Class 395 yellow "ears"

[cyclebytrain]

I noticed that the 395 I was on yesterday seemed to have gained some extra yellow flashes on (only one) of its noses. This seemed slightly weird to me, since presumably they have enough yellow on the conventional noses (and if not, why only one end?) the best I could think of was that it's a weird form of graffiti, or some obscure promotional thing that I've missed.

Anyone able to shed some light on it?

 

[Cherry_Picker]

Total guess here, but I would imagine its to do with P Way who are working on the track. The angle of the yellow nose probably means its not that easy to see if you are walking on ballast and the "ears" are there to give a bit extra to people down there.

 

[cyclebytrain]

I wondered that, (but thought it unlikely) because surely when you put them on you'd do both ends of the train at once, not just one?

 

[WatcherZero]

I would agree with visability, you couldnt see those wings in the dark and wouldnt know there were protrusions.

 

[466.networkers]

I wondered that, (but thought it unlikely) because surely when you put them on you'd do both ends of the train at once, not just one?

Going by that pic, they are on both sides ...

 

[Adam_Harrison]

Looks cool though!

 

[hairyhandedfool]

It could be that a distinction needs to be made between ends. Central Trains added a 2 or 7 to the end of it's 158s so staff could tell from a head on view, which coach was the 52xxx coach and which was the 57xxx coach, Voyagers have a yellow bar on the coupler at one end to note where first class is. In their NSE guise, 321s had a 'P' next to the number at the parcels bay end only.

 

[j0hn0]

I agree it looks cool, but is it really necessary?

Don't these units have the new euro spec high vis lights that "apparently" don't require a yellow front anyway?

Please correct me if I am wrong but how could they give any more visibility than the huge yellow panel on the front of the train?

 

[The 158 Man]

It could be that a distinction needs to be made between ends. Central Trains added a 2 or 7 to the end of it's 158s so staff could tell from a head on view, which coach was the 52xxx coach and which was the 57xxx coach, Voyagers have a yellow bar on the coupler at one end to note where first class is. In their NSE guise, 321s had a 'P' next to the number at the parcels bay end only.

TransPennine 185s also have a yellow stip on the coupling at the first class end of the train.

 

[Hydro]

Don't these units have the new euro spec high vis lights that "apparently" don't require a yellow front anyway?

Group standards still require all trains on NR metals to have a yellow end regardless of light arrangement.

 

[jopsuk]

It could be that a distinction needs to be made between ends. Central Trains added a 2 or 7 to the end of it's 158s so staff could tell from a head on view, which coach was the 52xxx coach and which was the 57xxx coach, Voyagers have a yellow bar on the coupler at one end to note where first class is. In their NSE guise, 321s had a 'P' next to the number at the parcels bay end only.

Could be- one driving trailer has a wheelchair area and accesible loo, the other doesn't.

 

[cyclebytrain]

I took special care to look today; all the 395s I saw didn't have the ears at either end (which I previously thought was universal)

 

[DarloRich]

could it be a trial system to see if there is an improvement in visability?

 

[cyclebytrain]

A trial certainly sounds possible; but again, wouldn't they have done both ends? I just can't find any logic behind this and it's bugging me!

 

[DarloRich]

perhaps it is a very limited trial! or perhaps it is "unoffical"

 

[westcoaster]

I'm going with the disabled post I'm sure it's to signify the disabled toilet/seating area, it makes it easier to know where to find it in the formation.

 

[WatcherZero]

I'm going with the disabled post I'm sure it's to signify the disabled toilet/seating area, it makes it easier to know where to find it in the formation.

Would a normal passenger know that though?

 

[scotsman]

Would a normal passenger know that though?

It'll likely be publicised/available over the assisted travel line when all units have been altered

 

[WatcherZero]

I could see that at a stretch, bit more visible than a sticker in a window if you witness it arriving but shouldnt there be platform markings for where a disabled car will stop? There also would be a problem in when their in multiple.

 

[MCR247]

I could see that at a stretch, bit more visible than a sticker in a window if you witness it arriving but shouldnt there be platform markings for where a disabled car will stop? There also would be a problem in when their in multiple.

What about when sets are turned?

 

[Mintona]

I could see that at a stretch, bit more visible than a sticker in a window if you witness it arriving but shouldnt there be platform markings for where a disabled car will stop? There also would be a problem in when their in multiple.

This is impossible because of all the times the trains turn around without swapping ends on ECS movements eg. London - Faversham - Ramsgate - Ashford - London.

The reason for the panels is to make the disabled carriage/universal toilet/coach 1 clearer for platform staff. Because it is impossible to always have the trains in the same formation, platform staff need to know which end to be for wheelchair users etc. so if they see the train coming in with the yellow stickers it means it is that end.

At the moment, I believe they are only on three units. 010, 014 and 025 for those that are interested! More being done every week though.

 

[hairyhandedfool]

All the other markers previously used were for staff to identify, so this is almost certainly the same.