class 320 refurb

[cj_1985]

i honestly have to wonder why people (not just alexf380) are so obsessed with when refurbished/refreshed class are going to be released from works...

i get that new is interesting, and we all want to see what level of work has been done... but for god sake, accept that they will take however long they are going to take... no point getting excited about it... when it comes out we will all know, it will be on half a dozen websites, gen reports will appear on most rail forums, and it will be covered by most of the rail magazines...

 

[me123]

... and, of course, it's not even being reliveried this time so there's not going to be very much to see when it does come out!

 

[387star]

i honestly have to wonder why people (not just alexf380) are so obsessed with when refurbished/refreshed class are going to be released from works...

i get that new is interesting, and we all want to see what level of work has been done... but for god sake, accept that they will take however long they are going to take... no point getting excited about it... when it comes out we will all know, it will be on half a dozen websites, gen reports will appear on most rail forums, and it will be covered by most of the rail magazines...

Perhaps they are frustrated because there has been such an influx of projects failing to materialise.

172s: Late
380s: Late
Class 320 refurb and 314 refurb: Late
Chiltern refurbished LCS (or is that LHS?): Late
Intercity express project: Late
Edinburgh Tram: Late

:P

Now what about those NX 317/6s and 321s...

PS I think NX 321s or 317s should be replaced by 350/1s (look how speedy they were introduced) next full length franchise with 321s cascaded to new and existing electrified networks. They would be similar to the 360s

 

[cj_1985]

Perhaps they are frustrated because there has been such an influx of projects failing to materialise.

172s: Late
380s: Late
Class 320 refurb and 314 refurb: Late
Chiltern refurbished LCS (or is that LHS?): Late
Intercity express project: Late
Edinburgh Tram: Late

:P

Now what about those NX 317/6s and 321s...

PS I think NX 321s or 317s should be replaced by 350/1s (look how speedy they were introduced) next full length franchise with 321s cascaded to new and existing electrified networks. They would be similar to the 360s

ok then...
172s... late due to supply problems (and the exhaust issue that didnt exist)
320 overhaul/refurb late... due to faulty class 380s...
314 overhaul/refurb... not sure why or even IF it is/was late (as opposed to later than people would have liked)
Chiltern LHCS... not sure how its late since the refurbished, electric door fitted carraiges are/were not expected untill december at the earliest iirc,
IEP.. well what do you expect... the government was in charge, hence why its such a F*cked up, Sh*tty design
the Edinburgh tram... not sure who you can really blame.. is it the council or the contractor

as i have said before... the first loco or unit in an overhaul/refurb.refresh program always takes the longest

 

[ainsworth74]

Chiltern refurbished LCS (or is that LHS?)

It's a bit of both actually as its LHCS

 

[rail-britain]

ok then...
320 overhaul/refurb late... due to faulty class 380s...
314 overhaul/refurb... not sure why or even IF it is/was late (as opposed to later than people would have liked)

These delays, to the commencement of work, were caused by contractual issues and not the Class 380 units
Hence why the Class 320 units had the bogie modifications completed separately

 

[Damien1986]

With even more class 380 units coming into service,could that see one or two class 320 units released for Argyle Line duties and more class 334 units released for North Clyde/Airdrie to Bathgate duties?

 

[rail-britain]

The cascade could take place, not likely with not enough drivers trained...

 

[MCR247]

Chiltern refurbished LCS (or is that LHS?): Late

Late?! Late?! They aren't needed until 2013!

 

[387star]

Ah okay well ignore that one. Sorry

 

[alexf380]

I understand that there may be a few underlying problems with units over twenty years old and the time that this may take cold push the boundaries of the contractual agreements.
and that the first unit may take longer that the rest of the class.

 

[The_Stig]

The 320 C6 is a far bigger project than the 314 refresh.

New toilet- This will require WSP rack, lighting, PIS and bodyside heaters to be moved which means rewiring, testing and approval.

The doors are getting the audible warnings fitted as well as footstep lighting.

Overhauls and renewal of other components that you won't see under the unit.

Call for aid units are being installed also and of course not forgetting the new lino, seat covers and interior paint.

 

[alexf380]

... and, of course, it's not even being reliveried this time so there's not going to be very much to see when it does come out!

but...

For the grade of work being carried out all the previous paint work will now have been removed and will be outshopped in a plain grey undercoat with yellow ends

So, It will either be reliveried OR go in service with a grey undercoat.

 

[Blindtraveler]

there going to be good machines, better than before when they return and along with the 318s which were refurbed not so long back wil do argyle services proud for a good while.

 

[route101]

there going to be good machines, better than before when they return and along with the 318s which were refurbed not so long back wil do argyle services proud for a good while.

Yeah ive got no problems with FSR fleet . Very Clean . Just look at them 156s . Some unrefurb 158s let them down.

 

[rail-britain]

there going to be good machines, better than before when they return

If it ain't broke don't fix
I've not heard of any major reliability issues with the Class 320 units
However, the internal improvements are welcome and the routine maintenance will see these units last another 20 years

However, the Class 314 units were a different story
I have travelled on many with four traction motors in one DMSO out of action, resulting in them being slightly late leaving Neilston (struggling between Williamwood and Neilston) and then arriving late back into Glasgow

Personally, if the Class 314 units are expected / required to last a further 10 years then a full routine maintenance was required
I would expect to see the same issues returning in around 4 to 5 years time, so much so that it may see some units stored or withdrawn

 

[Blindtraveler]

Yeah ive got no problems with FSR fleet . Very Clean . Just look at them 156s . Some unrefurb 158s let them down.

gotta agree with you there, was on a haymarket bassed 158 and an inverness based unit within 3 hours of each other last Thursday - the unrefurbed one had noisy air con, saggy seats and stinky bogs, the inverness unit was just luxury in comparison. Some of the former SPT 156s could do with a small amount of work but nothing to grumble about really, we have a good fleat and good people caring for it.

