Class 317/7's out of storage.

[badassunicorn]

Well it was touched by who else but Bombardier!

In all seriousness though I do agree with you - the whole project seemed promising but appears to have fizzled down into what almost appears to be a half hearted effort - Promising something almost akin to the SWT 455s and delivering the half hearted Bombardier effort with a few 377/6 seats chucked into a half refurbished interior, and two coaches externally relivieried. As for keeping the hopper windows - as you point out the Eversholt / Wabtec project shows what can be made good of the BR Mk3 units and as for keeping the stupid rarely working inward-opening powered gangway doors between carriages just shows of a well this train could have been this but well. Huff.

However, I wonder how the new AC Traction equipment Bombardier were making such a fanfare about is coping? Still surprised at the obvious retention of the original GEC traction motors though.

Its definitely got AC motors, I've shunted 722 a million times over the last few months and it sounds very much like a 360, albeit not as loud. The refurbed section doesn't have the air powered doors, they put conventional hinged manual doors in. The idea behind it was to provide some kind of comparison for passengers, to see which style they would prefer, "metro" or the more comfortable style they already had.
I've no idea of the numbers, but at least 3 of the other /7's have been fully repainted into the red/white doors scheme, and are having the old interiors put back in after all the repair work to the body.

 

[87015]

Well it was touched by who else but Bombardier!

In all seriousness though I do agree with you - the whole project seemed promising but appears to have fizzled down into what almost appears to be a half hearted effort - Promising something almost akin to the SWT 455s and delivering the half hearted Bombardier effort with a few 377/6 seats chucked into a half refurbished interior, and two coaches externally relivieried. As for keeping the hopper windows - as you point out the Eversholt / Wabtec project shows what can be made good of the BR Mk3 units and as for keeping the stupid rarely working inward-opening powered gangway doors between carriages just shows of a well this train could have been this but well. Huff.

However, I wonder how the new AC Traction equipment Bombardier were making such a fanfare about is coping? Still surprised at the obvious retention of the original GEC traction motors though.

The 'good' 321448 has been dumped on Ilford's naughty step for well over a week and doesn't seem to be very suitable for anything above Winter temperatures...

 

[badassunicorn]

729 must be almost ready....

 

[jon0844]

Never thought I'd see a livery combination like that!

 

[badassunicorn]

interior is the same as it was, blue/orange but with new carpet

 

[TEW]

Never thought I'd see a livery combination like that!

If they'd given it light blue doors it would almost be in the same livery as 319010 and wouldn't have looked out of place with the 365s.

 

[jon0844]

If they'd given it light blue doors it would almost be in the same livery as 319010 and wouldn't have looked out of place with the 365s.

Sure. The red doors really do look odd to me, but maybe not to Joe Public.

No doubt if these go anywhere near Cambridge, there will be a few people confused though.

 

[Aictos]

Sure. The red doors really do look odd to me, but maybe not to Joe Public.

No doubt if these go anywhere near Cambridge, there will be a few people confused though.

The closest it gets to Cambridge is Letchworth so no fear of confusing anyone

It's working mostly Peterboroughs with a morning peak Letchworth thrown in for good measure.

 

[Tom C]

Sorry if it has already been mentioned but does 729 still have its GEC motors or has it been butchered?

 

[badassunicorn]

no change to anything on 729 except new carpet and paint job.

 

[Ginge1267]

So far so good!

http://www.angeltrains.co.uk/news/46

 

[91103eastcoast]

Sure. The red doors really do look odd to me, but maybe not to Joe Public.

No doubt if these go anywhere near Cambridge, there will be a few people confused though.

I would hope that if an RPI encountered a 'Greater Anglia only' passenger they would exercise discretion if the 317 'escaped' from it's booked diagram.

 

[Skimble19]

Any updates on when the first unit is likely to move over? Really does seem to be taking longer than anticipated, although Im not surprised considering how long they've been out of use!

 

[David Goddard]

Good to see investment in these sturdy and reliable units. Managed to spot all bar one in the space of a couple of years at Cambridge.

 

[Skimble19]

No idea which unit it was but I've just seen one of the /7s in the yard at Hornsey, along with one of the Grey 319s.. Was quite a strange sight!

 

[jameslm85]

Currently, as far as I know, GA have 3 317/7s in use (317709, 317719, 31722) with another one (317732) soon to be in use. It rerally is good to see them back where they belong, on the West Anglia. Does anyone know if GA are keeping them long term? I have heard mutterings that LOROL will get all the 317/5s and 317/8s when they take over from GA on the suburban lines. Does this mean GA will get all of the 317/7s back and use them with the 317/6s and 379s on the outer WA trains?

That would be great news if it ends up happening. The 317/5 and /8s have given great service on West Anglia, but their interiors are in a very tired state and desperately need some TLC. Many of the seats are broken away from the seat frame. After finding a seat still in one piece, passengers then find the seat often having pointy metal springs boulging out from the cushion. A West Anglia mainline made up of 317/6, /7 and 379s, well that would be fantastic in terms of comfy trains. I wonder if this would be enough units though, as there are a lot of /5 and /8s out there working West Anglia.

James