virgin class 390 pedolino random noises and questions

[mrredrunner100]

hi
if this is in the wrong section please feel free to move it

a few days ago i went to birmingham on a class 390 pendolino, and it was my first time on one. its really cool when they tilt but there were a few things i didn't understand (inside the train)

the first thing was a beeping noise that came over the intercom every so often and then there was no talking after that (it wasnt an anoucment). i couldnt understand what it could mean, weather the driver pressed something (it happened on outward and inward though) or braking signal or something.

and the second thing was; inbetween the seats there was a blue headphone thingy, it looked like an on board radio system, as it had headphone jacks and channels but i couldn't get it to work.

in these dropbox links is a recording of the sound and a picture of the headphone things
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/101072616/Memo.m4a - beeping noise
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/101072616/photo (3).JPG - audio system thingy

thanks
mrredrunner100

 

[nathanclass323]

The audio system was disabled a while back in favour of on board WiFi. I've not listened to your audio recording of the beeping but from what I remember of Pendolinos, they make the same beeping noises as Voyagers, and I'm not too sure what that is so can't help you there.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Just listened. Voyagers make the same one.

 

[dk1]

Isn't the beeping 3-3 crew communications? The new Pendo's where also equipped with audio even though long dis-used on the original sets. Something to do with being the same spec throughout probs for safety case etc.

 

[nathanclass323]

I read once that it could be a passenger alarm in the toilet that had been wrongly activated but it's not that easy to accidentally activate it and only Voyagers and Pendolinos have that in my experience so I doubt it's that.

 

[Crossover]

I have also heard the sound is to do with the toilet alarm. Pendos also have a few additional ones, whereas the Voyagers only have the one linked to by the OP (that I have heard, anyway)

The audio system hasn't worked for some time - the channels it used to run on are now used by the onboard WiFi system

The new Pendo's where also equipped with audio even though long dis-used on the original sets. Something to do with being the same spec throughout probs for safety case etc.

Probably less safety case than having a design that would cost a lot to change - hence them being equipped with the at-seat audio system and no WiFi (which was retrofitted later - in some cases, after they had gone into service)

 

[dk1]

You learn something everyday. You hear it quite frequently so there must be more stupid passengers using the toilets than i thought. I always assume its the driver requiring another cuppa.

 

[pinguini]

I've only noticed that beeping on the Pendolino when the reservations screens change. Could be coincidence, though.

 

[craigybagel]

There are several different "Beeps" you can hear. The one you have uploaded is the Crew call - usually it means the staff member in the shop needs to talk to their colleague(s) in 1st class or vice versa, or to talk to the Train Manager. When you hear that noise, you can pick up the PA, press a button, and talk to your colleague at the other end. There is a slightly different set of beeps which sounds similar but is slower, which is the Driver contacting the guard.

There are also ones for the panic buttons and if anyone pulls the emergency door opening handles.