Re: 6-car sets and drivers' cabs

Dave Horsfall <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes:

>OK, call me bored, but a thought struck me whilst I was standing at
>St.Leonards this arvo, as the regular Gordon R-set trundled past.

>Given that the 2- and the 4-car set have the same ID plate (apparently
>glued on, as they don't sit on the hook), are they ever split up?  And if
>not, does the mid-driver's cab gather cobwebs, or do they rotate the 4-car
>set every so often, so that cab can see the scenery?

Yes they are regularly pulled apart whenever cars need servicing, and cars
which have been serviced are put in their place. The car the guard works
from in the 'centre' of 6-car sets is always a fully-operating motor car.
The drivers controls are complete and in full working order.

I think there is some confusion caused by the early 38xx Comeng motor cars
which are being converted into trailer cars. These cars have driving
controls, pantographs, line-switches, etc, removed, but I believe the
traction motors are not being removed.

I am told the reason these cars are being converted to trailer cars is
because of a problem sourcing brushes and other parts for the commutators in
the traction motors, but I've got no confirmation of this yet from
maintenance centre staff.

Craig.
--
  Craig Dewick - http://lios.apana.org.au/~craigd - [EMAIL PROTECTED]
      Professional train driver (CityRail) and HO scale railway modeller
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