Class 387

[spark001uk]

Ah so diesel hauling as originally planned then.

Ye they're buying some class 442 MBC's and fitting a cab each end and a little diesel lump inside. jokes

Na seriously I dare say there's enough sheds at Acton to run the odd errand.

 

[Nippy]

I would think they would use their own 57s between sleeper workings. Doesn't mean they'd get there mind..........

 

[spark001uk]

I would think they would use their own 57s between sleeper workings. Doesn't mean they'd get there mind..........

This is true.
Actually, if there's any /3 knocking around with the Dellner still on them, that'd make life a bit easier?

 

[SWT_USER]

Does anyone know what the specific issues preventing the 387's from calling at Hanwell are?

 

[fgwrich]

I would think they would use their own 57s between sleeper workings. Doesn't mean they'd get there mind..........

This is true.
Actually, if there's any /3 knocking around with the Dellner still on them, that'd make life a bit easier?

They will be. One of the reasons, apart from to provide additional support to the NR Services, is as to why GWR Have taken on the leases of 57303 & 306 from DRS - 306 is from the NR Modified stable enabling it's Dellner Couplings to rescue and drag Electrostars and Desiros, and have been used to haul Electrostars around in the past. I Wouldn't be surprised if the Tightlock fitted 303 re-receives a spare Dellner back at some point - there's at least 7 pairs in store (WCRC 57s + Tightlock fitted 3).

 

[87015]

C2C getting theirs out the box Monday

2x387 booked 0743 Thorpe Bay / 1743 Fenchurch

 

[1179_Clee2]

They will be. One of the reasons, apart from to provide additional support to the NR Services, is as to why GWR Have taken on the leases of 57303 & 306 from DRS - 306 is from the NR Modified stable enabling it's Dellner Couplings to rescue and drag Electrostars and Desiros, and have been used to haul Electrostars around in the past. I Wouldn't be surprised if the Tightlock fitted 303 re-receives a spare Dellner back at some point - there's at least 7 pairs in store (WCRC 57s + Tightlock fitted 3).

All of the spare couplings are the wrong height!
There are 3 types of coupling .
Type 1 As built for hauling Class 390's
Type 2 For hauling EMU's dellner fitted
Type 3 For hauling EMU's tightlock fitted

 

[D365]

All of the spare couplings are the wrong height!
There are 3 types of coupling .

There's no way to alter the height then?

 

[fgwrich]

All of the spare couplings are the wrong height!
There are 3 types of coupling .
Type 1 As built for hauling Class 390's
Type 2 For hauling EMU's dellner fitted
Type 3 For hauling EMU's tightlock fitted

Are Type 2 not modified Type 1 couplers then?

You certainly learn something new everyday.

 

[1179_Clee2]

Are Type 2 not modified Type 1 couplers then?

You certainly learn something new everyday.

No different height from rail level.
Several years ago before Network Rail used Class 57's a Virgin used loco was sent down south to try to couple to a dellner fitted EMU's a photo was taken and the height difference is VERY noticeable at least 6 inches in old money.

 

[swt class 450]

Will any 12 coach 387 formations run on the C2C network?

 

[Class377/5]

Will any 12 coach 387 formations run on the C2C network?

The plan is from December run 2x 12 car 387 in peak only. Current introduction period is getting them out and about bedding in prior to full passenger service.

 

[swt_passenger]

Will any 12 coach 387 formations run on the C2C network?

In addition to the previous reply, the actual services were first mentioned in this thread a couple of weeks ago:

http://www.railforums.co.uk/showpost.php?p=2749977&postcount=4060

 

[fgwrich]

No different height from rail level.
Several years ago before Network Rail used Class 57's a Virgin used loco was sent down south to try to couple to a dellner fitted EMU's a photo was taken and the height difference is VERY noticeable at least 6 inches in old money.

Thanks for that, I remember the test between the VT 57/3 and the Electrostar at Selhurst - It still amazes me that despite the fact we are starting to standardise on a modern coupling system, we cant match the couplers at the right height.

Bringing the topic back to full circle though, I wouldn't be surprised to see 303 lose it's Tightlock very soon for the Type 3 coupler to allow it's use on the Electrostar drags.

 

[samuelmorris]

C2C getting theirs out the box Monday

2x387 booked 0743 Thorpe Bay / 1743 Fenchurch

I really hope that's true, that's the exact service I normally use going into work every morning. Even if it's not a permanent thing it'll give me a good chance to use the units

 

[D365]

I really hope that's true, that's the exact service I normally use going into work every morning. Even if it's not a permanent thing it'll give me a good chance to use the units

From December the six will be used on select peak services in twelve car formation.

 

[Kite159]

Has the 387/2 diagrams changed for when they work as "Southern" branded services (i.e. the 20:50 & 21:20 Victoria - Brighton)?

(Good news for the 387/3s starting to enter traffic from next week )

 

[Class377/5]

Has the 387/2 diagrams changed for when they work as "Southern" branded services (i.e. the 20:50 & 21:20 Victoria - Brighton)?

(Good news for the 387/3s starting to enter traffic from next week )

The 2210 to Brighton is a 12.387 everytime I've used it last month.

