Scotrail Class 385 Discussion

[WGWarburton]

0629 today a 385, has typically been a 365 over the last few weeks.

I'm wondering if the reason for cutting the number of stops on this service is to allow extra time for announcements. Sonya is very talkative.

Edit: 385114, 4-car set.

Cheers,
W.

 

[Mingulay]

Send it to @scotrail on twitter, or, use the 'Snapp It' app. Of course, it doesn't get the fault rectified immediately, but, it does ensure your voice is heard.

Thanks for that suggestion. I'm of an age I feel twitter and the likes are for a younger generation! But I did as stated above report it to the guard. Unusually for on board staff in my experience he was utterly disinterested. Never left rear cab start to finish. Tough day I guess. I reported to the driver on platform as he called into to control . He said tell the guard. I rather assume either or both will log the fault for immediate repair? Pity the disabled person in need of it ! Come on guys. This is a train days or weeks old! Should be fault free!

 

[Mingulay]

0629 today a 385, has typically been a 365 over the last few weeks.

I'm wondering if the reason for cutting the number of stops on this service is to allow extra time for announcements. Sonya is very talkative.

Edit: 385114, 4-car set.

Cheers,
W.

I assume Sonya is the on board pre recorded chatterbox. Sounds like smiley smiley Carol Smillie after a few sherbets! On a three carriage train not sure why she is telling us the train may be too long for the platform! Give us a break Hen. Pipe down

 

[InOban]

Seems to be another delivery on Friday.

 

[380101]

I assume Sonya is the on board pre recorded chatterbox. Sounds like smiley smiley Carol Smillie after a few sherbets! On a three carriage train not sure why she is telling us the train may be too long for the platform! Give us a break Hen. Pipe down

The "voice" belongs to a Scottish actress called Fletcher Mathers. She has been the voice for ScotRail onboard announcements on nearly all traction classes for a number of years now.

The "this train may be longer than platforms at certain stations on this route" announcement is a default setting and will always be made regardless of unit length. Happens on the 380 aswell.

 

[Mingulay]

The "voice" belongs to a Scottish actress called Fletcher Mathers. She has been the voice for ScotRail onboard announcements on nearly all traction classes for a number of years now.

The "this train may be longer than platforms at certain stations on this route" announcement is a default setting and will always be made regardless of unit length. Happens on the 380 aswell.

Ta. Good for her.

I would give Judith Ralston a shot at it. I'm sure we would all pay more attention and do as we are told !

 

[SC318250]

Were 2 units delivered last night?

 

[adrock1976]

Regarding the First Class accommodation on the Class 385s, do you still get a complimentary cup of tea like there was on the 170s?

That will determine which route I go (Springburn - Edinburgh Waverley via What's it called? Cumbernauld, or via Glasgow Queen Street and Falkirk High) to get my booked train from Waverley on Monday for the trip to Whitley Bay, as it is an LNER+Connections 1st Advance, as I will have the dog in tow with me.

 

[mde]

Regarding the First Class accommodation on the Class 385s, do you still get a complimentary cup of tea like there was on the 170s?

If you are travelling on a service which is booked to have catering you should get a cup of tea / coffee and a sweet / savoury snack.

The webpage seems a little broken, but, clicking on ‘first class’ confirms the offer.

 

[adrock1976]

If you are travelling on a service which is booked to have catering you should get a cup of tea / coffee and a sweet / savoury snack.

The webpage seems a little broken, but, clicking on ‘first class’ confirms the offer.

Thanks very much.

 

[92002]

Thanks for that suggestion. I'm of an age I feel twitter and the likes are for a younger generation! But I did as stated above report it to the guard. Unusually for on board staff in my experience he was utterly disinterested. Never left rear cab start to finish. Tough day I guess. I reported to the driver on platform as he called into to control . He said tell the guard. I rather assume either or both will log the fault for immediate repair? Pity the disabled person in need of it ! Come on guys. This is a train days or weeks old! Should be fault free!

Maybe they should have sent you a 365. Which in all probability would have broken down. The plan was not to have 385s on the Dunblane services till May. That has now been advanced to now. Due to their poor reliability. Meaning the planned training of staff has not been completed fully. So it's either new train with a wonky door or an ailing wonky train. You pay your money or I hope you do and take your chance.

 

[Journeyman]

Ta. Good for her.

