Scotrail Class 380s

[MrC]

Plus the platform 5 book reports that the 380s have Voith couplings, whereas the 350s have Dellners?

I'm pretty sure that both Voith and Dellner make Scharfenberg couplers. So same coupler, different manufacturer. The major difference between the 380 and other Siemens UK Desiro stock seems to be that on the 380 the electrical box is above the mechanical coupler, whereas all the rest have it below.

 

[Pumbaa]

I thought the sloped front was because it was the latest regulatory requirement for crashworthiness?

HSE weren't happy with forward visibility afforded to the driver with block-end corridor connection among other things. I think crumple zones also play a large part.

 

[222666]

I'm pretty sure that both Voith and Dellner make Scharfenberg couplers. So same coupler, different manufacturer. The major difference between the 380 and other Siemens UK Desiro stock seems to be that on the 380 the electrical box is above the mechanical coupler, whereas all the rest have it below.

Is that because of snow?

 

[455driver]

Our desiro stock have them below the coupling and the snow has never been an issue as far as I know.

 

[MrC]

Is that because of snow?

Don't think so as when not coupled the connectors have a protective lid over them. You can see this move out of the way during attachments when the electrical boxes swing out.

 

[route101]

Is there any reason why the 380s are going on the inverclyde routes ? ayr is got higher linespeeds. Or is it due to the amount of 334s needed for airdrie to bathgate.

 

[me123]

Is there any reason why the 380s are going on the inverclyde routes ? ayr is got higher linespeeds. Or is it due to the amount of 334s needed for airdrie to bathgate.

380s will be on both Inverclyde and Ayrshire lines, meaning that both services will use the same type of unit. I know Inverclyde is "only" 75mph the whole way, but the 334s and 318s that form most trains down that line at the moment are able to go faster anyway, so this is no more of a waste than it is just now.

This makes operational sense, as Ayrshire and Inverclyde trains can be substituted for each other in times of disruption at Glasgow Central, and it also frees up the 318s for Argyle Line runs and 334s for A-B.

 

[rail-britain]

Is there any reason why the 380s are going on the inverclyde routes ? ayr is got higher linespeeds. Or is it due to the amount of 334s needed for airdrie to bathgate

As above; 380 for Ayrshire and Inverclyde
Basically, it is a cascade of rolling stock so that each type of rolling stock operates on a specific route, thus cutting the training costs in the future
Equally, it will increase the train lengths and capacities on the Ayrshire route (which it has desparately been needing for the last few years)

However, I note that the first service arriving into Glasgow from Ayr after 09:00 will be remaining as a single unit!
There have been loads of complaints over the years and promises action would be taken over the issue...
An increase from 3 to 4 cars, hardly solves the issue

 

[CarterUSM]

I understood some platform lengthening and higher linespeed for Ayrshire services too at some point, is this still on the cards?

 

[Simon Poole]

I was reading the Today's Railways magazine yesterday and they had an two page article about the Class 380's the magazine said that the stock move of the 380s will be hauled through the channel tunnel and on the 7X80, will start as the 1315 Dollands Moor to Polmadie, the 7X80 will be booked to run on Tuesday and fridays and arriving into Polmadie Wednesdays and Saturday Morning this will run via

Swanley, Denmark Hill, Kensington Olympia (1529) Wembley Yard (Arrive 1547, Depart 1912), Northampton (20.39), Crewe (2337 and won't leave till 0010), Preston (0131), Carlise (0435), Carstrais (0651) and arriving at Polmadie (0759)

but these could all change

 

[The_Stig]

I'm pretty sure that both Voith and Dellner make Scharfenberg couplers. So same coupler, different manufacturer. The major difference between the 380 and other Siemens UK Desiro stock seems to be that on the 380 the electrical box is above the mechanical coupler, whereas all the rest have it below.

They have been put under the corridor connection to give them added protection from rain, snow from what I have been told. The covers that move out of the way during coupling are constantly having water ingress problems, so every little helps.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Is there any reason why the 380s are going on the inverclyde routes ? ayr is got higher linespeeds. Or is it due to the amount of 334s needed for airdrie to bathgate.

380s will be on both Inverclyde and Ayrshire lines, meaning that both services will use the same type of unit. I know Inverclyde is "only" 75mph the whole way, but the 334s and 318s that form most trains down that line at the moment are able to go faster anyway, so this is no more of a waste than it is just now.

This makes operational sense, as Ayrshire and Inverclyde trains can be substituted for each other in times of disruption at Glasgow Central, and it also frees up the 318s for Argyle Line runs and 334s for A-B.

An additional reason was that ScotRail want to avoid any similar problems during bad winters like this year. Since the 380's have totally different couplers they will be kept on the same lines to provide assistance to any failed units.

 

[rail-britain]

I understood some platform lengthening and higher linespeed for Ayrshire services too at some point, is this still on the cards?

Platform lengthening work has already started, but I am not aware of any increases in linespeed
The platform lengthening work will also see the installation for SDO at some stations where the platforms cannot or will not be extended

There are some very small changes to some track layouts, removal of redundant junctions which in turn may see small increases in line speed
However, with the locations of these improvements the benefits will be minimal (as there aren't many semi-express services between Paisley and Ayrshire)

 

[route101]

im sure i spied class 380 stop signs at a few stations yesterday.