Test train

Now we have have had the '92 stock farce and have got the present ongoing '96 furore I have an idea for Metronet (I know, different firm!)

As the 'D' stocks are undergoing refurbishment why don't the take one train and put all the ideas they propose for the new SSL stock into practice and adapt it to include them as a test bed?

Including articulation. It won't mean taking any bogies away. I believe the 'HG' stock of the Berlin U-Bahn is articulated in a different fashion than usual in that each section has a bogie each end like a normal tube car.

They could also make it a walk-thru train as well. Then put it into service and see what works and what doesn't. That way they will have had a test train running about for a few years in actual service and avoid designing faults into the new stock when it is ordered. Prevention is better (and cheaper) than cure.

I am not saying they are pretty but the HG stock can be seen here>>

www.untergrundbahn.de/fahrzeuge.htm



Look at the left hand navigation list and go down to the group of capital letters and pick 'H' There are two pages of images. You will notice that the large panel at front with the fleet number on is actually a hinged door. The set number is actually the two digit display on the other side at bottom. The car doors are actually plug-type like the Newcastle metro and are much more pleasant than these outside hung things they use on modern tube stock. Plug doors are also much more draught free.

If you click on 'Fahrsimulator H/HK' You'll see the cab layout in one of the images.