TPE Class 397 ('Nova 2') construction and updates

[dilbertphil]

‘Spring 2019’ according to info I’ve seen, so probably the May 2019 timetable if all does well with testing and training.

From the info I've heard it is unlikely the 397's will be in service next spring, end of 2019 is a far more realistic date.

 

[Chester1]

Doubtful that any trains will be 10 car, despite rumours.

Solutions for the EDB route?

Ditch stops at Penrith and Bolton. Less advance ticket sales. Make sure luggage is all stored correctly, make sure the guards enforce the bike rules.

You have mentioned the option of increasing the 397s to 6 coaches before. Do you think this is likely? It does seem like the new capacity from 5 coach 397s will be used up very quickly because of better rolling stock, a dedicated coach for first class and a slightly faster journey. It also seems unlikely that the next West Coast franchise will order new stock pior to 2026.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Wow. These are highly impressive. They could very easily be the best trains in the UK - full window alignment, bright airy interior and sleek design.

I've found the link if anyone can't view the pictures: https://www.caf.net/en/productos-servicios/proyectos/proyecto-detalle.php?p=286

Or, they would if those seats were replaced with something actually good like one of the Grammer products.

 

[whhistle]

Great pictures! Not sure if this is just me, but I can only see the pictures when I click reply!

It's not just you.
Maybe the host has some sort of hotlinking restriction.
Yet this would still apply when clcking reply

 

[jonesy3001]

i'm getting the same when you reply you see the pics, they do look awesome though.

 

[class387]

Or, they would if those seats were replaced with something actually good like one of the Grammer products.

Very true. But aside from that they do seem very good.

 

[Clansman]

Not a clue why the links aren't working, you can still see them on the CAF website.

Very excellent designs. CAF have really shown themselves to be a major player in the UK market.

 

[Bertie the bus]

CAF have really shown themselves to be a major player in the UK market.

It is a little early to make that claim. None of their trains have been accepted yet, let alone carried any passengers. Performance, ride quality and reliability are more important than whether a train looks good. Obviously comfort is as well but the seats chosen has nothing to do with manufacturers.

 

[absolutelymilk]

From the info I've heard it is unlikely the 397's will be in service next spring, end of 2019 is a far more realistic date.

That is an awfully long testing period! Have they already encountered lots of problems then?

 

[Clansman]

It is a little early to make that claim. None of their trains have been accepted yet, let alone carried any passengers. Performance, ride quality and reliability are more important than whether a train looks good. Obviously comfort is as well but the seats chosen has nothing to do with manufacturers.

I was making reference to how well they've been coordinating their orders with the relevant TOCs.
Interior design is irrelevant.

 

[Bertie the bus]

You hid the meaning of your comment well considering you initially linked to some photographs of the train and then stated:

Very excellent designs. CAF have really shown themselves to be a major player in the UK market.

 

[BMIFlyer]

You have mentioned the option of increasing the 397s to 6 coaches before. Do you think this is likely? It does seem like the new capacity from 5 coach 397s will be used up very quickly because of better rolling stock, a dedicated coach for first class and a slightly faster journey. It also seems unlikely that the next West Coast franchise will order new stock pior to 2026.

I am aware that they can be lengthened, if required - however unsure if they in fact will be doing that in the near term.

 

[BMIFlyer]

That is an awfully long testing period! Have they already encountered lots of problems then?

The unit at Velim reached 125mph last week and all tests have been good so far.

From the info I've heard it is unlikely the 397's will be in service next spring, end of 2019 is a far more realistic date.

Not sure where you heard that. I have been personally informed of Spring 2019 entry to service.

 

[superalbs]

Fixed that for you!

Also, a couple more:

 

[EE Andy b1]

Unfortunately a nice looking/designed, hopefully good riding/reliable EMU built by CAF will be spoilt by those seats picked by First. Firm, upright, hard armrest.
Money, money, money!

This is the age of the (back) strain!

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

You have mentioned the option of increasing the 397s to 6 coaches before. Do you think this is likely? It does seem like the new capacity from 5 coach 397s will be used up very quickly because of better rolling stock, a dedicated coach for first class and a slightly faster journey. It also seems unlikely that the next West Coast franchise will order new stock pior to 2026.

The provision for losses that FirstGroup announced for TPE (£106.3m over the franchise period) in their annual report does not suggest a quick expansion of capacity.
The reverse in fact (maybe behind the binning of the Mk3 services).
Losses and overcrowding don't exactly sit together, although XC had many years of that before turning round (but still haven't added more than marginal capacity).

 

[BMIFlyer]

Unfortunately a nice looking/designed, hopefully good riding/reliable EMU built by CAF will be spoilt by those seats picked by First. Firm, upright, hard armrest.
Money, money, money!

This is the age of the (back) strain!

I’ve sat on them. They are comfy.

 

[EE Andy b1]

I’ve sat on them. They are comfy.

Was that for 3 minutes, 30 minutes or 3 hours?

If they are like the seats on IETs (Intercity Express Trains) of which i have travelled several times now, anything after about 30 minutes to me anyway was not comfy.

I will be travelling on these new EMUs in the future so i will wait and see!

 

[Bletchleyite]

I’ve sat on them. They are comfy.

I think as with most very hard and contoured seats they will suit a certain back shape/length. Personally I find them painful after about 30 minutes; like the old BR Mk2 seats the headrest "wings" are hard and too low down and push into my shoulders.

 

[Class 170101]

That is an awfully long testing period! Have they already encountered lots of problems then?

If its the first of their type then there will a longer than normal testing period. It was the same with the IEP as I recall.

 

[Tam]

The set was out at Velim yesterday (finger trouble on the file name)...

https://streamable.com/wlwzd

 

[Tam]

More to follow later.

https://streamable.com/hl0mj

 

[jonesy3001]

Nice vid,do they have 2 pantographs like the pendolinos have?

 

[Tam]

https://streamable.com/m0wqs

 

[Tam]

Nice vid,do they have 2 pantographs like the pendolinos have?

Yes, but only one was in use yesterday.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Nice bit of kit, much better than the Mk5s. Seems to have the Class 323 "gear change" type sounds!

 

[geoffk]

The guard shouldn't have to collect any fares, all passengers should have a ticket before boarding because all stations should have sufficient facilities for them to do so.
Then I woke up........

Some of the stations on the Standedge route have neither ticket office nor TVM.

 

[joshy.fre_2003]

Anyone have an eta for the first set to arrive in the UK? If we’re going off a similar timescale for the mk5’s (very different trains I know) how much longer should it be now in the gap from the first set heading to velim to the first set arriving in the UK, IIRC with the mk5 it was about 2 months?

 

[Tam]

Some more videos from yesterday...

https://streamable.com/1retx (clickety-clack noise is from the mainline in the background)

https://streamable.com/kmruw (angry face )

https://streamable.com/oaz21 (a bit bumpy in the middle, thanks to a wasp )

https://streamable.com/dfiuk

https://streamable.com/99vhf

 

[mcmad]

looks to be mostly bays of 4 seating but no tables?