Scotrail Class 385 Discussion

[kilonewton]

It’s been my regular train out of Queen St since it started. I’ve only sat in two seats (creature of habit) so I can’t vouch for all the seats across the units, and definitely not first, but those two both feel firm when I first sit down, and then I don’t notice it for the rest of the journey.
Feeling the sensation of being pushed back in the seat as it accelerates through the tunnel is impressive, less so when we catch up to the train in front, so the pootle through Lenzie/Croy/Greenhill is tedious, but that’s temporary. Overall, nice enough, but the cleaners that seemed to be on board through the journey initially have now returned to the termini, so there’s usually detritus on tables when I get on board. Which brings me to a problem with all types of trains, the rubbish bins are not big enough and not emptied often enough, which leads to said detritus.

 

[Glenmutchkin]

Personally, I'm a bit underwhelmed - I've travelled on it a lot over the last month, and there's some evidence of poor design. Window alignment is poor, there's not enough airline seats, and the ironing boards are a bit grim. It's functional rather than anything particularly special, although it rides nicely and does the job perfectly well for what will be a 42-minute run.

Are you on the right thread here? Is it permissible to whinge about new trains and 40 year old ones on the same day?

I've done a few trips on 385s now and found not much to moan about. The first one was when it was hot (remember then?) and the A/C was spot on. I wouldn't fancy the seats for a trip to Inverness but they are perfectly fine for a journey of an hour or less. Each trip I have sat right at the front of 385003 and cannot see an issue with the alignment of seats and windows. The only unusual thing I noticed was that the brakes seem quite noisy. Is this something to do with regenerative braking?

 

[Kite159]

I've had a look in it, but not used it yet. It looks nicer, but has only one airline single seat - with absolutely no view.

Having seats with no view isn't anything new (take a look at the 150s which have seats with hardly any view due to the door pocket), but some folk might prefer those seats without a view when they want to do work as having no window means no sun shining on the screen of their tablet/laptop

 

[Mingulay]

It’s been my regular train out of Queen St since it started. I’ve only sat in two seats (creature of habit) so I can’t vouch for all the seats across the units, and definitely not first, but those two both feel firm when I first sit down, and then I don’t notice it for the rest of the journey.
Feeling the sensation of being pushed back in the seat as it accelerates through the tunnel is impressive, less so when we catch up to the train in front, so the pootle through Lenzie/Croy/Greenhill is tedious, but that’s temporary. Overall, nice enough, but the cleaners that seemed to be on board through the journey initially have now returned to the termini, so there’s usually detritus on tables when I get on board. Which brings me to a problem with all types of trains, the rubbish bins are not big enough and not emptied often enough, which leads to said detritus.

Depressing on the litter front. As I have said before. Unless there is a change of culture the new trains would soon be as filthy as the 158 and 170 with crumbs hairs on the seats litter under seats and such beteween sets and bulkheads. Seems remarkable that Scotrail can overcome complex technical problems but are stumped when it comes to cleaning. No attention to detail or thorough cleans. Above all not challenging the behaviour of customers who litter trains. I despair of families leaving food cartons on tables within an arms reach of the bin. Post a few cctv images of offenders every week on "Scotrail slob of the week" may just get the debate going. Announcement on thePA to take your litter with you or bin it. Bigger bins. It's not rocket science.

 

[433N]

Depressing on the litter front. As I have said before. Unless there is a change of culture the new trains would soon be as filthy as the 158 and 170 with crumbs hairs on the seats litter under seats and such beteween sets and bulkheads. Seems remarkable that Scotrail can overcome complex technical problems but are stumped when it comes to cleaning. No attention to detail or thorough cleans. Above all not challenging the behaviour of customers who litter trains. I despair of families leaving food cartons on tables within an arms reach of the bin. Post a few cctv images of offenders every week on "Scotrail slob of the week" may just get the debate going. Announcement on thePA to take your litter with you or bin it. Bigger bins. It's not rocket science.

Ahhh, but if you collect more litter then Scotrail's recycling rates might go down and Scotland's railway will not be 'greener'. By not providing enough waste receptacles, customers are encouraged to take their banana skins home in their pockets and throw them in the compost bin.

