SWT Desiro Damage

[BestWestern]

Hi All, a slightly odd query that somebody might be able to enlighten me on Any ideas why every SWT Desiro - or certainly the 444's anyhow, not really noticed the 450's but I would presume they're the same - has a repair patch on the cab corners, alongside the windscreens and roughly the same height? I recall some time back it was quite common to see units with large gash marks in this same area, as if to suggest somethink had been struck fairly hard. It now seems that the entire fleet has been 'patched up', as there is a clearly visible area of new paint present. Was there an issue with clearance at a particular location somewhere?!

 

[Goldfish62]

The windscreen wipers were sweeping too far across and damaging the bodywork, I believe. Presumably the damage is more on the 444s because they are narrower.

 

[BestWestern]

Ah, well there you go then, I'd never have guessed at that! Didn't realise the 450's were wider either, how very enlightening! Thanks.

 

[thefab444]

That damaged is caused by windscreen wipers sweeping too far and getting caught off the edge of the windscreen. Tends to be more noticeable on the secondman's side as if the wiper gets caught on the driver's side then it will usually be fixed straightaway.

 

[387star]

Speaking of desiros they really are great suburban trains with a ride quality and interior much improved compared to a 377

 

[Barrett M95]

The windscreen wipers were sweeping too far across and damaging the bodywork, I believe. Presumably the damage is more on the 444s because they are narrower.

Edit: just read post below...

 

[Goldfish62]

Ah, well there you go then, I'd never have guessed at that! Didn't realise the 450's were wider either, how very enlightening! Thanks.

Yes, the 444s are slightly narrower to fit in the loading gauge due to the coach length. Compare a 450 and 444 side by side and it's quite noticeable.

 

[Barrett M95]

It looks like if, as you say the 444's are narrower, then it's lazy design by Siemens to simply transfer the same wiper mechanism over from the 450's to the 444's. They should have shortened the stroke to it didn't fall off the edge of the windscreen.

 

[swt_passenger]

It looks like if, as you say the 444's are narrower, then it's lazy design by Siemens to simply transfer the same wiper mechanism over from the 450's to the 444's. They should have shortened the stroke to it didn't fall off the edge of the windscreen.

The problem was on 450s and 350s as well originally. Once you start looking for the obvious vinyl repairs you'll see they are fleet wide, not just 444s...

PS, I remember just before LM took over from Central/Silverlink, a few of the 350s were running around with the 2nd man side yellow vinyl completely cut back, and plastic filler all over the damaged area.

If only fotopic was still alive I could even provide a picture, I found a link in a discussion about it elsewhere, back in 2007...

 

[BestWestern]

And there was us all thinking Siemens stuff was perfect!

 

[thefab444]

The problem did affect 450s as well as a 444s, but mainly the latter. Does anyone know what was done to rectify it?

And there was us all thinking Siemens stuff was perfect!

Well, if it had been Bombardier, the wiper would have failed or fallen off before it even managed to reach the other side of the windscreen.

 

[MCR247]

If it was Bombardier, would the wiper even be working in the first place?! hock:

 

[asylumxl]

If it was Bombardier, would the wiper even be working in the first place?! hock:

The reverser and power controls would probably end up controlling the wiper motors..

 

[455driver]

The problem did affect 450s as well as a 444s, but mainly the latter. Does anyone know what was done to rectify it?

It used to happen more on the 444s because they spent more time at high speed compared to the 450s and the higher speeds caused greater aerodynamic strain on the wiper arms.
The fix was stronger bolts holding the wipers onto the spindles, easily identifyable because the bolts are longer and stick out further with a seperate nut pulling onto the wiper as well, it is now very unusual for this fault to occur so a good fix.

The 444s being narrower is more easily seen by looking at the fronts, the yellow area beside the windscreens is much narrower than on the 450s, just compare "head on" photos, oh my elbow always bangs into the handrails inside the cab doors on 444s as well, and yes it hurts! .

 

[swt_passenger]

The 444s being narrower is more easily seen by looking at the fronts, the yellow area beside the windscreens is much narrower than on the 450s, just compare "head on" photos, oh my elbow always bangs into the handrails inside the cab doors on 444s as well, and yes it hurts! .

Another 'top tip' (to avoid getting right in front of a pair of trains together), is to compare the step plates at the doors. That extra depth you can see clearly on the 444 is only half the overall width difference.

 

[buses7675]

If only fotopic was still alive I could even provide a picture, I found a link in a discussion about it elsewhere, back in 2007...

http://railforums.co.uk/attachment.php?attachmentid=7232&stc=1&d=1313263434

This photo shows the cut back yellow area, but no filler, unless it had been repainted with grey by that time!

Cheers

buses7675
http://dartslf.com/