Northam Traincare Depot - 28th September

Free public open day by Siemens Mobility and South Western Railway.
https://news.siemens.co.uk/news/siemens ... rail-depot

On Saturday 28 September, families and rail users are invited to Northam Traincare Depot in Southampton for a free open day.

The event will be hosted by Siemens Mobility in partnership with SWR. It is the first time the depot has opened its doors to the public in seven years and since South Western Railway became the train operator.

Northam Traincare Facility is home to the Siemens Class 444 and 450 Desiro trains, operating on services to and from the south coast to London Waterloo. The event coincides with 16 years since the fleet of Class 444 and 450 trains were first introduced on the route.

Visitors to the depot will be able to learn more about the trains’ history as well as see them up close, sit in the drivers cab and take a walk underneath a train in the maintenance pit. They will also gain an insight into the technology involved in keeping the trains safe, reliable and comfortable for the travelling public, and learn about careers in the rail industry.

The event is free. To book your tickets visit http://www.siemens.co.uk/railopenday , and all funds raised from donations on the day will be put towards Teddy20, a local children’s charity chosen by employees based at the site.
I've heard rumours that there might also some something like brake van rides on one of the outdoor sidings as happened last time.

 

Not entirely sure what that's got to do with "National Preservation", but hey-ho.....

 

Horrifying to see the Desiros have been in service for 16 years. That’s as long as the Westerns’ total shelf life and they feel as though they’re barely run-in…

 

Being aware of the next generation for preservation? It's always interesting to see how the mainline operators do things, there may be lessons (safety, engineering practice, new products ) for use behind the scenes.
Also there is a chance of their being some "heritage presence". Last time it was 30053 and a Queen Mary brake van.

Cheers, Neil

 

Probably more to do with it than 99% of the posts in ‘New General Chat’.

 

The 444s are very fine trains in every way except I can’t get a signal on my Garmjn GPS so have to time with a stop watch. Worthy successors to the 442s

 

Now heard rumours to the contrary - i.e. that nothing like this will happen. So, if correct, new 'stuff' only it seems.
Does anyone on NP know for sure either way?

 

Heritage Railway reported that 31806 might attend

 

That was a possibility I believe, but 31806 is still inside Herston Works.
New bearings will need running-in, etc. so do not know when it will return to passenger service at Swanage. Hopefully soon.