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Thameslink/ Class 700 Progress

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samuelmorris

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That's a lot more tasteful than the one livery, but then most things would be!

What is this in aid of, wasn't pride month last month? Is it a permanent relivery for this unit?
 
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Aictos

Aictos

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One thing though which I struggle to understand is if a train is unfit for service then GTR actually penalises their own drivers if they refuse to take the unit out as a few examples, toilet fault flooding the entire carriage or having no toilets on a round trip of 3hrs 50 mins can’t be acceptable can it?

The issue with the air conditioning is apparently there’s instructions from Siemens not to adjust it from the cab and it has quirks by going to full power if the driver reduces the temperature and takes power.

Surely if a train isn’t fit for service, drivers should be able to say I’m sorry but I am not taking it into service provided they have a valid reason???
 
LA50041

LA50041

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samuelmorris said:
That's a lot more tasteful than the one livery, but then most things would be!

What is this in aid of, wasn't pride month last month? Is it a permanent relivery for this unit?
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Brighton Pride is in a couple of weeks time
 
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supervc-10

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Great having it done for Brighton and Hove Pride, but it's a shame it missed out on London Pride which was on 6th July, and Pride month which is June!

Still, it looks great. I'd love for them to keep it! Personally I think the ThamesLink livery is pretty awful normally- they look unfinished, as if they're on temporary hire or something.
 
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MML

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So when would be the earliest opportunity for a follow-on order ?
I'm particularly concerned that if it doesn't materialise soon, then any future stock extension will be too late for compatibility with the current units.
There are 6 x 8-car 700/0 units operating Brighton-Bedford. Some of these services really should be using 12-car 700/1 stock, particularly in the peak periods. It really is poor form seeing an 8-car unit crush loaded departing to Brighton from 12-car length platforms during the peak.

Options:
1. Order 24 more carriages and convert 6 of the existing 8-car 700/0 to 12-car 700/1.
2. Move 6 x 8-car 700/0 to operate the East Croydon to Milton Keynes services for Southern, releasing the current 377 units to strengthen existing Victoria 8-car services to 12-car. And then order 6 brand new 700/1 12-car units for Thameslink.

What would prompt GTR/Southern or DfT to make such investment ? Do we really have to wait for the next franchise commitment ?
 
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samuelmorris

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MML said:
So when would be the earliest opportunity for a follow-on order ?
I'm particularly concerned that if it doesn't materialise soon, then any future stock extension will be too late for compatibility with the current units.
There are 6 x 8-car 700/0 units operating Brighton-Bedford. Some of these services really should be using 12-car 700/1 stock, particularly in the peak periods. It really is poor form seeing an 8-car unit crush loaded departing to Brighton from 12-car length platforms during the peak.

Options:
1. Order 24 more carriages and convert 6 of the existing 8-car 700/0 to 12-car 700/1.
2. Move 6 x 8-car 700/0 to operate the East Croydon to Milton Keynes services for Southern, releasing the current 377 units to strengthen existing Victoria 8-car services to 12-car. And then order 6 brand new 700/1 12-car units for Thameslink.

What would prompt GTR/Southern or DfT to make such investment ? Do we really have to wait for the next franchise commitment ?
Click to expand...
Is this not still from interworking diagrams where only 8-car services can operate? I was under the impression the only reason 8-cars were running Bedford-Brighton was allocation, not because they were actually short of units. Worth remembering that GTR is not currently a franchise so not subject to the usual 'what comes in the next franchise' issues. DfT wants, DfT will ask for. otherwise, they won't. In light of the timetabling debacle the unit allocation isn't quite what they expected, but until 24tph through the core is achieved I can't see any more units being ordered.
 
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jon0844

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I've heard that some 8 car 700s are to be extended to 12 car. No idea how many, or when. As we know there's an option to do this and the numbering of the 700/0 coaches was such that it would be a relatively easy thing to do.
 
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hwl

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jon0844 said:
I've heard that some 8 car 700s are to be extended to 12 car. No idea how many, or when. As we know there's an option to do this and the numbering of the 700/0 coaches was such that it would be a relatively easy thing to do.
Click to expand...
New transformers required in the 8 car units to do that too...
 
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coppercapped

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jon0844 said:
I've heard that some 8 car 700s are to be extended to 12 car. No idea how many, or when. As we know there's an option to do this and the numbering of the 700/0 coaches was such that it would be a relatively easy thing to do.
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The Class 700s are supplied by Cross London Trains Ltd. (a private company comprising Siemens, infrastructure investment group Innisfree, and 3i Infrastructure plc) which has been contracted by the DfT to supply trains for use by GTR.

The supply of any additional coaches or trains will the subject to negotiations between the DfT and CLT. No doubt GTR would like to have some more longer trains - but it will only be issued with the additional coaches or trains if the DfT agrees that CLT should supply them. Is the source of the rumours to be found with either the DfT or CLT?
 
Ladder23

Ladder23

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Is the new rainbow liveried 700155 just for Brighton services only, or will this likely run Peterborough - kings cross etc
 
westcoaster

westcoaster

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samuelmorris said:
Is this not still from interworking diagrams where only 8-car services can operate? I was under the impression the only reason 8-cars were running Bedford-Brighton was allocation, not because they were actually short of units. Worth remembering that GTR is not currently a franchise so not subject to the usual 'what comes in the next franchise' issues. DfT wants, DfT will ask for. otherwise, they won't. In light of the timetabling debacle the unit allocation isn't quite what they expected, but until 24tph through the core is achieved I can't see any more units being ordered.
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Believe so as there would be no way for the RLU's to shuffle around the network. The ones on the GN side would never go on DC otherwise.
 
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MML

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Another colourful livery adorning 700050 at St Albans this morning. If only the graffiti 'artists' could do something worthwhile and productive with their time. We've now got to waste money clearing up that mess.
 
Aictos

Aictos

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MML said:
Another colourful livery adorning 700050 at St Albans this morning. If only the graffiti 'artists' could do something worthwhile and productive with their time. We've now got to waste money clearing up that mess.
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Wouldn’t it be nice if they paid up or cleaned off the rubbish with a toothbrush!

As to calling them “artists”.... please, they’re nothing of the sort just mindless vandals that’s what they are!
 
Mordac

Mordac

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Aictos said:
Wouldn’t it be nice if they paid up or cleaned off the rubbish with a toothbrush!

As to calling them “artists”.... please, they’re nothing of the sort just mindless vandals that’s what they are!
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The two are not mutually exclusive. ;)
 
Aictos

Aictos

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Mordac said:
The two are not mutually exclusive. ;)
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I’ve got nothing against graffiti where it’s not counted as criminal damage see Banksy or local councils employing graffiti artists to brighten up the local areas but graffiti on the railways is nothing more then criminal damage with the costs incurred removing it should be paid by those responsible.

As to the air con which I’ve discussed in length, the only people allowed to adjust it is Siemens as drivers are only allowed to adjust the cab air con - this is daft as drivers should be able to override/adjust the air con for the entire train as and when needed.
 
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