C2C class 720 updates

[samuelmorris]

Very poor if it stays that way long term.

I've mixed opinions on that. The bulk of c2c traffic is peak services and if it means that at least the 720s stay reasonably tidy and clean for a bit longer then so be it. Obviously it shouldn't matter but given how neglected the 357s are, it'll only be a matter of time before the new stock looks similar.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Issues with 720s calling at Barking at the moment, theres meant to be a diagram of 720s running peak time loop trains however they are currently 8car 357s as they call at Barking

Ah.... Is that why the 16.44 off Fenchurch Street reverted from 720s to 357s after only a few runs? That diagram having a Barking stop whereas the 17.16 and 17.43 don't...

 

[wls1]

Ah.... Is that why the 16.44 off Fenchurch Street reverted from 720s to 357s after only a few runs? That diagram having a Barking stop whereas the 17.16 and 17.43 don't...

Yes, along with the morning run of this diagram from Laindon, 2N03 0703 Lai-Fst. When this ran, it would turn around at Pitsea rather than in platform 2 at Laindon, so assume there must be issues with them turning around in platform 2 at Laindon also

 

[Kite159]

Hopefully those issues can get resolved sooner rather than later, otherwise having 12 trains to run 2 services each way a day (totalling 4 units) isn't the best use (in my eyes)

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Yes, along with the morning run of this diagram from Laindon, 2N03 0703 Lai-Fst. When this ran, it would turn around at Pitsea rather than in platform 2 at Laindon, so assume there must be issues with them turning around in platform 2 at Laindon also

Presumably, also, this explains the very poor overall utilisation with just the two peak diagrams for the fleet of 12.... everything else calls at barking...?

 

[wls1]

First sets of 720s running loop services at peak time this morning.

2D01 0406 Thorpe Bay - Fenchurch Street
2D04 0540 Fenchurch Street - Southend Central
2R69 0703 Southend Central - Fenchurch Street

720602 + 720603

First time since the platforms on the loop lines were extended to 12 cars over 10 years ago that a train longer than 8 carriages has served loop stations. Hopefully this means that the 5 car services will start tomorrow for saturdays.

 

[Samzino]

Lovely, wish C2C had more of the 720s to replace some of the really oldest members of the 357s. If GA still have those surplus that's where id be looking

 

[JonathanH]

Lovely, wish C2C had more of the 720s to replace some of the really oldest members of the 357s.

Although they were built in two batches a few years apart, the 357s are basically all the same age. I'm not sure how you would identify one 357 as being 'really old', relative to another.

 

[Samzino]

Although they were built in two batches a few years apart, the 357s are basically all the same age. I'm not sure how you would identify one 357 as being 'really old', relative to another.

In terms of wear and tear mileage I should have said.

 

[43096]

In terms of wear and tear mileage I should have said.

Parts that degrade on a mileage basis get replaced on overhaul.

 

[Peter Sarf]

First sets of 720s running loop services at peak time this morning.

2D01 0406 Thorpe Bay - Fenchurch Street
2D04 0540 Fenchurch Street - Southend Central
2R69 0703 Southend Central - Fenchurch Street

720602 + 720603

First time since the platforms on the loop lines were extended to 12 cars over 10 years ago that a train longer than 8 carriages has served loop stations. Hopefully this means that the 5 car services will start tomorrow for saturdays.

Although the morning is now using four pairs of 720/6 it seems to be still only two pairs in the afternoon ?.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Have the sighting issues at Barking that were preventing them from calling there been resolved yet?

 

[BigB]

Have the sighting issues at Barking that were preventing them from calling there been resolved yet?

RTT shows them calling at platforms 4,5 and 8 - were other platforms the issue?

 

[Peter Mugridge]

RTT shows them calling at platforms 4,5 and 8 - were other platforms the issue?

I don't know - I only know what was mentioned earlier in this thread and a member of staff later telling me it was a sighting issue affecting dispatch at Barking.

 

[c2c]

From a quick look at RTT, it doesn't seem like the 720s have been out and about recently? Still some integration stuff to work out?

