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

[VT 390]

The theory is that once Northerns new units arrive and Manchester-Preston electrification is completed, most commuters will go on Northern to get to Preston (helped by restrictions at Bolton). Whether that will happen remains to be seen, but that is the reasoning behind it.

Will the Northern services be quicker or at least as quick as the TPE service will be?

 

[absolutelymilk]

After May, it will be 38 minutes for TPE vs 54 for Northern (assuming the Northern time stays the same), but obviously the Northern services will be more frequent (with 2 semi-fast services per hour versus one for TPE)

 

[notlob.divad]

After May, it will be 38 minutes for TPE vs 54 for Northern (assuming the Northern time stays the same), but obviously the Northern services will be more frequent (with 2 semi-fast services per hour versus one for TPE)

The fastest Northern service will almost certainly be quicker than 54 minutes (Preston - Manchester) The 319 that runs the Blackpool Service currently does Preston to Oxford Road in 46 minutes. Assuming the Barrow/Windermere services keep these timings when they are re-introduced, I could see the Blackpool - Preston - Bolton - Manchester being around the 40 minute mark.

That said I think the only way you could reliably keep commuters off the TPE service is to sell cheaper Northern Only season tickets.

 

[VT 390]

The fastest Northern service will almost certainly be quicker than 54 minutes (Preston - Manchester) The 319 that runs the Blackpool Service currently does Preston to Oxford Road in 46 minutes. Assuming the Barrow/Windermere services keep these timings when they are re-introduced, I could see the Blackpool - Preston - Bolton - Manchester being around the 40 minute mark.

That said I think the only way you could reliably keep commuters off the TPE service is to sell cheaper Northern Only season tickets.

Or TPE could introduce pick up/set down only rules at Bolton and Preston throughout the day, or at least during the morning and evening peak. Though Northern would need to provide at least an hourly Airport service from Preston so those passengers would not have to change but I think this is planned as part of Northern Connect.

 

[absolutelymilk]

The fastest Northern service will almost certainly be quicker than 54 minutes (Preston - Manchester) The 319 that runs the Blackpool Service currently does Preston to Oxford Road in 46 minutes.

I was comparing to Piccadilly rather than Oxford Road which adds 4 minutes - bizarrely it seems that Manchester to Preston is 3 minutes slower than Preston to Manchester.

Assuming the Barrow/Windermere services keep these timings when they are re-introduced, I could see the Blackpool - Preston - Bolton - Manchester being around the 40 minute mark.

I don't follow - Blackpool -Manchester in 40 minutes when Preston-Manchester is 46 mins?

 

[Mathew S]

I don't follow - Blackpool -Manchester in 40 minutes when Preston-Manchester is 46 mins?

The current Northern 319 service is via Wigan. When it switches to via Bolton it should be much faster and more comparable with the TPE journeys.

 

[Robert Mann]

Should be out Crewe - Carlisle - Crewe on Tuesday to Friday.

Do you by any chance know what diagrams it will be running?

 

[notlob.divad]

I was comparing to Piccadilly rather than Oxford Road which adds 4 minutes - bizarrely it seems that Manchester to Preston is 3 minutes slower than Preston to Manchester.

I don't follow - Blackpool -Manchester in 40 minutes when Preston-Manchester is 46 mins?

Sorry didn't make that clear, I meant the Preston - Manchester timing of the train that starts in Blackpool. But yes, also...

The current Northern 319 service is via Wigan. When it switches to via Bolton it should be much faster and more comparable with the TPE journeys.

 

[absolutelymilk]

Sorry didn't make that clear, I meant the Preston - Manchester timing of the train that starts in Blackpool. But yes, also...

Ah that makes more sense! Are we expecting the 319 service to run without many stops when it goes via Bolton?

 

[TBSchenker]

The old 'TPE' Blackpool path via Bolton to Manchester was (mostly) Preston, Buckshaw, Chorley, Horwich, Bolton, Salford Crescent, Deansgate, Oxford Road...

So I'd expect something similar, maybe skipping Deansgate

 

[driver9000]

A Crewe to Carlisle and return path has appeared for tomorrow although the return working hasn't been activated yet.....

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/O82270/2019/02/12/advanced

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/P86019/2019/02/12/advanced

 

[SP Man]

Pending any issues the train should run as planned tomorrow.

 

[TBSchenker]

She runs finally!

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/O82270/2019/02/12/advanced

 

[absolutelymilk]

I've created a new thread to discuss this issue:
https://www.railforums.co.uk/thread...receive-the-full-first-class-offering.178087/

 

[Mark Enderby]

Looks like today's run is using the 68 path Carlisle to MID.

Mark

 

[Mark Enderby]

Looks like today's run is using the 68 path Carlisle to MID.

Mark

Back on track at Preston as 3H52 to Crewe.

 

[absolutelymilk]

Back on track at Preston as 3H52 to Crewe.

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/P86019/2019/02/12/advanced
Here is the RTT link

 

[Robert Mann]

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/P86019/2019/02/12/advanced
Here is the RTT link

I was actually on the train to Manchester (intending to change at Chester for Crewe) but when I saw it was down as going to Manchester instead I stayed on the train to Manchester. By the time they changed the information it was too late for me to get to Crewe in time.

 

[Kyle Allsopp]

The first class 397 no.397003 at Carlisle with the first daylight test run of a class 379 unit on the West Coast Main Line

Please have a look at the video:

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

I had a look at 397 003 at Preston today.
It sat in P6 for about 10 minutes while 331 001 was parked up in P7.
The CAF crew were chatting to each other in Spanish. Hola!
Somebody has already bent the coach E front end near the coupler - looks expensive!
Some pictures below.
Not sure the external PIS is quite right with the coach letter as a prefix.
Something I hadn't realised before is that the unit has 2 pantographs - it's obvious when you check the coach configuration (PTS1/2, coaches B and D).
Good to see the "future" taking shape at Preston today.
These two types will be commonplace here before the year is out.

 

[ainsworth74]

Please note the discussion around disabled people being upgraded to first class can now be found here.

 

[SP Man]

A couple from today's maiden voyage of a class 397 on open railway. All went well and doing it again tomorrow.

 

[SP Man]

A cab doorway shot of TPE CAF Mk5a set 9 (68025) on the rear viewed from TPE CAF 397003 at Oxenholme.

 

[sprinterguy]

The first class 397 no.397003 at Carlisle with the first daylight test run of a class 379 unit on the West Coast Main Line

Good video, thanks for sharing it.

Aesthetically speaking, they're certainly worlds apart from the existing 350s when seen side by side! Very striking units.

 

[anamyd]

I had a look at 397 003 at Preston today.

Rather Spanish looking data plate with the commas instead of decimal points

 

[superalbs]

View attachment 59088

Broken already!?

 

[Llama]

If that coupler cover is as thin as it looks and made of GRP then every single pheasant hit above 50mph will punch a hole right through it.

 

[mullac30]

Where are the unit numbers painted on these, I haven't seen any.

 

[driver9000]

Where are the unit numbers painted on these, I haven't seen any.

Vehicle numbers are around the centre of the body but set numbers haven't been applied yet.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

The EVN (European Vehicle Number) is on the data plate on each coach (pic in my post #410 above).
You can decode the set number from that.