Class 387 to GN

[bramling]

On a pretty busy train to KGX today (365) and I had a thought - why can't GN declassify these 4 car semi-fast trains from Cambridge on weekends (definitely Sunday but probably Saturday too) as that would give a small boost.

I suspect people are upgrading themselves anyway, and it seems GN is currently doing less on train checks and having more checks at gates (including late night checks - possibly even to the last train).

On that basis, it would seem that sooner or later first class is never going to exist anyway.

Once we get the 700s or 8 car trains, bring it back.

Now we have the 387s, first class on GN might as well be ditched anyway. Anyone who pays for the disgraceful offering on the class 387s is being seriously ripped off IMO.

They should give a pound to every first-class passenger who hears the sound of sliding doors opening/closing or who hears the words "keep walking, this is first class".

 

[jon0844]

Now we have the 387s, first class on GN might as well be ditched anyway. Anyone who pays for the disgraceful offering on the class 387s is being seriously ripped off IMO.

They should give a pound to every first-class passenger who hears the sound of sliding doors opening/closing or who hears the words "keep walking, this is first class".

And two pounds for anyone who hears the words "What mugs would pay extra for this?".

 

[SPADTrap]

Who ever started the rumour that the Brecknell Willis M00042-65-L 110 mph capable pantograph was being replaced, has been providing incorrect information.

The 387s are indeed in service with their original pantographs, please see attached from Kings Cross.

View attachment 29585

No you're just behind, do catch up at the back! It was the case originally however not any longer.

 

[jamieP]

No you're just behind, do catch up at the back! It was the case originally however not any longer.

Still limited to 100mph on the GN tho?

JP

 

[class387]

Does anyone know whether there are any additional diagrams starting tomorrow?

Thanks

 

[Failed Unit]

Not sure if was already on but 0615 Peterborough- London was 12 car 387 when it passed through Welwyn GC this morning. 0705 Welwyn Garden - London was a pair of 317s vice the 321s but don't know if that is a one off.


*** it was moving looked like 3 pantographs and look at RTT to get the closest train to the time. Someone with access to railway systems please feel free to correct.

 

[philjo]

I have seen 2 x 387s out this morning. both running as 4 coaches.

One went through Letchworth towards Cambridge around 07:05 - I think this was the 06:05 from Kings Cross running 10 minutes late.

I saw another 4 coach 387 at Potters Bar on the 07:35 Kings cross to Peterborough service.
It seemed to be held in the platform for some time - journey check suggests it had a fault:

07:35 London Kings Cross to Peterborough due 09:07
This train has been delayed at Potters Bar by 8 minutes, has been further delayed at Welwyn Garden City and is now 36 minutes late.
This train will no longer call at Arlesey, Biggleswade, Sandy, St Neots and Huntingdon.
This is due to a fault on this train which is now fixed.
Last Updated :28/11/2016 08:50

I was coming back from Cambridge (on a 317) on Saturday when we passed a 4 coach 387 towards Cambridge calling at Meldreth.

 

[Failed Unit]

I have seen 2 x 387s out this morning. both running as 4 coaches.

One went through Letchworth towards Cambridge around 07:05 - I think this was the 06:05 from Kings Cross running 10 minutes late.

I saw another 4 coach 387 at Potters Bar on the 07:35 Kings cross to Peterborough service.
It seemed to be held in the platform for some time - journey check suggests it had a fault:



I was coming back from Cambridge (on a 317) on Saturday when we passed a 4 coach 387 towards Cambridge calling at Meldreth.

I guess that would make me less doubtful about seeing a 12 car 387 on 0615 Peterborough- London. It could get split with 4 going on the 0735 and the remaining 8 going ECS through Finsbury Park around 0740 northbound.

Taking a guess will probably be doing the 0834 Letchworth - Kx. Which used to be 2x 321

 

[gobbo]

Just got the 0944 HUN - KGX (1P55) and surprised to find its a 387, only 4 car though. Having gotten a seat must say it's a lot nicer place to be than the 365!

 

[notverydeep]

2C28 1722 King's Cross to Cambridge and 1P66 1743 King's Cross to Peterborough both 387 this evening, 8 and 12 cars respectively. Some seats at the front of the 1722 at King's Cross thankfully, but plenty standing from Finsbury, where none needed to last week...

