Door controls were previously removed before being selected for conversion. A lot of the new kit has re-used that space they left behind.
Do not forget that there’s a lot to fit on to a 769 desk, off the top of my head as a bare minimum the driver needs at hand:-
Master Key
Direction Controller
Power Controller
Brake Controller
Speedo
Brake Pressure Gauge
Horn
AWS Reset
AWS Sunflower
TPWS Panel
DRA
Couple/Uncouple buttons
AC Traction Select
DC Traction Select
Diesel Traction Select
Pan Up / Pan Down
Fire System Test
Engine Start
Engine Stop
Traction Mode Indicator
Line Light Indicator
VCB Indicator
Head/Tail Lights Switch
Head/Tail Lights Repeat Indicator
Signal Buzzer
Multiple Fault Indication lights
All in just 1/3rd the width of the vehicle because of the emergency end doors. And that’s before we get onto comfort items like air con and so forth, or operationally convenient things such as door controls and such.
As this and other 769 threads before have likely shown, I’ve generally been a staunch defender of the project - done well these will be ideal. But even I’ve started to lose my optimism of late. The continued delays achieving a statement of compatibility is just the latest in a litany of delays for which the excuses are running somewhat thin. And as more materialises about how the units as-delivered don’t match my “done well” expectation the more my confidence wanes. I may even have uttered to a colleague over the weekend that we should have ordered some of those shiny bi-mode trains Anglia use in Norfolk - kitted out for 110mph AC operation they’d be awesome for Oxfords and Bedwyns, and could run purely on Diesel on Gatwicks until better self-power options were available.
But alas the 769s will be here, eventually. It is on us to make them work now.