Suggestions for future use of Class 332s post-HEx

[alexl92]

I think split the 332 sets and put a class 58 in the middle, re-geared for faster acceleration and fitted with a new TDM system so that it can be operated from either 332 cab. I see no flaw in this whatsoever.

 

[adrock1976]

Indeed. What is the purpose of the handheld radio?

Don't quote me on this, but through my unscientific observations at Heathrow T5 back in October last year, I heard an announcement that passengers are not to board the train while security checks (what appears to be a sweep to make sure all passengers have alighted first) are taking place.

Perhaps somebody who has more knowledge of 332s could clarify?

 

[Bantamzen]

Is there still a Class 333 being used as a 'christmas tree' for spares? If so, could having some 332s for spares at least enable that unit to return to service?

I did see 333009 out on test one Sunday last year no idea if that's back in service or not. As with using bits of 332 on a 333, both look identical but there will be some differences "under the bonnet" - the same applies to the 321 and 322 fleets.

333 009 has been back in service for some time now.

 

[MatthewRead]

They're all spoken for, 6 units for alliance rail's Waterloo to Southampton service (odds of that happening I'll leave up to you) and the rest for SWR

Has that been given the go ahead yet I read that a final decision was to be made in March.

 

[Mordac]

I think split the 332 sets and put a class 58 in the middle, re-geared for faster acceleration and fitted with a new TDM system so that it can be operated from either 332 cab. I see no flaw in this whatsoever.

You missed out on working the 442s in there somewhere. Slot the motor coach in for a tri-mode?

 

[Fincra5]

AWS is fitted. But they don't have a DRA fitted. (Image from thecircleoflondon.blogspot.co.uk)

They look very dated in the cabs! Must be said.

 

[bluenoxid]

I assume that the fourth and fifth cars on the 332’s/333’s are trailers and not powered? If so, they are going to struggle to operate as 6 cars without using cabs. Would it be possible to create fixed sets and just gut/bypass the middle cabs, which could be 332’s?

The only other thing that I could think is to replace 319’s in the North West.

Personally, following component recovery I see them being cut up!

 

[hexagon789]

I assume that the fourth and fifth cars on the 332’s/333’s are trailers and not powered?

Only the driving cars are powered.

 

[D365]

The only other thing that I could think is to replace 319’s in the North West.

Personally, following component recovery I see them being cut up!

Hardly enough of them to do that.

As with the 360/2s, it’s Heathrow’s problem what happens to them really.

 

[TheEdge]

As someone upthread has already alluded to they are in the same niche as the 373s.

Specialised stock designed to do one thing well. So hard to re-home beyond going to the tinned goods aisle in Tesco.

 

[hexagon789]

As someone upthread has already alluded to they are in the same niche as the 373s.

Specialised stock designed to do one thing well. So hard to re-home beyond going to the tinned goods aisle in Tesco.

Surely Waitrose or at least Marks and Spencer's?

 

[The Ham]

Surely Waitrose or at least Marks and Spencer's?

Surely not, Farquhar can't possibly eat something that's not fresh, organic, Fairtrade (or Rainforest Alliance) that's been hand made by unicorns...

 

[paulravuslante]

Indeed. What is the purpose of the handheld radio?

It connects to the internal radio systems in the Heathrow tunnels and Hex depot at OOC.
In the tunnels they are used to communicate directly with the control room in the event of service disruption or can be freed to communicate with all other radios in the tunnels in the event of an emergency or evacuation.
At the depot they are used for communicating with the depot controller (drivers and techs alike) or shunting purposes.
Used them on a daily basis during my time at Hex.

 

[lewisf]

As someone upthread has already alluded to they are in the same niche as the 373s.

Specialised stock designed to do one thing well.

Much like the class 460s, and look what happened there. All the weird and wonderful things going on with rolling stock on today's railway you can't rule anything out.

 

[alexl92]

You missed out on working the 442s in there somewhere. Slot the motor coach in for a tri-mode?

Ok, revision: Take a 5-car 332 and a 5 coaches of a 442. Remove a driving vehicle from one end of each, and stick a 58 in the middle - [332]-[58]-[442]: A tri-mode, 10-car set. This is easy.

 

[physics34]

Absolutely no chance they will be scrapped

 

[59CosG95]

It's becoming hard to to distinguish between which posts are serious and which are ironic now.

 

[TheEdge]

I've heard there is a decent chance they will be converted into the core modules of a post Brexit British space station

 

[47802]

I've heard there is a decent chance they will be converted into the core modules of a post Brexit British space station

Well they would conform to the new British Passport Standard of not being British made!

 

[whhistle]

It's becoming hard to to distinguish between which posts are serious and which are ironic now.

It's because people aren't interested in actual discussion these days.

They'd rather posting what they think will get laughs instead of posting something that's a bit more realistic, or factual. You get other posts that say "no chance" <-- with no reasoning to why they've come to that conclusion. Equally as boring to read.

 

[47802]

It's because people aren't interested in actual discussion these days.

They'd rather posting what they think will get laughs instead of posting something that's a bit more realistic, or factual. You get other posts that say "no chance" <-- with no reasoning to why they've come to that conclusion. Equally as boring to read.

Well I don't see there is actually much to discuss, the units will not be easily used anywhere else for reasons already discussed, but of course its not impossible they could be re used elsewhere but we don't know that at this stage so its just the usual pointless wild speculation anyway so may as well make them even more wild and pointless.

 

[Agent_Squash]

Ok, revision: Take a 5-car 332 and a 5 coaches of a 442. Remove a driving vehicle from one end of each, and stick a 58 in the middle - [332]-[58]-[442]: A tri-mode, 10-car set. This is easy.

That would make 9 coaches.

 

[The Ham]

I've heard there is a decent chance they will be converted into the core modules of a post Brexit British space station

From which the 442's will launch from, see my post here:

...then in due course space craft, which will ultimately allow humanity to live among the stars.

Or

As I have suggested before:

http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?p=2145568&post2145568

The 442's (may they live forever) are so saintly that no government will ever scrap them and will authorise many rebuilds until they ultimately form the basis of the interstellar ship which saves all humanity by taking them to earth 2.0.

All we have to do now is work out the next rebuild which best takes them on towards their ultimate goal.

 

[edwin_m]

A 332 is far more suitable for that. The end even looks a bit like the cockpit of the Millennium Falcon...

 

[IanXC]

I suspect the next milestone for understanding the future of 332s will be when we hear the outcome of the DfT's review of Network Rail's options for the Transpennine Route Upgrade programme. If the TPWS issues can be overcome, and if the TRU results in at least some electrification happening in Yorkshire, then that would seem to be the best chance of new work for this fleet.

 

[Rail Bus]

360/2's going to Thailand I heard to support their expanded airport services

 

[hexagon789]

It's becoming hard to to distinguish between which posts are serious and which are ironic now.

And it's not even April Fool's anymore!

 

[hexagon789]

360/2's going to Thailand I heard to support their expanded airport services

I can't decide if this is another fantasy post or not! Also, doesn't Thailand use metre guage?

 

[DanNCL]

I can't decide if this is another fantasy post or not! Also, doesn't Thailand use metre guage?

The Suvarnabhumi Airport line, which already operates a fleet of 360s, is standard gauge. I think all the other railways in Thailand are metre gauge though.

 

[hexagon789]

The Suvarnabhumi Airport line, which already operates a fleet of 360s, is standard gauge. I think all the other railways in Thailand are metre gauge though.

Didn't realise that was Std guage, I assumed the 360s had been built to metre guage like the Thai 158s.