Why do the BREL and MetCam Networkers sound different?

[D365]

In non-rail use, it's also commonly known as 'Variable Speed Drive' or simply 'Inverter Drive'.

Within rail, we generally use the term ”traction inverters”. So you’re on the money with that comment

 

[hwl]

In non-rail use, it's also commonly known as 'Variable Speed Drive' or simply 'Inverter Drive'.

Indeed I also most mentioned that, the key thing is that all the acronyms I mentioned (that most specialists stick to) work in both German and English, (almost as if they were very carefully chosen ).
The problem is when the marketing people gets involved...

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 19 May 2025 ==

Within rail, we generally use the term ”traction inverters”. So you’re on the money with that comment

To add to the confusion the inverter is a sub part of the overall "drive"

 

[Gag Halfrunt]

Entirely deliberate - Done by the Siemens Vienna works (also where the 450/444 and the LU2024 were / are mostly made), some other Siemens Vienna engineered products have a few notes of Mozart. Siemens don't just do stuff in Germany.

On top of that, the melody of the Deutschlandlied was originally composed by Joseph Haydn as an anthem in praise of the Habsburg emperor Joseph II.

Gott erhalte Franz den Kaiser - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Bikeman78]

Thanks, of course they are. My brain said one thing and my hands typed another

The irony is the 1995 stock has the more modern arrangement and the 1996 the older - Wikipedia claims the GTO inverters are essentially derived straight from the 465/466 Networker design.

I can think of very few trains that make the distinctive original Networker sound. The class 323 and 1996 stock are the only UK examples I can think of. Abroad, the Belgian class 13, built in 1997-2000, and the Dutch VIRM units do it. I think all of the latter do, despite being built over nearly 15 years. Bizarrely, the Belgian AM96 units, built in the mid to late 90s do not make this sound.

 

[43096]

I can think of very few trains that make the distinctive original Networker sound. The class 323 and 1996 stock are the only UK examples I can think of. Abroad, the Belgian class 13, built in 1997-2000, and the Dutch VIRM units do it. I think all of the latter do, despite being built over nearly 15 years. Bizarrely, the Belgian AM96 units, built in the mid to late 90s do not make this sound.

The Belgian class 13 (and CFL 3000) locos don't make the same noise as a 323 that I can recall. The Dutch VIRM units are unsurprisingly similar to the 323s in the nosie they make as both were fitted with Holec traction equipment.

 

[boiledbeans2]

I can think of very few trains that make the distinctive original Networker sound. The class 323 and 1996 stock are the only UK examples I can think of. Abroad, the Belgian class 13, built in 1997-2000, and the Dutch VIRM units do it. I think all of the latter do, despite being built over nearly 15 years. Bizarrely, the Belgian AM96 units, built in the mid to late 90s do not make this sound.

Interestingly, the C751A in Singapore share a similar sound to the 1996 stock. In first entered service in 2003 according to wiki. I would've expected it to use the newer 1995 stock traction package.

Alstom Metropolis C751A - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Video recording (skip to 0:20):

 

[NSEWonderer]

I can think of very few trains that make the distinctive original Networker sound. The class 323 and 1996 stock are the only UK examples I can think of. Abroad, the Belgian class 13, built in 1997-2000, and the Dutch VIRM units do it. I think all of the latter do, despite being built over nearly 15 years. Bizarrely, the Belgian AM96 units, built in the mid to late 90s do not make this sound.

KTM class 82 comes to mind:
Similar Regen:

 

[boiledbeans2]

KTM class 82 comes to mind:

While we're on KTM, here's the original KTM Class 81, a narrow gauge version of the Class 323. The ones still running now have been refurbished and have new traction packages, so no longer sound the same.

KTM Class 81 - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[NSEWonderer]

While we're on KTM, here's the original KTM Class 81, a narrow gauge version of the Class 323. The ones still running now have been refurbished and have new traction packages, so no longer sound the same.

KTM Class 81 - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Pretty nice. Shame the BREL traction never got replicated abroad.

 

[Gag Halfrunt]

KTM class 82 comes to mind:

The Class 82 was built by Union Carriage and Wagon in South Africa and had GEC-Alstom GTO traction. Union Carriage and Wagon was later acquired by Alstom.

KTM Class 82 - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

KTM withdrew all Class 82 units in 2012 after demoting the working ones to push-pull sets. They claimed that spare parts were impossible to obtain, which was surely untrue for the traction package.

 

[Recessio]

The Class 82 was built by Union Carriage and Wagon in South Africa and had GEC-Alstom GTO traction. Union Carriage and Wagon was later acquired by Alstom.

KTM Class 82 - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

KTM withdrew all Class 82 units in 2012 after demoting the working ones to push-pull sets. They claimed that spare parts were impossible to obtain, which was surely untrue for the traction package.

To be honest it wouldn't surprise me it was true. Early 90s AC traction packages can be more problematic (albeit if not impossible) to get parts for due to obsolete microelectronics, and lots of different implementations. Also, the 323s that the KTM 82 were based on received replacement Alstom equipment for the original Holec parts in 2016.

Ironically because earlier DC traction was mechanically far simpler so it was easier to make new parts for (and lots of spares available as stock got decommissioned). Later AC traction uses more modern and standardised parts and might even still be supported by manufacturers.