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Locomotive & Rolling Stock Nicknames

You are here: Home > Forum > General > General questions, comments, and issues > Locomotive & Rolling Stock Nicknames

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Locomotive & Rolling Stock Nicknames 08/06/2013 at 10:02 #45553
dwelham313
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139 posts
I've heard some refer to 317s as 'bone shakers', presumably down to the ride quality I guess!

317344 is known among a few of us FCC drivers as 'the purple people-eater' on account of it being involved in 5 or 6 fatalities in a 6 month period, back when it was the last or penultimate 317 in WAGN purple.

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Locomotive & Rolling Stock Nicknames 08/06/2013 at 10:07 #45554
mfcooper
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707 posts
[Off Topic]


" said:
As a Southern driver the things are a nightmare - always in the way due to their incredibly slow acceleration compared to an Electrostar.

Exactly why we hate them in the box. You don't dare slow them down, cos they'll never speed up again. Makes regulating a pain :-( And don't even get me started on using them on peak Brighton's attempting a 2-minute stop at Croydon and Clapham :angry:


" said:
They still are at GatEx, along with 460s being called ‘Vaders’.

But no 460's any more They are being broken down into extra 458 carriages.

[/Off Topic]

Last edited: 08/06/2013 at 10:09 by mfcooper
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Locomotive & Rolling Stock Nicknames 08/06/2013 at 10:09 #45555
jwsetford
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164 posts
hey there being transferred to SWT which is ok but im not a fan of 458's
Last edited: 08/06/2013 at 10:17 by jwsetford
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Locomotive & Rolling Stock Nicknames 08/06/2013 at 11:44 #45556
outofsection
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149 posts
Another one: Class 70 (the new-ish ones) Predator, Ugly Betty or "Fugley"

Oh, and the new LU S stock I've heard called "Whingers" 'cos they make a whining noise at any speed!

Personally I think they should be called Harriers as the front/rear windows bear a passing resemblance to the front of a Harrier jump jet! The windows representing the air intakes either side of the nose on a Harrier jump jet.

Last edited: 08/06/2013 at 11:45 by outofsection
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Locomotive & Rolling Stock Nicknames 08/06/2013 at 12:26 #45559
tgb
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19 posts
" said:
" said:
I've also heard the Cl.350/450 EMUs called UFOs due to the traction motor noise as they increase in power.

That would mean I'm an alien as I drive 450's! :laugh:
Originally the 450 / 444's were known as Doodlebugs , as they made a loud whining noise and then cut out as they approached London

Tony

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Locomotive & Rolling Stock Nicknames 08/06/2013 at 19:46 #45570
jwsetford
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164 posts
Class 70's are also known as toasters as they keep on catching fire.
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Locomotive & Rolling Stock Nicknames 08/06/2013 at 19:53 #45571
Sacro
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1171 posts
" said:
" said:
The Wessex units were "Plastic Pigs" for reasons I don't know…

They still are at GatEx, along with 460s being called ‘Vaders’.
They are with Southern, Gatwick Express ceased to be an operator in 2008, before the 442s transferred over.

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Locomotive & Rolling Stock Nicknames 08/06/2013 at 20:22 #45572
Peter Bennet
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5360 posts
" said:
" said:
" said:
The Wessex units were "Plastic Pigs" for reasons I don't know…

They still are at GatEx, along with 460s being called ‘Vaders’.
They are with Southern, Gatwick Express ceased to be an operator in 2008, before the 442s transferred over.
Gatwick Express is a trading name of Southern and still operates as such.

Peter

I identify as half man half biscuit - crumbs!
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Locomotive & Rolling Stock Nicknames 08/06/2013 at 22:01 #45575
headshot119
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4869 posts
" said:
" said:
" said:
" said:
The Wessex units were "Plastic Pigs" for reasons I don't know…

They still are at GatEx, along with 460s being called ‘Vaders’.
They are with Southern, Gatwick Express ceased to be an operator in 2008, before the 442s transferred over.
Gatwick Express is a trading name of Southern and still operates as such.

Peter
But they are not a Train Operating Company (TOC)

*Heads to the bomb shelter*

"Passengers for New Lane, should be seated in the rear coach of the train " - Opinions are my own and not those of my employer
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Locomotive & Rolling Stock Nicknames 08/06/2013 at 22:04 #45577
Peter Bennet
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5360 posts
" said:
" said:
" said:
" said:
" said:
The Wessex units were "Plastic Pigs" for reasons I don't know…

They still are at GatEx, along with 460s being called ‘Vaders’.
They are with Southern, Gatwick Express ceased to be an operator in 2008, before the 442s transferred over.
Gatwick Express is a trading name of Southern and still operates as such.

