Danielo
Member
I was on a 'Southern' LM 350 yesterday from H&W to Shepherd's Bush. I times the voltage switch over at 25 seconds. It seems to be a lot quicker than the Electrostars. Is this the case?
If an Electrostar is at Farringdon doing the changover from AC to DC, it can take up to 4 min's to do the changeover. Reason for this is if the unit is in the station by itself then it will be drawing too much current from the third rail, somehting like 800v+. Now if this happens the train doesn't like it and wont turn everything back on because of the high power coming in. The train won't let the voltage in if it's over 812v I think.
Now, if there is a train in the other platform or directly in front of it then it will just take about a minute or so as the other train will be sharing the voltage in the station and the computer will let the lower voltage 'in' so to speak without fear of overloading.
I have no idea though about the 350's.
whats the reason they have problems changing power when its an 8 car?
I'm right in thinking that Eurostar changed whilst on the move, yes? Presumably this didn't take several minutes?
I'm right in thinking that Eurostar changed whilst on the move, yes? Presumably this didn't take several minutes?
Don't know about that to be honest, only ever had one cab ride in a Eurostar and that was on DC hundreds of years ago!!! You can however do the changeover on a 319 on the move both ways if you really wanted to be daring!
I was at Farringdon years ago when a set of empties came though. Didn't stop at all. The pan just about went down before he went under the hook at the end of the wire. My mouth was wide open watching it go!!
Used to be at least one "daring" Connex crew, was a bit of a shock the first time it happened!
I was on a 'Southern' LM 350 yesterday from H&W to Shepherd's Bush. I times the voltage switch over at 25 seconds. It seems to be a lot quicker than the Electrostars. Is this the case?
but 800+ volts sounds a bit much.
I'm guessing that this interval would be the same as that when the unit goes through a neutral section, as the TMS needs a little breather whenever that happens.
It is actual fact mate! On the MITRAC it shows you exactly how much voltage is coming in through each MCM and ACM. (Motor Converter Modules and Auxiliary Converter Modules)
It takes mere seconds to shut off, go through the section and put the power back on again through a neutral section. On the 'Traction Status Screen on the MITRAC the MCM and ACM indicators go from green to yellow for a few seconds obviously whilst they have no power through the section.
Or just get the whole thing done by DMUs and do away with voltage switch overs
Ahh right. Strange things these trains eh!
Bring back the old slam door stock, basic air and amps!
The 377s on the Thameslink route take ages to switch over compared to the 319s.
Would be a good idea to add something to Farringdon to drop the voltage to eliminate delays?
Tell me about it! 6 mins at Farringdon on Thursday! Made the following train late!
It's a good thing they aren't trying 24tph with 377s!
This morning, several Bedford trains were delayed by about 22 minutes. From what I saw traveling Southbound, they appeared to have been all 377s. Must have been stuck at Farringdon.
I also understand that the 377 Ashford-Bedford service was affected by technical faults early on.