319 Response from Southern

[Julian G]

Thank you for your email.

The 319 types are used quite extensively during the week so maintenance regimes
have been organised around the weekends. The train you saw at Kensington on 19
April appears to have been some sort of special unscheduled working;
unfortunately we don't have any more detail.

In the longer term it is likely that the remainder of these trains will transfer
to First Capital Connect to enable increased capacity between Bedford and London
where demand is particularly strong. There are no plans to re-introduce the 319s
to the Watford service nor to re-instate the former service north of Watford.

The Electrostar trips to Tring each evening are run in order to maintain
drivers' route knowledge so that in the event of any blockage of the bay
platform at Watford Junction, we would be able to turn trains around at Tring
instead of having to curtail the service short of Watford.

Regards

Richard Lancaster
Southern Customer Services

 

[Guinness]

A very well informed response!

 

[87015]

There's no need for the extension north of Watford either

Yes there is. Before they helpfully pulled the services they were well loaded, providing useful through journeys from WCML stations and onward connections to Gatwick and Brighton.
When the service was pulled to Watford only, losing same platform connections and many journey possibilities. Now they want to make it a Clapham shuttle only. I wont even start on the festering around at Clapham.
They can shove there idea of progress!

When introduced, it was originally planned to run the service to Birmingham. Virgin vetoed that, not liking competition (NWT...) and claiming revenue loss, and Railtrack said they couldnt turn it round at Northampton, hence the Rugby destination. Might have taken a while to get patronage up, but those services would be welcomed again north of Watford.

They were good services, only time i had a 319+321 in multiple.

 

[jonb]

Oh gawd more units..................

 

[319460]

Oh gawd more units..................

Jon, quit moaning about the yoonits :P

Regards,
Gezza

 

[jonb]

Jon, quit moaning about the yoonits :P

Nope no chance!

 

[Coxster]

More unit neds - all we need! Yorkie's 'conversion' programme is much needed!

 

[Jordy]

Units units units, boring!

However, it us interesting to see that someone at 'Southern' has taken the time to get info for you JulianG!

Jordy

 

[Julian G]

Speaking of 319s

Hi all

5Z18 11.13 Wolverton to Selhurst has arrived with
9431 in new FCC livery

That unit Class 319431 , one of the ex-Continental Ones, so that makes two Continental Livered 319, one on Southern and one on Thameslink

 

[16CSVT2700]

More unit neds - all we need! Yorkie's 'conversion' programme is much needed!

Don't need that!

JULIAN you will worship the 50s!!
JULIAN you will worship the 50s!!
JULIAN you will worship the 50s!!
JULIAN you will worship the 50s!!
JULIAN you will worship the 50s!!
JULIAN you will worship the 50s!!
JULIAN you will worship the 50s!!
JULIAN you will worship the 50s!!
JULIAN you will worship the 50s!!
JULIAN you will worship the 50s!!
JULIAN you will worship the 50s!!
JULIAN you will worship the 50s!!
JULIAN you will worship the 50s!!
JULIAN you will worship the 50s!!

:dmage:

 

[Julian G]

Don't need that!

JULIAN you will worship the 50s!!

:dmage:

I like 50s, evidence
i really don't understand why people call them Logs?
Look, here is some Hoover images to enjoy yourself

Double Hoovers Cl50 covering for a failed cl377 doing a Brighton Express run- *note the amount of clag (London Brighton Express)

I had a chance do drive a Cl50+cl377+cl450 and a nasty suprise
Due to problems at Fratton, a Slammer coach got stuck into a Desiro consist
Here's me driving the return from London Victoria to East Croydon

The train is about to leave Victoria


The Convoy outside of Victoria

Class 50 clagging at Clapham Junction, where are all the other photographers such as Joe Hamilton,Paul Bigland,Seth, Jim, Galvanise and etc

OoOo, I even made a Class 66709 clag! (TC!-Do not edit )

AND exceeding the limit of the 66
Here are my latest shots of Cl66709 leaving Brighton Sheds

GBRF Cl66709 prepares to leave Brighton

Cl66709 makes an appearance by clagging

RESULT TO PROVE a cl66 CAN CLAG

 

[16CSVT2700]

i really don't understand why people call them Logs?

Cos they're long and log-shaped apparently!

Here's other nicknames:
Vacs/Hoovers: sound made by the inertial filtration system which was originally installed when they were built.
Bleep bleeps: Nicknamed cos of AWS (?) sound by LMR/WCML crews.
Warships: nickname never caught on. Refers to names of locos
Dub-dubs: engine sound
50/50s: Chance that they would make it to the destination

 

[66526]

I would imagine that the 'bleep bleeps' are after the driver has cancelled the AWS horn?

 

[AlexS]

Julian, in your screenshots, it would be far more likely that the 377 was hauling the 50s - as has been said, the one caption that will go with any picture of a 50: 'A failed loco awaits rescue', because it's more than likely right!