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Post by Ryan Webb on Sept 2, 2009 6:56:32 GMT
Posting this from 466042 which has got new audio announcements like an Electrostar, is this a common feature or is being rolled out like the regen comeback?
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Post by Richard Trevithick on Sept 2, 2009 8:05:22 GMT
My living sources tell me this will eventually roll out across the fleet. The current plan is for it to be done to Met-Cams (465/2, 465/9 & 466) only, however, there are rumours that it'll also be done to BRELs too. One important thing to bear in mind is there are some serious problems with the new system that controls the annoucements, displays and PA system (many of which were not even known about by the manufacturer or SET - does nobody test things these days before general release?!  ), so it may be a long while before the project is completed. RT |
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Post by Ryan Webb on Sept 2, 2009 17:44:29 GMT
Well, I was on the same unit again this evening, there is a couple of issues as far as I can see (or should this be hear?  ) - there is no audio for the announcement at a station - for example, the announcement of "This is Sheerness-on-Sea. This train is the service to Sittingbourne. Calling at Queenborough, Swale, Kemsley and Sittingbourne." has no audio, but it displays on the interior PIS screens. Yet all the other announcements play except the ones at a station. And the volume is too loud, perhaps the 16 year old speakers need replacing! |
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Post by Shivering Timbers on Sept 5, 2009 23:16:37 GMT
Using the Dartford lines regularly I've also noticed that some of the Networker fleet have had new PIS systems fitted which seem to be controlled by GPS positioning. The first time I noticed this seemed months ago but the fitment seems to be at a slow pace, presumably due to the technical problems as previously mentioned. The worrying thing I find is the lack of headcode route number indication on the ones fitted. So many people have gotten used to a quick glance of the train and seeing the 50, 54, 62, 72, etc, etc, headcodes, I feel if these were done away with altogether the percentage of people boarding wrong trains at London Bridge would rise!
Shivers
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Post by Richard Trevithick on Sept 6, 2009 8:55:03 GMT
There is definitely a plan to get rid of headcodes. It affects the entire fleet, not just 466s. The majority of trains - including mainline 375s - have been stripped of headcodes. I'm unsure of the reason why, but I'm sure that one of my fellow dead spirits could enlighten us as to why this is being done...
RT
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Post by Shivering Timbers on Sept 6, 2009 14:41:40 GMT
Unbelievable RT, someones brainstorm decision to strip two digits from the front of trains. Who decided to do that? Still nothing surprises me these days. That has got to be the wisest decision yet, and a healthy bonus paid for whoever decided to start removing them! Headcodes have been around for decades as a simple route identification that can be easily remembered. God help us all if the bus companies or TFL decide to remove them from buses! Hope one of your dead spirits can force some common sense back into them!
Shivers
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Post by Ryan Webb on Sept 17, 2009 18:13:50 GMT
Slightly off topic ...
Southeastern are possibly going to be one 466 short as from tonight ...
On the 1707 Sittingbourne - Sheerness service (formed of 466008), a stone was thrown at a window as the train was leaving Queenborough, made an awfully loud bang, and the outside pane was shattered.
The 1736 to Sittingbourne was running, albeit departing very slowly (Power Notch 1) from Sheerness ...
Mindless yobs, hopefully the incident was captured on CCTV and the culprits caught ...
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) - there is no audio for the announcement at a station - for example, the announcement of "This is Sheerness-on-Sea. This train is the service to Sittingbourne. Calling at Queenborough, Swale, Kemsley and Sittingbourne." has no audio, but it displays on the interior PIS screens. Yet all the other announcements play except the ones at a station. And the volume is too loud, perhaps the 16 year old speakers need replacing!