Letters after unit numbers?

[158757]

Yes the section behind the driver had sliding locking doors at that end also outside on the far end off the same vehicle was a carriage key operated rotary switch from memory [training late 80s]??

I thought the switch was to close all doors. The current fault checklists suggest an MCB was tripped to lock the end set of doors out of use.

 

[Nym]

Tube trains used to have A and B ends. they changed that to be A and D ends. Clearly marked on the ends of the trains. Something to do with restrictions on coupling. You can see the B in the pic. I think 1938 was the last to need this as later trains had identical driving vehicles.

Class 700s and 717s also have a white line around the top of the upper marker light at one end.

To add to this, the coupling restrictions were due to wiring not being duplicated symmetrically across the couplers on some types of stock, meaning an A end would have to couple to a D end. The reason for the change from B to D in the late 1930s was to identify each axle and wheel using the same system, and therefore even stock that is "reversible" will still have A and D ends and number 1 and 2 sides. Some more modern stock such as the 1973s on the Piccadilly are not reversible, while the A60/A62 stock no longer was after its conversion to one person operation in the 1980s.

Another marking that can appear after a car number on LU stock is a dot, which indicates that the unit has de-icing equipment. Some types have / had this on the side only, but if carried on the ends this would be on both ends of the unit unlike the other examples of letters and symbols in this thread.

A Stock wasn't reversable if I'm remembering correctly, but OPO / Refurbishment didn't convert all cabs.
The only reversable units on LUL are 1992TS. And even then they still have A and D ends.

Back in the day, the "35" units of 1972TS (3 car units) were reversable and could be attached to either end of the "32" 4 car units. So one could technically have a 10 car formation.
OPO and subsequent work on the 32 cars couplers have removed this facility by converting the auto coupler to an emergency coupler. Although if memory serves, 3246 is still a full coupler.

 

[43096]

The only reversable units on LUL are 1992TS. And even then they still have A and D ends.

Isn’t 95 stock reversible, that being deemed necessary because of the Kennington loop?

 

[Nym]

Not to my knowledge.
1996TS certainly isn't. And given how often units are split on the Northern I actually doubt it.

 

[Fincra5]

It was on 2-car EMUs as well - basically any Southern units with a guards van at one end. Four car units for a long time had vans at both ends, until the CIGs and BIGs had them in the middle.

Indeed they did

 

[big all]

I thought the switch was to close all doors. The current fault checklists suggest an MCB was tripped to lock the end set of doors out of use.

as i said trained on but function never used as a redhill southern driver as we pottered round the houses with the odd fast to horsham via dorking to stretch the legs
they where used on thameslink but only noted iff traveling pass to or from redhill or walking past a unit at redhill within my duties with evening coming to mind never daytime
as i say long time ago so actual procedure a bit rusty ??

 

[Ken H]

Class 700s and 717s also have a white line around the top of the upper marker light at one end.

To add to this, the coupling restrictions were due to wiring not being duplicated symmetrically across the couplers on some types of stock, meaning an A end would have to couple to a D end. The reason for the change from B to D in the late 1930s was to identify each axle and wheel using the same system, and therefore even stock that is "reversible" will still have A and D ends and number 1 and 2 sides. Some more modern stock such as the 1973s on the Piccadilly are not reversible, while the A60/A62 stock no longer was after its conversion to one person operation in the 1980s.

Another marking that can appear after a car number on LU stock is a dot, which indicates that the unit has de-icing equipment. Some types have / had this on the side only, but if carried on the ends this would be on both ends of the unit unlike the other examples of letters and symbols in this thread.

Thanks. wish there was a like function....

 

[91103eastcoast]

The 185's have a yellow Electrical connector cover at the First Class / Disabled end.View attachment 88447

Similarly the LNER 800/801s have the stripe surrounding the top headlight yellow on the first class driving vehicle

 

[PHILIPE]

The GWR Class 166s and 165 Turbos which work coupled in 5 Car formations between Cardiff and Portsmouth Harbour have the letter A, B C (166s) and D and E (165s) following the number to make for easy identification for reservations