Re: P and H class (Vic) operating as push/pull

[Craig Haber <albatross@harnessnet.com.au>]

G'day,

Rod Young wrote:
> HEP wiring is passed through all H cars [I guess almost all V/Line
> carriages will now operate on HEP, or at least be able to pass
> HEP power through fitted cabling for cars that do need it!]

Some N and FN sets are not HEP operated.  On N type cars just below the
number you will see either a T or _H_ (that's an underlined H, or
"H-bar").

The T denotes "Through Cabled", the _H_ denotes "415V Head End Power".  

T cars run off their own diesel-alternator unit (or axle driven
generator, although I don't think any of these exist now that BZ269 has
been converted to HEP), and are through cabled so HEP vehicles further
down the train can be supplied.  

H-bar cars have AC electrical equipment, and will only run off HEP
supply.  ie, you switch off the HEP, and everything goes off.  H-bar
cars have small batteries to provide lighting to emergency DC lights in
case of HEP failure.

Some V/Line cars are H (not underlined), that denotes "DC Carriage,
batteries charged by Head End Power".  Those cars have all equipment
powered by their batteries, which are charged by a generator, which is
driven by a 415V motor, which is powered by the HEP.  These are former
axle driven cars, ie, the generators used to be driven off the axles,
via a hypoid gearbox, and clutch which engaged at over about 25mph.  You
can switch these cars on for about 30 mins at full electrical load
without HEP, after then the batteries go flat.  Similarly, if you loose
the HEP supply, the car will continue to operate normally for as long as
the batteries can supply the load.  Note they have DC electrical
systems. Most WCR cars are H (although we don't have it painted on the
vehicle), ACZ257 is now an AC car, BRS cars are AC (they are capable of
operating as a T or H-bar type vehicle, at the flick of a switch), BZ
cars have their flouro lighting powered directly off the HEP, aircon and
emergency lights off the batteries.

Cheers,
CH.
-- 
Craig Haber
albatross@harnessnet.com.au
Manufacturing Systems Engineer (almost) 
Web Page Designer, Harness Racing, Railways, and Essendon Football Club
fanatic
http://www.harnessnet.com.au/