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

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Sleeperwaking

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20 Oct 2018
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Been very handy at moving the crowds heading for Edinburgh Xmas markets thus far.
Don't get me wrong you will still get crowding on Anglo-Scots in December as it's the busiest time(there is a reason BR ran load 10 Class 85 hauled additionals) with Edinburgh trains particularly busy since the Xmas market concept took off.
With the cameras it's easier to move those who stand/ block a coach thinking the train is full by directing them to coaches with seats.

When the trains have run they have been well received by passengers.
Couple of issues with the heating flow in Coach B and D(a fix is planned with a temp solution in place)is the only issue that's raised with any consistently (too hot/cold)but regular passengers point out compared to the 350s it's a big improvement.

Early days and improvements still to be had but slow but promising start.
Thank you for the insight, found it very interesting.
 
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mikemcniven

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Had my first ride on one of the new 397's today, 397005, running 1M96 Glasgow Central to Manchester Airport, it arrived into Manchester Piccadilly around 6 minutes late, but we arrived into Manchester Airport on time, have to say they feel very spacious inside and very comfortable to ride on.

Here are some view of the train at Manchester Airport, unfortunately I wasn't able to get any internal images.


TransPennine Express 397005 & Northern 195007
by Mike McNiven, on Flickr


TransPennine Express 397005
by Mike McNiven, on Flickr


TransPennine Express 397005
by Mike McNiven, on Flickr


TransPennine Express 397005
by Mike McNiven, on Flickr


TransPennine Express 397005
by Mike McNiven, on Flickr


TransPennine Express 397005
by Mike McNiven, on Flickr


TransPennine Express 397005
by Mike McNiven, on Flickr


TransPennine Express 397005
by Mike McNiven, on Flickr
 

amywok

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My first trip on a 397 today - 1S75 16.30 Man Oxford Road to Edinburgh as far as Lancaster. My normal spot at the west end of platform 2 was to no avail as train came in coach E (first) leading so stood in the vestibule crush looking longingly at first class seating! Fortunately after the Preston exodus I did get a seat in coach D to Lancaster.

First class seemed spacious although with lots of white plastic, rather spartan, furnishings in the vestibule seemed ok with the wood effect formica used on the 185 refurbs in evidence.

Coach E standard was bright and airy with the heating on full blast - the blue checked carpet looked grubby already. My airline seat was spacious but as firm and uncomfortable as on a GWR 80X unit. I was pleased I only sat for 15 mins approx before alighting. Compared to the standard seats on the Northern 195s they left much comfort to be desired. To be hoped the seats soften with usage! I did notice the table seats align with the windows and that's a big plus for longer journeys. Hoping to get one on a new year trip to Edinburgh but may need to take my own cushion for comfort!
 

Zooty

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My first trip on a 397 today - 1S75 16.30 Man Oxford Road to Edinburgh as far as Lancaster. My normal spot at the west end of platform 2 was to no avail as train came in coach E (first) leading so stood in the vestibule crush looking longingly at first class seating! Fortunately after the Preston exodus I did get a seat in coach D to Lancaster.

First class seemed spacious although with lots of white plastic, rather spartan, furnishings in the vestibule seemed ok with the wood effect formica used on the 185 refurbs in evidence.

Coach E standard was bright and airy with the heating on full blast - the blue checked carpet looked grubby already. My airline seat was spacious but as firm and uncomfortable as on a GWR 80X unit. I was pleased I only sat for 15 mins approx before alighting. Compared to the standard seats on the Northern 195s they left much comfort to be desired. To be hoped the seats soften with usage! I did notice the table seats align with the windows and that's a big plus for longer journeys. Hoping to get one on a new year trip to Edinburgh but may need to take my own cushion for comfort!

I think we were stood in the same vestibule :)

Not much to add as I spent the entire journey standing. Agree that first looked a bit spartan and the bright, cold lighting doesn't help there. Seats looked nice enough; hopefully I'll get to try one soon :)

The heating in the ceiling of the vestibule was just right, keeping the sardines toasty but not cooked.

I noticed the carriage information poster was marked as "Coach E", and then in smaller type "/K", so clearly somebody at TPE has thought about running them doubled up.
 

kc_

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North West England
I noticed the carriage information poster was marked as "Coach E", and then in smaller type "/K", so clearly somebody at TPE has thought about running them doubled up.

Given the lack of gangway connectors, does double running require 2 train guards?
 
