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Strange DMU/EMU Prototype Unit at Derby works?


Rhydgaled

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I was searching Flickr the other day looking for photographs of class 158s from before October 2001* and stumbled across this photo apparently taken at Derby Works on 30/9/1999.

 

It only seems to be one coach, and looks similar to a 158 but with the cab-end exterior door missing and the inner-end one replaced by a single-leaf door rather than the double doors on a 158. The door areas are plain white/grey, with a red section between with 'GO' branding.

 

Does anyone know what this is and why we have never seen anything like this out on the rail network?

 

*When I think Wales & Borders trains started.

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Looks like probably one of the exported 158s, I think Thailand had a hand full over there which were modified slightly, and I think one of the modifications was indeed the doors.

No idea why it'd be back in Derby just before the millenium though, seems a long way to travel 'home' for a refit?!

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Is it just a prototype shell to test ribbon glazing? There appears to be a lot of cross bracing inside it. The vehicle behind it seems to be a different design, possibly a networker vehicle of some sort.

One thing that seems a bit odd is if this was 1999 why is there an unfinished 158, production had long ceased by then , unless there was a spare shell?

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My forst thought was an Networker classic, but its not one of them - I think it might be a shell to try out the triangular braced bodyshell - something like a Stadler RegioShuttle https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stadler_Regio-Shuttle_RS1#/media/File:Regio-ShuttleRS1.jpg The wiki for them https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stadler_Regio-Shuttle_RS1 tells us its an Adtranz/Bombardier derived design which would fit with Derby.

 

Jon

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My forst thought was an Networker classic, but its not one of them - I think it might be a shell to try out the triangular braced bodyshell - something like a Stadler RegioShuttle https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stadler_Regio-Shuttle_RS1#/media/File:Regio-ShuttleRS1.jpg The wiki for them https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stadler_Regio-Shuttle_RS1 tells us its an Adtranz/Bombardier derived design which would fit with Derby.

 

Jon

 

A reminder that History is Yesterday and this is recent and there are still lots of items on here that research is just catching up on from the recent past!

 

Mark Saunders

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Looks like probably one of the exported 158s, I think Thailand had a hand full over there which were modified slightly, and I think one of the modifications was indeed the doors.

Judging by Wikipedia and Google Images, the Thai 158s have slam-doors, which don't quite look the same as the mystery door on the mystery 'GO' branded vehicle. The lead door certainly isn't plated over like it is on the mystery vehicle.

 

That's not a single leaf door by the way.

What is it then? And did the spare 158 bodyshells not have doors?
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It's (the bit with a window) just a standard side bodywork section. The actual (plated over) door aperture is to the left, note the footstep below it.

Ah, I see what you mean now. No doors on the ribbon glazing test vehicle then (unless the other side is like a normal 158).
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