I'd be interested to know that too
What interests me is why the early deliveries are being split into sections? This implies later deliveries may come in in a complete unit. What is the reason they need to be split now, but may not need to be in future?
Brighton will still be used for the class 377's for the Brighton to Victoria service plus other services, so I doubt that it will be downgraded.
Once the class 700's come online, you will see 377's cascaded to the Southern services replacing the likes of the class 313's.
Beacause there are no working brakes on the class 700s for the first few deliveries. The unit is split up to allow brake force and barrier wagons to be inserted to allow even braking. The later deliveries will be complete units in between translator wagons which will the the units brakes to work.
So, is the reason the translator wagons aren' ready yet, or does the 700's braking system need some sort of approval before the brakes are trusted enough to be used as part of the braking force of the towed consist?
Class 700 stop markers are being installed at the moment diamond signs with either RLU or ALL written in them.
Class 700 stop markers are being installed at the moment diamond signs with either RLU or ALL written in them.
These signs meaning what exactly?
Is it that the RLU (reduced length unit) decodes as "8 car 700", and ALL decodes as "12 car 700" (rather than using FLU for full length as it looks too similar). It perhaps makes the 700 car stop marks completely different to the existing, to amplify the difference for drivers.
Because the 700 stopping points are geared up to having the central DDA area always in the same place, it may be that an 8 car 700 stop mark is not in the same place as any 8 car existing train such as a 377, or a 319, especially if the latter are still using platform monitors?
RLU and FLU markers will have different coloured borders (one purple, one blue).
I only signal the things and that's as much as the information pack includes for what a signaller needs know apart from route and out of gauge instructions. Where they are at with the certification is between Siemens, GTR and their contractors. But we do have the instructions for how to deal with them once all the brake wagons are no longer needed.
All I know was the first 5 class were due to arrive with brake force and barrier wagons (a 27 vehicle formation for a 12 car cl700) and the next 110 were due to arrive with just translator wagons.
RLU and FLU markers will have different coloured borders (one purple, one blue).
It's more that the 700s don't have side windows in the cabs.
That'll put a stop to platform staff who like to have a chat with the drivers!
That'll put a stop to platform staff who like to have a chat with the drivers!
They do have side windows in the cabs which open. All trains do. Even on things like 180s the driver has an openable side window.
Voyagers and Meridians have a fixed side window for positioning of stop car markers, and an inward opening door for conversations with platform staff!
Surely in this day and age, drivers and platform staff should be chatting to each other on Whatsapp or similar?
Who says we don't?!?!?
Anyhow, few questions if anyone could oblige. When is the next one due? is it true the first five over will be split up like the first one but will have to go back, and will the drivers be learning 73's?
Cheers.
1) Soon
2) Yes
3) No (might be one expection to this)
4) No, why would they?
Is there any chance you could be a bit more specific on point 1?
Incidentally does anyone know the vehicle number ranges for the 700s ?. I cannot find it on here.
I think parts of "1) soon" have happened in the last few days ?.
Incidentally does anyone know the vehicle number ranges for the 700s ?. I cannot find it on here.
So are you saying another one has been delivered?
Got a puzzling formation/consist from someone. But its nothing to do with Class 700s. But remember, when there is a delivery, do not expect it to be a complete unit !.
Thanks for the info swt_passenger - that's vary useful.