 

[317 forever]

My understanding - although nothing has been finalised from our standpoint as we tend to only work up to 12 weeks ahead - is that the Maidenhead services will be peak hours only, akin to the current 387 operation (although from the proposed diagrams, the calling pattern will be very different). The aim is to get out of North Pole as soon as physically possible - once we have electrified stabling near London (West Ealing) that should be possible, as long as Reading TCD is ready to do the maintenance. Units will be swapped out by dragging them from West Ealing sidings to Reading on an as required basis. From what I gather it's complications with the latter of those requirements that is putting the process in doubt.

While it does take time for all train crew to be trained to work new stock, I cannot see why it will not be possible to run a full service of 387s to Hayes or Maidenhead. Unless, this is proposed for next May and the peaks only service an interim measure.

 

[spark001uk]

While it does take time for all train crew to be trained to work new stock, I cannot see why it will not be possible to run a full service of 387s to Hayes or Maidenhead. Unless, this is proposed for next May and the peaks only service an interim measure.

When they finally wire up to maidenhead that is!

 

[JN114]

While it does take time for all train crew to be trained to work new stock, I cannot see why it will not be possible to run a full service of 387s to Hayes or Maidenhead. Unless, this is proposed for next May and the peaks only service an interim measure.

In place of what services though? The paths for the Hayes shuttles were made by diverting Greenford services into the new bay at West Ealing. There isn't the network capacity to start running additional trains all day on top of the existing relief line services. The peak only Maidenhead services will be in place of through trains to Bourne End, and the peak only Padd - Maidenhead stopper. You can't turn round to Twyford and Reading and deprive them of 2tph just to run a few more electrics?

Once the wires reach Reading, then we'll see all day running from Maidenhead and beyond.

 

[317 forever]

In place of what services though? The paths for the Hayes shuttles were made by diverting Greenford services into the new bay at West Ealing. There isn't the network capacity to start running additional trains all day on top of the existing relief line services. The peak only Maidenhead services will be in place of through trains to Bourne End, and the peak only Padd - Maidenhead stopper. You can't turn round to Twyford and Reading and deprive them of 2tph just to run a few more electrics?

Once the wires reach Reading, then we'll see all day running from Maidenhead and beyond.

The impression I get is that there will therefore not be all-day 387 services until electrification reaches Reading.

 

[spark001uk]

The impression I get is that there will therefore not be all-day 387 services until electrification reaches Reading.

Looking at it logically, the line to reading is running pretty much to a heavy capacity, so as was just said, each diesel service would most likely have to give way to an electric in its path, which would have to await the wiring, yes.

 

[317 forever]

Looking at it logically, the line to reading is running pretty much to a heavy capacity, so as was just said, each diesel service would most likely have to give way to an electric in its path, which would have to await the wiring, yes.

It's good not to curtail other services. It's just a pity as I was hoping to ride a 387 one Saturday around next summer. What I can do instead is, if I go to Oxford, time a Mon-Fri journey back to London to meet a 387 at Maidenhead or Hayes & Harlington.

 

[spark001uk]

It's good not to curtail other services. It's just a pity as I was hoping to ride a 387 one Saturday around next summer. What I can do instead is, if I go to Oxford, time a Mon-Fri journey back to London to meet a 387 at Maidenhead or Hayes & Harlington.

What I sometimes do on a Thames rover is get the 1848 out of pad into Hayes, then cross over to the London platform and get the same units back again (after they've reversed at the junction.)

 

[swt_passenger]

The impression I get is that there will therefore not be all-day 387 services until electrification reaches Reading.

The "all day" 6 days a week (Mon - Sat) 387 services to Hayes start in January. It is in the published GWR timetables, but has been in RTT for some weeks and has been discussed previously in this forum.
https://www.gwr.com/~/media/gwr/pdfs/timetables/december-2016/gw1612-e01--dl-490097-02-web.pdf?la=en
The Peak only services to/from Maidenhead are then supposed to start in May 2017.

 

[spark001uk]

The Peak only services to/from Maidenhead are then supposed to start in May 2017.

There's some passenger workings to Maidenhead in January on RTT too, down as "unadvertised express", most of which are alongside diesel workings to either Maidenhead or Bourne End. I assume by that they've catered for a maybe / maybe not scenario.?

 

[JN114]

There's some passenger workings to Maidenhead in January on RTT too, down as "unadvertised express", most of which are alongside diesel workings to either Maidenhead or Bourne End. I assume by that they've catered for a maybe / maybe not scenario.?

RTT is just reporting paths in the system. There are no plans to run 387s to Maidenhead in January. For starters the OHLE will not be ready, then there will need to be proving runs etc. May 2017 is a reasonable target.

 

[leomartin125]

An example of an odd RTT path is this:

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/C22425/2017/01/12/advanced

Considering West Ealing EMU sidings are only about half way complete, this could be a challenge! Especially wiring up to Maidenhead and going live by 12th Jan

 

[spark001uk]

Ah OK, so they've just been put there as a guide for timings etc then I guess.
I think they'll have to get their fingers out to get to Maidenhead by May.

Actually, what's happening with this multi million pound "OHLE Factory" on wheels that's meant to save loads of time!?