Class 465's & 466's....

Stooopidperson · Post by **Stooopidperson** » Sat Feb 12, 2005 2:10 pm

buffy500 wrote:Just like the exposed versions on the Desiros.

Do the positions of those of Desiros match the Networkers?

buffy500 · Post by **buffy500** » Sat Feb 12, 2005 2:46 pm

No.

Ones on the SW lines and the other is on the SC/SE lines.

BR7MT · Post by **BR7MT** » Sat Feb 12, 2005 8:00 pm

Currently the Networkers are receiving anti-surfing modifications. These involve fitted new covers above the 'buffers' so that the step cannot be used for surfing, the handrails on the window are going as well.

On closer inspection the Angel-owned units (built by GEC-Alsthom) have been fitted with a new cab air-conditioning unit. This has entailed bolting a cover with a grill on it above the cab.

The couplers now also sport a green plastic cover to prevent dirt ingress into the internal parts.

regards

Dan

Stooopidperson · Post by **Stooopidperson** » Sun Feb 13, 2005 3:31 am

BR7MT wrote:Currently the Networkers are receiving anti-surfing modifications. These involve fitted new covers above the 'buffers' so that the step cannot be used for surfing, the handrails on the window are going as well.

Hmmm...

Talking about buffers, what is the purpose of buffers anyway? Most new trains don't have them...

47522 · Post by **47522** » Sun Feb 13, 2005 8:26 am

I think they where steps so that the diver could clean his windscreen.
and would make it easy for the depot staff to reach other things like the lights and windscreen wipers.

Perhaps thats where the train surfers relized that they could hang on the front, when they saw a driver cleaning his windscreen

The 165/6's have small steps.

Regards
Matt

thestoat · Post by **thestoat** » Sun Feb 13, 2005 9:17 am

Buffers go back to the beginning of time with trains. They kept the rolling stock apart to prevent them damaging each other while at the same time absorbing any compression forces between them. A loose coupling (chain or screw) would keep the rolling stock coupled together.

When 'buckeye' couplings first came about, this was the first step to do away with buffers. The buckeye would keep the rolling stock coupled together while at the same time keep it a fixed distance apart. Buffers were then not required. On coaching stock, there was a 'rubbing plate' above the buckeye which took the place of buffers. Take a look at the front of non-corridor SR units (EPB or MLV), you'll see the buckeye and rubbing plate. On corridor units (CEPs VEPs etc), the rubbing plate formed part of the corridor. The units also had buffers but these were retractable (normally positioned behind the rubbing plate) (there were no buffers on intermediate coaches). They could be moved forward and the buckeye dropped to allow them to be pulled by conventional couplinged locos. Class 33/1s and Class 73s also had 'drophead' buckeyes for this purpose.

Modern trains feature the 'tightlock' coupling (and others I can't think of) which have done away with buffers all together.

BR7MT · Post by **BR7MT** » Sun Feb 13, 2005 11:36 am

Dellner 12's and all sorts of couplers. Most modern couplers actually have electrical contacts so that you can get inter unit electronic communication without having to get out of your cab and connect up lots of separate jumper leads.

regards

Dan

Stooopidperson · Post by **Stooopidperson** » Sun Feb 13, 2005 2:36 pm

thestoat wrote:Buffers go back to the beginning of time with trains. They kept the rolling stock apart to prevent them damaging each other while at the same time absorbing any compression forces between them. A loose coupling (chain or screw) would keep the rolling stock coupled together.

So does that mean the buffers are pushing the wagons apart while the coupler pulled them together?

thenudehamster · Post by **thenudehamster** » Sun Feb 13, 2005 3:00 pm

In the case of a screw coupling, yes.
Loose couplings (3-link chains) are not in any kind of static tension or compression.
Chains, of any kind, cannot transmit compressive forces; buffers, active or passive, can't transmit tensile forces. Therefore the coupler provides the tension in the relationship, the buffers provide the compression.

A buckeye does both.