321414 to Doncaster tomorrow, 1320 off Ilford. Final end of the "Bletchley seven" 321s
Well we still have the "Bletchley four" 319s
The problem there is that freeing up 380s doesn't directly increase capacity on the routes which need it most during the tunnel works. The 334s work primarily on services from Helensburgh and Milngavie to Edinburgh, which have now become the main Glasgow to Edinburgh service, and they're the only trains which can be used on those services. A few 334s are normally free to run other services through the low level stations but these will now be used to strengthen the A-B service. The LM 320/4s can expand the 318/320 fleet by enough to cover the 334s on these extra services.
Once the tunnel works are complete the 320/4s probably represent the only increase in capacity on the North Electrics service until the Mk3 EMUs need replaced. They'll be able to free up 334s for A-B duties well into the future and they may be necessary for the 4tph service to Cumbernauld.
380s are cleared for at least the Argyle Line, and ran on it during the Commonwealth Games, in both three and four car sets. That would free things up for the North Clyde Line.
380s are cleared for at least the Argyle Line, and ran on it during the Commonwealth Games, in both three and four car sets. That would free things up for the North Clyde Line.
The 4 cars are for the E&G route. NB has had platform extended so will be able to take 2x3.
It was quite odd seeing the two London Overground liveryied 321s at Doncaster where the old 460 luggage vans were yesterday
It's been seven since early March when 319455 was transferred to LM as the last of the batch. I posted it in the LM 319 thread at the time.
I think despite the doom and gloom it had always been intended to be 7 once they became available.
I've heard that the traction electrics are meant to be cooled by the air rushing past, and doing stop-start in the tunnels isn't good for them. In any case, the Commonwealth Games service was exceptional and didn't consist of a normal Argyle Line timetable, so they wouldn't be much use elsewhere. They aren't able to double up either, so the additional capacity they would bring would be extremely minimal.
Why can't the 380s double up? Would two coupled together be too long for platforms (presumably there's no form of SDO available)?
Can't see how that can be the case with the cooling on the 380s as (at least SWTs Desiros), you can hear a fan operating at low speeds
The 320/321 fleet has 20 m carriges as opposed to 23m for the 380s, so over a 6 carrige train it would be 18m longer so a 6 car 380 would be nearly the length of a 7 car 320/321, although SDO might be possible the train would be too long for pretty much all the stations making the last carriage unusable as it would be off the platform in most places which would make it a bad use of capacity.
How much of the last coach would be sticking past the end of the platform?
(Sorry for potato quality)
I really love autocorrect sometimes.
415 is now at Shields and full refurbed inside and out
Is it in a better condition than the current 320's as they are long overdue some TLC. Also, have they fitted the giant bog to this one?
Yes to the huge loo. They're now very similar to the 320/3s inside.
I hope that doesn't include the old SPT interior colour scheme!