FGW DMUs - black lines under numbers

[lukefarley]

Hi All,
Looks as though FGW is highlighting the bicycle/disabled space end of its DMUs by adding a thick black line under the number on relevant end.
Units noted so far are 150249, 153361 and an UID 150/1.
Can anyone confirm my speculation one way or t'other?
Regards
Luke

 

[hairyhandedfool]

It could be a generic way of identifying the vehicle (which happens to coincide with those features).

Central put a white 2 or 7 on the outer ends of their 156 and 158 units to identify the 52xxx and 57xxx coaches from the end of the vehicle primarily for maintenance purposes, whereas XC have yellow marks on one of the driving vehicles of their 221 and 220 units which helps identify the end that has first class.

 

[jopsuk]

On East Anglia 317s, 321s, 360s and 379s a black triangle denotes the 1st class end (there's no marking if it is a 317/5 or /8 as they have 1st class in the non-driving trailer)- I think the NXEA 170s might have this as well?

 

[lukefarley]

On East Anglia 317s, 321s, 360s and 379s a black triangle denotes the 1st class end (there's no marking if it is a 317/5 or /8 as they have 1st class in the non-driving trailer)- I think the NXEA 170s might have this as well?

150120 today noted with this feature - again at the bicycle/parcels/disabled bay end of the unit.

 

[Smudger105e]

SR did this for years, with an inverted triangle indicating the guards van end...

http://www.emus.co.uk/hap.htm

 

[Roylang]

Kept meaning to ask this question. I took a photo of 150249 at Penzance which I will upload later.

Pretty sure that I saw another 150/2 like it also.

Roy

 

[Class41]

Back in BR days we used to have a P under the 57 end set number on Class 150s to signify the Parcels end. All BR trains were obliged to carry HM's mails so when the second generation DMUs,-150,55,56,58 and the 14xs etc. arrived minus a brake van, provision had to be made for the mails.
Each set was provided with an area which could be locked out of public use, by both locking internal doors, and disabling the exterior doors to that area. This used to be the area where cycles and prams could be carried.
Knowing which end you were looking at from the end of the set could be a pain as the car number, 52xxx, or 57xxx, could only be ascertained by walking up to the middle of the set, where the car numbers used to be applied.
So as an aid to memorising which car the P was, I came up with this:

P
Peas
Tin of Peas
Heinz peas
Heinz 57
P = 57

Yes, yes, I know, but it worked for me! :roll:

 

[BestWestern]

Just thought I'd add that, as far as I am aware, train crews have bot been given any briefing regarding the meaning of these 'black lines', and so that may well discount any meaning relating to the wheelchair end or suchlike. So quite possibly this is an engineering dep issue or somesuch.