Class 166s have started operating the Cardiff to Portsmouth service since the Autumn as part of the Turbo transfer programme.
Interesting!
Class 166s have started operating the Cardiff to Portsmouth service since the Autumn as part of the Turbo transfer programme.
Sounds like the person who replied is getting mixed up with the class 701 fleetOn Twitter, I asked South Western Railway when the 442s are expected to enter passenger service, and unfortunately they are expected to be fully introduced by December 2020☹️
PossiblySounds like the person who replied is getting mixed up with the class 701 fleet
I asked SWR again to double check they weren't referring to the 701s, and they said "Hi, they have started to be introduced, however it is scheduled that they will be fully introduced, therefore complete, by December 2020".
Not sure I’ve heard the Pompey Line complaining about the door positions. If the 450s has 2+2 like the 350s then the problem would’ve not arisen.
Indeed, I doubt Pompey Direct passengers would have an issue with a Class 350/1. We certainly like them on the south WCML, they are the ideal unit for middle distance regional express operation having 2+2 seating (with decent seats) and doors at quarters (roughly) for quick boarding and alighting. I see no great difference between the Pompey Direct and Euston-Birmingham which would suggest that the units should differ. (I know 350/2s appear on those, but they are not popular when they do!)
What's ironic about SWR is that the Class 455s, while they don't have armrests, do have the 2+2 type Grammer E3000 seats and (most notably) they are spaced to a 2+2 layout with space between the seat and the window, even if actual armrests are absent - so a bit like Merseyrail. Not at all like the Class 70x people might think! So the suburban passengers get a more comfortable unit.
I think that the Pompey line users would be happy with any stock that was 2+2 with an armrest and a small drop down table like the current 444s
None in service yet, although things do appear to be moving slowly towards that finally.The reply sounds vague. '"they have started to be introduced " sounds like they're saying they're in passenger service which is what people want, but is anyone aware of any having run with passengers on yet?
Or bigger problem created...I see the obvious solution to all the Pompey line disatisfaction to whether they want 442's or 450's is to put the 444's back on the Pompey direct and via Eastleigh, and put the 442's back where they rightfully belong on the SWML.... to Poole and Weymouth. Problem solved!!!
While many suggest that might be the solution, the inherent problem is that the power supply west of Poole cannot sustain 10-442 operation as regular working.I see the obvious solution to all the Pompey line disatisfaction to whether they want 442's or 450's is to put the 444's back on the Pompey direct and via Eastleigh, and put the 442's back where they rightfully belong on the SWML.... to Poole and Weymouth. Problem solved!!!
The only way of maintaining sort of adequate seat numbers in the peaks (to DfT’s satisfaction) would be to run your proposed converted units in 12 car formation.In hindsight you get the impression that the best thing that could have and should have been done was to convert the 350/2s that are coming off lease into a 2+2 comfortable high spec unit. Fit ASDO to them and possibly brief the staff on any differences between the two types of Desiro and that would be that. For diagramming reasons they should be renumbered 451s to ensure they don’t routinely get mixed into a 450 diagram. If you had a 451 and a 444 coupled together you’d think most passengers wouldn’t really care.
The only way of maintaining sort of adequate seat numbers in the peaks (to DfT’s satisfaction) would be to run your proposed converted units in 12 car formation.
The only way of maintaining sort of adequate seat numbers in the peaks (to DfT’s satisfaction) would be to run your proposed converted units in 12 car formation.
I see the obvious solution to all the Pompey line disatisfaction to whether they want 442's or 450's is to put the 444's back on the Pompey direct and via Eastleigh, and put the 442's back where they rightfully belong on the SWML.... to Poole and Weymouth. Problem solved!!!
The 377s in coach 1 and 4 have a very generous layout with ten full size standard class tables aligning perfectly with Windows. A sad day if they lose that one day
I'd like to see that on a 442 as the Gatwick refurbishment saw very few tables and some seats next to plastic walls
Just to make it clear, the majority were still 158s last week. I spent the day at Westbury and only 2 diagrams were turbos.Class 166s have started operating the Cardiff to Portsmouth service since the Autumn as part of the Turbo transfer programme.
Aren’t some of them 2+3 (without tables) in all coaches? But not much relevance to 442s though.The 377 driving car layout is one of the best and most comfortable you'll find anywhere. Not the ironing-board newer ones, of course.
Only 19 not many and still have full tables in coach endsAren’t some of them 2+3 (without tables) in all coaches? But not much relevance to 442s though.
Going a bit off-topic, but the 375/6 and /7s have got more comfortable seating (some of the best in the country) in the whole train.The 377 driving car layout is one of the best and most comfortable you'll find anywhere. Not the ironing-board newer ones, of course.
Going a bit off-topic, but the 375/6 and /7s have got more comfortable seating (some of the best in the country) in the whole train.
Yeah, they are high. Best way to use them is to put your elbow right to the back or perch it on the end.The same seating that LNR seem to think constitutes First Class! It isn't bad though the armrests are a little high.
That's the design of Compin seating for you. They're exactly the same on trains in France.The same seating that LNR seem to think constitutes First Class! It isn't bad though the armrests are a little high.