SWT Desiros; showing headcode numbers now?

[59CosG95]

Hi all, I was taking a train into Waterloo the other day and I saw on the side of a Class 450 (on the dot-matrix display) the destination (Weybridge) and the SR 2-digit headcode (16, IIRC). Have SWT started putting the traditional headcode routing numbers on the displays as standard practice, or is it just a gimmick carried out by some drivers?

Thanks very much in advance!

 

[pompeyfan]

It's either the guard or driver, but those higher up the chain don't like manual input. I think even a couple on here have been pulled up by SWT for it.

Off topic but can anyone who works for the company PM me the 4 digit code that displays 'not in use, empties to depot' and also 'brake test in progress, do not release doors' or words to that extent? It's not manual as it doesn't fit if you try to do it. Not enough characters.

 

[bb21]

Isn't the ECS move 9999? (Not that it needs to be a secret in any case.)

 

[pompeyfan]

Isn't the ECS move 9999? (Not that it needs to be a secret in any case.)

That's the general not in service one, there's a special empty to depot code that I've seen floating around that seems to be dying out.

 

[abn444]

Yeah, as others have said it is something that some guards/drivers like to put in occasionally although as pompeyfan has said some people don't like it (I think HarleyDavidson has mentioned that). Anyway as a side note I wonder how bad it would be if someone put the full headcode (e.g. 2L45) on the display

 

[SpacePhoenix]

Anyway as a side note I wonder how bad it would be if someone put the full headcode (e.g. 2L45) on the display

No point in that, the full headcode won't mean a thing to your average train passenger

 

[pompeyfan]

No point in that, the full headcode won't mean a thing to your average train passenger

You'd be surprised, I'd say about 15% would know the difference between a 1Pxx and a 2Lxx at somewhere like Woking. I personally think they should all show headcodes, it would be far more useful than just 'London Waterloo' on the side. The old SR region codes were used to identify calling patterns and final destinations. An 81 would be much more useful than a 74 for example to most people....

 

[HarleyDavidson]

I do it occasionally especially down the Portsmouth end because it differentiates between the fast, semi and via Eastleigh routes.

Also if you are terminating at Surbiton or somewhere odd. I don't see the issue as it's better than the amateurish Portsm Hbr you currently get on the side of services on the direct.

As long as it's not vulgar or rude, there's no issue with it in my book and as long as it is clear and concise then no worries. But it does seem that we do have some very petty management about these days who will criticise even the smallest thing, even if putting via Guildford or whatever is appropriate makes things easier and clearer.

 

[TEW]

Also if you are terminating at Surbiton or somewhere odd. I don't see the issue as it's better than the amateurish Portsm Hbr you currently get on the side of services on the direct.

The worst automatic one by far in my opinion is 'Basingstke', ridiculous to just leave one letter out, makes it look like a spelling mistake.

 

[SpacePhoenix]

Had they had LED matrix displays instead of what they have (what's the type of display called that they currently have?), would they have had any need to truncate the place names?

 

[pompeyfan]

Had they had LED matrix displays instead of what they have (what's the type of display called that they currently have?), would they have had any need to truncate the place names?

They're flipdot type, when desiros were first around LED screens on buses were relatively new and undeveloped. Fast forward 13 odd years and there's not many buses out there that don't have LED screens in favour of flip dots. Flip dots can certainly handle all destinations on the network, but the typeface is slightly smaller. LED can show letters in a higher resolution but I think a reprogramming of the side and front screens would be easier and cheaper.

 

[Bletchleyite]

They can do smaller font and 2 lines, so "Portsmouth Harbour" fits fine on the side. On the end Portsmouth would probably fit, if not something slightly better looking like Portsmth rather than the abbreviation noted.

The Germans have tended to prefer flipdot over LED only hence these units being no different. They are an odd hybrid, being an LED matrix with flipdot over the top.

 

[pompeyfan]

They can do smaller font and 2 lines, so "Portsmouth Harbour" fits fine on the side. On the end Portsmouth would probably fit, if not something slightly better looking like Portsmth rather than the abbreviation noted.

The Germans have tended to prefer flipdot over LED only hence these units being no different. They are an odd hybrid, being an LED matrix with flipdot over the top.

Even if you enter 'Portsmouth Hbr' manually during special turns it looks better. I've never worked out how to run it over 2 lines, if you have too many characters it does word wrap but looks silly. I thought I had a picture but it's gone missing.

 

[HarleyDavidson]

On the front enter Portsmth Hbr or 8x Ports Hbr or 7x Ports S/s

 

[pompeyfan]

On the front enter Portsmth Hbr or 8x Ports Hbr or 7x Ports S/s

I was on about the side display, but cheers for the advice HD

 

[HarleyDavidson]

Putting in a few spaces works wonders.

 

[Waldgrun]

When the Desiros where introduced, I raised concerns from passengers to S.W.T management, (whom I admit where from a non railway background), that the lack of head code display was not a good thing! The only reply I had was well this is the new age and the public will get use to it!
This kind of manager had no idea of railway practice, and that two numbers displayed, could impart so much information. i.e 74 = Stopping service to Waterloo from Portsmouth & Southsea calling all stations halts and lampposts to Surbiton via Guildford & Woking, then Wimbledon and Clapham and finally Waterloo! Where as now all you will see is the word Waterloo!
If headcodes are to make a comeback, there will have to be an effort made by the new management of the Southwest franchise to remind or educate the public of the codes, but this could fit in with their look who's back theme!
Does any one else remember that the class 442's had a small display above the corridor connector, they didn't last long as they always seemed covered in dead Flies!

 

[HarleyDavidson]

When the Desiros where introduced, I raised concerns from passengers to S.W.T management, (whom I admit where from a non railway background), that the lack of head code display was not a good thing! The only reply I had was well this is the new age and the public will get use to it!
This kind of manager had no idea of railway practice, and that two numbers displayed, could impart so much information. i.e 74 = Stopping service to Waterloo from Portsmouth & Southsea calling all stations halts and lampposts to Surbiton via Guildford & Woking, then Wimbledon and Clapham and finally Waterloo! Where as now all you will see is the word Waterloo!
If headcodes are to make a comeback, there will have to be an effort made by the new management of the Southwest franchise to remind or educate the public of the codes, but this could fit in with their look who's back theme!
Does any one else remember that the class 442's had a small display above the corridor connector, they didn't last long as they always seemed covered in dead Flies!

Oh yes.

I hope that FG retain the destination display on the front of the 442s when they return to service.