 

[JamesC357]

From a quick look at RTT, it doesn't seem like the 720s have been out and about recently? Still some integration stuff to work out?

I haven’t looked today, but they were definitely out on Friday, and stopping at Barking too so the problem there must have been fixed. Whether a new issue has arisen over the weekend though I don’t know.

 

[samuelmorris]

From a quick look at RTT, it doesn't seem like the 720s have been out and about recently? Still some integration stuff to work out?

They were in use at the end of last week, for sure. According to RTT they were also in use today so I'm not sure where you were looking.

 

[c2c]

Oops! I just had a quick look at arrivals at Fenchurch Street this morning but clearly did something wrong!

 

[Peter Mugridge]

The rarely seen 720 608 is booked for the 17.16 of Fenchurch Street this evening ( with 720 604 ); this is only the second time I've noticed this one showing as allocated.

Rather annoyingly, I'm in the office and don't finish until 17.15... In Epsom.

 

[samuelmorris]

The rarely seen 720 608 is booked for the 17.16 of Fenchurch Street this evening ( with 720 604 ); this is only the second time I've noticed this one showing as allocated.

Rather annoyingly, I'm in the office and don't finish until 17.15... In Epsom.

Yeah 608 was my last one to track down as well, only ticked it off last week.

 

[BigB]

From a quick look at RTT, it doesn't seem like the 720s have been out and about recently? Still some integration stuff to work out?

Out this afternoon e.g.

Realtime Trains | 1B80 1716 London Fenchurch Street to Shoeburyness | 15/01/2024

Real-time train running information for 1B80 1716 departure from London Fenchurch Street to Shoeburyness on 15/01/2024. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[Samzino]

720608 currently at fenchurch on platform 3. Quite full pax wise

 

[Peter Mugridge]

720608 currently at Fenchurch on platform 3. Quite full pax wise

Must be all the haulage bashers reacting to my post at 15.32...

 

[Samzino]

720605 just arrived as the 17:43 Shoeburyness

Must be all the haulage bashers reacting to my post at 15.32...

Lool has to be

 

[samuelmorris]

608 out again this morning. I'm on 604 behind it - two of the PIS displays in this carriage have already failed, the one to my left is off completely and the one on the right only has one of the 7 or 8 backlight segments working so you can't read half of it. I notice the displays on Anglia 720s are routinely blank as well, but despite the myriad of issues with the system driving it, I don't really recall this being an issue with the 345s? Wondering if there was a change of display supplier at some point...

 

[Samzino]

345s also experienced similar issues and do have blanked screens from time to time but it's getting much better.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

720 608 + 720 604 again allocated to the 17.16 tonight.

...and again I'm in the office and can't reach it. It'll be even more annoying if it runs on Friday as I have something on after work; any other Friday I'd be able to dash up and grab it as I finish at 15.45 on Fridays...

 

[nctd2306]

It appears that some 720s are in service today on the Via Ockendon services, working as single 5 car sets, my cousin just sent me a video of one at Leigh on Sea asking if it was "one of those new trains"
RTT confirmed it was 720610, in passenger service on 2D43 (14.43 ex Shoeburyness)

 

[Samzino]

720605 seems to also have gone via Ockendon and Tilbury Town as 2D40
2D40 FST -> SRY RTT

2D43(operated by 720610 as mentioned by nctd2306) finished at Fenchurch ST and will now run as the 1623(2D46) to Shoeburyness via Ockendon(Tilbury Town Route). Is this the first weekend of running outside of Basildon line for the 720s?
2D43 FST -> SRY RTT

 

[nctd2306]

720605 seems to also have gone via Ockendon and Tilbury Town as 2D40
2D40 FST -> SRY RTT

2D43(operated by 720610 as mentioned by nctd2306) finished at Fenchurch ST and will now run as the 1623(2D46) to Shoeburyness via Ockendon(Tilbury Town Route). Is this the first weekend of running outside of Basildon line for the 720s?
2D43 FST -> SRY RTT

I believe it's first time they've worked via Tilbury, first time they've worked outside the peaks, first time they've worked alone as 5 car and first time they've worked on a weekend, so all in all, quite significant!