Green Class 508 (?) Trailers

[BestWestern]

Greetings all.

Just flicking through the current Railways Illustrated (Nov) and on page 19 is a rather interesting pic of four Class 73s, in various states of readiness, en route from Eastleigh to Tonbridge (5Y08, rebuild candidates). On the rear of the formation, and not mentioned in the caption, are a pair of what I presume are ex-Southeastern Class 508 driving cars, in a sparkling fresh coat of emerald green and wearing name plates, coupled strangely nose to nose behind the last ED. So, what are these then? Have Arlington converted them into barriers? They look quite smart; there is yellow visible on the cab ends which would suggest they're not intended to always work in this format?

 

[swt_passenger]

Yes they are EMU translator vehicles (sometimes referred to wrongly IMHO as 'barriers') formed from ex Southeastern 508s. They've been around for about a year I think.

There's some photos on Carl Watson's site of them leaving Eastleigh, if you look at the sixth picture the cab is blanked on the RH side and doesn't seem to be functional - they may have left a single window on the LH (driver's) sides just to help with shunting?

http://www.carlswatson.com/Trains/G...08/20140828ArlingtonEastleighWorks/index.html

 

[theblackwatch]

They were converted into barrier vehicles earlier this year. There is some discussion involving them in the thread at http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=82248

 

[swt_passenger]

They were converted into barrier vehicles earlier this year. There is some discussion involving them in the thread at http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=82248

Ah yes, my 'about a year' in the previous reply is based on the start of the conversion.

 

[BestWestern]

Intriguing; thanks

Interesting that they appear to have retained all of their underslung equipment and fittings. I wonder what the inside looks like; those grills hint at something substantial having been fitted in there?!

 

[jopsuk]

What are they configured to couple to? I guess any equipment on board is for the brake force translation, whilst underslung equipment retained as easier than removing it.

 

[user15681]

Intriguing; thanks

Interesting that they appear to have retained all of their underslung equipment and fittings. I wonder what the inside looks like; those grills hint at something substantial having been fitted in there?!

I was told once the interior was fairly unchanged to the extent that 'Emergency Exit' signs once for passengers were still on the walls inside, with seats removed about the only change - but can't personally verify it. There are transformers inside if I remember right, presumably where the grills are, and the cabs are also supposed to be completely intact, albeit with the second man's window painted yellow.
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What are they configured to couple to? I guess any equipment on board is for the brake force translation, whilst underslung equipment retained as easier than removing it.

Configured to couple to Tightlocks and there was mention of a coupling head for Dellners.

 

[Chris125]

There are some photos of the inside here with more in his photostream, including this one showing the saloon lighting still works.

Chris

 

[BestWestern]

There are some photos of the inside here with more in his photostream, including this one showing the saloon lighting still works.

Chris

Very interesting, thanks! Curiously then they appear to be designed to work as a pair 'Set T7' in cab-to-cab arrangement, inspite of the windscreens and yellow ends? Noting there are no buffers on the cab ends either. Quite amused to see the fully equiped cabs, complete with PA handset! Not worth the expense of removing it all I suppose.

 

[Murph]

Very interesting, thanks! Curiously then they appear to be designed to work as a pair 'Set T7' in cab-to-cab arrangement, inspite of the windscreens and yellow ends? Noting there are no buffers on the cab ends either. Quite amused to see the fully equiped cabs, complete with PA handset! Not worth the expense of removing it all I suppose.

Just a guess, but are they intended to top and tail (i.e. sandwich) a compatible EMU? That would explain them being coupled cab to cab when not in use. Hook and buffers on the black ends, and normal EMU coupling facilities on the cab ends.

 

[hairyhandedfool]

Just a guess, but are they intended to top and tail (i.e. sandwich) a compatible EMU? That would explain them being coupled cab to cab when not in use. Hook and buffers on the black ends, and normal EMU coupling facilities on the cab ends.

Indeed, Translator Vehicles are normally at both ends to provide conventional couplings for rescue (from the rear) or top and tail locos.

Looks like they have an AAR socket too, so maybe the cab controls can still be used.