Eastbourne Services - Class 442

[Emblematic]

Is 1,600hp in a GBRf 73/9 really enough to make brisk progress with a 5-car 442 set, even if the MLC is stripped of traction equipment?

Well the power hasn't changed at all - in fact the traction motors are basically the same (external blowers on the 73 is the main difference.) Add around 70 tonnes for the loco, subtract about 20 for the gear coming off the EMU, you're looking at 250 tonnes rather than 200 total, so not too much worse going to diesel.

 

[hwl]

You are quite right about the 387/2s; it's just wishful thinking on my part. I have grown to love the 442s on the Southern network, hence why I will be sad to see them leave.
Will we ever see the 25 377/1s back on Southern ground?
I shall have to buy myself a cushion for my back!

377/1 - SE would need need some new stock to replace them and 25 (or probably more) units might be an awkward incompatible micro fleet in SE terms given the networkers, 375/377s, 376s and 395s

700s will have taken over mainline services 377s on Southern but:
The 313s and probably 455s will need replacing in the next franchise which might make a sensible 50 unit sized order for Southern.

 

[al.currie93]

I shall have to buy myself a cushion for my back!

I know how you feel - I recently posted elsewhere about my dislike of 387s and 377/6s because of the seats and the fact I find them very stuffy and airless inside! But that's just me.

377/1 - SE would need need some new stock to replace them and 25 (or probably more) units might be an awkward incompatible micro fleet in SE terms given the networkers, 375/377s, 376s and 395s

700s will have taken over mainline services 377s on Southern but:
The 313s and probably 455s will need replacing in the next franchise which might make a sensible 50 unit sized order for Southern.

Nope. 455s will not be replaced and can never be replaced - I simply will not allow it :P I'm sure 455driver will back me up there

 

[RobShipway]

I know how you feel - I recently posted elsewhere about my dislike of 387s and 377/6s because of the seats and the fact I find them very stuffy and airless inside! But that's just me.



Nope. 455s will not be replaced and can never be replaced - I simply will not allow it :P I'm sure 455driver will back me up there

All trains get replaced at some point in time. Just look at the HST's that are going to be replaced by IEP trains. I have grown up from going on HST as a child when they first launched back in 1976 and thought that they would never be replaced. But they are being replaced, so I have to accept it.

I have been on 377/3's and found them quite comfortable, certainly more so than the class 313's that have replaced them on the Coastway services. I did go on a Class 313 on the North London line from Richmond to Stratford and felt really uncomfortable on the seats. The seats on the class 378 are a bit more comfortable, having repeated the journey on one of them just a few years ago.

 

[RichardKing]

I know how you feel - I recently posted elsewhere about my dislike of 387s and 377/6s because of the seats and the fact I find them very stuffy and airless inside! But that's just me.



Nope. 455s will not be replaced and can never be replaced - I simply will not allow it :P I'm sure 455driver will back me up there

I can't recall what the ventilation is like on either of those units as I have not encountered them for a while. I'd imagine, if that's the case with the /6, the /7is the same?
The 455 seems to be a worthy unit. It is designed for short, inner-London services and it works for that.