 

[Failed Unit]

2C28 1722 King's Cross to Cambridge and 1P66 1743 King's Cross to Peterborough both 387 this evening, 8 and 12 cars respectively. Some seats at the front of the 1722 at King's Cross thankfully, but plenty standing from Finsbury, where none needed to last week...

Is first class at the very front.

I have started using that service to avoid the overcrowded 1653. Always used to go for front coach. Never ever needed to stand on that service when boarding at Finsbury Park. That will be a gamble now as you never know if first class will be there....

 

[philjo]

I boarded that train at Welwyn GC (17:50) and got a seat in the rear unit.
a lot emptied out at Welwyn North & Knebworth.
I think 1st class was front and rear coaches - I walked through the train just after Hitchin and it was standard class either side of the join of the 2 units.

a couple of passengers seemed to be troubled by the draught coming from the join between the units as there is no door that can be closed between the 2 units.

Going through the neutral sections (very slowly) on the aproach to Stevenage was notcieably loud when the relay was tripped. (I was sat under the pantograph at this point)
Again after about 10-15 minutes I was getting very uncomfortable - partly as the seats are a little to high off the ground so my feet could not sit flat on the floor without putting pressure under my legs. the lower seats on the 313s/365s are better in this regard (321s are a little too low).

 

[Failed Unit]

Going through the neutral sections (very slowly) on the aproach to Stevenage was notcieably loud when the relay was tripped. (I was sat under the pantograph at this point)
.

So that is what that noise is. Sounds like the unit is very sick when it happens so often.

Are any bins still on the route now. The set I would normally take this was a pair of 317s this morning. Dare they run them off-peak yet?

 

[jopsuk]

Going through the neutral sections (very slowly) on the aproach to Stevenage was notcieably loud when the relay was tripped. (I was sat under the pantograph at this point)

It's a right thump on the 379s too

 

[Skimble19]

Apologies for the delay in posting this, full 387 Mon-Fri workings as of 28/11/16 are below:

New 387 workings are in bold.

2P21 04.10 Peterborough - Kings Cross 4
2R00 04.14 Kings Cross - Letchworth (Staff Train)
2C02 06.05 Kings Cross - Cambridge 4
1R41 06.13 Letchworth Garden City - Kings Cross 4
1P03 06.15 Peterborough - Kings Cross 12
2C04 07.05 Kings Cross - Cambridge 4
1P47 07.06 Peterborough - Kings Cross 8
1P49 07.32 Peterborough - Kings Cross 12
2P04 07.35 Kings Cross - Peterborough 4
1C49 07.55 Cambridge - Kings Cross 4
2R35 08.34 Letchworth Garden City - Kings Cross 8
2C39 08.55 Cambridge - Kings Cross 4
1P55 09.30 Peterborough - Kings Cross 4
2R39 10.00 Letchworth Garden City - King’s Cross 8
1P62 16.50 Kings Cross - Peterborough 8
2C26 16.53 Kings Cross - Cambridge 4
2C28 17.22 Kings Cross - Cambridge 8 (Divides at Royston)
1P66 17.43 Kings Cross - Peterborough 12
2P57 18.21 Peterborough - Kings Cross 8
3A38 18.34 Royston - Kings Cross 4
1C96 18.23 Kings Cross - Cambridge 8
2C59 18.55 Cambridge - Kings Cross 4
2C38 20.05 Kings Cross - Cambridge 4
1C27 21.45 Cambridge - Kings Cross 8
1C21 20.15 Cambridge - Kings Cross 8
1P78 20.22 Kings Cross - Peterborough 8
1P80 21.22 Kings Cross - Peterborough 8
1P84 23.22 Kings Cross - Peterborough 8

They appear to be getting let loose at weekends too, don't have the workings for that though I'm afraid.

a couple of passengers seemed to be troubled by the draught coming from the join between the units as there is no door that can be closed between the 2 units.

Sounds like whoever coupled the units forgot to set the "Star Trek" doors back on to automatic.. when the cab is closed they're switched off and locked open, but when the cabs are open and units coupled they're meant to be on auto.

 

[Failed Unit]

Thanks Skimple.

Interesting nothing off-peak (day) yet but I can't actually recall 321s off peak in the week now I think about it.

I can't think of any 321 diagrams left.

