Scotrail Class 385 Discussion

[anthannan]

385116 has departed behind 67010.

Thanks. That's 35 delivered now then. 35 to go.

 

[InOban]

Seem to be several deliveries next week, but I don't suppose all will run.

 

[SC318250]

Paths in Tues to Fri for light loco through until 17/05

 

[Japan0913]

ScotRail receives more Class 385 EMUs.
17/12/2018
https://www.railmagazine.com/news/fleet/scotrail-receives-more-class-385-emus

Than that,
he driver shortage of ScotRail
Have been solved?

ScotRail commuters hit by train cancellations
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-46590061

 

[Journeyman]

ScotRail receives more Class 385 EMUs.
17/12/2018
https://www.railmagazine.com/news/fleet/scotrail-receives-more-class-385-emus

Than that,
he driver shortage of ScotRail
Have been solved?

No, there are still a lot of cancellations for no crew available.

 

[Japan0913]

No, there are still a lot of cancellations for no crew available.

So timetable can not be trusted.
Does Class385 in comparison with the other EMU What a variant?
Or
Missing driver work during work hours?

 

[InOban]

As far as I can see on RTT, the delivery paths for Tue to Fri don't have the associated light engine movements. Often the light engine is first to be loaded into the system. Are these deliveries real?

 

[Steven_G]

Drivers an issue. Union saying it's lack of staff, Scotrail say it's 'cos there isn't enough drivers trained yet for new timetable.

I am inclined to believe both. They are recruiting for drivers still, and i suspect that once all current drivers appropriately trained they need to rely on overtime to get the timetable working as planned.

However...on the 385's - whilst late to come into service, it's an impressive delivery schedule since the driver window fix was approved.

 

[Typhoon_93]

ScotRail receives more Class 385 EMUs.
17/12/2018
https://www.railmagazine.com/news/fleet/scotrail-receives-more-class-385-emus

Than that,
he driver shortage of ScotRail
Have been solved?

ScotRail commuters hit by train cancellations
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-46590061

The article is wrong 012/013 have been delivered and 045/046 are not coming from Aycliffe.

 

[Japan0913]

Is it still only a few drivers to drive to Class43 and Class385?

Need time to familiarize themselves with each.
Cancellation information is being announced in advance, isn't it?

 

[Aictos]

Had my first journey on a 385 today from Croy to Edinburgh, somehow they've managed to avoid me and it's been 365s, 380s and 170s.
Impressions? These machines go like the proverbial off a stick. As for the seats, it's pretty obvious that the bean counters who specified them do not commute by rail- this ship has been spoilt for want of a ha'pworth of tar.

So compared to the Class 170s which are used on the E to G route, what are they like?

 

[scotraildriver]

The issue is that there are not enough drivers or guards trained in all the relevant traction. Had Hitachi delivered on time all staff would have been trained on class 385s in time- no issues. But instead 385 courses had to become 365 courses with a further conversion to 385. This is no small feat. Approximately 300 drivers needing a 3 day course which wasn't part of the plan is 900 days (neatly 3 years worth) ADDITIONAL training. Then include guards as well. It's a bad situation but other than cancelling trains to do the training there is little alternative otherwise things won't improve. Then add more training for guards on slam door HSTs - again not part of the plan. Make no mistake, the current situation is a direct consequence of Hitachi and Wabtecs failings. We are doing our best here.

 

[Japan0913]

The issue is that there are not enough drivers or guards trained in all the relevant traction. Had Hitachi delivered on time all staff would have been trained on class 385s in time- no issues. But instead 385 courses had to become 365 courses with a further conversion to 385. This is no small feat. Approximately 300 drivers needing a 3 day course which wasn't part of the plan is 900 days (neatly 3 years worth) ADDITIONAL training. Then include guards as well. It's a bad situation but other than cancelling trains to do the training there is little alternative otherwise things won't improve. Then add more training for guards on slam door HSTs - again not part of the plan. Make no mistake, the current situation is a direct consequence of Hitachi and Wabtecs failings. We are doing our best here.

