A change in standards means that trains in the UK are no longer required to have yellow front ends.
With electric and diesel trains beginning to overtake steam, the yellow nose was introduced in the 1950s to make trains more visible, said RSSB.
But new, brighter headlights mean yellow front panels will no longer be a requirement for new trains.
RSSB said in a statement: “Companies are now able to make their own informed choice about their trains’ front end colour, as long as the right risk assessment is done and all affected parties are involved.”
Technology is changing that why brand new trains may not need to have yellow front ends except Gat Ex Class 387/2’s and GWR Class 387/3’s that will have yellow front ends as they are currently being manufactured by Bombardier at Bombardier Derby Facility.
As brand new, brighter headlights will be installed and fitted onto the Class 345’s, Class 710’s, Class 700’s, Class 707’s, Class 800’s, Class 801’s, Class 802’s and other future trains that are to be built for the UK.
Putting an apostrophe after each class is incorrect.
Does it matter. NO! Well then.
Please don’t give me any more questions ok.
That’s not a question?
Fine. End of discussion.
The 387s under construction are only keeping yellow paint because the livery was finalised before this rule came into place. The Heathrow Class 332s didn’t even have a yellow front end when they were first built.
As for whether it’s safer for trackside workers is another debate altogether.
That’s one thing I didn’t even notice.
London Underground trains (some run on Network Rail sections) don’t have yellow front ends (though red seems usual)