Class 395 AC/DC switch-over

[mrfilbert]

Evening,

Could anyone tell me if 395s can switch from AC to DC (and vice-versa) without stopping? If so, what is the procedure? My guess is that they probably can, presumably at reduced speed, but any real info would be much appreciated. I'm trying to model a realistic ECS move from St Pancras to Faversham in Train Simulator 2020.

Thanks in advance,
Filbert

 

[notadriver]

Evening,

Could anyone tell me if 395s can switch from AC to DC (and vice-versa) without stopping? If so, what is the procedure? My guess is that they probably can, presumably at reduced speed, but any real info would be much appreciated. I'm trying to model a realistic ECS move from St Pancras to Faversham in Train Simulator 2020.

Thanks in advance,
Filbert

Yes.

 

[charlesn132]

Searching the forum, apparently 395s can do power changes on the move at Ebbsfleet:

Ebbsfleet used to be on move when the Maidstone W starters didn’t call...

however they can't do so at Ashford (the sectional appendix states so). Can't answer about procedure though

 

[cyclebytrain]

They used to change on the move at Ebbsfleet when there were some peak trains that started at Rochester. As best I remember they coasted for what felt like a surprisingly long time. Sometimes the lights & HVAC cut out totally, other times they remained on, which struck me as weird. The lights didn't come back on any sooner when the train was running late, so my guess is that the changeover always happened at near the speed limit through the platforms, although it never felt particularly fast. Hopefully my old memories are of some use to you.

 

[plugwash]

Could anyone tell me if 395s can switch from AC to DC (and vice-versa) without stopping? If so, what is the procedure? My guess is that they probably can, presumably at reduced speed, but any real info would be much appreciated. I'm trying to model a realistic ECS move from St Pancras to Faversham in Train Simulator 2020.

I have been on one that did during disruption.

We were on a train to london that was supposed to join HS1 at ebbsfleet but were unable to take the usual route to ebbsfleet for some reason (can't remember why), so we took a route that involved reversing (presumablly just past longfield) and using a normally freight-only route onto HS1 away from london. We then pulled off onto a loop at the side of HS1 to reverse again and head towards ebbsfleet and London.

IIRC once we started moving on the diversion route, the only stops were for the reversals (and stopping in ebbsfleet station), the transition from the third rail network onto HS1 cetainly happened without stopping.