Thameslink/ Class 700 Progress

[Pumbaa]

Measures air composition to determine density. I can dig out the exact explanation next week.

 

[Stew998]

Is the air con on a 700 tied into the loading sensor system at all (cooling/heating amount relative to the loading)?

Make more sense if it was tied into a thermostat by the sound of it!

I've not had the "pleasure" of travelling on one on anything like a warm or hot day so far but I'd be appalled (albeit not surprised) if stock designed for heavy loading had anything less than adequate air con.

 

[Bald Rick]

Been on 700s 8 times this week, and not noticed the lack of aircon. I looked out for it this eve, and didn't notice any difference.

 

[EMD]

Been on 700s 8 times this week, and not noticed the lack of aircon. I looked out for it this eve, and didn't notice any difference.

Perhaps you're not as sensitive to it. I had a doubtful pleasure of travelling on Electrostars for a bit during May/June in 2015 (during the heat wave) and it was mayhem, I was sweating a bit standing on platform and as I boarded it felt like someone poured a bucket of water on me and my heartbeat went through the roof. Every freaking time. SWT's desiro's on the other hand were amazing. So it's not the trains themselves but Govia's greed.

 

[Bald Rick]

Perhaps you're not as sensitive to it. I had a doubtful pleasure of travelling on Electrostars for a bit during May/June in 2015 (during the heat wave) and it was mayhem, I was sweating a bit standing on platform and as I boarded it felt like someone poured a bucket of water on me and my heartbeat went through the roof. Every freaking time. SWT's desiro's on the other hand were amazing. So it's not the trains themselves but Govia's greed.

Oh I'm sensitive to it. Was on an HST yesterday and clocked straight away that the coach I was on had no aircon - something the 60 or so passengers sat in it had evidently failed to realise.

 

[hassaanhc]

Been on 700s 8 times this week, and not noticed the lack of aircon. I looked out for it this eve, and didn't notice any difference.

I think it has been set so that temperatures are comfortable for those away from the sun, but a bit warm if you happen to be sitting in direct sunlight. Whereas some other trains make you freeze if you're not sitting in the sun. Having been on them 3 times this week (which is 3 more than usual ) I prefer the current set up . And after getting off it was noticeable that the air conditioning was indeed working.

 

[Blindtraveler]

Like the seats its a matter of prefference but I say bring on the fridge lol!

 

[ComUtoR]

You can set the temperature from the cab.

 

[Blindtraveler]

Certainly a marked improvement on depot staff having to do it

 

[EMD]

Can somebody explain to me the logic behind this class 700 power move

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/K97145/2017/05/26/advanced

Why would a train from Cricklewood South Sidings go through Kentish Town to go to Bedford, without picking up passengers? Why not go through the Cricklewood depot north exit junction? Or turn back at WHP?

And on the way from Kentish Town to Bedofrd it went through the siding north of West Hampstead Thamslink.

 

[westcoaster]

Can somebody explain to me the logic behind this class 700 power move

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/K97145/2017/05/26/advanced

Why would a train from Cricklewood South Sidings go through Kentish Town to go to Bedford, without picking up passengers? Why not go through the Cricklewood depot north exit junction? Or turn back at WHP?

And on the way from Kentish Town to Bedofrd it went through the siding north of West Hampstead Thamslink.

It is a commission run from Cricklewood to build up fault free miles.
You can tell by the 3Txx Headcode.

 

[westcoaster]

You can set the temperature from the cab.

At no time can a driver adjust the temp setting, only on fleets say so can you adjust it.

 

[Class2ldn]

At no time can a driver adjust the temp setting, only on fleets say so can you adjust it.

Yep it's silly really but hey ho.

 

[ComUtoR]

At no time can a driver adjust the temp setting, only on fleets say so can you adjust it.

You can do it from the HMI. Just because that idiot brief came out saying don't doesn't mean its not possible. Are you now saying that fleet have totally disabled the function ?

 

[SpacePhoenix]

Could the train crew technically fail a unit if too many coaches are either too hot or too cold?

 

[EMD]

It is a commission run from Cricklewood to build up fault free miles.
You can tell by the 3Txx Headcode.

Ah so they are simply running it in so to say. Thanks!

 

[EMD]

I think it has been set so that temperatures are comfortable for those away from the sun, but a bit warm if you happen to be sitting in direct sunlight. Whereas some other trains make you freeze if you're not sitting in the sun. Having been on them 3 times this week (which is 3 more than usual ) I prefer the current set up . And after getting off it was noticeable that the air conditioning was indeed working.

The A/C is on, that's for sure - otherwise passengers would suffocate. It works but it's extremely asthmatic, like someone was blowing at you through a straw. And then it seems to stop (although I'm sure it technically doesn't) when the train is stationary. I bet cranking the fan speed up 2 or 3 notches over where it is now (while keeping the same temperature) would completely fix that. But then again it would also eat into Govia's margin and since they operate on management fee basis they need to squeeze every little bit and cut ever corner to make sure there's enough money for bonuses.

 

[Peter Sarf]

Are the class 319 trains still running on the Sutton Loop? I want to catch one from Streatham this Saturday.

On my regular-ish Friday afternoon trips from Mitcham Junction to Kentish Town I would say most Sutton/Wimbledon Loop services are still pairs of 319s. I have only ever seen one 700 on this route - was parked at Wimbledon.

