non-rail enthusiast needs advice on Class 313.

[nippertje]

Hi - I am a non-rail enthusiast that is researching some information on the Class 313. I would really welcome some help from anybody with a good knowledge of these and a bit fo spare time to answer a few questions.

thanks in advance.

 

[O L Leigh]

Such as...?

O L Leigh

 

[nippertje]

cheers, thanks for responding to a newbie request..

I was wanting to know why some Class 313s persistently run air compressors on the front drive unit and others seem to very infrequently, even when stationary. The compressors can create a considerable noise and some units will run their compressors at 1 minute intervals when waiting in a station and other rarely, if at all.

It is my understanding that the compressors run to keep air pressure at a constant level (7 bar) but why some are topping up more frequently than others when idle is the crux of my enquiry.

thanks in advance for any assistance.

 

[mumrar]

This is not a Class 313 specific answer, but all units have a lot of systems that operate by air, be they braking, doors, suspension to name the main candidates. All of these systems over time can develop leaks, the governors which help to limit the system to it's optimum air pressure can over-release and make the compressor work harder. No two systems on the same class will perform the same because of all of the varaibles and the amount of a working life they have had. I'll leave specific answers to someone who signs the traction, but this is in general why compressors randomly operate.