Peter
But they are not a Train Operating Company (TOC)

*Heads to the bomb shelter*
Did anyone say they were?

Peter

I identify as half man half biscuit - crumbs!
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Locomotive & Rolling Stock Nicknames 08/06/2013 at 22:14 #45578
headshot119
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4869 posts
" said:
" said:
" said:
" said:
" said:
" said:
The Wessex units were "Plastic Pigs" for reasons I don't know…

They still are at GatEx, along with 460s being called ‘Vaders’.
They are with Southern, Gatwick Express ceased to be an operator in 2008, before the 442s transferred over.
Gatwick Express is a trading name of Southern and still operates as such.

Peter
But they are not a Train Operating Company (TOC)

*Heads to the bomb shelter*
Did anyone say they were?

Peter
Nope, but I just wanted to make the distinction.

"Passengers for New Lane, should be seated in the rear coach of the train " - Opinions are my own and not those of my employer
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Locomotive & Rolling Stock Nicknames 08/06/2013 at 23:00 #45581
Underwood
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746 posts
Used a Southern DaySave on the GatEx on a 442 once, RPI were not happy but at the time the website did NOT mention anything about it excluding the GatEx, and it was on the map too.

Staff on the other hand claimed it was not valid, so I argued that it didn't say it wasn't valid, and they claimed it is a Gatwick Express service, not Southern. Trying to get through to them that Southern IS Gatwick Express was like trying to get blood out of a stone. They won the fight in the end and had to pay a single to Gatwick.

An e-mail to Southern followed suit and they refunded me the single to Gatwick. Nowadays, the website mentions that it's not valid on the Gatwick Express.


As for the ride, I prefer a 442 over a 377. I find that the 377 bumps over Stoats Nest Junction whereas the 442 just rides over it without a bump...or that's happened to the units I've been on anyway

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Locomotive & Rolling Stock Nicknames 09/06/2013 at 01:47 #45582
Gwasanaethau
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509 posts
" said:
" said:
" said:
The Wessex units were "Plastic Pigs" for reasons I don't know…

They still are at GatEx, along with 460s being called ‘Vaders’.
They are with Southern, Gatwick Express ceased to be an operator in 2008, before the 442s transferred over.

You are, of course, correct. However, GatEx is still a brand within Southern, and the people who work on/with them still call them that.

" said:
[Off Topic]


" said:
They still are at GatEx, along with 460s being called ‘Vaders’.

But no 460's any more They are being broken down into extra 458 carriages.

[/Off Topic]

I forgot that they had all been taken out of service now. Last I heard 001 and 002 were being retained in storage for emergencies, but as that was about six months ago now I wouldn’t be surprised if that had changed.

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Locomotive & Rolling Stock Nicknames 09/06/2013 at 16:48 #45587
mfcooper
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707 posts
" said:

" said:

" said:
They still are at GatEx, along with 460s being called ‘Vaders’.

But no 460's any more They are being broken down into extra 458 carriages.

I forgot that they had all been taken out of service now. Last I heard 001 and 002 were being retained in storage for emergencies, but as that was about six months ago now I wouldn’t be surprised if that had changed.
You are correct that 460001 & 002 had been kept and were in irregular use, but that stopped at least a year ago, if not longer.

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Locomotive & Rolling Stock Nicknames 09/06/2013 at 17:14 #45588
Gwasanaethau
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That must’ve been what it was, so. B) I know a few of them (5 I think) were brought back briefly (a last hurrah) for the Olympics last August. 460007 was on standby at Stewart’s Lane for most of that time. It’s a shame to see them go, they were nice.
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Locomotive & Rolling Stock Nicknames 09/06/2013 at 17:18 #45589
jc92
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3629 posts
so I'm thinking that maybe a new "Loco nicknames" wiki page may be the order of the day? Happy to compile that myself, but I'm not really familiar with editing the wiki.
"We don't stop camborne wednesdays"
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Locomotive & Rolling Stock Nicknames 09/06/2013 at 19:53 #45595
postal
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5190 posts
Online
" said:
so I'm thinking that maybe a new "Loco nicknames" wiki page may be the order of the day? Happy to compile that myself, but I'm not really familiar with editing the wiki.
Neither is anyone until they give it a try!

