Not all blind people have perfect hearing, nor are all trains continuously silent at the point of a single 'click of a door release' occuring for it to be unmistakably heard. I presume that you have normal vision and hearing given your disregard of the sensory shortcomings of others.
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Class 345 progress
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Not all blind people have perfect hearing, nor are all trains continuously silent at the point of a single 'click of a door release' occuring for it to be unmistakably heard. I presume that you have normal vision and hearing given your disregard of the sensory shortcomings of others.
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samuelmorris
Established Member
Again though, really all that's needed is parity between opening & closing for volume. For all their other flaws I would argue that the 700s have this pretty much perfect - the doors opening prompts a loud and clear, but not excessively long (alright longer than in my opinion it needs to be, but DDA-compliant without going overboard) tone, easily distinguishable from the closing sound which is similarly proportionate. By comparison the 345 door opening sound is twice as loud as the door closing, and considerably longer too. There really isn't any need. 5 instances for doors released on manual control, 3 instances for doors released after the fact, or for doors automatically released, and that would do just fine. Oh and drop the volume of the release sound 10dB or so!
The PIS is still very much a work in progress, or at least I sure hope it is. The TfL status info board on the 700s may be absolutely hopeless but at least it's there (then again if it's usually wrong perhaps it'd be better off not being there!) and no loading data is displayed (though I would argue that belongs more at platforms than on the train).
The PIS is still very much a work in progress, or at least I sure hope it is. The TfL status info board on the 700s may be absolutely hopeless but at least it's there (then again if it's usually wrong perhaps it'd be better off not being there!) and no loading data is displayed (though I would argue that belongs more at platforms than on the train).
D365
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No, these are very reasonable.
To those arguing about the hearing abilities of blind people, which do you think is the best option? Only cater for blind people with good hearing, or cater for them as well as blind people with poor hearing? There will be those for whom *reasonably loud* door opening and closing alarms will be useful, and relatively few who will be hindered by the alarms.
That said, I'd have hoped there existed some proper research into how loud is reasonably loud in this instance, and if not, at least a bit of consistency across the network wouldn't go amiss. Perhaps the RNIB & RNID* should be asked for their input? Or perhaps all that is called for is some common sense on the part of whoever designs or configures the sounders.
*(Called "Action On Hearing Loss" now, apparently).
That said, I'd have hoped there existed some proper research into how loud is reasonably loud in this instance, and if not, at least a bit of consistency across the network wouldn't go amiss. Perhaps the RNIB & RNID* should be asked for their input? Or perhaps all that is called for is some common sense on the part of whoever designs or configures the sounders.
*(Called "Action On Hearing Loss" now, apparently).
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Presumably one of the 9 car ones from Old Dalby as the 7 car could be see passenger service to the east on TfL rail?
Buggleskelly
Member
Finally managed to hitch a ride on one of these new class 345's this morning, only for it to fail upon arriving into Shenfield. It shuddered to a halt just when half of the first carriage arrived at platform 6. I could hear several alarms and sirens going off in the cab (as I always travel in the first carriage when going to Shenfield), which led me to realise that something was not quite right. The driver came on the intercom mentioning power supply problems, and the onboard Bombardier technician came from the back to help out. It took about 5 mins or so for station staff to manually open the front doors to let everyone off as the driver didn't know what was going on. Everyone had to walk or run the entire length of the platform to try get their connections. In all my years of train travel, this was my first breakdown. I think the unit in question was 345 010. The 2W43 or 0842 from Shenfield it was due to run was obviously cancelled. I'm just hoping that all these technical bugs are sorted by the time the central section opens.
Long time lurker here, so I finally decided to post on here.
Long time lurker here, so I finally decided to post on here.
matthewmacleod
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I wasn't on it, but my other half tells me that the 345 on the 08:49 ex Gidea Park failed on approach to Maryland yesterday, resulting in everybody being turfed out *not sure what unit. And I notice that this morning, the same service was operated by a 315.
Teething troubles to be expected, I suppose!
Teething troubles to be expected, I suppose!
That appears to be a standard Bombardier thing. The Electrostars, Turbostars, 09ts, S Stock and now the 345s all have this behaviour.
345010 was back in service later.
samuelmorris
Established Member
I disagree about the S7/S8 and 09TS, there is minimal volume differential between open/close and the duration of the sounders is far shorter. Honestly I think, apart from the fact it's still a dot matrix display rather than colour screen, the PIS/DVA and door sounders on the S7/S8 are pretty much a model example of how to cater for the hearing & sight impaired.