‘We know this isn’t acceptable’: ScotRail explains the reason behind crew shortages causing so many cancelled trains
December 17 2018
https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/new...w-shortages-causing-so-many-cancelled-trains/

ScotRail boss Alex Hynes promises improvements
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-46595785
ScotRail commuters hit by train cancellations
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-46590061

Technical fault puts new ScotRail trains out of service
5 October 2018
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-45764238

・・・・・・・

ScotRail Class 385 fishbowl windscreen safety concern
12 February 2018
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-43031527


Is cheers for good work. Please keep yourself healthy.
That's all I can say.

 

[mcmad]

Cancellation information is being announced in advance, isn't it?

Not really, no. Only announced on the day, sometimes just minuted before a train is booked to leave the origin station.

Has sympathises with the front line staff who are trying (and usually succeeding) in putting a cheery face on a bad situation. The management.... not so much. The glacial progress of the HST's has been clear to see from very early on and similarly with the 385's. Heads were buried in the sand for far too long when it was clear that the planned introductions of HST's and electrics onto SDA wasn't going to happen. Its over a week since SDA went live and despite having to sample far more trains than usual thanks to the random cancellations I'm still yet to get an electric unit to or from Glasgow.

 

[Japan0913]

Not really, no. Only announced on the day, sometimes just minuted before a train is booked to leave the origin station.

Has sympathises with the front line staff who are trying (and usually succeeding) in putting a cheery face on a bad situation. The management.... not so much. The glacial progress of the HST's has been clear to see from very early on and similarly with the 385's. Heads were buried in the sand for far too long when it was clear that the planned introductions of HST's and electrics onto SDA wasn't going to happen. Its over a week since SDA went live and despite having to sample far more trains than usual thanks to the random cancellations I'm still yet to get an electric unit to or from Glasgow.

At a minimum, determine the train that can run on a regular basis every day・・・
On top of that, to increase the regular train・・・

 

[anthannan]

The issue is that there are not enough drivers or guards trained in all the relevant traction. Had Hitachi delivered on time all staff would have been trained on class 385s in time- no issues. But instead 385 courses had to become 365 courses with a further conversion to 385. This is no small feat. Approximately 300 drivers needing a 3 day course which wasn't part of the plan is 900 days (neatly 3 years worth) ADDITIONAL training. Then include guards as well. It's a bad situation but other than cancelling trains to do the training there is little alternative otherwise things won't improve. Then add more training for guards on slam door HSTs - again not part of the plan. Make no mistake, the current situation is a direct consequence of Hitachi and Wabtecs failings. We are doing our best here.

The deliveries of 385's have been fairly good recently. I believe that 35 (50%) have been delivered and that there are 31 (44%) in service. The electrification was late which prevented statutory mileage accumulation and training. And yes there was a problem with the windscreen (now resolved) but progress has been made and will continue to be made. Let's get glass half full not glass half empty .

 

[Clansman]

The issue is that there are not enough drivers or guards trained in all the relevant traction. Had Hitachi delivered on time all staff would have been trained on class 385s in time- no issues. But instead 385 courses had to become 365 courses with a further conversion to 385. This is no small feat. Approximately 300 drivers needing a 3 day course which wasn't part of the plan is 900 days (neatly 3 years worth) ADDITIONAL training. Then include guards as well. It's a bad situation but other than cancelling trains to do the training there is little alternative otherwise things won't improve. Then add more training for guards on slam door HSTs - again not part of the plan. Make no mistake, the current situation is a direct consequence of Hitachi and Wabtecs failings. We are doing our best here.

This 100%

 

[anthannan]

This 100%

So you're saying the electrification issues had no knock on effect?

 

[92002]

Not really, no. Only announced on the day, sometimes just minuted before a train is booked to leave the origin station.

