One for O L leigh

[delt1c]

Just thinking back, i am sure i read (and dont dispute) that the 321's are unsuitable for DOO on the lea valley lines. When they were 1st introduced we had 321's over here on a few diagrams , cant remember if the had Guards or not, but what is the difference in DOO on 317's and 321's. Also how did the 322's operate when they were on the Stansteads?

 

[O L Leigh]

Unfortunately these days were before my time, but I think I know the answer.

The key to the problem is the driver's seat. On a "Bin" it is slightly more central than on a Cl317 or Cl315. This made things very difficult when it came to "look back" working at stations like Waltham Cross where there are no mirrors or monitors. In a Cl317 you can simply turn in the seat and look back down the train from the side window. I've yet to try this from the front of a "Bin", but I would imagine it's much further to stretch round.

I have no idea whether guards were deployed but I would imagine not. Consequently the "Bins" got bounced over to the GE where operations must necessarily have been different while the WA got to share Cl317's with the GN.

I believe they got away with the Cl322's because they were only ever diagrammed to stop at stations where there were staff to carry out despatch or DOO monitors.

HTH

O L Leigh

 

[me123]

Incidently, I believe that this is the reason why Class 320s can not operate through Glasgow Central Low Level whereas Class 318s can.

 

[ungreat]

Dont know about the Lea Valley,but we will be DOO on the GN ECML,and we have lookback/monitors etc .You have to stand up on a 321 to look back,and the windows have a bar across them so should add a few mins in delays!

 

[33056]

Around 20 years ago the radio and platform equipment was installed for DOO on the southern part of the WCML. The mirrors were set up for the 317s that were being used on the line at that time, ie you had to look out of the side window.

Then some bright spark decided to replace the 317s with 321s which, as O L Leigh pointed out have a totally different seating arrangement which also makes it very awkward to look out of the side window; said window is also a lot smaller than on a 317.

I believe that the platform equipment for a 321 should consist of a set of monitors that enable the whole side of the train to be seen whilst the driver is seated looking out the front window. IIRC, the door operating buttons are on the desk and not really reachable whilst looking out of the side window though I stand to be corrected on the latter point.

 

[Z12XE]

321s have door controls on the rear wall of the cab immediately adjacent to the doors, these are the set that a guard would use when present.