On 24/12/2012 11:46 AM, Richard YOUL wrote:
>

> It was probably more the matter of standardisation.

>

> <snip>

>

> This still does not answer the question of 'why go to the botherof converting, with plenty of RC2 fitted cars to choose from?'

>

I have a vague recollection of being told (perhaps on this list) that the only reason 728 made it as a City Circle car was because it had already been converted to RC2 prior to selection.

The Clydes disappeared (again my recollection) because the controllers had asbestos in them and it was considered neither cost effective nor necessary to remove it ... the cars were withdrawn.

728 was withdrawn in early 2011, but union leader Lou DiGregorio made a fuss and it was put back into service.
See: http://www.tdu.to/123622.msg?sid=95152&p=3

Not long after Lou's retirement it was quietly withdrawn again. The pic I posted earlier was the last time I saw it - in May this year.
There are some pics of it in service after its reprieve attached to:
http://www.tdu.to/123786.msg

The vicsig records reflect what keen volunteers do to try to keep car histories up to date.
They are as accurate as those observant volunteers make them.

Mal Rowe - rather fond of W5s but indifferent to SW5s