This kinda confirms from the latest issue of RAIL that the 710s will be due to begin main line testing i.e (ECML and WCML)Yesterday the two units were in an electrified part of Willesden Junction Depot adjacent to the WCML.
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Class 710 LO
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londonteacher
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There are also two more units to the left of the building. Noticed them a few days ago which makes at least 4 at Willesden Junction.Yesterday the two units were in an electrified part of Willesden Junction Depot adjacent to the WCML.
swt_passenger
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There were six reported at Willesden depot in late July. See my post 533.
Maybe so they can test out different variation of travel conditions, i.e WCML’s curves vs ECML’s straight forword high speed direction. Or texting the trains handling in similar but different OLE areas. And one possible clue is texting on the Watford DC line for Third Rail performance testing?
Seems likely a realistic time concidering the delays in getting the 710’s up and ready in the GOBLIN.
swt_passenger
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Nearly all recent DC mileage testing and fault free running, (eg GWR 387s), has taken place on the Brighton Line. It’s more about the ability to add the test paths to the existing timetable than the type of route, and they almost certainly won’t get tested in AC mode on a number of completely different routes. It also depends where they are going to be based during testing, I’d be surprised if they venture far from the WCML.
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Absolutely shocking!
brtom
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RAIL 859 Pg 29 reports testing is on WCML and the Great Eastern ML not the ECML
Long straight runs using freight paths, for mileage accumulation.
It's also being done with the Class 345s on the WCML, hence the new threads created 3 or 4 times a week when someone thinks it's notable that they saw one at Crewe.
I saw all six units on Saturday when I was at Willesden Junction. Two are visible from the NLL station and the other 4 were visible from the south when I passed by on a 220 bus. 1 was outside and 3 units in the depot building.
causton
Established Member
No thanks, would rather they are completed, safe and ready for service before they start service.
(The fact they aren't is a big issue, yes - but corners can't be cut!)
87015
Established Member
No. The only 710s delivered are locked in to Willesden. Looks much more like test trains for South Tottenham chords which haven't run anyway.
Wild guess - I wonder if NR have finally connected up the wiring between the Lea Valley lines and the GOBLIN? They may just be running a few trains to give it a test. There was a closure Barking to S Tott over the weekend which *might* have allowed some work to be done. There is another 3 day closure over the upcoming Bank Holiday weekend - no idea what work is being done.
The 05:31 train to Enfield Via Clapton and Edmonton Grn ran on Saturday.
Interesting. That confirms all the wiring is back in place. Doesn't explain why the GOBLIN is still having half line closures (other than the regular NR blocks for maintenance / inspection).
@causton - that’s fair enough. Sounds like a bombardier issue rather than railway.
But they’re cutting corners with mileage testing if you want my opinion. They’re going to be used on stop-start routes so knowing they can go from 0-whatever and back to 0, 10 times an hour all day is surely more of a reliability test than nice and easy long hauls up the main lines?! No wonder faults appear when new units enter service.
Get them on a route similar to what they will be used on. If need be, do it at night or weekends when the capacity is there.
Next minute we’ll see the Flirts for GA tested on the goblin!
But they’re cutting corners with mileage testing if you want my opinion. They’re going to be used on stop-start routes so knowing they can go from 0-whatever and back to 0, 10 times an hour all day is surely more of a reliability test than nice and easy long hauls up the main lines?! No wonder faults appear when new units enter service.
Get them on a route similar to what they will be used on. If need be, do it at night or weekends when the capacity is there.
Next minute we’ll see the Flirts for GA tested on the goblin!
Far north 37
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710261 266 and 267 were there last week that i seen.
Oh good, I still need to do that one of these days.
THC
Member
I saw a 710 parked up at Ilford depot this morning - unable to identify the unit as I passed south at speed. A 379 was in the way on the return just now so I don't know whether it is still stabled.
THC
THC
THC
Member
Unless the upper bodyside of the 378 being refreshed is black then no, it wasn't a 378. I'll keep my eyes peeled again tomorrow. I didn't expect a 710 to have made its way over, but this most definitely looked like one, albeit from the side on only.
THC
THC
samuelmorris
Established Member
It's certainly black at the front but I'm not sure about the side as I haven't seen a side photo of what the refreshed 378 looks like yet.
87015
Established Member
It’ll be the 378 as there is path back to New Cross Gate tonight. 710s brought south all still parked at Willesden awaiting developments, albeit passing shows them moving around the depot more now (with assistance of the gronk at least some of the time)
THC
Member
Apologies - I've just discovered the 378 refresh thread, so it is actually a 378 and not a 710. What on earth are they doing??
THC
THC
Edmonton Green
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Are 710s 5 or 4 car on the DC lines?