Future of Class 442 driving coach secured
NORTHUMBRIA RAIL has been successful in securing the future of Class 442 Driving Trailer Standard (DTS) coach 77382, which was previously the A end driving vehicle from ‘Wessex’ set 442401.
The vehicle had originally been designated for possible preservation by the Railway Heritage Committee, but after the National Railway Museum decided it did not need the unit within its collection the RHC agreed to transfer the vehicle to Northumbria Rail, with the transfer formally taking place in late July. While the rest of 442401 has been scrapped and scrapping of the remaining Class 442s is taking place at a rapid pace, the preservation of one of these vehicles is a welcome development.
77382, currently located at Eastleigh, is complete and in excellent condition, having been untouched while its long-term future was established. The bodywork on the vehicle is excellent and the interior is also complete.
The new owners have been preserving and restoring a number of HST Mark 3 trailer coaches. They plan to modify the wiring of the 442 DTS so that it could effectively be used as a driving trailer to work with an HST power car, which the owners are aiming to secure at some point in the future.
When built, the Class 442s could be used as hauled stock, so they are compatible with Mark 3 stock, but wiring modifications will have to be carried out so the vehicle can work with central door locking systems in use on HST trailers.
Craig Owen, from Northumbria Rail, told Railways Illustrated: “We are extremely grateful to the Railway Heritage Designation Advisory Board, the Science Museum Group and Angel Trains for their assistance in allowing us to secure this important vehicle. We are also grateful to Arlington Fleet Group for accommodating the vehicle at Eastleigh and for its ongoing support.”