Eurostar 373s at Temple Mills Depot

[ChristopherJ]

I passed Temple Mills Engineering Centre on a Stratford - Tottenham Hale service on Tuesday evening and noticed a couple of unusual circumstances.

Firstly, parked in the reception roads was (I believe) half of a Eurostar set with its power car coupled to the rear of another half set of trailer carriages which was deprived of a power car. To explain further the formation was TTTTTTTTTPTTTTTTTTT where T = Trailer and P = Power Car.

Secondly, the trailer carriages of NoL 373/2 set no. 3308 have disappeared, previously they were parked on the cripple road nearest the fence adjacent to the Lea Valley Line and New Spitalfields Market.

Was the trailer carriages that I saw coupled to the half set those of 3308 being shunted around the depot? Why would half of a 373 be used to perform internal shunting when there is an 08 available? The gronk was parked at the usual position on top of the fueling point next to Orient Way.

 

[Mike C]

Having a power car sandwiched like that certainly is unusual. I know of several unusual moves of late (also including 3308), and I can only assume you passed when this was taking place, or it has been planned in stages.

 

[O L Leigh]

There are three half-sets there for parts, 3301/2 and 3308, and a spare power car.

3301/2 were previously stored complete on the reception roads under the A12 with the passenger trailer cars of 3308 further up towards the shed with the barrier wagons. The spare power car was over on the far side by the road where the "Gronk" is usually stabled.

Since then there has been a degree of re-organisation, with 3301/2 shunted onto the stabling roads next to the shed and the "London-end" powercar uncoupled and (I believe) moved. I'm not sure of the precise arrangements, but the formation you saw has been there for well over a week, possibly much longer. One half-set is 3308, although I can't recall the identity of the powercar or the other half-set. However, I'm sure this is simply a stabling arrangement and a way of coupling the vehicles together in the most convenient manner. The powercar is not there to provide motive power for shunting purposes though, of that I'm quite sure.

Not sure when I'm next down that way, but will have a quick look if I get the chance.

O L Leigh

 

[Dreadnought]

There are three half-sets there for parts, 3301/2 and 3308, and a spare power car.

Should that be 3101/3102, the Belgian set? I remember seeing those stored at Temple Mills in the past and thought that 3301/3302 were currently on hire to SNCF and being used in France.

 

[O L Leigh]

I keep getting that wrong. I just look for the last two digits to confirm it's the same set (not that it needs much confirmation).

Thanks for the correction.

O L Leigh

 

[Mike C]

3101/2 is no longer in formation. I know why and where the various vehicles are but I am unable to share that information here.

3308 trailers were moved in order to facilitate the work on 3101/2.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Mike, are you able to at least confirm if it is still the plan that 3101/2 will be the first unit to be given the new refurbishment and returned to traffic?

I think the last time it ran was when it derailed after the WW1 trench opened up beneath it wasn't it?

 

[Mike C]

Peter - I do know the first train that will be given the refurb treatment, but I'm sorry, I can't share it here - I don't think that many people at the company even know that information! It is going to be an exciting time with the 373s being given a new lease of life and the Velaro project well underway. I spent some time with the Siemens guys at Wildenrath last week and it was a fantastic visit.

Needless to say: I love my job. Sorry I can't be more specific about things, but I'm sure you understand. All will be revealed in good time.

 

[ChristopherJ]

Needless to say: I love my job.

Wanna swap? :roll:

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Understood, Mike, no worries.

I just hope they don't fit the things with zillion watt interior lighting - on most services these days the over-window lighting is left turned off because ( according to a train manager ) it's a bit uncomfortable as it is, and I agree - it is...