Should TOPS be revised for multiple units?

[Transilien]

TOPS classification of trains is all over the place right now with third rail only trains like the class 375 having a number that would be previously allocated for a unit that could only run on AC. There are many more examples like why doesn't dual voltage or bi mode stock get its own classification considering the special characteristics of these trains. BR seemed to design a classification system that worked at first but now makes no sense. How could TOPS be revised so that the system could make sense again?

 

[The Planner]

TOPS classification of trains is all over the place right now with third rail only trains like the class 375 having a number that would be previously allocated for a unit that could only run on AC. There are many more examples like why doesn't dual voltage or bi mode stock get its own classification considering the special characteristics of these trains. BR seemed to design a classification system that worked at first but now makes no sense. How could TOPS be revised so that the system could make sense again?

Does it really matter? Whats it stopping people doing?

 

[Trackman]

Imagine the administration/costs to do this, the system is not broke so no need to fix it.

How would you revise TOPS for multiple units? (out of curiosity)

 

[swt_passenger]

TOPS classification of trains is all over the place right now with third rail only trains like the class 375 having a number that would be previously allocated for a unit that could only run on AC. There are many more examples like why doesn't dual voltage or bi mode stock get its own classification considering the special characteristics of these trains. BR seemed to design a classification system that worked at first but now makes no sense. How could TOPS be revised so that the system could make sense again?

3xx was not AC only, it was for both AC and dual voltage. The Electrostars are all capable of comversion to dual voltage, so 3xx was presumably correct at the time they were new. If anything it is probably the likes of 444 and 450 that are in the wrong class, as they were also designed to be fitted with transformers and pans for AC.

But there have been a number of threads about this before, and I think the only real consensus is that it doesn’t actually matter.

 

[AlistairCowell]

Should the SWR Desiro units be converted to 25kv AC for any reason, which I doubt it will happen, they would be been re-classified in the 300 series, so Class 444 would be Class 344, Class 450 would be more Class 350s.

The latter would be more complicated, because the Class 450 units are numbered 450001 to 450127, and there is already 350101 to 350130 out there, so some unit renumbering would be necessary.

Class 458 is another example, they have a provision to be converted to AC overhead if required. I don't think the Class 400 series were built since 2006 when the last Class 450 units were delivered. All subsequent third-rail EMUs seems to be in 300 or 700 series, presumably as a result of the provision for conversion to AC overhead system.

 

[Transilien]

How would you revise TOPS for multiple units? (out of curiosity)

1XX for exclusive DMUs, 2xx for DEMUs, 3xx for AC only EMUs, 4xx for DC only EMUs, 5xx for dual voltage EMUs (there is no need for DC EMUs outside the Southern Region to have a different classification ), 6xx for Bi mode (diesel/electric) trains, 7xx for Battery multiple units, 8xx for Hydrogen multiple units (if hydrogen doesn't take off it could be used for something else) and 9xx for departmental vehicles.

 

[Stossgebet]

Should the SWR Desiro units be converted to 25kv AC for any reason, which I doubt it will happen, they would be been re-classified in the 300 series, so Class 444 would be Class 344, Class 450 would be more Class 350s.

The latter would be more complicated, because the Class 450 units are numbered 450001 to 450127, and there is already 350101 to 350130 out there, so some unit renumbering would be necessary.

Class 458 is another example, they have a provision to be converted to AC overhead if required. I don't think the Class 400 series were built since 2006 when the last Class 450 units were delivered. All subsequent third-rail EMUs seems to be in 300 or 700 series, presumably as a result of the provision for conversion to AC overhead system.

With the class 450 seating density, they could be 350/2 rather than 350/1.