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TPE Class 397 ('Nova 2') construction and updates

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Sleeperwaking

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I nipped down to Manchester Airport platform 4 to see 397002 arrive / depart. It's really quiet moving off, can't wait to actually try one out.
 

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Kite159

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I hope there will a good number of airline style seats for those who don't want to play footsie with the person sat opposite/getting kicked by a feral youth/work feet around luggage being stored underneath the table.
 

Bletchleyite

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I nipped down to Manchester Airport platform 4 to see 397002 arrive / depart. It's really quiet moving off, can't wait to actually try one out.

I think they do look the best of the CAF stock - though I think we should nickname them "angry wasps" as that's what the front end looks like to me - shame they're not yellow :)
 

Bletchleyite

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I hope there will a good number of airline style seats for those who don't want to play footsie with the person sat opposite/getting kicked by a feral youth/work feet around luggage being stored underneath the table.

The overhead luggage racks on all the CAF stock are absolutely massive - by far the biggest of any UK train - therefore there is almost no luggage on the market that will not fit in them. It just requires people not to be lazy, or if it is put in a stupid place (under the table or on seats) for people to assertively request it to be put up with an offer to do so themselves.

Furthermore, with almost all table seating there is tons of floor-level storage between seat backs.
 

Kite159

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The overhead luggage racks on all the CAF stock are absolutely massive - by far the biggest of any UK train - therefore there is almost no luggage on the market that will not fit in them. It just requires people not to be lazy, or if it is put in a stupid place (under the table or on seats) for people to assertively request it to be put up with an offer to do so themselves.

Furthermore, with almost all table seating there is tons of floor-level storage between seat backs.

You will be surprised at some passengers preferring to keep their bag on the floor underneath the table rather than putting it on the overhead luggage racks, even if the racks are large enough to cope. Sadly some other passengers are unwilling to ask if they would move the luggage in order to sit down
 

Bletchleyite

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You will be surprised at some passengers preferring to keep their bag on the floor underneath the table rather than putting it on the overhead luggage racks, even if the racks are large enough to cope. Sadly some other passengers are unwilling to ask if they would move the luggage in order to sit down

Unfortunately for such selfish people, I am completely willing to ask for such luggage to be removed, and if this is not met with compliance to move it myself. Seats are for backsides, and legroom is for legs - these trains are not short of proper space for luggage of all shapes and sizes.
 

tpjm

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I think they could fit a few with luggage stacks, otherwise they'll just end up with luggage strewn about blocking the area.

Wouldn't really work, but even within the saloon itself, there is plenty of space to store luggage.

However after Glasgow it went to Slateford (just outside Edinburgh) via Shotts, then from Slateford to Carstairs via Cobbinshaw, both of which a 397 definitely hasn't been over before.

Part of CAF's proving runs which are required to satisfy Network Rail in relation to new rolling stock being all okay.

‘Could’ be wrong here, but there was a 397 doing an ECS run from Lime St to Glasgow today. Is that a first?

I've been on a train on a LIV - CAR a few months ago so it's not the first time we've done the majority of that route.
 

route101

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I hope there will a good number of airline style seats for those who don't want to play footsie with the person sat opposite/getting kicked by a feral youth/work feet around luggage being stored underneath the table.
Yeah ,i prefer airline seats too , prefer to face a seatback than a stranger .
 

Phil from Mon

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Unfortunately for such selfish people, I am completely willing to ask for such luggage to be removed, and if this is not met with compliance to move it myself. Seats are for backsides, and legroom is for legs - these trains are not short of proper space for luggage of all shapes and sizes.
The obvious thing to do is to ask if the luggage has a ticket !
 

Buspilot

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these trains are not short of proper space for luggage of all shapes and sizes.

The problem is that on many trains, if it is provided, is that places to put luggage is out of it's owner's eye sight and many thefts have occured as a result. Also security implications.
 

LNW-GW Joint

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It looks like CAF have an order from SNCF, no less, for class 397-like EMUs for Paris-Clermont Ferrand/Toulouse services (replacing LHCS).
https://www.railwaygazette.com/trac...-caf-to-supply-inter-city-fleet/54601.article
To be built in France and Spain - can't think when SNCF last ordered trains built abroad.
CAF said its winning proposal had been designed to provide a ‘decisive leap in quality standards’ on medium and long-distance routes.
The EMUs would have a maximum speed of 200 km/h, with ‘high standards of comfort’, including ergonomic seats, wi-fi, power sockets and USB ports.
There would be 10 cycle spaces, galleys for ‘high quality’ trolley catering, and facilities to enable passengers with reduced mobility to board without assistance
 

Bletchleyite

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The problem is that on many trains, if it is provided, is that places to put luggage is out of it's owner's eye sight and many thefts have occured as a result. Also security implications.

This is not true of the Class 397, nor of the Class 350 for that matter which has large overheads too. It's simple laziness with most people, coupled with a desire not to sit next to someone. Fortunately, commuters do and will not let this lie and the luggage gets removed.

(before anyone says "oh, but what if they can't", this luggage is mostly airline hand luggage sized, and so has in most cases been put in the overhead of a plane before by that self same person)
 
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TheGarner

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Saw one pass through Piccadilly (Platform 14) earlier on this morning. Is there an easy way to track the movements of these, as once again I wasn't on the platform to be able to see it/take a photo of it.
 

Cavendish1

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Can confirm it left Man Vic at 09.50, quite a surprise to see it there whilst I was arriving from Stalybridge, very impressive looking.
 

Western Lord

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I suggested "Vulcans" for these units, as a nod to Vulcan Foundry in Newton LW and because Vulcan bombers were but in Lancaster and Ringway (Manchester Airport)
Vulcans were built at Avro's airfield at Woodford, south of Stockport with some parts coming from the plant at Chadderton.
 

Sleeperwaking

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I think they do look the best of the CAF stock - though I think we should nickname them "angry wasps" as that's what the front end looks like to me - shame they're not yellow :)
I think they're more like determined bees than angry wasps (I know which I'd rather encounter and I don't currently associate the 397s with a pressing urge to be a long distance away) but either way they're definitely the best looking of the CAF units. :)
 

hexagon789

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Where have they done that?
A speculative piece in Rail doesn't count.
Relaxing some PSR speed limits after alignment changes I can believe, but that will take time and cost money.
The future of TASS needs to be explained, too (currently everything exceeding 110mph on the WCML needs TASS).

TPE/Network Rail, not RAIL ;)
 

Chorley Cake

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There is one in Crewe Carriage Sidings this morning but it looked unnumbered. Does anybody know the number ?
 
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Had a visit today to MID and it was very interesting!
Can report that 397003, 397004 and 397007 were all on depot today.
 

Jamesrob637

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Has anybody created a thread for these under "Allocations, Diagrams and Timetables?"
 
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