LM 350/3 discussion (was Construction Progress)

[Silverlinky]

At the top of Camden Bank (North of Euston) in the sidings on the West/South side of the line is where the 350/3s seem to left. These are visible from all services (unless another train gets int the way). So the DC service (all stops to Watford Jct) is the quickest out and back.

On Wednesday 24/09/2014 I observed what APPEARED to be 350376 and 350377 on/about the furthest siding from the running lines. I did three flypasts but it was a low sun behind them and on the last trip it was getting dark.

On Monday 29/09/2014 they (350376 and 350377) were still there. But again not 100% sure.

I need new eyes.
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So looks like they (376/377) are still at Camden.

Wondering if there are going to be any more swaps of locations before the 350/3s are allowed out ?.

As far as I know, 375/6/7 came with the required modifications to run at 110mph, 368-74 didnt and were tested at 100. so the first 7 required pantograph changes, traction motor rework and software upgrades. So 76/77 should be ready for service straight away....although it is rumoured that one of them has been graffitied on the other side whilst at Camden.

 

[Peter Sarf]

As far as I know, 375/6/7 came with the required modifications to run at 110mph, 368-74 didnt and were tested at 100. so the first 7 required pantograph changes, traction motor rework and software upgrades. So 76/77 should be ready for service straight away....although it is rumoured that one of them has been graffitied on the other side whilst at Camden.

Ah thanks. Makes me wonder if the 350/4s came 110mph capapable. Probably not needed ?. Anyway I take that to mean all 350/3s needed testing however only some needed any planned work done on them. Leads me to wonder why only three of the 350/3s came 110mph capable though. I know about seven earlier 100mph 350s will be leaving London Midland South for the Birmingham area (internal cascade) is there a connection ?.

Does anyone know where the 350/3s are currently located ?.

 

[swt_passenger]

I know about seven earlier 100mph 350s will be leaving London Midland South for the Birmingham area (internal cascade) is there a connection

It's the other way around surely? Of the ten additional trains, 7 are for WCML duties and 3 to allow for enhancement of the Cross City line by internal cascade.

 

[Class 170101]

I think PeterSraf is suggesting the 100mph 350/2s will spend more time working towards Birmingham from Northampton releasing 323s between Coventry and New Street for Cross City services. The 350/3s taking the place of 350/2s between London and Northampton / Birmingham.

 

[swt_passenger]

I think PeterSraf is suggesting the 100mph 350/2s will spend more time working towards Birmingham from Northampton releasing 323s between Coventry and New Street for Cross City services. The 350/3s taking the place of 350/2s between London and Northampton / Birmingham.

But the 7 units for the WCML are providing extra capacity and the peak 110 mph services to/from Euston that can't currently be operated through lack of stock. They aren't releasing anything as they are additional for that route.

To clarify, I'm only really referring to the relative numbers - Peter (above) suggested 7 for Birmingham area, I'm suggesting it is only 3. Which is what LM always publicised when the units were first ordered.

 

[Kite159]

I noticed 350110 is wearing a new (first time I've spotted it) livery promoting the new 110mph service

http://oi57.tinypic.com/2hwi7ab.jpg

(sorry for the rubbish picture, it was at Euston and I was dashing to jump on board an overground service)

 

[MCR247]

This is only as new was the 110 service is isn't it? i.e not particularly new?

 

[Kite159]

First time I've spotted a 350 wearing it, so probably is an old livery which hasn't been changed from when the 110mph service was introduced.

 

[Class377/5]

This is only as new was the 110 service is isn't it? i.e not particularly new?

Believe so, was the 'launch' unit for 110mph and seems its kept its viyals. Looks good in person.

 

[Kristofferson]

Its also recently been graffed on the other side

 

[Silverlinky]

Like so many LM units it would appear!!

Anyway....there must have been a bit of a shuffle round...368 is now released to LM and is residing in the sidings at Northampton...371 has gone up to the depot for it's mods....

 

[Class 170101]

But the 7 units for the WCML are providing extra capacity and the peak 110 mph services to/from Euston that can't currently be operated through lack of stock. They aren't releasing anything as they are additional for that route.

To clarify, I'm only really referring to the relative numbers - Peter (above) suggested 7 for Birmingham area, I'm suggesting it is only 3. Which is what LM always publicised when the units were first ordered.

I would sagree its three units being released for Birmingham area duties and I sugest these will be 323s moving to Cross City duties (20 minute Redditch service) with 350/2s operating between Northampton / Coventry and Birmingham in their place. In Place of the 350/2s between Northampton and London will be 350/3s plus the extra services suggested operating at upto 110mph.

 

[Kristofferson]

Does anyone know specifically which services the 350/3s are due to run, given that they're in service from Monday 6th?

