Bromley North - Grove Park

[Southof1E]

did my first trip along the Bromley North branch for many years yesterday. Suprised it was 465045 rather than a 2 car 466. Is this a Covid thing or is a 4 car the usual power along this top branch?

cheers

NR

https://leightonlists.com/

 

[AlterEgo]

I don't think 466s can run alone any more; they must always be part of a larger consist.

 

[LowLevel]

did my first trip along the Bromley North branch for many years yesterday. Suprised it was 465045 rather than a 2 car 466. Is this a Covid thing or is a 4 car the usual power along this top branch?

cheers

NR

https://leightonlists.com/

I don't think the 466s have had their Persons of Reduced Mobility modifications done so they can no longer work on their lonesome - they have to be coupled to one or more 465s.

 

[CarrotPie]

This has been the case since December 2019 due to the Class 466s being un-compliant with the new PRM-TSI law. Same reason they were replaced by 375/3s on the Sheerness line around the same time.

 

[Southof1E]

Thanks for the quick replies the Bromley North question is answered!

cheers

NR

 

[warwickshire]

I don't think the 466s have had their Persons of Reduced Mobility modifications done so they can no longer work on their lonesome - they have to be coupled to one or more 465s.

Yes that is correct 466 two car cannot run solo only ecs ie empty.
Also still the old original toilet in them hence this.
Can only run coupled to a 465 etc.
Yes no prm dispensation has been agreed.
Also as mentioned last year on another thread to accommodate this the doo driver only platform equipment was extended and all platforms extended where required to accommodate the extra coaches.
Instead off being only suitable for two coaches.

 

[Doomotron]

A special derogation was given to the 466s which allowed them to work alone on the Bromley North line, so I'm not sure why a 465 was used.

 

[MotCO]

A special derogation was given to the 466s which allowed them to work alone on the Bromley North line, so I'm not sure why a 465 was used.

Did the derogation expire? Are the Persons of Reduced Mobility modifications solely related to disabled access toilets or are there other things as well?

 

[XAM2175]

Are the Persons of Reduced Mobility modifications solely related to disabled access toilets or are there other things as well?

No, the PRM TSI requirements also cover access throughout the vehicle (widths of doors and aisles, force required to open manual doors, position of buttons, etc etc) for all passengers (not just wheelchair users), as well as accommodations for people with vision and/or hearing impairments.

There is a brief overview here:

Accessible railway stations: design standards

A code of practice for design standards for accessible railway stations.

www.gov.uk

 

[brad465]

A special derogation was given to the 466s which allowed them to work alone on the Bromley North line, so I'm not sure why a 465 was used.

My understanding was it was granted for a year, so expired in Dec 2020. When I last used the branch in August 2020 it was a 466, but passing through Grove Park more recenlty I've seen a 465 in the platform for the branch.

I believe there were problems with DOO operation for anything longer than a 2 car unit that led to 466s getting the one year derogation while the issue was sorted out, as literally no other passenger rolling stock was allowed to operate on the line.

I don't think the 466s have had their Persons of Reduced Mobility modifications done so they can no longer work on their lonesome - they have to be coupled to one or more 465s.

They had some changes made, including door buttons + sounds and changing the handles/handrails, but I can't recall anything else being done, presumably because fitting a new toilet and/or disabled seating area would have cost more time, money and physical space than was worth getting back just to keep single unit operations going.