Southern Diesel Class 171s

[Chrisgr31]

On the way home this evening I noticed that the Southern Class 171s had gained bright yellow plastic "bags" over the end couplings. I assumed initially it was a covering a fault on the one I was joining at London Bridge, but then saw one going the over way at East Croydon that also had one. Any idea why these have been put on? Presumably to keep the weather out but why havent the same couplings on the Electrostars gained plastic bags?

Hmm I am a closet trainspotter eeekkk

[StripeyNick]

You are right to a certain degree. They do bag the couplings sometimes to stop them freezing up but often they put them on if there is a fault with that coupling. (So sometimes you'll see them on one end but not the other)

Also, I think Turbostars and Electrostars have different types of couplings (Scharfenburg & buck eye) so maybe one is more sensitive to the cold than the other.....

Edited by StripeyNick on Friday 18th January 22:43

[MitchT]

I've occasionally seen these bags covering the couplings on the Cl.333 EMUs that go past my work. (Airedale Line between Leeds and Skipton).

[Chrisgr31]

StripeyNick said:

You are right to a certain degree. They do bag the couplings sometimes to stop them freezing up but often they put them on if there is a fault with that coupling. (So sometimes you'll see them on one end but not the other)

Also, I think Turbostars and Electrostars have different types of couplings (Scharfenburg & buck eye) so maybe one is more sensitive to the cold than the other.....

Edited by StripeyNick on Friday 18th January 22:43

These turbostars and electrostars have the same type of coupling on them, no idea if they are made by the same company. Its why these units are called Class 171s because its a different coupling. The reason for the different coupling is so that it means the turbostars can retrieve the Electrostars and vice versa on the East Grinstead and Uckfield lines. Well as far as Hurst Green, and Electrostar trying to go on the Uckfield Line beyond Hurst Green would need a very long extension lead!

[nc107]

They have Dellner couplers on.

They will coat the couplers in frostkill and cover them with the insulating bags. More importantly they prevent snow building up in the mechanism that compacts and prevents coupling.