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Bletchleyite

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Given the lack of gangway connectors, does double running require 2 train guards?

Depends on TOC policy. A number of TOCs run non-gangwayed trains with one or more units with no member of staff at all in them (e.g. LNR 319s, any Chiltern train formed of more than one unit). A number of other ones require a member of staff, what grade of staff that is again varies by TOC.
 

Bletchleyite

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I think only one of the diagrams actually operated today. Certainly the 0904 off Preston, on which I was hoping to get a ride, was cancelled, and I noted other cancellations later on. The earlier one appears to have operated at least in part though I don't know if it was a 397 or not. Multiple excuses were given so I don't quite know if it was an issue with the unit or staff or both.
 

sigma421

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I think only one of the diagrams actually operated today. Certainly the 0904 off Preston, on which I was hoping to get a ride, was cancelled, and I noted other cancellations later on. The earlier one appears to have operated at least in part though I don't know if it was a 397 or not. Multiple excuses were given so I don't quite know if it was an issue with the unit or staff or both.
Currently onboard the 1607 Manchester Airport-Edinburgh which is a 397.
 

someone123458

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I think only one of the diagrams actually operated today. Certainly the 0904 off Preston, on which I was hoping to get a ride, was cancelled, and I noted other cancellations later on. The earlier one appears to have operated at least in part though I don't know if it was a 397 or not. Multiple excuses were given so I don't quite know if it was an issue with the unit or staff or both.
I'm currently on a TPE service (the 19:26 from Manchester Picc. to Glasgow Central), listed as being run by a 397 on Realtimetrains, but which in reality is a (horribly riding- seriously, it's bucking and jolting like a Pacer) 350/4 instead (350412 iirc, which is also incapable of multiple working according to a note left in the front window, so tbh may be a bit crocked generally)
 

samuelmorris

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I'm currently on a TPE service (the 19:26 from Manchester Picc. to Glasgow Central), listed as being run by a 397 on Realtimetrains, but which in reality is a (horribly riding- seriously, it's bucking and jolting like a Pacer) 350/4 instead (350412 iirc, which is also incapable of multiple working according to a note left in the front window, so tbh may be a bit crocked generally)
Timed for, not run by. Realtimetrains doesn't know what class of unit is normally allocated to a given service, only what unit the timetable for that service is based on.
 

Bletchleyite

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Timed for, not run by. Realtimetrains doesn't know what class of unit is normally allocated to a given service, only what unit the timetable for that service is based on.

All Manchester-Scotland services now appear to be timed for 397s, which I guess means a fair bit of late running, particularly where a 185 is used (as I saw on one diagram earlier).
 

LNW-GW Joint

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All Manchester-Scotland services now appear to be timed for 397s, which I guess means a fair bit of late running, particularly where a 185 is used (as I saw on one diagram earlier).

I'm not sure it makes much difference between 350 and 397 timings.
The current timetable is if anything a bit slower than the last, with 3min earlier departures from Manchester Airport.
The 397 "Planned for 125mph Max" means nothing on the 110mph WCML of course.
 

route101

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Hopefully long enough that we don't end up with a service that's mostly 185s save for a pair of 397s.

Was on a full and standing 185 from Glasgow Central on Monday. Only seats without seat reservation labels were priority seats and this was a Liverpool service. Few 350s still on the go
 

323 Class

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Was on a full and standing 185 from Glasgow Central on Monday. Only seats without seat reservation labels were priority seats and this was a Liverpool service. Few 350s still on the go
I saw the chaos at platform 14 at Man Picc on Monday with 50 odd people trying to get on a 3 car 185 to Glasgow which looked packed when it drew up to the platform. Later as I got a train to the airport, I saw two 397's stabled at Longsight and could only assume that there were either no trained drivers and /or guards to use them.
 

route101

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I saw the chaos at platform 14 at Man Picc on Monday with 50 odd people trying to get on a 3 car 185 to Glasgow which looked packed when it drew up to the platform. Later as I got a train to the airport, I saw two 397's stabled at Longsight and could only assume that there were either no trained drivers and /or guards to use them.

Didn't see any 397s out that day . The Edinburgh to Manchester Airport TPE behind was cancelled.
 

Chorley Cake

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005 in service today on an Edinburgh run. 007 & 011 stabled at Preston North. One stabled at west side of Carlisle station but couldn’t see number. Does anybody know please ?
 
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