 

[alexf380]

the Inverness 158s are probably the best diesels in the fleet. The 318s gotta be the best trains scotrail has ever run: Clean, Quiet (apart from the buzz under the pantograph) and comfortable.

 

[rail-britain]

The 318s gotta be the best trains scotrail has ever run: Clean, Quiet (apart from the buzz under the pantograph) and comfortable.

The Class 318 units were perfect on the Ayr Line
However, they are not suited to the Cathcart routes, often running late compared to other units
The same issue seems to exist on the North Clyde and Argyle Lines, through the city centre, but able to make up time (probably due to allowances) on the faster sections
My main complaint on the Class 318 units is the ditty tables
However, it is going to be some time before the interiors on these units are attended to again
I need to track down 318254 and travel on this unit again to see if it is still as bad as it was a few years ago
The Class 320 units are almost identical so it will be interesting to see how these compare (there should be slightly more low speed acceleration)

 

[Aictos]

My main complaint on the Class 318 units is the ditty tables

Believe me they are a massive improvement on what passes for tables on the 317s with FCC!

 

[The_Stig]

320314 HAS been reliveried in the Saltire livery.

The toilet that is being installed is similar to the 380's.

 

[01jtiong]

when will there be photos of the 320 in saltire livery

 

[rail-britain]

when will there be photos of the 320 in saltire livery

Without stating the obvious, but when someone does (oh dear I did)
I would expect to see photos next week and the unit back in Scotland somewhere around Tuesday 10 May 2011 (making it one week later than scheduled)
However, it may then go to Kilmarnock for inspection so that other units can have the same work carried out there

 

[route101]

The Class 318 units were perfect on the Ayr Line
However, they are not suited to the Cathcart routes, often running late compared to other units
The same issue seems to exist on the North Clyde and Argyle Lines, through the city centre, but able to make up time (probably due to allowances) on the faster sections
My main complaint on the Class 318 units is the ditty tables
However, it is going to be some time before the interiors on these units are attended to again
I need to track down 318254 and travel on this unit again to see if it is still as bad as it was a few years ago
The Class 320 units are almost identical so it will be interesting to see how these compare (there should be slightly more low speed acceleration)

Yes always prefer a 318 to 334 on the Ayr Line . The 334s arent as smooth . I used to use the Neilston line a few times in the past and 318 was diagrammed in the peak . FSR do have a great EMU fleet !

 

[rail-britain]

The 334s arent as smooth

As above, depends on where you sit in units depending on direction of travel
In a Class 334, sit in the centre car at the opposite end from the toilet, it's almost like a small compartment!

In a Class 318 sit in the end car at the opposite end from the toilet

In a Class 320 again, either of the end cars, but one of them has the main air tank underneath and can make an awful noise!
Can't remember which end it is at

The difficult one is the Class 314
The end cars can be noisy due to the traction motors and the ride can be rough
However, if the traction motors are dead, then this is my first choice
The centre car carries all the electrical equipment giving it a rough ride, therefore sit at the opposite end from the pantograph (and the silly window)

Next month I am going to travel on some journeys on the two different types of Class 380 to determine which is best, but based on the Class 350 this will be the centre cars (three car centre and four car the unpowered trailer)

 

[The_Stig]

As above, depends on where you sit in units depending on direction of travel
In a Class 334, sit in the centre car at the opposite end from the toilet, it's almost like a small compartment!

In a Class 318 sit in the end car at the opposite end from the toilet

In a Class 320 again, either of the end cars, but one of them has the main air tank underneath and can make an awful noise!
Can't remember which end it is at

DTSB has the compressor, it is the coach closest to the pantograph.

The difficult one is the Class 314
The end cars can be noisy due to the traction motors and the ride can be rough
However, if the traction motors are dead, then this is my first choice
The centre car carries all the electrical equipment giving it a rough ride, therefore sit at the opposite end from the pantograph (and the silly window)

Next month I am going to travel on some journeys on the two different types of Class 380 to determine which is best, but based on the Class 350 this will be the centre cars (three car centre and four car the unpowered trailer)

Sit on the tip-up seating near the toilet on the Pantograph coach [on the 380], the VCB tripping and resetting is something to behold

 

[me123]

My main complaint on the Class 318 units is the ditty tables

They may be "ditty", but they're positively ginormous compared to the joke that is the 320 tables! I actually think they're about the right size for a high density suburban unit. Anywhere else, I'd have problems. But for what they do, the tables are fine.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

In a Class 334, sit in the centre car at the opposite end from the toilet, it's almost like a small compartment!

I actually avoid the middle car, and tell other people likewise, because the middle car has 3+2 seating compared to the more comfortable and spacious 2+2 in the outer carriages. If you want the "compartment" feel, I'd opt for the end right at the cab; it feels totally separate from the rest of the train and you've got 2+2 seating.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

320314 HAS been reliveried in the Saltire livery.

Great! Looking forward to seeing her out and about on the North Clydes

 

[First ScotRail]

If you want the "compartment" feel, I'd opt for the end right at the cab; it feels totally separate from the rest of the train and you've got 2+2 seating.

I do that as well, hate the middle coach, VERY cramped!

 

[MadCommuter]

I do that as well, hate the middle coach, VERY cramped!

Me too. Its worse than any car on a 318.

 

[route101]

I do that as well, hate the middle coach, VERY cramped!

Y eah , the aisles are narrow . I prefer airline seating so a 334 that is quiet is preferable .