Scotrail 380

[cal12]

travelled on a 380 a few times on day trips to ayrshire and ive got to say i really like them, very spacious and the big windows.

whats everyones opinions on them and should we get more of them as older trains start to getting on.

 

[NotATrainspott]

You're going to see a lot more of them or of something reasonably similar. They're one of the few 23m long commuter EMUs and so they'll be more suitable for electrified regional lines than 20m stock, such as EGIP where Siemens will in all likelihood win the contract for the 4x23m EMUs to be run from Glasgow Queen Street to Edinburgh Waverley and everywhere in between via Falkirk High. They're an intermediary between the existing Desiro UK and Desiro City designs with their new bodyshell and they comply with the new legal requirements for driver cab crash/collison protection and have full TSI-PRM compliance for accessibility. All in all they're pretty much as cutting-edge as commuter trains get these days and all the better for it.

 

[cal12]

thats good to hear, i think they would do really well between glasgow and edinburgh, just a slightly different interior i expect really.

have they ever been ran in service or been tested anywhere else like the north clyde or somewhere like that?

 

[junglejames]

Could do with slightly nicer seats, but all in all, pretty good.

 

[fgwrich]

I had a few for the first time this summer and i'd give them a fairly positive review. My only downsides are the very big windows which while looking smart can make it feel slightly warmer inside, the single lighting strip and interior colour scheme (Blue / Grey and hints of Yellow) does feel a little 'depressing' - in the same way that you can tell a Stagecoach spec Olympian to say a Dublin one (Stagecoach ones always had either a single strip of lights or few vs Dublins which had lights down both sides). Acceleration and mechanically their good unit though! And power sockets on board too, something a lot of rolling stock could do with!

 

[Searle]

After trying them out last month, they've gone right up to one of my favourite classes. The plug sockets and large table seats are appreciated, and it managed to hold up pretty well when full.

The only things I have against them is that it seemed to struggle to keep up on the Glasgow Central - Ayr services, and that they could do with wifi to accompany the plug sockets!

 

[michael769]

Overall I like them, though they could benefit from more full width tables.

Sadly some of the sets seem to be quite rattly (somewhere around the luggage racks/roof area).

 

[jamesontheroad]

I threw my two pence in during the passenger consultation at GLC a few years ago, namely regarding the completely unnecessary air conditioning. However that only reminded me what a waste of time the "consultation" was, as the design had been signed off and construction started by that time.

Otherwise, very good trains. Hope to see more of them when EGIP is completed, I think Scotland would be better off with a consistent fleet of new EMUs across the different routes.

 

[klewer]

I threw my two pence in during the passenger consultation at GLC a few years ago, namely regarding the completely unnecessary air conditioning.

Having used the trains regularly over the past year, I can say the Air Conditioning is far from unnecessary - the heat used to build up on the 318's and these units give a much nicer travelling environment.

 

[Blindtraveler]

Overall I like them, though they could benefit from more full width tables.

Sadly some of the sets seem to be quite rattly (somewhere around the luggage racks/roof area).

The relience on more and I think lower qualitty plastic than earlier designs is, along with perhaps poorer qualitty build is responsible for this. Unlike another poster I like the air con but thats where it stops for me!↲ ↲

i have never been a Diziro fan but if this is the way the range is going I would rather we didnt buy any more!

 

[cal12]

i hope to see them on future electrified lines such as east kilbride/barrhead, and any other places which are getting done.

is the borders railway going to be electric? could transport scotland not order more 380's for that

 

[NotATrainspott]

and that they could do with wifi to accompany the plug sockets!

Fitting of wi-fi to Class 380s will take place at Shields Depot in Glasgow during routine weekend maintenance between October 2013 and March 2014, avoiding any impact upon customers.

Source

 

[route:oxford]

I threw my two pence in during the passenger consultation at GLC a few years ago, namely regarding the completely unnecessary air conditioning. However that only reminded me what a waste of time the "consultation" was, as the design had been signed off and construction started by that time.

Otherwise, very good trains. Hope to see more of them when EGIP is completed, I think Scotland would be better off with a consistent fleet of new EMUs across the different routes.

Just because you don't get what you want doesn't mean to say a consultation is a waste of time...

 

[D365]

Is the borders railway going to be electric? could transport scotland not order more 380s for that

No. Could it have been done à la Paisley? 156s or 158s released from elsewhere.

There were a few 380s left over from GARL but these will likely be used up. Future projects, any revival of GARL or 314 replacement will likely see more 380s of 3/4-car length again.

As an aside, Wikipedia has stated 318s and 320s can and have now been coupled in service; correct?

 

[NotATrainspott]

As an aside, Wikipedia has stated 318s and 320s can and have coupled in service; correct?

I've rarely seen two of the same class coupled over the last few years since they started coupling the two. It certainly makes sense as the 320s before refurb didn't have a toilet at all whereas the 318s do, while now post refurb it means a 318/320 consist has both a disabled and a standard toilet. The 318s won't be long until refurbishment since the last 320 has gone down to Doncaster for the works.

Is there anything really that wrong with the PEP stock, other than its age? Electric trains don't seem to age too much compared to diesels and I'm sure if you added a PIS system and high-backed chairs to the 314s most people won't be any the wiser about their age, and they certainly are seen as an improvement on 156s.

 

[thetangoman]

As an aside, Wikipedia has stated 318s and 320s can and have coupled in service; correct?

I use the North Clyde Line quite regularly and yes 318's & 320's are coupled together quite often
It looks weird as the 320 has a slightly sloping front where as the 318 is flat.