I would give Judith Ralston a shot at it. I'm sure we would all pay more attention and do as we are told !

That would only work if video screens were involved. The way she peers over the top of her glasses in a slightly fierce manner is a bit scary.

 

[Mingulay]

Maybe they should have sent you a 365. Which in all probability would have broken down. The plan was not to have 385s on the Dunblane services till May. That has now been advanced to now. Due to their poor reliability. Meaning the planned training of staff has not been completed fully. So it's either new train with a wonky door or an ailing wonky train. You pay your money or I hope you do and take your chance.

I do pay. Odd thing to say !!!!

Never had a breakdown or cancelation on. 365. But I bow to your better knowledge if not manner. Rail industry attitude to passengers !

 

[Mingulay]

That would only work if video screens were involved. The way she peers over the top of her glasses in a slightly fierce manner is a bit scary.

Now there’s an idea!

 

[snookertam]

0629 today a 385, has typically been a 365 over the last few weeks.

I'm wondering if the reason for cutting the number of stops on this service is to allow extra time for announcements. Sonya is very talkative.

Edit: 385114, 4-car set.

Cheers,
W.

I'm looking forward to being on one on the Cathcart Circle - she'll end up talking over herself.

 

[youngac]

I'm looking forward to being on one on the Cathcart Circle - she'll end up talking over herself.

She literally doesn't stop talking for the entire journey on the Circle...

 

[snookertam]

It's a network. Disruption (a failure at Haymarket) spreads.

I appreciate that disruption spreads and is difficult to contain depending on where it happens (especially a location like Haymarket), however looking at those cancellations they're spread throughout the day and at one stage there were four in a row - IIRC many if not all of them were due to traincrew. If they had been due to a unit failure, I'd expect they'd be attributed as such (although I realise that RTT won't always be accurate)

 

[mcmad]

Maybe they should have sent you a 365. Which in all probability would have broken down. The plan was not to have 385s on the Dunblane services till May. That has now been advanced to now. Due to their poor reliability. Meaning the planned training of staff has not been completed fully. So it's either new train with a wonky door or an ailing wonky train. You pay your money or I hope you do and take your chance.

Heaven forbid Scotrail actually do some maintenance to units rather than just cancel things.

The december debacle was due to crew not being trained, its March now and they're still not trained?

 

[92002]

ScotRail have given up trying to maintain the 365s and they go off lease this week. They have brought forward the introduction of 385s, but staff have not yet been fully trained on them. There are no spare diesel trains they have went off lease to other contracts. Those that remain have been used to cover HSTs that also came from other companies and are not reliable. So what diesel trains there are left are being used on more important services.

Given the current problems Abellio are making the best of a poor job, but time is on their side to make improvements.

In a perfect world the HSTs would have arrived refurbished and ready to go. Whilst the delays to 385s would not have occurred.

However we are where we are and the most important routes naturally come first.

 

[Mingulay]

ScotRail have given up trying to maintain the 365s and they go off lease this week. They have brought forward the introduction of 385s, but staff have not yet been fully trained on them. There are no spare diesel trains they have went off lease to other contracts. Those that remain have been used to cover HSTs that also came from other companies and are not reliable. So what diesel trains there are left are being used on more important services.

Given the current problems Abellio are making the best of a poor job, but time is on their side to make improvements.

In a perfect world the HSTs would have arrived refurbished and ready to go. Whilst the delays to 385s would not have occurred.

However we are where we are and the most important routes naturally come first.

I kind of get that. But from the passengers perspective. The 365 gave us the best most reliable and roomy service Dunblane has had for donkeys years. So accepting Scotrail are finding it costly and hard to maintain them they are putting the passenger second to thier needs and priorities not the customer. That is contrary to the Directive that the industry puts passengers first.

Regardless. We are where we are. But what is not reasonable is no communication to us. No prior warning nor indication of duration of this serious loss of service. Scotrail management at the public meeting in DUnblane a few months ago. They accepted they communicated badly . Hands up we handled it badly was the quote we won’t do it again , well guys you have. Just tell us what is happening with our service . Why is that so alien to management ? We are all left in the dark. It’s affecting people’s jobs!

