Carriage Washers

[MrPIC]

Hi all, Every single train washer plant I've ever come across on the railways seems to do absolutely nothing apart from get the train wet. Even dirt that if you ran a finger along the side would come off easily seems to not be touched. What gives?

 

[John Webb]

The two carriage washers I went through certainly did far more than wet the train. Our train came out gleaming. The occasion was a Branch Line Society trip ('Thameslink Tracker') seven years ago when they had EMU 319444 'City of St Albans' on a trip from Bedford to Herne Hill and return. This included the carriage washes at the two sets of sidings at Bedford. View from inside:

 

[357]

The ones I've driven through don't seem to do much either.

 

[Bald Rick]

I went through a new one a few weeks back, it certainly worked.

 

[DarloRich]

Perhaps it depends on how well looked after the equipment is and how fresh the brushes are?

 

[D821]

I've been watching Merseyrail build a washer by Birkenhead North over the last 6 months, they've spent a lot of time on it. Hopefully it does the job.

 

[dk1]

No problems with the washers here in GA land. You must be unlucky with the ones you’ve seen. Max speed 3mph.

 

[MrPIC]

No problems with the washers here in GA land. You must be unlucky with the ones you’ve seen. Max speed 3mph.

Funny you say that because I've known 2 GA washers do absolutely nothing as well, Orient Way and Ilford...

 

[dk1]

Funny you say that because I've known 2 GA washers do absolutely nothing as well, Orient Way and Ilford...

Orient Way I never went through but those 720s are absolutely gleaming.

 

[Geeves]

The shape of the trains surely cannot help. I know that on the 195s its a hand wash on the lower sections because the washer bristles cannot reach, that's not really an issue with 150.

 

[dk1]

The shape of the trains surely cannot help. I know that on the 195s its a hand wash on the lower sections because the washer bristles cannot reach, that's not really an issue with 150.

Same with the 745/755 fleet. Just the lower area above the sole bar.

 

[route101]

Do washers just dispense water or do they offer soap?

 

[John Webb]

Do washers just dispense water or do they offer soap?

It's certainly more than water they spray on - see my photo in my post #2 above!

 

[dk1]

What a transformation the new wash plant at has made to the GN fleet. Every single pair I passed across the Fens yesterday was immaculate. If they continue with this then a sponsorship from Colgate might be forthcoming.