lessons to be learned: Modification process

[Daniel Hampson]

I am doing a school project about next-gen trains I want to show examples of where TOCs or ROSCOs have successfully or unsuccessfully managed modifications and upgrades.

as a case study I want to look at how Voyagers modified their toilets to improve smells; what did they do; has it worked?


I would really appreciate teh help I have just got into trains this year

 

[djw1981]

A betetr example may be something like the FGW upgardes of the Mk3 carriages and HST PC's. Although some may not like the result, the process itself was very streamlined and well organised, and I am sure FGW PR dept, along with Brush who did teh PC's will be able to help you with some fact sheets and press releases - see also back issues of Modern Railways magazine etc.

In the case of teh Voyagers, you could contact Virgin Trains PR, Cross Country Trains PR, or Bombardier PR dept.

 

[TheSlash]

Alstom and the 458

 

[Dennis]

...I want to look at how Voyagers modified their toilets to improve smells; what did they do; has it worked?

They lock them out of use so no one can 5h1t in them. Sorry not helpful.

 

[TheSlash]

They lock them out of use so no one can 5h1t in them. Sorry not helpful.

Don't be so hard on yourself, man. I found it helpfull and i've added it to my list of things to remember. It's right there alongside "Breath in, breath out" - "Can't **** on a voyager"

 

[O L Leigh]

It's all apocryphal so probably not something you can use, but there has been an ongoing programme of improvements on the FGE/one/NXEA Cl360's.

Most of it has been to reduce the amount of "shutdown" time as these units pass through neutral sections, but the bogs have had a mod to prevent undue failures. When new these units had a sensor at the top of the CET tank that would tell the computer when it was full which would prompt the computer to lock the relavent karzi's out of use. The problem was that when the unit went around a corner, the effluent would slop up the side of the tank and hit the sensor prompting the computer to lock down the toilets, even if there was someone still in there "taking their ease". A software mod was quickly implemented to prevent this from happening again.

O L Leigh

 

[djw1981]

However, on a positive note, unlike a Mk4, the Voyager will not defecate on you.....

 

[O L Leigh]

Ah yes. I remember this.

It was a long while ago, but going through a tunnel in a Mk4 karzi was a risky thing. To BR's credit they had the problem identified and sorted pretty darn quick.

O L Leigh

 

[djw1981]

No... I as meaning the CET spray a fine mist of excrement out the side at high speed on canted track when the tanks are full. Failure to empty them means they fill up........ Track wonrkers etc used to complain bitterly til GNER put a cET emptying facilkity at Heaton to help with it, but if a train misses being emptied one night, the problem still occurs.

 

[O L Leigh]

Ah right. Your previous post suggested a punter's perspective and not a Tango's.

What I was referring to was in the very early days of IC225 testing and operation. It was found that the pressure pulse of another train passing in a tunnel could result in the Mk4's bogs turning into fountains.

O L Leigh

 

[DescendingSadly]

not so fun if you were sat on it i suppose!

 

[Daniel Hampson]

Thanks guys

so to confirm, the voyagers toilets smells mods havent been successful? My teacher told me they had, but I think I trust you guys more.

Just one more quick one, can anyone briefly explain train maintanence? i.e., on-going servicing, repairs...and who are the main suppliers etc....

Cheers, Danny

 

[TheSlash]

Track wonrkers etc used to complain

Who?

 

[Aureol]

Who?

Track W@nk3rs, I think he said

*runs*

 

[TheSlash]

Track W@nk3rs, I think he said

*runs*

You are obviously abit of a soft lad, so let me give you some advice. The one grade you don't mess with on the railway is the Pway

 

[djw1981]

Who?

workers. I meant no harm, just a typo. I apologise profusely and ask to be given forgiveness and allowed to live on this occasion. :cry:

 

[yorkie]

Thanks guys

so to confirm, the voyagers toilets smells mods havent been successful? My teacher told me they had, but I think I trust you guys more.

Just one more quick one, can anyone briefly explain train maintanence? i.e., on-going servicing, repairs...and who are the main suppliers etc....

Cheers, Danny

Depends on how you measure 'successful'. It's also not very well documented so you may struggle to find out anything about it.

I agree with djw1981 - use a different example!! The HST life extention project would be a very good one, and there is loads of material about that in 'Informed Sources' articles of Modern Railways going into great detail, some of which are archived on Roger Ford's website. You could even have a discussion about the two alternative engines and how there are advantages and disadvantages (MTU is more fuel efficient but the VP185 is actually the most reliable fleet at the moment although whether it will remain the case remains to be seen).

What level is this? A level?