out the exact chip used in the original system to have any clue as to the audio format. You talk about it being earlier than the 365 system which would point to an older format maybe not ADPCM at all. If it's newer then it might even be OKI ADPCM2.

As a further update 507001 went on Alstom's Derby test track again today and even carried some passengers! Class 507 Preservation Society Facebook Post

507001 ran under its own power once again on Tuesday of this week! Full details (and video) are on the Class 507 Preservation Societies website. 507001 Powers On

The Whiteleys system (certainly the one on the 170's) is using a proprietary sound format which makes it a pain to update - it's not as simple as just swapping a USB or putting a new SD card in!

Converted and added to youtube: Off-The-Rails