 

[Mingulay]

Ahhh, but if you collect more litter then Scotrail's recycling rates might go down and Scotland's railway will not be 'greener'. By not providing enough waste receptacles, customers are encouraged to take their banana skins home in their pockets and throw them in the compost bin.

If only they did!

And ban the Metro rag. Just more litter.

 

[Highlandspring]

On a related note I spotted yesterday that some of the cleaners at Queen Street were wearing Express branded bodywarmers to match the 385s...

 

[380101]

On a related note I spotted yesterday that some of the cleaners at Queen Street were wearing Express branded bodywarmers to match the 385s...

management could do with sorting out the standard poor excuse of a uniform for staff before they start spending money on stuff like this! Abellio promised us a high quality uniform and we got a worse one than the one First issued us!!!

 

[route101]

Noticed a few cleaners on the move on a few services , at Newton for example , there was 2 of them and looked a bit excessive . They had a new uniform .Must of been a new initiative .

I echo the comments about the seating layout , the tables are certainly aligned with windows but the few airline seats are not . Not the biggest issue as its only a 50 minute journey.

 

[route101]

I guess they're only operating one diagram because the Hitachi engineers are on board. If they were to add extra diagrams, they would need more Hitachi staff. Once they can be dispensed with, then they can bring more units into use.

How long are Hitachi engineers on the 385s ? Must be good gig that , i wonder if they are local or put up in digs /

 

[GrimShady]

management could do with sorting out the standard poor excuse of a uniform for staff before they start spending money on stuff like this! Abellio promised us a high quality uniform and we got a worse one than the one First issued us!!!

Could be worse though. Have you seen Northern Rails new uniform? Looks like something one would wear in a sports centre!

 

[380101]

Could be worse though. Have you seen Northern Rails new uniform? Looks like something one would wear in a sports centre!

At least Northern give their drivers a choice on whether to wear 19th century style shirt and tie or 21st century style polo shirts! Shirt and tie combo should be office and board room wear only! every other public facing uniformed organisation (police, fire, ambulance etc) manage just fine without a tie!

 

[Doomotron]

The only unusual thing I noticed was that the brakes seem quite noisy. Is this something to do with regenerative braking?

I believe it would be because they're new (the 800s are VERY noisy when braking) but then again, the Class 395s still have noisy breaks almost ten years after being introduced. It will get quieter but because it's Hitachi it'll never go completely.

 

[InOban]

According to Scotrail a second 385 set will enter service tomorrow.

 

[youngac]

According to Scotrail a second 385 set will enter service tomorrow.

Great news. Wonder which units it will be.

 

[385001]

Alex Hynes has confirmed on Twitter that from tomorrow all peak services are planned to be a minimum 7 car.

This was in reply to someone asking if the new 385s would replace the 4 cars they experienced on the 1715 Edinburgh to Queen Street over the last few months.

ScotRail @ScotRail
2h
As our MD, @AlexHynes has just announced on @ScotlandsTalkIn, the second seven carriage @HitachiRailEU #Class385 Express enters service tomorrow. A significant step forward for us as we continue to build the best railway Scotland's ever had. goo.gl/FmnMmq

@lindsayuk
Replying to @ScotRail @AlexHynes and 2 others

Any chance this is replacing the 4 carriage rush hour service 5:15 ed-Glasgow has been 4 carriages for months and is beyond a joke some nights

@AlexHynes
Replying to @lindsayuk @ScotRail and 2 others

Yes, 4 carriage train should be removed from tomorrow. All peak services planned to be minimum 7 carriages.

 

[385001]

Article on RAIL by Richard Clinnick today about the 385s.

Interesting information about the timetable for introduction. Roughly one pair per month.

Hopefully there is enough electric stock for when Stirling Dunblane Alloa is due to go electric in December 2018.

https://www.railmagazine.com/news/fleet/more-class-385s-in-traffic-with-scotrail

ScotRail is introducing a second pair of Class 385s onto the Edinburgh-Glasgow route, doubling the number in passenger traffic from two to four.

The Hitachi-built electric multiple units join 385003, 385104, which were put into service on the Edinburgh-Glasgow route on July 24 (RAIL 858).

