LOL The Irony
On Moderation
Porterbrook originally said December 2017.So only ~1 year late. That is good going for UK railways these days.
Porterbrook originally said December 2017.So only ~1 year late. That is good going for UK railways these days.
dont think it will be a problem at all an extra 20 tonnes is off little consiquencesI am certainly waiting to see it in action on a 'real' route. Lower power and higher weight, specifically weight on none powered wheels, is only going to have a negative effect on acceleration and hill climbing ability.
Porterbrook originally said December 2017.
Yes the gradient starts on the platform (at both ends and with lots of derogations, the platforms are bowl shaped) as can be seen in this photo (not mine):I don't know as I have never been on Thameslink but was the 1:29 gradient climbed from a standstill?
The bank at miles platting is underestimated due to the gradient, it's the starting and maintaining 25mph out of Victoria that is the problem.
Freight do it generally with a run up and a bit over the 25mph through the platforms.
My hope is the 769s and the potential bi-mode 321 project can replace many of the manky 150s and 156s as a short term fix in the coming years. Obviously the 769 project needs to go well but hopefully it will once in service. Most of the 150s and 156s now operate as double units of 4 carriages so it makes sense to have a purpose built 4 carriage units which are easier to modernise than grotty diesel units.Went on my first 319 (and first Northern train) today. It was a fully refurbed one (368) and gave me a bit of a feeling for what a 769 would be like. As in a lot nicer to travel in than the totally unrefurbished manky and broken interiored 156 (460) I had on my return journey...
Agree on the 150s (especially if they can switch to a less cheap&nasty seat covering) but for many services, going from a 156 to a mk3-based unit will be a backwards step, even if it is 4-cars and (partially) electric.My hope is the 769s and the potential bi-mode 321 project can replace many of the manky 150s and 156s as a short term fix in the coming years. Obviously the 769 project needs to go well but hopefully it will once in service. Most of the 150s and 156s now operate as double units of 4 carriages so it makes sense to have a purpose built 4 carriage units which are easier to modernise than grotty diesel units.
Is a 156 a MKIII derivative?The 150s are the same mk3 bodyshell as a 319, the only difference is the propulsion and internal layout / condition.
Is a 156 a MKIII derivative?
Take a trip south and you will see that 150s don't have to be manky and grotty. ATW did a good job of refurbishing the interior of their 150/2s with 2+2 Chapman seating, new seat fillings and coverings, more tables and new paneling and floor coverings.My hope is the 769s and the potential bi-mode 321 project can replace many of the manky 150s and 156s as a short term fix in the coming years. Obviously the 769 project needs to go well but hopefully it will once in service. Most of the 150s and 156s now operate as double units of 4 carriages so it makes sense to have a purpose built 4 carriage units which are easier to modernise than grotty diesel units.
The northern trains are a disgrace. Compare the 158s with those at EMT or SWR or even Wales. The SWR and EMT ones seem almost like new trains inside. Once a unit is allocated to Northern it's doomed to perfunctory cleaning dirt and decline. Only the 158s are just about acceptable in terms of cleanliness and quality, the rest are often terrible. Some of the recent refurbishments have been done so badly and they still have 30 years of dirt ingrained on the window frames.
The refurbishments were supposed to be 'transformational' - few believed it would happen and I'm afraid to say they were right.
Something Arriva failed at by keeping the same MD from Serco Abellio. I thought the German's were supposed to be efficient...Northern pretty much needs a total clear-out of upper management and a start from scratch.
Something Arriva failed at by keeping the same MD from Serco Abellio. I thought the German's were supposed to be efficient...
If they sacked Arriva whoever replaced them would be stuck with the same team.TBH I think there is something seriously rotten in the management culture of Northern, as I've said before, and sadly TUPE means it is near impossible to get rid of it. Northern pretty much needs a total clear-out of upper management and a start from scratch.
This is quite often the problem with many TOCs and franchise changes, you end up with the same top management team, good (no problem) or bad (more of the same)!!If they sacked Arriva whoever replaced them would be stuck with the same team.
K
This is quite often the problem with many TOCs and franchise changes, you end up with the same top management team, good (no problem) or bad (more of the same)!!
I'm sure this isn't the intended effect of TUPE, either.
What's all this got to do with the programme for class 369s though?Nope don't think that's the intention whatsoever but until the new franchise operator has a re-shuffle you end up carrying on with the same mindset as before.
What's all this got to do with the programme for class 369s though?
Bit unfair to single out top management as I'm sure there some bad apples at all levels. Difference is of course that the higher up the management chain decisions have the most impact.I'm sure this isn't the intended effect of TUPE, either.
TUPE applies to every paid or salaried employee. It has no cutoff at junior management.I don't think that TUPE applies above a certain level / grade. I think that it only covers up to a very junior management grade. Someone else may have more knowledge on this topic as mine is from some years ago.
TUPE applies to every salaried employee. It has no cutoff at junior management.
But that still isn’t a cutoff at a certain grade.But a clean TUPE transfer is not necessarily offered to all existing staff. That may have been legally the case with Northern, however I've seen where senior managers have been offered big compensation packages, subject to a strict confidentiality agreement, to leave. The alternative may have been a TUPE transfer to an inferior position with poor prospects. Those left behind were envious, but not knowing how much they got they weren't as envious as they might have been!
But that still isn’t a cutoff at a certain grade.
Haven't come across TUPE before. Could somebody explain please?TUPE applies to every paid or salaried employee. It has no cutoff at junior management.