Class 15x doors question

[387star]

Is it air pressure keeping the doors locked or is it only during the closing of the door air pressure is required

I ask this because it is possible to isolate the air (remove it) on a 158 provided the door is in the over centre position and the door will then not open

 

[507 001]

I always thought the doors were sprung shut and the air was only needed to open them?

 

[387star]

I always thought the doors were sprung shut and the air was only needed to open them?

That would make sense

Was reading about the plug doors (158) and how they differ from the mechanical sliding doors (150)

Any more detailed info on the mechanisms of these doors would be handy I understand plug doors operate on an air pressure differential

 

[W230]

Any more detailed info on the mechanisms of these doors would be handy I understand plug doors operate on an air pressure differential

I can't speculate on 15x series but 2nd generation EMUs (at least the ones I know about!) use air to keep the doors shut. If the doors were isolated (i.e. the air drained) then they would not close properly.

 

[coxxy]

Air keeping the door shut. If no air in the system of 15x the. You can just push the sort to open it.

 

[bunnahabhain]

Air keeps the doors shut on all of the sprinter units except 158s. I know 156s also have a little lock which flicks down to prevent them from being forcibly slid open more than an inch or two when they are locked.

On 158s they physically lock at the end of the closing sequence, this is the loud banging when they open and close, its this lock which holds the doors closed.

 

[TEW]

Occasionally on a 158 if it's been left stabled for a long time with the engine off the doors won't open, or will open very slowly. I guess that's because there isn't enough air pressure to open them.

 

[Silv1983]

Air definitely keeps doors shut on 150's. On 150/1 units the emergency door release valves are every other door - and to open the other doors one has to isolate the door air reservoir on the entire car before draining it to release the pressure and slide the remaining ones open.

 

[ECML180]

Occasionally on a 158 if it's been left stabled for a long time with the engine off the doors won't open, or will open very slowly. I guess that's because there isn't enough air pressure to open them.

That's certainly the case with buses and coaches which use air powered doors.

As the only person fit enough to climb through an emergency window/door at my local depot it makes for a nice change from the office!

 

[M60lad]

It can be fun trying to get into a 158 if its been isolated for a while, I noticed this once when there was a Arriva Trains 158 stabled in Piccadilly, as you have to physically lean into the cab and start the unit up which can be easier said than done as I believe the starter is not in the most easiest of locations to get to from the exterior of the train

 

[Darren R]

... I believe the starter is not in the most easiest of locations to get to from the exterior of the train

I'm very glad to hear it!

 

[387star]

I'm very glad to hear it!

 

[driver9000]

It can be fun trying to get into a 158 if its been isolated for a while, I noticed this once when there was a Arriva Trains 158 stabled in Piccadilly, as you have to physically lean into the cab and start the unit up which can be easier said than done as I believe the starter is not in the most easiest of locations to get to from the exterior of the train

Nothing like making a simple job difficult. There is a door release on the 158 to open the door when there is no air in the tanks.

 

[scotraildriver]

There is a cable operated door release on a 158 for opening the door if there is no air, but like most 158 things it is a convoluted process that often doesn't work. I have witnessed many a traincrew tugging at the door release only for it to snap and said driver goes flying backwards. If it does open the red flag isolation switch inside then has to be reset, something often overlooked resulting in either an isolated door or no interlock. These things are yet another piece of over engineered nonsense the 158 is famed for. Most 158 cab windows lock so trying to start the engine from outside not an option.

 

[BestWestern]

Or plan C, climb onto the gangway and go in through the front!