 

[92002]

Not that long ago the Dunblane service were a 2 car or 3car diesel at the peaks. Noticed that you didn't complain when the 4 car electrics became available. There's not really much of a difference in seats between a 3 car 385 and a 4 car 365, so seems the trains are becoming busier if you are to be believed.

If you are scheming for a 4 car 385 with even more seats, these were specifically bought for the more prestigious E&G route where passengers pay higher fares for the privilage.

 

[Mingulay]

Not that long ago the Dunblane service were a 2 car or 3car diesel at the peaks. Noticed that you didn't complain when the 4 car electrics became available. There's not really much of a difference in seats between a 3 car 385 and a 4 car 365, so seems the trains are becoming busier if you are to be believed.

If you are scheming for a 4 car 385 with even more seats, these were specifically bought for the more prestigious E&G route where passengers pay higher fares for the privilage.

Once again in your rush to support the industry you over look some facts

There were more peak services than now and most were 3/4 car , but critically an EXTRA 3/4 car service now no longer running on the new timetable

Im not "Scheming" for 4 car service . This was promised by Scotrail at the public meeting and reconfirmed by I think a driver on this forum . So if I am wrong its because I/we were misled .

So it would now be good to ascertain the plan . and again I hope Scotrail just tell us please?

 

[92002]

If you indeed get 4 car electric trains look out for the fare prices rising.

Don't tend to believe the ScotRail media statements.

 

[Typhoon_93]

Looks like 385025 will be heading north tonight on 5X09 Aycliffe to Craigentinny with 67004.

 

[InOban]

What came North on Wednesday?

 

[Typhoon_93]

385028 moved on Wednesday.

 

[Mingulay]

If you indeed get 4 car electric trains look out for the fare prices rising.

Don't tend to believe the ScotRail media statements.

Ah. So you saying that Scotrail just lie to the media and passengers ? I think that’s harsh. I think they just say what gets them thru the day in the moment.

To suggest we pay yet more for a 4 car service is ludicrously daft. There is a very reasonable case for a fares reduction for a poorer service if this were not the British rail industry where the normal rules of regard and performance simply don’t apply. You can fail yet get paid more year in year out.

 

[92002]

Ah. So you saying that Scotrail just lie to the media and passengers ? I think that’s harsh. I think they just say what gets them thru the day in the moment.

To suggest we pay yet more for a 4 car service is ludicrously daft. There is a very reasonable case for a fares reduction for a poorer service if this were not the British rail industry where the normal rules of regard and performance simply don’t apply. You can fail yet get paid more year in year out.

No I said that I don't have confidence in the ScotRail media source. They have a habit of not being in full possession of the facts and don't seem the check it with their peers.

If you bothered to read the previous post it said that a 3 car 385 has only a few less seats than a 4 car 365. So I very much doubt that a 4 car 385 will appear on any Dunblane services. They were built for the more prestigious E&G route and there will be no spare capacity for them when the E&G goes over to 8 car trains. They may appear before then, but not on a permanent basis.

The fares charged on the E&G are more per mile than on the Dunblane route.

If the services are more poor over the year then there are already built in plans for compensation if they are triggered. However not in a short term. You just have to take an average approach. So after the poor weeks there will probably be better weeks to compensate.

 

[Mingulay]

No I said that I don't have confidence in the ScotRail media source. They have a habit of not being in full possession of the facts and don't seem the check it with their peers.

If you bothered to read the previous post it said that a 3 car 385 has only a few less seats than a 4 car 365. So I very much doubt that a 4 car 385 will appear on any Dunblane services. They were built for the more prestigious E&G route and there will be no spare capacity for them when the E&G goes over to 8 car trains. They may appear before then, but not on a permanent basis.

The fares charged on the E&G are more per mile than on the Dunblane route.

If the services are more poor over the year then there are already built in plans for compensation if they are triggered. However not in a short term. You just have to take an average approach. So after the poor weeks there will probably be better weeks to compensate.

But we have had 4 car 385 s in Dunblane. I was on one the other day! Just not on the peak service.

What should the passenger take as fact then if Scotrail media are ill informed? This commitment was made by a manager in a meeting ?

 

[Chrism20]

You have four car 385s on the Dunblanes as three car ones are needed for the Edinburgh to Glasgow service due to it being restricted to seven cars max. When Queen Street is complete they will go on the mainline services to form eight car services as planned and the Dunblanes will be three cars.

This has always been the case.