Class 377 Charing Cross - Ramsgate

[Doomotron]

Yesterday I thought I saw a Class 377/5 being used on a Charing Cross to Ramsgate service. I didn't get a response elsewhere, so I thought it would be more sensible to ask a broader question: first of all was it a 377? And if not, have they ever been used on that service?

 

[JonathanH]

Yesterday I thought I saw a Class 377/5 being used on a Charing Cross to Ramsgate service. I didn't get a response elsewhere, so I thought it would be more sensible to ask a broader question: first of all was it a 377? And if not, have they ever been used on that service?

I think previous discussion has suggested that 377/5s can go to Ramsgate but only via Canterbury West. They are not allowed via Priory Tunnel on the Dover route and at various other places due to the bodyside cameras.

See https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/southeastern-377s.218054/#post-5163793

 

[NSE]

You tend to find them (/5’s) on the Maidstone East line but anecdotal evidence has shown them on other SE patches

 

[westcoaster]

Yes I'm sure I have seen them on peak Ramsgate services.

 

[Metal_gee_man]

There's a set or 2 based at Gillingham to do the Cannon St peak services as well but they do run the full length the Ramsgate via Maidstone East & Canterbury West

 

[jnjkerbin]

Have also made it down the Hastings Line on occasion.

 

[Doomotron]

Sorry, I missed out a part of the context - I thought I saw a 377 on a Charing Cross - Ramsgate train via Dover service. Sometimes the 375s have dirty roofs which make them look a bit like the 377s but this time it was really bright, which led me to ask here. It could be nothing though...

 

[jfollows]

Sectional Appendix (https://sacuksprodnrdigital0001.blo...l PDFs/Kent Sectional Appendix March 2022.pdf) notes various restrictons:

 

[LA50041]

Sorry, I missed out a part of the context - I thought I saw a 377 on a Charing Cross - Ramsgate train via Dover service. Sometimes the 375s have dirty roofs which make them look a bit like the 377s but this time it was really bright, which led me to ask here. It could be nothing though...

According to Trust there were only 375's on Charing X - Ramsgate services on Saturday

 

[Doomotron]

Sectional Appendix (https://sacuksprodnrdigital0001.blob.core.windows.net/sectional-appendix/Sectional Appendix full PDFs/Kent Sectional Appendix March 2022.pdf) notes various restrictons:
View attachment 112496

I don't know what any of this means, but I find it hilarious that 380s are mentioned for this section of the network - even the 373 makes more sense!

 

[jfollows]

I don't know what any of this means, but I find it hilarious that 380s are mentioned for this section of the network - even the 373 makes more sense!

If you look at the whole document it probably makes more sense, but it's an extract from a table which shows which EMUs are allowed on which sections of the Kent network, so it's not too surprising also that most of the entries for the class 380 are "N" meaning they're not passed there.

 

[foggy69]

I don't know what any of this means, but I find it hilarious that 380s are mentioned for this section of the network - even the 373 makes more sense!

I seem to remember that the 380's were delivered to Scotland via the Channel Tunnel, which is why they are listed as ECS/Transit - dead hauled.

 

[RichJF]

Have also made it down the Hastings Line on occasion.

I've been on a 377/5 pair from Tunbridge Wells - Tonbridge back in very late 2019!

I believe 387s are also cleared down this line although never seen them used or in ECS!

 

[Kite159]

I've been on a 377/5 pair from Tunbridge Wells - Tonbridge back in very late 2019!

I believe 387s are also cleared down this line although never seen them used or in ECS!

When the Hastings line is closed at the Hastings end, then it has been known for 377s to 'escape' to run services at the northern end. For example I had 377517 & friend to Robertsbridge when the line beyond was closed

377517 at Robertsbridge

Before Covid there used to be a peak time Charing Cross - Folkestone service formed of a pair of 377s (and at least on the 20th March there were some 377s out running Charing Cross - Folkestone services when the line was closed between Folkestone & Dover.

Saturdays they seem to get used on the Victoria - Gillingham stopping services as a single unit.

OP - Might there have been engineering works forcing the Victoria - Ramsgate via Maidstone East service services to start at Charing Cross instead of Victoria?

 

[Doomotron]

I seem to remember that the 380's were delivered to Scotland via the Channel Tunnel, which is why they are listed as ECS/Transit - dead hauled.

That is possible although I would have thought it's odd for them to still be on there. 390s were delivered through the Channel Tunnel as well, but a quirk is a quirk.

OP - Might there have been engineering works forcing the Victoria - Ramsgate via Maidstone East service services to start at Charing Cross instead of Victoria?

Since this thread is about 377s via Dover, that wouldn't matter. That said, I wouldn't be surprised if they have done so at some point in the past.