Class 387

[RobShipway]

So which company is it? Southern, Thameslink or Gatwick Express?

(ducks!)

TSGN Express services, but they are to replace the class 442's on Gatwick Express services.

 

[Class377/5]

So which company is it? Southern, Thameslink or Gatwick Express?

(ducks!)

No such company as Southern or Gatwick Express. The company is Govia Thameslink Railway or GTR.

TSGN Express services, but they are to replace the class 442's on Gatwick Express services.

No they are for Gatwick Express services which will work to and from Brighton all day December.

 

[AM9]

Given the 3rd rail-only role that the 387/2s will be assigned to, will they have pantographs fitted when delivered and is it likely that they will have them removed once established in service, a la the 319/2s a few years ago?

 

[JaJaWa]

That's correct. 387201 moved to Bletchley T.M.D on Monday evening.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/27600321@N04/22117892076/
(not my picture)

Why does Gatwick's "premium" rail service look like it was branded by McDonald's? Couldn't they have looked to the Heathrow Express for inspiration!

 

[physics34]

Why does Gatwick's "premium" rail service look like it was branded by McDonald's? Couldn't they have looked to the Heathrow Express for inspiration!

Well it's another poor livery attempt, but that is par for the course these days. You can't have sleek stripey liveries anymore cos of the stupid door colour rule *tee hee I expect incoming*.

Saying that the Heathrow livery isn't stripey,just shiny.

 

[ert47]

Why does Gatwick's "premium" rail service look like it was branded by McDonald's? Couldn't they have looked to the Heathrow Express for inspiration!

Well, there could be some vinyls waiting to be applied to break up the "Electrotomato"-ness

 

[Stats]

Why does Gatwick's "premium" rail service look like it was branded by McDonald's? Couldn't they have looked to the Heathrow Express for inspiration!

Or a variation of their sister company London Midland.

 

[Class377/5]

Given the 3rd rail-only role that the 387/2s will be assigned to, will they have pantographs fitted when delivered and is it likely that they will have them removed once established in service, a la the 319/2s a few years ago?

No. They keeping the pans like the 375/6s. Especially as long term the BML is expected to see wires up within the lifetime of the trains.

 

[talldave]

Why does Gatwick's "premium" rail service look like it was branded by McDonald's? Couldn't they have looked to the Heathrow Express for inspiration!

Because it's ludicrously overpriced and leaves you feeling somewhat disappointed?

 

[Fincra5]

Given the 3rd rail-only role that the 387/2s will be assigned to, will they have pantographs fitted when delivered and is it likely that they will have them removed once established in service, a la the 319/2s a few years ago?

From looking at the picture they are have the AC equipment on them, and I think I see a panto.. so i'd guess Dual-Voltage.

 

[swt_passenger]

From looking at the picture they are have the AC equipment on them, and I think I see a panto.. so i'd guess Dual-Voltage.

The earlier reports that they were delivered to Bletchley for testing made pantographs something of a certainty...

 

[Class377/5]

The earlier reports that they were delivered to Bletchley for testing made pantographs something of a certainty...

Indeed. Test paths have been the system for months show that.

 

[AM9]

No. They keeping the pans like the 375/6s. Especially as long term the BML is expected to see wires up within the lifetime of the trains.

Aren't the 377/6s DC only, - maybe you mean the 377/7s.

 

[Bald Rick]

Aren't the 377/6s DC only, - maybe you mean the 377/7s.

He said 375/6...

 

[AM9]

He said 375/6...

Ooops yes, my mistake.

My original question was more about whether Govia would leave/keep the pantographs on the 387/2s as they are intended to be used on 3rd rail only diagrams. If they are supplied as dual voltage they might just remove the pantographs to reduce maintenance costs after their initial commisioning and testing at Bletchley. Any BML 25kV conversion would be at least 5, maybe 10 years away so there would be plenty of time to refit the pantographs.

 

[Fincra5]

Ooops yes, my mistake.

