coupling practice

[LOB314]

(apologies if this is in the wrong section)

Hi all,
I was waiting at Dartford the other evening for my train when a class 465 pulled in (empty from the sidings) to form a service to Charing cross. An announcement was made that the passengers waiting for this service should not board this train as it would be coupled to another unit. The unit was locked so passengers could not board.
when the second unit arrived 5 minutes later operating the first part of the service from Gillingham it stopped short of the waiting unit and the driver unlocked the doors to allow passengers off.
The first unit then coupled up to the second unit with the doors on the second still open and without an announcement.
This seemed strange as I always assumed that there was safety requirements that prevented this due to the jolt or pull, but I wasn't to sure.

I was wondering if this was normal practice? as I can't remember a time when I was on a train which was coupled to another unit with the doors being open and passengers able to board or alight.

thanks.

 

[najaB]

You might want to take a look at this thread for some previous discussion.

 

[ComUtoR]

This seemed strange as I always assumed that there was safety requirements that prevented this due to the jolt or pull, but I wasn't to sure.

I was wondering if this was normal practice? as I can't remember a time when I was on a train which was coupled to another unit with the doors being open and passengers able to board or alight.

thanks.

I don't believe that there is any specific requirement for coupling with doors open or closed.

In the situation you describe the unit that made the attachment will be the one that "jolts" and the unit that had the doors open and was attached to typically doesn't move so there is less of an issue.

The Driver on the first unit cannot make an announcement for those on the second unit and the Driver on the second unit needs to remove their key so unless they had PA on their diagram or was given the universal hand sign for "attachment" they they would not make an announcement either.

As to "normal" Yep it happens all the time.

 

[BestWestern]

That's different, never done it with doors released on BR DMUs. Do Networkers not require a brake release test after attaching?!

Just to give another perspective, with a Sprinter -

*attach the units

*perform 'pull test' - the attaching unit is placed in reverse and physically pulls away from the other, which still has brakes applied. If the coupling holds the units are deemed properly attached

*press 'couple' button, which links the units electrically and synchronises control circuits

*brake release test - ideally watch brake guages in both units (two people), failing that just ensure the brake can be released as normal from the cab being used at the time

Job done. In the above, the doors need to be closed in order to check that the brakes will release having coupled.

 

[najaB]

Really guys, this thread covers a lot of this discussion!

 

[BestWestern]

Aww c'mon let's do it all over again... ;D

 

[ComUtoR]

Do Networkers not require a brake release test after attaching?!

Attach
Push 5s/Pull 5s
Mirror doors (kinda important on 465 stock)
Couple button
Release brake to step 2
Neutral DDS
Check for brake 2 in other cab
Key off

Other minor bits as well but that is the jist.

 

[SpacePhoenix]

The only units where the drivers don't do any tests are Desiros as the computers shut the cabs down as soon as they detect that a coupling has taken place

 

[ComUtoR]

The only units where the drivers don't do any tests are Desiros as the computers shut the cabs down as soon as they detect that a coupling has taken place

376 Doesn't require a brake continuity test either. (can't be done) You check for the blue light your cab.

 

[Juniper Driver]

The only units where the drivers don't do any tests are Desiros as the computers shut the cabs down as soon as they detect that a coupling has taken place

Not fully correct (444+450)...The screen stays on till key is taken off so the driver can acknowledge configuration.(tick the box on the screen)