319 Emergency Front Doors

[class717]

Why did/do the 319s have front doors but the 700s don’t require them when they run the same route?

 

[43096]

Why did/do the 319s have front doors but the 700s don’t require them when they run the same route?

The 319s required them for the line from Farringdon to Moorgate due to the tight clearances in tunnels, so they needed an emergency exit at the front. The Moorgate line closed as part of the Thameslink upgrade (it allowed the platform extension at Farringdon) so the 700s don't need the front door.

 

[Fincra5]

Why did/do the 319s have front doors but the 700s don’t require them when they run the same route?

There's egress space on the Thameslink Core Route, out the side of the Trains, so the front door isn't needed. (Also why a lot of the section from Farringdon to St Pancras doesn't have ballast).
Its the same reason Lizzy-Line train's, Class 345s, don't have front end doors, there was side egress routes built into the tunnel.

717s do need them for Drayton Park to Moorgate as the Tunnel is Single Bore. So the only egress between stations is out the front or rear of the train.

 

[fgwrich]

And if they’re anything like the 313 front doors, probably have very rarely been opened. A few of the Southern / Silverlink units needed a good boot to open them when I’ve worked with them!