I wonder if the air-conditioning is a bit more effective in 25KV land ?. Air-conditioning does use power after all and the 3rd rail is pushed as it is. I must admit I suffer when the air-conditioning makes the train colder than the outside temperature meaning I have to take a jacket with me everywhere even when its roasting outside !. Its the same when the heating makes the carriage/room so much hotter than the outside temperature that the coat and layers of clothes need to come off !.

 

[gobbo]

Just spotted 700119 being hailed as part of 6X70 on the way to Hornsby via Peterborough

 

[SpacePhoenix]

On my regular-ish Friday afternoon trips from Mitcham Junction to Kentish Town I would say most Sutton/Wimbledon Loop services are still pairs of 319s. I have only ever seen one 700 on this route - was parked at Wimbledon.

I wonder if the air-conditioning is a bit more effective in 25KV land ?. Air-conditioning does use power after all and the 3rd rail is pushed as it is. I must admit I suffer when the air-conditioning makes the train colder than the outside temperature meaning I have to take a jacket with me everywhere even when its roasting outside !. Its the same when the heating makes the carriage/room so much hotter than the outside temperature that the coat and layers of clothes need to come off !.

Does it make much difference to the air-con with it being one long open space rather then a series of spaces (coaches) separated by doors at each end?

 

[Peter Sarf]

Does it make much difference to the air-con with it being one long open space rather then a series of spaces (coaches) separated by doors at each end?

I suppose that if the air conditioning in one coach fails there would be a difference on an open unit like a 700. The adjacent coaches will donate conditioned air to the failed coach so the result could be a unit with several coaches struggling to keep to the correct temperature. In a standard unit with closed doors between coaches the one bad coach will be significantly hotter/colder than the rest of the train.

As an aside I travelled from Mitcham junction at around 15:15 for a change, rather than my usual 13:15. the result was very few 319s !. I even got to travel in a 700 !.

Seat rant alert - I must say the legroom in the airline seats means I have to sit skew to avoid pressing my knees into the seat in front so seat back tables are a no no !. Does not matter much as there is all the clutter on the floor anyway. Also on my return from a tiring day I just could not relax in the bolt upright seats. I had to hold myself in position and considered standing. Think i will get myself a folding seat to put in the wide gangways. Or perhaps a hammock. I am getting more and more closed minded about these trains. The bus is cheaper and perhaps more comfortable for a journey from Kentish Town or StPancras to Croydon (sometimes via Mitcham) :roll:.

 

[spark001uk]

I suppose that if the air conditioning in one coach fails there would be a difference on an open unit like a 700. The adjacent coaches will donate conditioned air to the failed coach so the result could be a unit with several coaches struggling to keep to the correct temperature. In a standard unit with closed doors between coaches the one bad coach will be significantly hotter/colder than the rest of the train.

I do find it generally a little cooler in 1st class, I can only assume that's due to the door making it a more confined area to keep cool.

---

...I must say the legroom in the airline seats means I have to sit skew to avoid pressing my knees into the seat in front so seat back tables are a no no !...

Forgive me, I'm finding this a little hard to picture! Seat back tables generally sit with their hinges well above knee height. Unless you're so tall that to sit straight you would end up with your knees considerably higher than your waist that is!
.

 

[Deepgreen]

Just spotted 700119 being hailed as part of 6X70 on the way to Hornsby via Peterborough

Who was hailing it - did they mistake it for a taxi?! Where is 'Hornsby' - is it a model railway facility in Hornsey?

 

[Deepgreen]

The A/C is on, that's for sure - otherwise passengers would suffocate. It works but it's extremely asthmatic, like someone was blowing at you through a straw. And then it seems to stop (although I'm sure it technically doesn't) when the train is stationary. I bet cranking the fan speed up 2 or 3 notches over where it is now (while keeping the same temperature) would completely fix that. But then again it would also eat into Govia's margin and since they operate on management fee basis they need to squeeze every little bit and cut ever corner to make sure there's enough money for bonuses.

Not quite - doors opening provide ample air replacement. However, heat build up may be uncomfortable.

 

[Deepgreen]

I do find it generally a little cooler in 1st class, I can only assume that's due to the door making it a more confined area to keep cool.




Forgive me, I'm finding this a little hard to picture! Seat back tables generally sit with their hinges well above knee height. Unless you're so tall that to sit straight you would end up with your knees considerably higher than your waist that is!
.

Although the gap around the internal door is so huge that it is hardly a contained area. It may also be affected by the relatively light loading of the first class area, with less body heat contributing.

 

[SpacePhoenix]

Do the unit have multiple thermometers for the aircon per coach and can different sections of the coach have any individual adjustment of the air con temperature to take into account the temperature of the air coming through from an adjacent coach?

 

[CosherB]

Do the unit have multiple thermometers for the aircon per coach and can different sections of the coach have any individual adjustment of the air con temperature to take into account the temperature of the air coming through from an adjacent coach?

What do you think this is, a Rolls Royce Phantom?

 

[EMD]

What do you think this is, a Rolls Royce Phantom?

This feature is standard on all cars with climate control these days. Even the crappiest ones.

 

[spark001uk]

...It may also be affected by the relatively light loading of the first class area, with less body heat contributing.

A luxury I fear is fast disappearing, as more people gain knowledge of the declass!

 

[jon0844]

A luxury I fear is fast disappearing, as more people gain knowledge of the declass!

In the peak, first class at the back is often full and standing so I think everyone already knows when it matters most. In fact, I suspect some people choose there at the expense of another emptier part of the train!

Off peak it's safe to say most people still don't know (IME).