 

[sd0733]

Not sure if these are 350/3 diagrams or if they are using common user with the /1s but these are the ones being strengthened as of Monday:

AM Peak:
1N78 06:18 Northampton to Euston (12 car from 8 car)
2B24 07:15 Bletchley to Euston (12 car from 8 car)
2T15 08:26 Tring to Euston (12 car from 8 car)

1N78 arrives at Euston at 07:22 and then forms 07:34 Tring and 2T15 back to Euston so 2 diagrams there.

PM Peak:
15:49 Euston-Birmingham (8 car from 4 car)
18:29 Euston-Northampton (12 car from 8 car)

1 is also supposed to be replacing a /1 or /2 in service to enable those to go for GSMR radio fitting, which is supposed to take 48 hours so there should be 3 350/3s out to play from Monday.

 

[Kristofferson]

Good to know, thanks

 

[Class377/5]

Cheers for that. Just in time for me to do a visit.

 

[JonathanH]

If 3 are being introduced, wouldn't the more normal practice be to send out the new trains on a peak-only 12-car captive diagram and keep them coupled displacing older units to provide strengthening elsewhere?

 

[Techniquest]

Shame none of them are due to be on the 1054 BHM-EUS on Tuesday or 1313 EUS-BHM a week tomorrow!

However I do appreciate hearing about these

 

[sd0733]

I may not have made this very clear in the original post but those workings are the ones with extra coaches from Monday, NOT what are necessarily booked to be the 350/3s.

One to look out for on Monday is 07:46 Euston-Crewe and 11:02 return.
Obviously things are subject to on the day changes as always but the current plan will see those worked by a /3.

 

[Aictos]

Pardon me for asking but what are the interior seating like on the 350/3s? Is it 2+2 like the 350/1s or 3+2 like the 350/2s?

 

[91103eastcoast]

I seem to remember reading somewhere that they would have 2+2 seating like the 350/1 units.

 

[JonathanH]

Pardon me for asking but what are the interior seating like on the 350/3s? Is it 2+2 like the 350/1s or 3+2 like the 350/2s?

2+2 like the 350/1s but with London Midland green patterned moquette.

 

[Aictos]

2+2 seating, that's alright

 

[sd0733]

Essentially the interior is a /1 with a few minor upgrades. As the poster above said they are 2+2 throughout, they've got power points at all the tables (in the same layout as a 185 with 2 power points per table), 4 extra standard seats as the unused guards office by 1st is gone and they've got more and better bins.

 

[Techniquest]

The rest of the 350/3s are still due to come into play in December I guess? If so I suspect I'll be getting some in on a January WMDR bash

 

[sd0733]

I've not heard anything to say otherwise so, yes, i would think the December timetable will be when the rest come into service.
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For anybody whose interested this is one of the /3 diagrams for tomorrow:

5T02 05:56 Bletchley sidings -Tring ecs
2T02 06:24 Tring-Euston 07:07
1U25 07:46 Euston-Crewe 10:24
1U28 11:02 Crewe-Euston 13:50
1U39 14:46 Euston-Crewe 17:24
1U42 18:02 Crewe-Euston 20:50
2B27 21:05 Euston-Bletchley 21:55
5B27 22:09 Bletchley- Bletchley sidings ecs

Also, the 10:46 Euston-Crewe and 14:02 Crewe-Euston should be one but unsure of the other diagram. Hope that's of use to somebody.

 

[Techniquest]

Nice

Shame that's not including the 1002 CRE-EUS, as I'm on that from RUG on Tuesday! Fingers crossed for the 1054 BHM-EUS on Tuesday and the 1313 EUS-BHM on Saturday too! Mind you, that said I'm also hoping for one of my last 3 350/2s on any of those moves

Mind you, I need to check where the 2105 EUS-BLY calls as if it stops in the Travelcard zones I could score it on that before heading to Glasgow! Edit 2, it calls at Harrow and Wealdstone so I'll be going after that then!

 

[sd0733]

Hopefully sticks to diagram for you then, I'm working that one earlier in the day so ill try not to break it!

Afraid there's very little chance of getting one to Birmingham, They are keeping the /3s away from Birmingham at present I've been told as training of crews at New Street isn't yet finished whreas other depots (crewe,northampton,bletchley,watford) are pretty much done so the best place to find them will be the Crewe-Euston route at present which takes a /1 off to go and add extra coaches to other routes.

 

[Techniquest]

Hopefully sticks to diagram for you then, I'm working that one earlier in the day so ill try not to break it!

Cheers

Afraid there's very little chance of getting one to Birmingham, They are keeping the /3s away from Birmingham at present I've been told as training of crews at New Street isn't yet finished whreas other depots (crewe,northampton,bletchley,watford) are pretty much done so the best place to find them will be the Crewe-Euston route at present which takes a /1 off to go and add extra coaches to other routes.

Aye someone mentioned on UKmodernEMU it's just WCML crews at the moment who sign the /3s. Hopefully by the time I get onto a WMDR again the /3s will be more commonly found in the Birmingham area, or at least 231/239/255 make more appearances when I'm about!

 

[Tubeboy]

Am on the 0746 to Crewe, didn't get the number but it's a /3.
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It's 350 373