 

[samuelmorris]

That noise is common to all electrostars on AC including 357s and 378s. It's why I never sit under the pantograph :P

 

[D365]

Ooooh, thanks Skimble. Looks like I'll be catching an evening train home sometime.

 

[notverydeep]

I did see a 321 pass northbound yesterday morning, but did not see any today. Several of the former class 321 diagrams seem to have changed to 317s or 365s. Three trains not mentioned that were dusty bins until recently are the 08:12 (2Y85) and 08:42 (2Y87) Welwyn Garden City - Kings Cross, plus the rest of the relevant diagrams. The 17:58 King's Cross - WGC (2V90) has also been a pair of 321s of long standing. I haven't seen the latter in recent months, but the two morning trains are now (different) pairs of 317s.

The 18:13 King's Cross - Peterborough (1P68) now seems to be 3 x 365 having been 3 x 321. The 17:28 King's Cross - WGC (2V88) was a single 317 at one point and is now a single 365. Does anyone have a list of all such 'cascade' changes?

 

[nmr1h]

The 16:40 KGX to PBO used to consistently be a 365, now it is often a 321 which is not at all pleasant!

 

[Class377/5]

387108/113 are currently working thier way to Hornsey. 387102/123 will follow on tomorrow leaving just 9 on Thameslink.

 

[Wivenswold]

Looks like AGA should get their GN 321s in the next few days then.

 

[D365]

Looks like AGA should get their GN 321s in the next few days then.

To the apparent disdain of what appears to be all GN commuters ever.

 

[Failed Unit]

But we all know GTR don't care about comfort of customers or keeping staff morale up.

Just back to the bins 0549 Peterborough- London is still a pair. It forms normally 0722 London - Peterborough so they are still around. Guess it will be next to become 387. No one standing this morning. Hehe.

Lots of cancellations this morning because of train faults. Maybe they should keep the bins a little longer. (Ducks for cover as people start ranting about diagrams)

 

[jopsuk]

Lots of cancellations this morning because of train faults. Maybe they should keep the bins a little longer. (Ducks for cover as people start ranting about diagrams)

The only cancellations I can see are on Moorgate services?

 

[Failed Unit]

The only cancellations I can see are on Moorgate services?

There was a Welwyn - London KX service as well normally formed of a class 313

I know it isn't as simple as running 317/321s on services into kings cross that are normally 313s to keep them for Moorgate. Hence my ducks for cover comment.

Take the 0720 Letchworth- KX. Not got a clue what the rest of the diagram is but it would be good if it could be swapped the an AC only unit. Off topic I know but what is happening to the 313s? Leaf fall issues?

BTW severe weather means the 0754 kings Lynn - kX starts at Cambridge- nice one GTR you really do think your customers are stupid.

 

[notverydeep]

2Y87 just departing Welwyn Garden City formed 321408 + 321407. I thought 408 was the unit that had an argument with the herd of cows a month or so back.

Only on it because I couldn't get on 2C93 which was rammed with Stevenage and Knebworth passengers who should have waited for their intended fast 1R49 which was only a few minutes behind...

 

[Failed Unit]

2Y87 just departing Welwyn Garden City formed 321408 + 321407. I thought 408 was the unit that had an argument with the herd of cows a month or so back.

Only on it because I couldn't get on 2C93 which was rammed with Stevenage and Knebworth passengers who should have waited for their intended fast 1R49 which was only a few minutes behind...

321401 and 321420 had the honour of 0722 London KX - Peterborough and whatever it returns as.

 

[bramling]

But we all know GTR don't care about comfort of customers or keeping staff morale up.

Just back to the bins 0549 Peterborough- London is still a pair. It forms normally 0722 London - Peterborough so they are still around. Guess it will be next to become 387. No one standing this morning. Hehe.

This is a 2x365 diagram, so the 321s are substituting for those. Evidently GN are short of 365s, perhaps due to the crossing incident a few months back, and also probably due to the time of year.

 

[Mordac]

387108/113 are currently working thier way to Hornsey. 387102/123 will follow on tomorrow leaving just 9 on Thameslink.

Thanks for the updates! An item on p. 33 of the latest Rail (814) had at the time 15 387s in GN (387104/106/109-112/114-117/119/120/126/128/129). Plus the four you mention takes it to 19. Just to update my records, can you share which was the other one that's gone in the mean time? It's probably elsewhere on the thread, but I must have missed it.