Most/all MU fleets have a specific workstream to change out the light tubes. It’s not as easy as popping to Toolstation, as they need to be ”railway compliant” and fully documented with mod procedures!
Was just about to say this. I use the Wi-Fi on a regular basis between Kettering and Corby.
A mixture of things over the course of their tenure at EMR, several examples being:
I thought that Bedford had always been an electric depot? Or is it the EMR staff that have needed time to acclimatise.
The latter - ML/EMT/EMR had never had EMUs before the 360s.
There not EMR staff, there Siemens, always have been. I have posted several times the reasons of the sets unreliability.
How.much more time do we think EMR need to get a maintenance provision in place that will get these units up to their former reliability level? What is required that they still don't have? Shortage of staff? Shortage of parts? A closer maintenance facility?
But if heavy maintenance facilities are not on the MML, how do GTR deal with their Class 700s? Or are their heavy maintenance facilities somewhere between London St Pancras and their southern terminus, which EMR don't have access to?
The 700s have their major maintenance done in the Siemens facilities at Three Bridges and Hornsey, both away from the MML.
Without knowing the exact answer, I would presume yes (I remember something about 700 heavy maintenance being done at Three Bridges?). 360s can’t get there under their own power due to lack of 3rd rail ability, of course.
Thameslink units are maintained primarily at Three Bridges, with a secondary depot at Hornsey. They stable at a few more locations. EMR do not have a major maintenance capability on their route, their units get hauled to Northampton.
Just seems a right bodge of a solution considering the 360s could be on their current duties for potentially another 20 years. But they’ll have to make do with it since I doubt a more appropriate facility will be constructed along the MML.
There must have been a pile of money spent on the stabling facility at Kettering so why not have them maintained at the place? Hauling to Northampton seems a ridiculous waste of time and money.
Where will the class 810s (when they arrive) be maintained?
Etches Park
East West Rail electrification would simplify movements to/from WCML… at which point it makes sense to use an established Siemens facility.
Just the one extra shed road!
Very true.
If the short curve from the MML to the GOBLIN near Junction Road was wired, that would also provide a link to Northampton.
It's been said here many times that the tunnel between Mortimer St. junction and Junction Road junction has very limited clearance and providing sufficient room for OLE of any kind would be very costly.
Tha ks everyone for the explanation. Seems far from ideal though, because Three Bridges would be south of St Pancras and therefore not accessible for the 360s. I knew about work being done at Northampton but there's no easy way of getting there - for example, a passenger wanting to travel from Wellingborough (on the MML) to Northampton would have to go via Leicester and Nuneaton, so I assume trains would have to take a similar route (or, as mentioned, going via a London spur). In either case, they can't go via their own traction.
Re your last para l don't believe for one minute that a multi-million pound refit of the 360s has been authorised by DfT and HMT if there is any question over EMR keeping them long term (for which read at least another 15 years).
I remember standing on the platform at Camden Road (having been dumped off by a late running Overground service that went express to Willesden Jct) when a 47 came through dragging a shiny purple 360. Made quite a great noise when the driver opened it up!