Has sympathises with the front line staff who are trying (and usually succeeding) in putting a cheery face on a bad situation. The management.... not so much. The glacial progress of the HST's has been clear to see from very early on and similarly with the 385's. Heads were buried in the sand for far too long when it was clear that the planned introductions of HST's and electrics onto SDA wasn't going to happen. Its over a week since SDA went live and despite having to sample far more trains than usual thanks to the random cancellations I'm still yet to get an electric unit to or from Glasgow.

It's not all as gloom and doom as you're trying to make out. You obviously travel on the one Alloa train which is still a diesel unit. The other one has been a 4 car 385 since the timetable change. Both Glasgow to Stirling trains over the two hour cycle have also been 4 car 385s since the new timetable.

So if you really want an electric you need to change your trains. Until such time as the one Alloa train goes over to an electric. It's not really rocket science to work out.

Could well be that you travel on an Aberdeen, Dundee or Inverness train which ain't going to be an electric for a long time yet.

 

[mcmad]

Nope, have travelled on various Dunblane and Alloa trains. From queen st I've used the 16:18 to Alloa, 16:51 to Dunblane and the 17:11 which runs North so obviously isn't an electric. In the morning I'm mainly on one of the Dundee trains so again no expectation of an electric unit but have also had to get the following service due to cancellations and thats still a 6 car 156 so there is far more than just 1 diagram thats not electric.

 

[92002]

Nope, have travelled on various Dunblane and Alloa trains. From queen st I've used the 16:18 to Alloa, 16:51 to Dunblane and the 17:11 which runs North so obviously isn't an electric. In the morning I'm mainly on one of the Dundee trains so again no expectation of an electric unit but have also had to get the following service due to cancellations and thats still a 6 car 156 so there is far more than just 1 diagram thats not electric.

Only electric Dunblane trains go to Edinburgh and are usually a 365.

As I said earlier every 2nd Alloa train is still a diesel and that looks like the diesel one you're talking about. Doubt the odd Dunblane from Queen Street is electric, but haven't seen it since the timetable change. Still some staff training to be completed on the SDA trains crew.

365s in Queen Street now a rarity.

 

[mcmad]

so no Dunblane and only 50% of the Alloa's are electric? Hardly a ringing success then for 7 years of disruption. Any of the Grahamston services I've seen seem to be 385's so maybe that route is now the priority, can't have too many E&G services after all

 

[92002]

so no Dunblane and only 50% of the Alloa's are electric? Hardly a ringing success then for 7 years of disruption. Any of the Grahamston services I've seen seem to be 385's so maybe that route is now the priority, can't have too many E&G services after all

Grahamston services are now all stations via Cumbernauld to Edinburgh from Glasgow

 

[gingertom]

I managed to sample a 4-car 385 yesterday at Queen St bound for Alloa, the 1418 IIRC. Was reasonably busy for the time of day. performance was pretty decent.

 

[Carntyne]

so no Dunblane and only 50% of the Alloa's are electric? Hardly a ringing success then for 7 years of disruption. Any of the Grahamston services I've seen seem to be 385's so maybe that route is now the priority, can't have too many E&G services after all

Clearly, it is not the end point. 365 running some Edinburgh Dunblane services too.

 

[mcmad]

No but the promise was an improved timetable and electric trains from December which is clearly untrue

 

[Stopper]

380s are running the Cumbernauld/Grahamston services.

 

[Southsider]

No but the promise was an improved timetable and electric trains from December which is clearly untrue

But in many people’s eyes the timetable is improved and there are electric trains so not clearly untrue. What is true is that there has been significant disruption as described elsewhere.

 

[mcmad]

Who eyes? The Glasgow - SDA timetable barely changed, a minute or two difference here and there. SDA to Edinburgh may be better but the promise from Scotrail was for all services not just a couple.

 

[Stopper]

Who eyes? The Glasgow - SDA timetable barely changed, a minute or two difference here and there. SDA to Edinburgh may be better but the promise from Scotrail was for all services not just a couple.

I’ve got no doubt many people think the timetable is better too but I used to travel on the SDA & E-G and many people on both are still underwhelmed by the new timetables. I’ve heard a lot more negative than positive.