Weather question for drivers, cab temperatures

[Cowley]

I was wondering with the hot weather we've had this year how hot does it get in cabs? Especially on older traction like the 125 cabs. Are they ventilated well or does it get uncomfortable?
I remember reading that Westerns could get very hot because of the amount of glass in the large windscreens.
Are any cabs air conditioned on more modern stuff?
Thanks for any replies.

 

[Ash Bridge]

I thought the HSTs had cab air conditioning as built, I suppose only a driver could tell us how effective or reliable it is though?

 

[Cowley]

I thought the HSTs had cab air conditioning as built, I suppose only a driver could tell us how effective or reliable it is though?

You see I didn't even know that.

 

[physics34]

we need H&S to start making laws about the heat.

The AC on 377s and 171s is good when it works but is noisy.

When it doesnt work or when you have a unit without AC it can be horrible in the heat.

There is a minimum temperature (16 degrees celsius) at which you can refuse to work in...... but there is no maximum......

...although im sure i read somewhere that if a cab HAS air conditioning is HAS to be working, otherwise it is against health and safety rules.???

Would be good if someone can clarify.

 

[t_star2001uk]

From a Chiltern drivers perspective:

165's have got Comfort cooling which runs off of the saloon system. Very good cooling.
168/0 Again this is run from the saloon aircon system so sometimes its better to open both windows.
168/2/2/3, 172 All of these have a cab HVAC system which is independent. Can be a bit noisy at times but when they work they are very good.
68's Very good cab air con and heater as well.

When we had the 67's they came with a manual system, if you are getting warm open a window, if it gets hotter open the other one, hotter still open cab doors....

 

[Cowley]

From a Chiltern drivers perspective:

165's have got Comfort cooling which runs off of the saloon system. Very good cooling.
168/0 Again this is run from the saloon aircon system so sometimes its better to open both windows.
168/2/2/3, 172 All of these have a cab HVAC system which is independent. Can be a bit noisy at times but when they work they are very good.
68's Very good cab air con and heater as well.

When we had the 67's they came with a manual system, if you are getting warm open a window, if it gets hotter open the other one, hotter still open cab doors....

Haha excellent.

 

[Domh245]

we need H&S to start making laws about the heat.

The AC on 377s and 171s is good when it works but is noisy.

When it doesnt work or when you have a unit without AC it can be horrible in the heat.

There is a minimum temperature (16 degrees celsius) at which you can refuse to work in...... but there is no maximum......

...although im sure i read somewhere that if a cab HAS air conditioning is HAS to be working, otherwise it is against health and safety rules.???

Would be good if someone can clarify.

Surely as drivers, you have the ability to say that it is too hot for you to concentrate/carry out duties safely and effectively, and thus refuse to move the train?

 

[physics34]

Surely as drivers, you have the ability to say that it is too hot for you to concentrate/carry out duties safely and effectively, and thus refuse to move the train?

Well that's true yes but it would be better if limits etc were set in stone rather that "at drivers discretion " in my opinion.

 

[BR60062]

Talking of this topic. Could anyone claify if the Class 60's have air-con or are those locomotives non-air conditioned? I know the older Class 56's have air-con as the air-con box is mounted under the bufferbeam.

 

[berwicksfinest]

No class 60 has air-con although Super 60s have a mini fan

 

[Steve14]

I have seen HST drivers with their doors open in the hot weather. Doesn't this pose a H&S hazard to them?

 

[Islineclear3_1]

Surely as drivers, you have the ability to say that it is too hot for you to concentrate/carry out duties safely and effectively, and thus refuse to move the train?

I'll remember this when my train gets cancelled "due to a train fault"

 

[causton]

I'll remember this when my train gets cancelled "due to a train fault"

This has happened on the Abbey line more than once I believe!

 

[Hadders]

Blimey, how did drivers and foremen manage in the steam days, with a red hot fire to keep going.

 

[BestWestern]

Blimey, how did drivers and foremen manage in the steam days, with a red hot fire to keep going.

The foremen probably went for a pint, not sure about the loco crews though!

 

[Ianno87]

91s sat in the sun at King's Cross apparently used to get very hot. Simple solution was to place a large foldable sun visor in the window once it arrived at its northern ECML destination to be removed once the train was ready at Kings X for its next northbound departure.

The alternative was keeping the cab A/C running through the turnaround at Kings X. The problem was the locomotives sat all doing their finest industrial vacuum cleaner impressions for their entire Kings X turnarounds as a result - somewhat annoying for the locals.

 

[Pugland53]

I thought the HSTs had cab air conditioning as built, I suppose only a driver could tell us how effective or reliable it is though?

They do, it's a large unit fitted in front of the secondman's seat. They actually do quite a good job of cooling the cab but I still like to open the door to let some fresh air in.

 

[168lover]

I once spent 4 hours inn the only surviving Class 17 which the only A.C. in the cab was the two opening Windows and the 2 cab doors.

 

[SpacePhoenix]

For all modern units (anything built around 2000 or later), opening the cab door for ventilation is probably not an option as the cab doors will likely be interlocked so they can't take power if a cab door is open

 

[Bungle965]

What is it like on Class 66s, if I remember rightly depending the air-con depends on the company that runs them. Some having better than others?
Sam

 

[dk1]

DVTs are superb & often have to go back to vent from cool even on the hottest days as more freezer than fridge. 90s are less so but the side blinds added to the AGA fleet help. A few drivers have had issues this Summer with trains terminated at Ipswich but they are few & far between.

As for units, 170s are pretty good but it's windows down in a 153/156.

 

[berwicksfinest]

What is it like on Class 66s, if I remember rightly depending the air-con depends on the company that runs them. Some having better than others?
Sam

Can only speak for our DBC Only

66s are a nightmare No 2 end are particularly bad because aerodynamics dictate air is dragged in cab from the radiator. makes them very uncomfortable, No 1 end is marginally better.

BUT 66090 is fitted with a trial Air Con unit where the heater resides, I have driven it and it is a marked improvement. But having driven GBs 730 it is inferior to that one.

 

[Bungle965]

Can only speak for our DBC Only

66s are a nightmare No 2 end are particularly bad because aerodynamics dictate air is dragged in cab from the radiator. makes them very uncomfortable, No 1 end is marginally better.

BUT 66090 is fitted with a trial Air Con unit where the heater resides, I have driven it and it is a marked improvement. But having driven GBs 730 it is inferior to that one.

Oh dear, I do not envy anyone driving the DBC 66s.
Sam

 

[MrPIC]

28'c or higher is the max temp at my TOC, any higher and we can refuse to work it.
Electrostar air con is vicious, either freezing cold or roasting hot mostly, and because of the cab layout opening a window isn't possible. Our 317's are usually pretty good and cool but both units are loud, electrostars are VERY loud

 

[AlterEgo]

we need H&S to start making laws about the heat.

The AC on 377s and 171s is good when it works but is noisy.

When it doesnt work or when you have a unit without AC it can be horrible in the heat.

There is a minimum temperature (16 degrees celsius) at which you can refuse to work in...... but there is no maximum......

...although im sure i read somewhere that if a cab HAS air conditioning is HAS to be working, otherwise it is against health and safety rules.???

Would be good if someone can clarify.

The 16 degree rule is for "indoor" occupations only, which train driving isn't.

 

[SpacePhoenix]

Is the cab air con on a Desiro as noisy as the air con in the passenger area?

 

[TEW]

Is the cab air con on a Desiro as noisy as the air con in the passenger area?

Yes. It's incredibly loud on the higher settings.