“In life, there is always someone out there, who won’t like you, for whatever reason, don’t let the insecurities in their lives affect yours.” – Rashida Rowe
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Locomotive & Rolling Stock Nicknames 09/06/2013 at 21:14 #45600
Sacro
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1171 posts
" said:
" said:
" said:
" said:
The Wessex units were "Plastic Pigs" for reasons I don't know…

They still are at GatEx, along with 460s being called ‘Vaders’.
They are with Southern, Gatwick Express ceased to be an operator in 2008, before the 442s transferred over.
Gatwick Express is a trading name of Southern and still operates as such.

Peter
Surely if that was the case you'd be able to find them as that at Companies House?

I can only see Southern and Govia.

The units are branded as 'Express' and are down as 'SN' in the NRTT, also their own website says "... operated by Southern"

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Locomotive & Rolling Stock Nicknames 09/06/2013 at 21:25 #45602
Peter Bennet
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5360 posts
" said:
" said:
" said:
" said:
" said:
The Wessex units were "Plastic Pigs" for reasons I don't know…

They still are at GatEx, along with 460s being called ‘Vaders’.
They are with Southern, Gatwick Express ceased to be an operator in 2008, before the 442s transferred over.
Gatwick Express is a trading name of Southern and still operates as such.

Peter
Surely if that was the case you'd be able to find them as that at Companies House?

I can only see Southern and Govia.

The units are branded as 'Express' and are down as 'SN' in the NRTT, also their own website says "... operated by Southern"
I think you are confusing a trading name (which is what I said) with an incorporated company, which is what you will find at Companies House. What is clear is that Southern have a web-site where they say "© Gatwick Express is operated by Southern". I suggest you email them if you think they've got it wrong.

Peter

I identify as half man half biscuit - crumbs!
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Locomotive & Rolling Stock Nicknames 23/06/2013 at 21:18 #45965
kev5176
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2 posts
The 442 - aka 5wes, The Pigs,(Named due to their piggy front end nose) remember were built for long range, limited stop jobs, using the old REP control and power systems, and were Built for the weymouth runs, augmenting Pompey Jobs later on.

there was a rumour many years ago that 321/4 were to be fitted with the 442 nose to enable full corridor use in 8/12 car jobs, legend has is that Mr Green objected to the look and they took on the 321/3 cab end....


They were troublesome at the start of the squadron introduction, like all fleets,teething troubles beset them until the depot and train crews got used to them....

I need correcting here but when built they were probably the heaviest units built when it comes to weight of the unit of 199 tons (321/319 also built during this period 135 tons) compare that with a current BI 377 unit that has 177 tons,


I Suspect that if 442 was to placed on non stop VIC - GAT - BI jobs they may be a little better on the power..

There were issues for a while if i recall rightly when 309 and 411 ceps were placed on stopping Jobs as the grids would overheat on em and this would cause failures - hence they were placed on fast jobs...

So yes they are a pain to regulate, a pain for the front seaters when it comes to getting power when you want it, if they were placed on jobs suited to them they may be liked a lil better

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Locomotive & Rolling Stock Nicknames 23/06/2013 at 21:24 #45967
kev5176
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class 350 - due to their inheritance - surely the "DES" applies to all the desiro emu family

1st gen DMU - FLYING MECCANNO

306/315 - shenfields

309 - clactons

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Locomotive & Rolling Stock Nicknames 23/06/2013 at 23:24 #45970
Copping
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95 posts
Gatwick Express and Southern were merged into one franchise a few years back. Gatwick Express is just a brand name now.

With the Express branding on the 442's, they're sometimes used on the Brighton Express services.

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Locomotive & Rolling Stock Nicknames 24/06/2013 at 16:35 #45988
GeoffM
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6282 posts
" said:
309 - clactons
Jaffa Cakes too.

SimSig Boss
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Locomotive & Rolling Stock Nicknames 25/06/2013 at 10:48 #46008
kbarber
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1712 posts
" said:
" said:
309 - clactons
Jaffa Cakes too.

I thought that was a livery not a rolling stock nickname.

Back sometime before Noah built his canoe and Chris Green led his tribes across the border, the London & South East Sector had a livery of 2 shades of brown with an orange stripe. I think its primary attributes were that it was not too offensive on the morning after the night before and it didn't show the brake dust too badly! :lol:

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Locomotive & Rolling Stock Nicknames 25/06/2013 at 15:23 #46035
UKTrainMan
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Have previously heard of Class 360s (in this case, in reference to the National Express East Anglia ones) being called 'Dessies' - or 'Dessiebelles' (I'm not sure on the spelling) if they gave the person who wanted one a tone of any description on the horn.

Probably applied/applies to any of the Desiro fleet, really.

Any views and / or opinions expressed by myself are from me personally and do not represent those of any company I either work for or am a consultant for.
Last edited: 25/06/2013 at 16:00 by UKTrainMan
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