My original question was more about whether Govia would leave/keep the pantographs on the 387/2s as they are intended to be used on 3rd rail only diagrams. If they are supplied as dual voltage they might just remove the pantographs to reduce maintenance costs after their initial commisioning and testing at Bletchley. Any BML 25kV conversion would be at least 5, maybe 10 years away so there would be plenty of time to refit the pantographs.

Probably costs more to remove and store them until they are needed... Also you may have to install ballast weight (like DC only 377s) if you remove the AC gear...

I'd imagine it would be left in place.

 

[swt_passenger]

Probably costs more to remove and store them until they are needed... Also you may have to install ballast weight (like DC only 377s) if you remove the AC gear...

I'd imagine it would be left in place.

A pantograph is a very small proportion of the 'AC gear'. The main reason for a ballast weight (when used) is to replicate the weight of the transformer.

 

[Bishopstone]

Any word on the interior layout yet, and how this new sub-class will differ from the 387/1s, if at all?

 

[physics34]

Any word on the interior layout yet, and how this new sub-class will differ from the 387/1s, if at all?

same crap seats.

 

[Fincra5]

A pantograph is a very small proportion of the 'AC gear'. The main reason for a ballast weight (when used) is to replicate the weight of the transformer.

Gathered... But whats the point in removing it.. you've got to store them somewhere...

 

[swt_passenger]

Gathered... But whats the point in removing it.. you've got to store them somewhere...

I expect any device with moving parts, such as springs and bearings will suffer corrosion and seizure over maybe 10/15 years of inactivity on the roof of a train, unless regularly tested and any preventative or corrective maintenance carried out.

It is that maintenance activity multiplied over the fleet that you are really saving.

 

[AM9]

I expect any device with moving parts, such as springs and bearings will suffer corrosion and seizure over maybe 10/15 years of inactivity on the roof of a train, unless regularly tested and any preventative or corrective maintenance carried out.

It is that maintenance activity multiplied over the fleet that you are really saving.

It would also tend to reduce any tendency to redeploy them on Thameslink or WLL in times of need, (don't want the hoi polloi sitting in the expensive seats!).

 

[JaJaWa]

same crap seats.

How can they possibly justify a premium for this now? Same seats, same trains as the other services, also run from Brighton, don't stop at East Croydon or Clapham Junction, but can still take longer than the other trains that do.

 

[Stats]

How can they possibly justify a premium for this now? Same seats, same trains as the other services, also run from Brighton, don't stop at East Croydon or Clapham Junction, but can still take longer than the other trains that do.

2 by 2 seating, more luggage space, wifi and electric sockets.

Ok, I'm clutching at straws

 

[southern442]

2 by 2 seating, more luggage space, wifi and electric sockets.

Ok, I'm clutching at straws

Especially when you consider that most other trains will also have 2+2 seating, and the seating quality is a lot worse than the older 377's that will be on the line. Also I am assuming the first class will be exactly the same as standard, which is absolutely stupid and lazy, and it will be a shame too, because the first class on the 460's was superb and the first class on the 442's is quite nice as well.

 

[Bald Rick]

Especially when you consider that most other trains will also have 2+2 seating, and the seating quality is a lot worse than the older 377's that will be on the line. Also I am assuming the first class will be exactly the same as standard, which is absolutely stupid and lazy, and it will be a shame too, because the first class on the 460's was superb and the first class on the 442's is quite nice as well.

Well the 700s will have 2+2 seating in standard, 2+1 in first. But not much of either.

 

[southern442]

Well the 700s will have 2+2 seating in standard, 2+1 in first. But not much of either.

2+1 in first? I thought it was 2+2?

 

[Philip Phlopp]

2+1 in first? I thought it was 2+2?

There's 2+1 in standard (the TOSW vehicle). First is 2+1 and 2+2.

 

[Class377/5]

IIRC there is a section of 2+1 in standard on a 700.

 

[southern442]

IIRC there is a section of 2+1 in standard on a 700.

Have they changed the interior design since the mock-up was made?