Velaro UK construction progress (New Eurostar rolling stock)

[59CosG95]

Hi all,

Just wondering how Eurostar's new fleet of Class 374s is progressing. I
Are there any new trains over from Germany yet? Or are they still testing?

 

[Goldfish62]

Hi all,

Just wondering how Eurostar's new fleet of Class 374s is progressing. I
Are there any new trains over from Germany yet? Or are they still testing?

The first one was delivered to Temple Mills several months ago for training. There's also one at Forrest (Brussels).

 

[59CosG95]

The first one was delivered to Temple Mills several months ago for training. There's also one at Forrest (Brussels).

I presume that they're up to their eyes in building the 700s and testing them ATM, so they haven't had time to construct any more 374s.

 

[MCR247]

I don't think it works like that!

 

[Olaf]

This article from April 23, 2013 gives a few pointers:

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/f5dc1128-abe1-11e2-a063-00144feabdc0.html#axzz3Ajb5oaV1
- registration required, but free to view

- first of the 10 sets were due for delivery at the end of 2014,
- indicates that Siemens under-estimated the complexity of the project, pointing to issues with difficult regulatory approval process - accompanied by a suitable flowery quote,
- Eurostar is "expecting delivery of most of the trainsets during 2015",
- Siemens "is already putting six trains through testing".

P.S.
- I'm looking forward to my first trip on one out of St Pancras.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
This article from March 5, 2014:

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/09860196-a44a-11e3-9cb0-00144feab7de.html#axzz3Ajb5oaV1

- Indicates that Eurostar will have sufficient additional vehicles to start new services to the south of France by the Summer 2015,
- New services to Amsterdam from 2016,
- Additional services to Germany and Switzerland being studied, but no firm plans as of the date of the article.

 

[jopsuk]

I presume that they're up to their eyes in building the 700s and testing them ATM, so they haven't had time to construct any more 374s.

That's not how a large, competent business works. The build orders will be planned very carefully, and the Desiro (UK) assembly line will be separate from the Velaro one (though both assembly lines are likely to be flexible- ie can be can be configured for each order). Siemens are building various other orders at the same factory simultaneously.

 

[starrymarkb]

I presume that they're up to their eyes in building the 700s and testing them ATM, so they haven't had time to construct any more 374s.

Are they even built at the same plant? - I understand that there have been delays to the DB Verlaro D units which have had a knock on effect. IIRC the 407s and 374s are the first units built to the new high speed TSIs and approvals have been problematic.

Bet Alstom is glad they didn't get the contract in hindsight.

 

[user15681]

Another 374 due this week, overnight 23/24 September.

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/J32894/2014/09/23/advanced

No numbers yet.

 

[Chris125]

4003/4 has been on the move so may be a possibility?

Chris

 

[user15681]

374011 and 374012 (4011/12) came over tonight to Temple Mills.

 

[Tracked]

just got back from Brussels today, wondered what was happening with these - there was one outside Midi this time last year, it does seem to be taking a while - thought I'd have a look on here and there's a thread on the first page!

 

[Alfie1014]

Two sets at the back of Brussels Forrest depot this evening, what with the two at Temple Mills. Rail Passion (French rail magazine) reports this month that 4007/8 have been testing on DB metals and on the Rhone Rhein LGV in France, so is that 5 sets in total delivered?

 

[user15681]

That's odd... Any chance Rail Passion are a bit out of date...?

4007/8 arrived at Temple Mills on 30th January 2014 and has been there ever since. Siemens were the only ones allowed near it, until 2 weeks ago when Eurostar were allowed onto it. Fairly certain I haven't missed a move in the past 2 weeks taking it back over to France, and I wouldn't see the point of a move all the way back... although if it has happened I'm happy to be corrected.

I should imagine...

4001/2 - Brussels Forest depot
4003/4 - Brussels Forest depot
4007/8 - Temple Mills
4011/12 - Temple Mills

 

[Alfie1014]

My bad, looking at Rail Passion again today it shows 4005/6 as the units on test in the summer.

 

[59CosG95]

My bad, looking at Rail Passion again today it shows 4005/6 as the units on test in the summer.

Fab-makes much more sense!

 

[Techniquest]

Are these sets on Temple Mills easy to see? I might have to pop on by to add them to my book when I'm in London in the next couple of weeks. Assuming I can pull myself away from 313 cranking that is!

 

[jon0844]

More often than not. The original set never moves (much) and it's only that it might be partially blocked and in the day that's unlikely IMO.

 

[Techniquest]

Excellent, something else to add to the rather long list of things I want to do in London when I'm down there. Might have to make it a 2 day trip and postpone the Southern Daysave, a decision to make later...

 

[Peter Sarf]

I had some spare time on a one day Oyster cap so I took a trip past Temple Mills on Wednesday 24/09/2014 hoping to see the latest delivery before it disappeared into a shed (pessimistic me). There is a half hourly service from Stratford to Tottenham Hale and beyond.

The Eurostar/HS1 depot appears to be all on the East side of the line that suns roughly South to North. Working from the South/Stratford (so everything is on your right) there is first of all the single (?) track link rising up from HS1. Next is what appears to be "running"/"reception" sidings, these were containing pairs of Javelins and a Velaro pair (both ends should be visible as a Velaro pair is so long). Just to the North is the Eurostar shed with two or three sidings visible from passing trains. The other side of the shed could be a vast area for all I know. Immediately to the North of this are the sidings containing Greater Anglia units and Mark3 coaches etc. The train runs conveniently slow past all this.

On Wednesday 24/09/2014 about 11:00 I saw 374012 + 374011 being pulled by an 08 shunter into a siding alongside the shed. There was already a Velaro pair parked there and I could only see the North end 374007.

