171s on East Coastway Line

[samogers]

Yesterday (Saturday 19th) I took the 1507 service from Lewes to Brighton which is always formed of a 2 car 171 in normal service because it comes from Ashford. However, I had a nice surprise when a 4 car 171 turned up. 4 car 171s are based on the uckfield line and are only used on the East Coastway line during special events despite the 2 car ones frequently being overcrowded. Is there a reason that some 4 car 171s are operating on the east coastway line instead of the usual 2 car ones?

 

[BromleyBoi]

There was a large music festival in Brighton on Saturday. The Shakedown festival, so that may have been the reason.

 

[Fincra5]

Sometimes do it in the summer for extra capacity... but aye there was Shakedown Festival. Most people seemed to come off the west coastway though.

 

[ushawk]

4-car 171s ran between Brighton and Hastings which connected with a 2-car 171 between Hastings and Ashford.

 

[samogers]

Oh yes, I'd forgotten about shakedown. Thanks for your replies though!!

 

[TheJRB]

I was surprised by seeing a 171/8 on the Marshlink too!

4-car 171s ran between Brighton and Hastings which connected with a 2-car 171 between Hastings and Ashford.

Well at least one escaped through the marsh as I saw 171806 at Ashford on the 19:33 to Brighton on Saturday. Photo here: https://plus.google.com/photos/117869996631255488947/albums/6038612074878934401/6038612082431856338?pid=6038612082431856338&oid=117869996631255488947

 

[Class377/5]

They've been trying out a four car for the weekends this summer as a test I believe as services are normally heavily loaded at the weekend.

 

[samogers]

They've been trying out a four car for the weekends this summer as a test I believe as services are normally heavily loaded at the weekend.

Thank God!! Hopefully this can become a reality on weekends.

 

[Class377/5]

Thank God!! Hopefully this can become a reality on weekends.

Give feedback to Southern over the longer train, more people that do, the more likely it could be made permanently.

 

[47831]

One unit on a Saturday and Sunday as a test during July and August on the busiest diagrams. I believe two were used last weekend because of the Shakedown event and some pirate event at Hastings.

 

[samogers]

Give feedback to Southern over the longer train, more people that do, the more likely it could be made permanently.

I'll think I'll do that, after all the coastway and marshlink lines are very popular, especially on weekends!!