Hitachi Rail Global CEO – Rail Alastair Dormer told RAIL that ScotRail had accepted four ‘385s’ for traffic, with a further six undergoing commissioning. All have been fitted with modified windscreens following issues raised by ASLEF (RAIL 849).

Dormer said the plan was that by the end of September, ScotRail would have ‘bought’ eight of the 70 EMUs, and that they would enter traffic roughly one pair per month.

The operator said that a quarter of all its Edinburgh-Glasgow Queen Street via Falkirk High trains will be operated by ‘385s’.

Alex Hynes, ScotRail Alliance Managing Director, said: “This is another important step forward for ScotRail and I am delighted that more customers will now be able to travel on our brand-new Hitachi class 385 electric trains.

“These trains will benefit customers all across the country, as they will allow us to move trains currently running between Edinburgh and Glasgow out across the network. This will help us to deliver faster journeys, more seats, and better services for our customers.”

Michael Matheson. Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity said: “The introduction of more of the new fleet of ‘385’ electric trains will provide extra seats and allow more passengers to enjoy the modern facilities on board between Glasgow and Edinburgh.

“The Scottish Government’s ongoing commitment to Scotland’s railways is making a real difference and the continuing programme of electrification across the Central Belt will enable more people to use the new trains, which have already proved to be very popular.

“I know that Hitachi and ScotRail staff are continuing to work hard to deliver the remainder of the fleet which, when they come into service, will help increase overall seating capacity by more than 23% across the Scottish network.”

 

[jazza374]

Looks like its 385103 and 385005 that have entered service today, unless my eyesight is totally gone!

 

[youngac]

Looks like its 385103 and 385005 that have entered service today, unless my eyesight is totally gone!

Can confirm your eyesight is fine, it is 385103 and 385005 that are now in service! Means that just about all xx15 departures from both Queen Street and Edinburgh are 385s.

 

[youngac]

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/K96002/2018/08/29/advanced

Looks like there's a delivery planned on Wednesday.

 

[InOban]

We'll see. These paths seem to be listed every week.

 

[SC318250]

Light loco moves to Merchant Park several days this week, but only delivery scheduled for Wednesday night so far

 

[David M]

Was on my first Class 385 on Saturday. Impressive looking from the outside and nice and bright on the inside. The view out is surprisingly better than I had anticipated given the perceived lack of windows and the big pillars in between. Toilet (disabled one) was much better than on a 170. Train seemed to accelerate fast and was generally quiet although travelling over points seemed very noisy - it may be we're not used to hearing it over engine noise.
Only gripe is about comfort. I had a table seat at the window and legroom was encroached by, i assume, the heating bit at the side.
On Saturday, I was on a 158, 385, 380, 365 and then 170 as I travelled from Tweedbank to Kilwinning.
In order of seat comfort worst to first:
385 - sitting normally, very uncomfortable on my back - the lack of padding on the bottom cushion wasn't an issue but the angle or whatever of the seat back I found very poor.
158 - original seating so I assume going to Northern - lacking legroom and comfort compared to a refurbished 158.
380 - no real issues
365 - no real issues
170 - best padding and comfort of the lot
Quite impressed but quite uncomfortable.

 

[SC318250]

If tonight’s delivery runs, I wouldnt be suprised it would be a 385/1

 

[InOban]

Well, the light engine has arrived, so presumably it's there for a reason...

 

[800001]

If tonight’s delivery runs, I wouldnt be suprised it would be a 385/1

385009, 67004

 

[youngac]

They seem to have a very disproportionate number of 385/0s delivered compared with /1s. That makes having a fully 7 car 385 service on Glasgow-Edinburgh via Falkirk seem more distant.

 

[The_Engineer]

They seem to have a very disproportionate number of 385/0s delivered compared with /1s. That makes having a fully 7 car 385 service on Glasgow-Edinburgh via Falkirk seem more distant.

They need 24 (12 of each) to do the full service.

 

[Kite159]

And having more /0s means at least they can run doubled up as 6-coach units (abit with no First Class)

 

[youngac]

They need 24 (12 of each) to do the full service.

After tonight's delivery they'll have 10 385/0s, but only 5 385/1s.

Maybe they're planning on using the 385/0s on North Berwick/Dunbar services soon. This would allow some 380s to be cascaded back to Ayrshire/Inverclyde.