Wivenswold
Established Member
Welcome to the forum Buggleskelly.
Early teething problems are to be expected, the 360s on the adjacent GA route had all manner of technical faults when first introduced (no pun intended). Often sitting down between stations and stuffing entire peaks. Once the issues were sorted they became very reliable.
What do you mean by "mad"?
<-- that'll be another oneOK. I suppose bits and pieces like that will gradually sort themselves out soon enough. I posted something this morning just as theswitchover started. It liiks a bit strange but the mesage can still be read.
Buggleskelly
Member
Is it me or is there more in service now? Must have seen around 4 units in this mornings rush hour which is more than usual, all in the space of the journey from Romford to Shenfield. One passing through Romford, London bound without stopping, 2 in the Gidea Park sidings and one performing the service that broke down on me the other day.
I take it the 345's are the first family member of the Aventras? If this is the case, then all the bugs should all be sorted hopefully by the time GA, LO and SWR get the other family variants.
I take it the 345's are the first family member of the Aventras? If this is the case, then all the bugs should all be sorted hopefully by the time GA, LO and SWR get the other family variants.
I caught one today for the first time, and what a train the 345 is - seats are much more comfier than I expected, acceleration is a beast and 3 doors rather than 2 makes for shorter dwell periods.
The train I caught was the 1807 from LST tonight - note that the corresponding departure also was a 345.
Brilliant train.
The train I caught was the 1807 from LST tonight - note that the corresponding departure also was a 345.
Brilliant train.
Wivenswold
Established Member
I caught my first Aventra today. I'm very impressed, in terms of build quality it seems very sturdy. Reminded me a bit of the Desiros in that respect and also the superb acceleration. I really like the interior lighting, most modern trains seem really bright but the Aventra's is more subtle. The trim and panels feel well-made and the seats, while hard, are actually very comfortable if you sit upright as the design intended.
My only complaint is that they feel a bit too empty with a low passenger loading especially when compared to the saloon-like 315 seating layout, but it's a Metro train designed to carry loads, so the uncluttered approach is best I guess.
My only complaint is that they feel a bit too empty with a low passenger loading especially when compared to the saloon-like 315 seating layout, but it's a Metro train designed to carry loads, so the uncluttered approach is best I guess.
Blindtraveler
Established Member
t
I agree totally, a shining example of how metro style stock should be!
As above really, I thought the seats were far nicer than the 700s and to me the entire thing leaves the deziro miles behind
Agreed on the LU stuff being some of the best, certainly for VI. The 345 aint bad iether.
I agree totally, a shining example of how metro style stock should be!
As above really, I thought the seats were far nicer than the 700s and to me the entire thing leaves the deziro miles behind
Anyone know if any 345s are out today and if so what they're doing?
Buggleskelly
Member
Noticed one in the Gidea Park sidings early this morning, all in darkness alongside a 315. Both were still there around 1915 this evening, in the same sidings. Does TfL rail actually run the 345 on the weekends yet?
class387
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They have been running on weekends from the start - the third day of 345 operation was on a Saturday. They were running on STP diagrams identified on RTT by their 2Zxx headcodes but I don't know whether it is still that or they have switched to all day diagrams.
TT-ONR-NRN
Veteran Member
I wonder if when TFL Rail replaces Heathrow Connect in May there will be enough 345s to run the service.
1) Will they use the 360s too?
2) Will they reduce the number of 345s on shenfield diagrams to cater for the Heathrow branch?
3) Will they (heaven forbid) use the dreaded 315s? (Unlikely)
1) Will they use the 360s too?
2) Will they reduce the number of 345s on shenfield diagrams to cater for the Heathrow branch?
3) Will they (heaven forbid) use the dreaded 315s? (Unlikely)
cactustwirly
Established Member
There will be enough 345s, in the unlikely event of a shortage then I assume 360s will be kept
TT-ONR-NRN
Veteran Member
Ok, thanks!
samuelmorris
Established Member
Near zero chance they'd send 315s over the other side. 360s would stay in an emergency but I don't see an issue with a 345 shortage. They only need 4 units and there are already at least 8 over on the GE side that have been in service, plus at least two more I haven't seen out and about yet.
Anyone know if there's any issue with 006? I've only seen it out once and it's been sitting at Ilford for a while.
Anyone know if there's any issue with 006? I've only seen it out once and it's been sitting at Ilford for a while.
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