bramling
Veteran Member
If it's in the same location, could it be linked to recent works and turn out not to be a problem with the 700s? For a while I am sure there was mass panic within GTR, and after today it must have really got bad!
I notice 700s are now using the UF south of New Southgate again as of today.
On a different note, has anyone else noticed that the 700s seem to have difficulty achieving 365 timings on GN? To be fair I've not exactly been a regular user, but in the knowledge that from May I should be able to get to/from London using just 365s again I've taken a few 700 trips recently for novelty value. On every occasion the train has not kept up with 365 timings despite having a clear run, losing minutes here and there.
I've noticed there's a very noticeable motor/coast/motor/coast driving style evident on the 700s, and I've now made enough journeys to deduce that this isn't just certain drivers - everyone's doing it. GPS measurements show the train will reach 100 mph, then be allowed to coast down to the early 90s, then motor back up to 100 mph again. Presumably this must be a product of how the driving controls are designed. It doesn't happen with either 365s or 387s, both of which are able to maintain a pretty constant 100 mph. It can only be this that's causing the 700s not to achieve equivalent running times, as the acceleration should be better, the maximum speed on paper is the same, and on long non-stop runs braking for station stops is pretty much irrelevant. As an aside it also produces a rather unpleasant sensation for passengers, to add to the uncomfortable and cramped seats, vile internal décor, lack of facilities, footwell intrusions, extra noise, rattles creaks & bangs, poor air conditioning etc.
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