S stock delivery & introduction - discussion

Is there a way to describe this in more simplistic terms!? The bit I don't understand is "the Operator has kept the TBC in the braking arc" sorry if I'm being thick! I'm interested in the technicalities of it but don't always understand! Video tech I get, but Trains I'm still playing catchup! Is this the most likely cause tho!?
On a separate note, when is the nominated workings scheduled to switch?

The TBC is the Traction Brake Controller. You twist it (this provides the dead man functionality, if you let it go, it springs back and the emergency brakes come on) and then push it forward. You can see a picture of it on this page (under "In the cab"), it's the reddish-pink handle with a big yellow button on it (passenger emergency alarm acknowledge). You push it forward to accelerate - the further you push it forward, the more power you draw. You pull it back towards you to brake - the further you pull it back, the harder you brake. If you pull it all the way back, it will slot into the emergency brake position.

Now, the way the "handle" (the TBC) moves is through an arc, with 100% brakes at the back and the 0% brakes at the front of the braking arc. Then, of course, there's 100% power at the very end of the full arc. So if it's still within that braking arc, if it's in a braking position, then it's kept in the braking arc.

Can the drivers rotate that?

It looks to be oriented in just about the most uncomfortable way possible.

Or is that deliberate to keep them awake?

The handle as photographed is in the 'neutral' position, moving it won't have any effect on the train, similarly to how C stock wouldn't be affected by moving the CTBC when it was raised up. To activate the handle, it is rotated 90 degrees about itself (so that the main handle part currently facing the window now face the offside door). In that position it can then be rotated forward and backward to operate the train

I see! Thanks for the detailed explanation!

And if 4 S stocks arrive per month from now on, all the D's will be gone by late Summer 2016. So all is on track.

No, but I'll take the credit all the same!

Unlikely.

Operative word in that post being 'aim'!

The most deliveries in 1 month I can remember is 6 (October 13) so it is possible in theory to do 8 per month but unlikely to happen.

Once all the drivers are trained, the depots and sidings are configured, platforms extended, signals and other infrastructure moved, it became easier to accept the new trains into service.

Indeed! There is some press coverage planned of the last S stock (except the actual last one) to be built so you may see something on the news.

Back to S stock deliveries. There will be a short break over Christmas then the 150th train to be rolled out will enter service from 6th Jan. Only 41 + 1 to go.

At the moment there are usually around 29 +/- 2 or 3. From checking over the last couple of weeks at least 27 are on the scheduled workings. Once the number of actual D stocks left starts to drop closer to 29 some of the nominated workings will be withdrawn. I'd expect this would get further reduced every month or so from the end of January. Planning the "last D stock" activities will need to start soon as there are a number of platform alterations we need to get done once they are all gone so they won't be able to run round much after the last scheduled working has finished.