is it just me or does anyone else think the 314 needs replacing?
Unless there is something structually wrong with them, no.is it just me or does anyone else think the 314 needs replacing?
is it just me or does anyone else think the 314 needs replacing?
Although I don't have to deal with the morning and evening commute, I use the Cathcart Circle most days and think the trains are just fine. They are old, but mechanically they're in good condition. Delays and cancellations are usually the cause of signalling problems, not rolling stock failures.
Wearing my sociologist hat, I also think the 314s have a unique advantage on busy inner-city routes. With low-backed seating, every passengers has an immediate view of everyone in the carriage when boarding a train. I think there is something intrinsically more social and therefore passively safer about a train in which every passenger has eye contact with every other passenger. Few people may notice that, but I think it's a great feature of the older trains.
The refurbished ones are quite good actually. I noticed a few weeks ago that the interiors were refurbished on most of the class, even though only a couple have been repainted.
I asked a driver what he thought of the new 380s, and he said they were the best thing since sliced bread!
With the exception of a few scrapped carriages, a few 508s sat OOU at Eastleigh Works... all the other Pep based units are still in daily use all over the uk... why should the 314s be any different.
Not quite...
There's a fair few 508s in store somewhere else too.
Telford rings a bell, may be somewhere else tho..
Are these slowly being moved to Eastleigh for return to service??
How do they compare to WAGN's 313s? (Which are now FCCs, but I've only travelled on them when they were with WAGN.)
I couldn't fault the 313s spacious and comfortable. And that classic traction motor sound
I can't find any reason why they would have to withdrawn or upgraded before 2020They can be used up until 2020 unless a huge amount of cash is spent on them
Presumably other than refurb status the 314s and 315s are pretty similar? the 315s main issue is quite astonishingly tatty they look on the outside- some have what looks like green mould growing on them. These units will form part of the frontline fleet getting people to and from the Olympic Park- really not a good look!
I always assumed the Class 314 buzzed due to the live transformer (the Class 318 makes a similar noise)The compressors are also different specifications: I don't know the names, but the 314s make a buzzing sound in contrast with the 315s chug
I can't find any reason why they would have to withdrawn or upgraded before 2020
They don't have toilets, so there is no issue there
Yes, they would need to have some additional equipment fitted (such as PIS), but this is all relatively simple and inexpensive
They would also need to have these silly door lights, but again this would be relatively simple
The only main issue would be passenger controlled door entry systems
However, there will still be other train types where there is not appropriate so I am quite sure there is an exclusion where this does not apply
Finally, there isn't actually anything within the new franchise specifying that the Class 314 units must be replaced and/or the new franchisee must take that into account, it only advises that new rolling stock must first be agreed with Transport Scotland if required (as the new franchisee has certain obligations with certain rolling stock)
That is the present arrangementTransport Scotland will have to agree to new trains since they will be buying them.