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Battery Powered Electrostars for Southern

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Southern Dvr

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However it may be different within the T&Cs. We’ve been asked to take 171s down there DOO(NP) before but the they’ve resourced a conductor when questioned on it.
 
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NWD_MT97

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However it may be different within the T&Cs. We’ve been asked to take 171s down there DOO(NP) before but the they’ve resourced a conductor when questioned on it.

There is nothing within the T&C's regarding this.

The reason that has happened is because if a driver challenges something? Normally the resource and Line managers have not got the operational competence to challenge it. Unless a competent Competency developer or assessor is available to ask at the time, then the Line manager or Resource manager have to go with what the driver has said. Quite rightly so as well!

However, I can assure you 100% that 171 units are cleared DOO (NP) on the Uckfield route. If you are a driver on the route? Then the best person to ask would be the one who carry's out the training and assessments over the route or your local H&S representative who should hopefully check with Operations prior to saying Yes or No. They will be able to give you the most up to date information. The biggest mistake is usually to rely on hearsay and mess room gossip.
 
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Murray J

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Went to my local today saw 2 377/4s with a sticker saying BI on it, could this be a note these units are being converted to bi mode or battery electric? The units are 377433 and 377449.
 

Fincra5

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Went to my local today saw 2 377/4s with a sticker saying BI on it, could this be a note these units are being converted to bi mode or battery electric? The units are 377433 and 377449.

No... BI is the depot code for Brighton - Lovers Walk T&RSMD
 

Fincra5

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I know that, i'd say they've probably been moved to selhurst but haven't got round to removing the stickers yet

Nah most 1/4 Series are based at BI with the 2/3/6/7 Series based at SU - Selhurst.
 

Southern Dvr

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Grinstead is worked by BI allocated units which generally start and finish the day coming up and returning to the seaside.
 

Murray J

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Ok I was wondering, because I've been to EG a few times recently (my local) and I've noticed it's usually /1s and /3s, but not usually /4s, in that case I assume they operate a London to Brighton service in the morning or an ECS then operate to EG all day?
 

Fincra5

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Ok I was wondering, because I've been to EG a few times recently (my local) and I've noticed it's usually /1s and /3s, but not usually /4s, in that case I assume they operate a London to Brighton service in the morning or an ECS then operate to EG all day?

3's are allocated to Selhurst and, mainly, stick to Metro Duties, which include some 10-car Grinstead work.
 

Andy1673

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Ok I was wondering, because I've been to EG a few times recently (my local) and I've noticed it's usually /1s and /3s, but not usually /4s, in that case I assume they operate a London to Brighton service in the morning or an ECS then operate to EG all day?

/1 and /4 is a common pool, normally there are several different diagrams which can start day at various points eg depots (Brighton Lovers Walk or Selhurst) or stations (Victoria or East Grinstead itself, also its sidings). 5 sets of various formation required for London to East Grinstead half hourly services (not necessarily same all day). Normally there is no ECS from Brighton to London or East Grinstead, only passenger services. 377/3s do not work East Grinstead services now on weekdays but weekends do.
 
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Chrisgr31

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I’m still expecting it will be a 158 in and 171 out situation for about 5 years and then some new fangled stuff will be brought in.

I have emailed our local MP, Nus Ghani, to ask her what she knows and point out her constituents are likely to be unimpressed with older and/or less comfortable trains. However she wont care as she'd get elected in any event. I also wont hold my breath waiting for a response.

Guess someone will need to tell the drivers at some point as they will need training!
 

yorkie

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Just a gentle reminder that this section is for discussing what is actually happening or planned to happen.

We absolutely do welcome suggestions and ideas on this forum but these do need to be posted in the Speculative Ideas section please.

Thanks :)
 

D365

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Just a gentle reminder that this section is for discussing what is actually happening or planned to happen.

Unfortunately that is a bit difficult; so far there has been no formal announcement regarding Class 171 replacement!
 

Murray J

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Probably not publicly but it's not really something TOCs tend to talk about, they usually tend to talk about new stock coming in rather than perfectly fine stock leaving, considering most people who see that would think that SN/govia are getting rid of perfectly good trains for no reason, unless they mention the fact they're going off lease.
 

Fincra5

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Last thing I heard a /5 unit (currently at SE) had been selected but since then, nothing more.
 

paul1609

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Southern havent even admitted they are going have they?
At a rail users meeting 2 years ago in Rye they (Southern) told us that Battery Units had been considered but dismissed as impractical following the trials with the class 379. I didn't make last years meeting but am told the matter was not discussed further and in answer to a question following complaints about the Marshlink service being cut back to Eastbourne they said the existing inadequate rolling stock was all we were likely to get for the foreseeable future. The next meeting should be in May.
 

hwl

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At a rail users meeting 2 years ago in Rye they (Southern) told us that Battery Units had been considered but dismissed as impractical following the trials with the class 379. I didn't make last years meeting but am told the matter was not discussed further and in answer to a question following complaints about the Marshlink service being cut back to Eastbourne they said the existing inadequate rolling stock was all we were likely to get for the foreseeable future. The next meeting should be in May.

https://mobile.twitter.com/marshlinktrains/status/1194926773634568192
@marshlinktrains said:
Email fr @PB_Leasing in regard class 377 battery hybrids trains - GTR will retain the Class 171 fleet until a suitable replacement has been identified and made available.Porterbrook is in discussions with both GTR and DfT about potential replacements for the Class 171s @Clinnick1
 
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Doomotron

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So they can't move to EMR until they've got a replacement chosen? That's... Interesting.

Bet you it's ten coach Class 230s. ;)
 
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paul1609

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So they can't move to EMR until they've got a replacement chosen? That's... Interesting.

Bet you it's ten coach Class 230s.
Passing movements at Rye will be interesting with those.
"The next station is Three Oaks, would passengers note that you can only alight from the front coach as this station has a short platform, this is coach 10 of 10 (or if the line is moved to southeastern this coach is 11 of 10)"
 

Nym

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So they can't move to EMR until they've got a replacement chosen? That's... Interesting.

Bet you it's ten coach Class 230s.
Given that VivaRail didn't buy any UNDMs (Uncoupling Non Driving Mo I doubt that would be able to be done with gangways throughout.

(And yes, you can put a semi permanent coupler on a UNDM at the autocoupler end)
 

Class 466

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Last thing I heard a /5 unit (currently at SE) had been selected but since then, nothing more.
That was false information. 377506 was being used for re-railing training and all 23 377/5s remain in use with Southeastern (Along with 163/164 before anyone suggests they're going).
 

Roast Veg

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EMR will simply have to continue using sone 158s until a solution is found. They are broadly equivalent anyway.
 

tsr

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Not convinced 158s would do anything special for dwell time, given the door and seat layout. And that's a big big deal on the GTR network. Also - are 10 coach formations of 158s really plausible (I know SWR run some fairly long 158/159 formations but not sure about that length)? You couldn't get away with permanently shortening the peak trains any more than has been done - it would be political suicide.
 

Murray J

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yeah, what i'd suggest is if SN do have 158s they'd either work in tandem with 170s/171s or more likely only be on the line short term until more stock, probably 170s or other diesel equivalents, are in service. in theory, 185s and 175s are possibly an option if they can't get their hands on 170s, not sure if they'll fit through the thin tunnels though.
 
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