Class 171s in Snow

[Chrisgr31]

I noticed today that the Southern Class 171s operating out of London Bridge had gained yellow plastic bags (for the want of a better description) over the end couplings. Anyone know why?

 

[Manchester77]

Possibly to prevent water getting in the coupling devices and freezing preventing coupling?

 

[sprinterguy]

I noticed today that the Southern Class 171s operating out of London Bridge had gained yellow plastic bags (for the want of a better description) over the end couplings. Anyone know why?

To protect the couplings from snow ingress and from freezing up, to ensure that they are still able to couple to other units when required and to protect the couplers from damage.

 

[Crossover]

Our Class 185's up here get them too. It is indeed to protect the auto-couplers as previously stated to try and prevent coupling issues

Here is a thread of mine from last winter which you may find of interest

 

[StripeyNick]

I noticed today that the Southern Class 171s operating out of London Bridge had gained yellow plastic bags (for the want of a better description) over the end couplings. Anyone know why?

As asked on Pistonheads????

 

[DXMachina]

Chiltern were doing the same thing yesterday, passed several diesel units on the Met line with yellow bags on.

 

[W230]

Chiltern were doing the same thing yesterday, passed several diesel units on the Met line with yellow bags on.

Likewise today with covered couplers on EMT 158s Lime Street - Norwich service.

 

[Tracky]

Snow bags, Snow Protection, Coupling Condoms...

...The cause of many mess room debates about whose responsibility it is to put em on and take em off!

 

[Chrisgr31]

As asked on Pistonheads????

Indeed and thought someone there might see it here too!

Anyway thanks for the answers everyone.

 

[185]

Coupler bags can be a pain, not too bad on the train you're coupling too, but can be a major pain if you're own train has one on that you can't see from the cab.

 

[12CSVT]

Given that 171s and 185s have had their couplers covered up during the snow, is there a problem or design fault specific to Dellner couplers ?

 

[Tracky]

BSI couplers are covered just the same...

 

[Tim R-T-C]

333 had them covered in previous years, but oddly not this year:


333016 arrives at Steeton and Silsden by Tim R-T-C, on Flickr

 

[TDK]

They are a nuisance and can cause distraction with the noise they make at speed however until something else is designed we are stuck with them

 

[Ciderking]

I see even 57's have them now

 

[D365]

They are a nuisance and can cause distraction with the noise they make at speed however until something else is designed we are stuck with them

A Pendolino-style 'hood'? Would require a new front-end design...

Snow bags, Snow Protection, Coupling Condoms...

...The cause of many mess room debates about whose responsibility it is to put em on and take em off!

Oh dear...

 

[Erniescooper]

Snow bags, Snow Protection, Coupling Condoms...

...The cause of many mess room debates about whose responsibility it is to put em on and take em off!

It's funny you should mention that . ATW drivers had always fitted coupler bags to units but on Friday morning they decided they were'nt and driver managers had to fit them off depot , anybody any idea why ?

 

[Tracky]

Could not possibly comment!

 

[jimm]

BSI couplers are covered just the same...

Rarely seen on FGW Turbos. Can't beat a bucket of hot water and a brush, as used at Oxford station...

 

[Rich McLean]

Rarely seen on FGW Turbos. Can't beat a bucket of hot water and a brush, as used at Oxford station...

Yesterday at Oxford Carriage sidings, there was a 165 with bags over the couplers

 

[Manchester77]

323s have them toö