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FGW to acquire Thameslink 387s and Great Northern 365s

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biglunn

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Hi there.

I will be sad to see the HSTs mostly go from the GW mainline but on the other hand am quite excited to be seeing Class 800/801 trains replacing them. Loads on discussions about the pros/cons for many months, but what has not been clear till fairly recently is what will be replacing the bulk of the Class 165/166 trains...

I think it's a great decision to get the Class 387s in even if they are second-hand - modern comfortable 110mph stock which should provide a big step change in terms of performance and timings. What I'm not so sure about is the plan to bring in 20yr old Class 365s - non ac stock that needs to be refurbished. Yes they too will provide a step change in performance, but why not just have one stock type?

I guess it all boils down to cost - but to maintain 2 types vs one will increase costs, and with the 365s having a lower top speed surely this would impact stock-route interchangeability?
 
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47802

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Do we need another thread on this as its already been discussed subtancially.

As far the 387's go there will be 8 new trains and to get any more would have meant a new order to bombardier as the 8 new trains and gatex trains were from an option on an existing Thameslink order. Considering this route was due originally to get 319's doesn't seem a bad deal to me, the 365 may be 20 years old but they are similar to what Thames commuters are used to with the 165/166 and look a damn site more modern than the ancient design that the 319's were built to, this also may only be an intrim solution until the new GW franchise in 2019
 
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gage75

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So does that mean First have won the franchise already for 2019???
 

RobShipway

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Do we need another thread on this as its already been discussed subtancially.

As far the 387's go there will be 8 new trains and to get any more would have meant a new order to bombardier as the 8 new trains and gatex trains were from an option on an existing Thameslink order. Considering this route was due originally to get 319's doesn't seem a bad deal to me, the 365 may be 20 years old but they are similar to what Thames commuters are used to with the 165/166 and look a damn site more modern than the ancient design that the 319's were built to, this also may only be an intrim solution until the new FGW franchise in 2019

I have to agree with the above. Both the 365 and 387 are going to be better than the 319's on the GWML.
 

The Ham

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Yes they too will provide a step change in performance, but why not just have one stock type?

I guess it all boils down to cost - but to maintain 2 types vs one will increase costs, and with the 365s having a lower top speed surely this would impact stock-route interchangeability?

Even with these two EMU's types I think that there may be a total reduction in the number of types of trains over the GW franchise.
 

D365

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If you want something more consistent, I'll be quite happy for you to have the 377/5s and we'll keep the complete 365 fleet ;)
 

jopsuk

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hah! reckon that would need the 365s to actually get the full aircon, sockets, wifi upgrade. Not a bad shout, mind.
 

Techniquest

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So it's a done deal? I thought it was 6 not 8 387s being ordered for FGW, and I sure didn't know it was that many 365s coming over!

Without a doubt 365s will be better on the LTV than 319s will have been, as already mentioned they're very similar to the 165s and 166s. Fitting WiFi must be considered essential, after all if they're to do peak trains to/from Oxford it'll be incredibly useful for commuters. Not to mention for leisure travellers like me so I can tweet away happily and keep up to date on the forum!

Interesting times ahead, without any doubt. Certainly I'm not now rushing to do the 365s on GN as I'm due to be able to do them more easily on the Western!
 

387star

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Someone said 365s getting air-con

I wonder if GWR will replace the southern sandpaper seating on 387s
 

jon0844

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I think aircon was a plan for the current work and was dropped, so they'll probably never get it. I assume that besides cost there were other issues that couldn't be overcome easily.

And as for Wi-Fi, I really don't see the fuss when it is usually such a poor experience. I've not been on a train or bus/coach that can offer a better service than me just using my own phone or portable hotspot.
 

SpacePhoenix

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In terms of route clearance will the 365s get it quite quickly? afaik the bodies are the same shape and size overall but obviously different equipment below the buffer beam and a pan and pan well on top
 

sprinterguy

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In terms of route clearance will the 365s get it quite quickly? afaik the bodies are the same shape and size overall but obviously different equipment below the buffer beam and a pan and pan well on top
The 365 carriages are actually 20 metre vehicles while the Network Turbos use 23 metre vehicles, but retain the same body width.
 

swt_passenger

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deleted an errror about what ac meant.

So it's a done deal? I thought it was 6 not 8 387s being ordered for FGW, and I sure didn't know it was that many 365s coming over!

The numbers were announced by FGW on the 23rd March, the day of the direct award was made.

Definitely 8 extra 387s, because the total shown was 37 (and there are only 29 387/1s), and definitely 21 x 365s:

In the Thames Valley, First Great Western will replace most of its Turbo commuter fleet with a mix of 58 electric trains comprised of 37 new and as-new four-carriage Class 387 trains and 21 four-carriage Class 365 trains from spring 2016. This will increase the number of seats for commuters travelling in the high peak by 25% from 2017. These new trains can run with up to 12 coaches.

https://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk...e-frequent-trains-for-thames-valley-customers

I'm wondering why this is still being discussed a fortnight after it was first posted though...
 
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47802

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Definitely AC stock, it's currently used out of Kings Cross on the GN.

--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

...

The thread starter by non AC meant non Air Conditioned:)
 
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D365

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AC = Alternating Current
A/C = Air Conditioning
 

Techniquest

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I obviously didn't see the discussion about the Direct Award, otherwise I'd have not been so surprised as indicated in my previous post. I daresay I'm not the only one here who struggles to keep up with everything posted, especially since there's so much happening lately.
 
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