On Monday 29/09/2014 I had the chance of another fly past. This time 374012 and 374011 were clearly visible alongside but behind the Javelins in what I guess are the "running"/"reception" sidings. Perhaps they are imminently going out for a spin ?. Meanwhile I THINK 374008 and 374007 were still alongside the shed. Both ends were just visible as they were otherwise obscured by a Eurostar so I am only about 90% sure of the numbers but fits in with others reports.

I should say the Velaros are numbered in the 40nn range i.e. missing the first two digits of the class so 374012 is actual shown as 4012. Same goes for the Eurostars so no surprises there.

 

[59CosG95]

I had some spare time on a one day Oyster cap so I took a trip past Temple Mills on Wednesday 24/09/2014 hoping to see the latest delivery before it disappeared into a shed (pessimistic me). There is a half hourly service from Stratford to Tottenham Hale and beyond.

The Eurostar/HS1 depot appears to be all on the East side of the line that suns roughly South to North. Working from the South/Stratford (so everything is on your right) there is first of all the single (?) track link rising up from HS1. Next is what appears to be "running"/"reception" sidings, these were containing pairs of Javelins and a Velaro pair (both ends should be visible as a Velaro pair is so long). Just to the North is the Eurostar shed with two or three sidings visible from passing trains. The other side of the shed could be a vast area for all I know. Immediately to the North of this are the sidings containing Greater Anglia units and Mark3 coaches etc. The train runs conveniently slow past all this.

On Wednesday 24/09/2014 about 11:00 I saw 374012 + 374011 being pulled by an 08 shunter into a siding alongside the shed. There was already a Velaro pair parked there and I could only see the North end 374007.

On Monday 29/09/2014 I had the chance of another fly past. This time 374012 and 374011 were clearly visible alongside but behind the Javelins in what I guess are the "running"/"reception" sidings. Perhaps they are imminently going out for a spin ?. Meanwhile I THINK 374008 and 374007 were still alongside the shed. Both ends were just visible as they were otherwise obscured by a Eurostar so I am only about 90% sure of the numbers but fits in with others reports.

I should say the Velaros are numbered in the 40nn range i.e. missing the first two digits of the class so 374012 is actual shown as 4012. Same goes for the Eurostars so no surprises there.

TBH, I know that 4007 and 4008 are in Temple Mills-I was lucky enough to have a placement there earlier this month! I think they're still doing tests on it at the moment, but they must be near the end of testing if more sets are heading to Temple Mills.

 

[starrymarkb]

I should say the Velaros are numbered in the 40nn range i.e. missing the first two digits of the class so 374012 is actual shown as 4012. Same goes for the Eurostars so no surprises there.

IIRC each vehicle carries an 11 digit number. It's common on the continent for sets to just carry an abbreviated number (ie TGVs just carry the last 3 digits, BLS units an locomotives have a large "101" with a smaller "535 101")

 

[Peter Sarf]

IIRC each vehicle carries an 11 digit number. It's common on the continent for sets to just carry an abbreviated number (ie TGVs just carry the last 3 digits, BLS units an locomotives have a large "101" with a smaller "535 101")

Ah yes I forgot that. I remember the Eurostars have coach numbers that are just the unit number with an extra two digits (?) on the end. Makes it very easy and logical.

 

[Techniquest]

Cheers for the gen there, will have to have a look next Tuesday or Saturday when I'm in London

 

[59CosG95]

IIRC each vehicle carries an 11 digit number. It's common on the continent for sets to just carry an abbreviated number (ie TGVs just carry the last 3 digits, BLS units an locomotives have a large "101" with a smaller "535 101")

Ah yes I forgot that. I remember the Eurostars have coach numbers that are just the unit number with an extra two digits (?) on the end. Makes it very easy and logical.

One digit, actually.

 

[WatcherZero]

Article in the Independent on the style of the new Eurostar, says the original were styled by Roger Tallon after the TGV Atlantique, the next designer Philippe Starck based the stations on 80's modernist fashions. The new designer Christopher Jenner proposal for new Eurostar checkins are softer based on Gulf hotels drawing inspiration from Art Nouveau and Gothic.

While I think the ticket office designs are good, this is what he pitched in 2012 for rolling stock interior, we dont know what the actual design will be yet if it has moved on. Frankly I think its hideous.

 

[southern442]

While I think the ticket office designs are good, this is what he pitched in 2012 for rolling stock interior, we dont know what the actual design will be yet if it has moved on. Frankly I think its hideous.

Agreeed. The leather is a horrible colour and doesn't look at all comfortable, the seats are too low and you would be forced to sink into them (similar to a 319 ) and, worst of all, no tables! It won't be much better than your average 321!

 

[WatcherZero]

I think the tables are the panels just below the windows, pull up and out.

 

[jon0844]

The train designs are laughable as the designer obviously didn't consult with anyone that would say what was, or wasn't, actually possible due to train design, safety requirements etc.

So, while the ticket office and other parts of the station could look like just about anything, the train design was pure fantasy and would, at best, be massively toned down if anyone decided to proceed with it.

Now if said designer wanted to work with Bombardier, Siemens etc to have such designs factored into the design of a future train, then I wish them the best of luck.

If you look at the new interior on the Heathrow Express, which I am particularly fond of, you could probably take a lot of that (especially first class) and build on it for a very luxurious interior, using lighting in clever ways (thanks to LEDs) to further improve the ambience.

 

[ACBest]

Has there ever been any update on the 373 refurbishment yet? I recall the company doing that went bust, and it then went very quiet...

 

[starrymarkb]

Has there ever been any update on the 373 refurbishment yet? I recall the company doing that went bust, and it then went very quiet...

The first powercars are out, but the first set of coaches are still at SNCF Lille - I understand it was a key supplier that went under.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/28717025@N03/14851224695