Class 444 - 15 Car formations and awful air conditioning

[O L Leigh]

Another thing i have noticed on 444's are the dark mouldy looking patches on some of the lighting, is leaking roofs a problem on these units?

I expect that's just dust and other accumulated dry muck rather than anything connected with water ingress. It builds up everywhere there is an uncleaned surface (e.g. inside internal ceiling and body panels) but it looks worse in lighting diffusers because the lighting makes it obvious.

O L Leigh

 

[Juniper Driver]

On Desiro's there is a computer screen in the cab.Surprised they can't modify this so that we can turn the air-con up and down.We have an aircon isolation button in the cab.Then again we can't even fart nowadays without having to ask for permission.

 

[poshbakerloo]

I have never been in an English train (expect the class 175) which has cold AC...its bad in the summer!

 

[jon0844]

On Desiro's there is a computer screen in the cab.Surprised they can't modify this so that we can turn the air-con up and down.We have an aircon isolation button in the cab.Then again we can't even fart nowadays without having to ask for permission.

To be honest, there's no need to have a control for the air conditioning in the cab (except for the actual temperature IN the cab perhaps!). A switch to turn it off is an obvious necessity - but if the system is working properly then it should be fixed at whatever temperature it is designed for.. most likely 20-22 degrees, not down to the driver who (some) could be tempted to really play around with.

If there's a faulty sensor, that could be the problem and as a driver, you probably wouldn't know what the temperature was or how best to adjust it. The solution is simple; maintain the system so it doesn't fail in the first place!

 

[Jim]

FGW have (presumably) got so fed up with Guards fiddling with A/C, they have started putting new locks on the 158 A/C control panal!

 

[GospelOak117]

FGW have (presumably) got so fed up with Guards fiddling with A/C, they have started putting new locks on the 158 A/C control panal!

yea i was on one last week from portsmouth to southampton and it was a very hot day but the guard couldn't lower the A/C so unlocked all the windows, which let in a nice cool breeze and alot of noise to drown out all the conversations you dont want to hear, needless to say people started moaning and wanted the windows shut.

Controlling A/C is a loose-loose situation, as you cant please everyone. Bring back compartments with slam doors with opening windows and let us choose how hot or cold we want to be

 

[thefab444]

Bring back compartments with slam doors with opening windows and let us choose how hot or cold we want to be

Yes, excellent choice there. Hot or very hot.

 

[GospelOak117]

and covered in insects

 

[jon0844]

I am not sure why you'd turn the air con up or down. It should regulate the temperature and heat, or cool, as required to get it to around 21 degrees, give or take.

There really shouldn't be any form of control for anyone except the driver, who should be able to control things if s/he is too hot or cold. You can't exactly ask every passenger on the train what temperature they'd like, unless you give every single person their own vent and a control from 16-30 degrees!

I think one problem with air conditioning isn't just the obvious (it's broken) but how hard it will have to work to get the temperature down if a train suddenly gets very busy. Humans radiate loads of heat, so it is always going to be hard to get the temperature down quickly in these situations - and many passengers rushing for a train will be hot when they board, but cool down after 5-10 minutes by themselves.

Of course, if the air conditioning system isn't powerful enough in the first place then you're buggered anyway!

 

[poshbakerloo]

I always get on a supposedly air condition train and think its too hot, quite often hotter than outside!

 

[33056]

I have never been in an English train (expect the class 175) which has cold AC...its bad in the summer!

Have you tried a 350/1 (or/2)?, very nice at this time of year but can be freezing when its not so warm.

 

[audigex]

Have you ever tried a 142?

You have an option of "sweltering" or "ridiculously hot".

My vote goes for a degree or two below what "most" people find comfortable. Those who like it a little comfier will be fine, the others can bring a jumper or move around a little.

 

[jv3531]

On the problem of the 158 air con, it has been a problem for a while now and is hard to reset once an mcb blows or the senors fail. The main problem is getting the system to balance again - it isn't just a case of pressing one button as with a office type system. The system takes several readings into consultation, and depending on wheather its on winter or summer setting depends on how hot it should be, winter is obviously set to a slightly higher temperature, summer cooler. It *** should *** adjust its ambient temperature to suit a pre-set temperature. However, it seems to either have a mal-function on the upper-reading sensor and continually thinks its cold and blows out hot air to compensate. If your lucky and its in a good mood, the system re-sets its self or allows you to switch between settings to adjust accordingly and the system should then start heating or cooling as required. If not, you either cook or freeze.!