Scotrail Class 385 Discussion

[bnsf734]

I noted 385 102 at Wemyss Bay today stabled in one of the platforms. I was keen to look at the interior but the 2 driving cars have blanked out side windows and the 2 centre cars have no interior apart from loads of sandbags. There are also no set numbers on the driving cars. It will be a while before that set enters service, it will need a visit to Newton Aycliffe to fit it out first.

 

[Clansman]

I noted 385 102 at Wemyss Bay today stabled in one of the platforms. I was keen to look at the interior but the 2 driving cars have blanked out side windows and the 2 centre cars have no interior apart from loads of sandbags. There are also no set numbers on the driving cars. It will be a while before that set enters service, it will need a visit to Newton Aycliffe to fit it out first.

The only one with the interiors fitted are the four that Hitachi unvielved at Newton Aycliffe a few days ago. Hopefully we'll see one of them up on the EG now 385 testing has commenced on the line.

 

[InOban]

Hitachi seemed to be implying that they were keen to get the first fitted-out units on to the E&G, as if they want to test them before ramping up series production. They will want to minimise any mods needing to be retrofitted to the completed units.

 

[fairliered]

If they want to test them on the Largs line, I will be happy to provide free constructive advice.

 

[SC318250]

385102 running to Bishopton, then Gourock, then Bishopton, then Gourock then Craigentinney tonight

 

[Typhoon_93]

The only one with the interiors fitted are the four that Hitachi unvielved at Newton Aycliffe a few days ago. Hopefully we'll see one of them up on the EG now 385 testing has commenced on the line.

The ones that have full interiors fitted at the moment are 385003/004/005/014/015/016/103/104/122/123/124.

 

[Clansman]

The ones that have full interiors fitted at the moment are 385003/004/005/014/015/016/103/104/122/123/124.

Woah, I stand corrected

 

[bnsf734]

385102 running to Bishopton, then Gourock, then Bishopton, then Gourock then Craigentinney tonight

Looks like most of these trips ran and the unit is now at Craigentinny, ready for its next trips out.

 

[43096]

Hitachi seemed to be implying that they were keen to get the first fitted-out units on to the E&G, as if they want to test them before ramping up series production. They will want to minimise any mods needing to be retrofitted to the completed units.

After the IEP fiasco this week, you'd hope they would have learnt and will go for an unannounced debut, off-peak with no press.

 

[Clansman]

https://www.sundaypost.com/fp/gover...yet-again/?sso-c=MC44MjU4MzIwMCAxNTA4Njg0MjY1

NICOLA STURGEON told train bosses to get their act together at crunch talks after yet another delay to the introduction of electric services on the flagship Edinburgh to Glasgow line.

The First Minister called a summit with Hitachi, which is building 70 electric trains for ScotRail, after the Japanese firm was hit with production problems.

A full electric train service is now unlikely to run on the Glasgow to Edinburgh route until May next year.

Ms Sturgeon held talks earlier this month with Karen Boswell, managing director of Hitachi Rail Europe, and Alistair Dormer the global chief executive of the rail firm.

It is understood the First Minister stressed that further delays would be unacceptable.

Yesterday, the Scottish Government said the meeting was positive adding: “The First Minister impressed upon Hitachi the ongoing Scottish Government commitment to building the best railway Scotland has ever had, and the importance of introducing the new fleet to the ScotRail franchise and Scottish economy as soon as possible.”

Hitachi argued that delays to the building and testing of the newly electrified route has also significantly contributed to delays on the over-budget £795 million scheme.

A senior railway industry source said: “ScotRail won’t have enough new trains to run a fully electric Edinburgh to Glasgow service until the timetable change next May.

“Talk about line testing is a smokescreen for Hitachi’s production problems.

“Hitachi has told ScotRail they will only have half the units required by December.”

The fleet of Hitachi Class 385 trains, which is to cost £370m, was meant to be up and running a full timetable this autumn. This was then put back until December and is now going into next year.

Before the Class 385 trains run, ScotRail plans to operate electric trains borrowed from other lines between Edinburgh and Glasgow.

However, this plan has also been delayed at least four times.

Scottish Labour transport spokesperson Neil Bibby said: “The SNP government must come forward with an apology and provide answers as to why passengers have been let down yet again.”

ScotRail previously pledged that all Edinburgh to Glasgow journeys will be operated by the new trains from December.

Asked when a full electric service will operate on the line, a spokesman said: “Only when we are confident there will be no negative impact on our performance, service, and customer satisfaction will the trains run.”

The Sunday Post put the detail of the production problems to the firm and the spokesman added: “There’s nothing in our current production programme that we believe prevents us from entering the trains into passenger service, and we’re confident the trains will continue to perform well when they commence and complete full testing.”

Hitachi was left embarrassed last week when the first of a fleet of new trains it built for the Great Western Railway service was hit by delays and a faulty air conditioning.

Hitachi Rail said: “The first wave of new trains will be introduced into passenger service after we’ve been granted access to the newly electrified network.

“We’re confident our trains are safe and reliable.”

 

[NotATrainspott]

Hmm. Hitachi haven't exactly showered themselves with glory so far. I had high hopes based on the experience with the Javelin introduction. Hopefully when they do enter service there won't be many teething problems.

 

[SC318250]

A question I asked on the 314 page, which was was a 385 question, but had asked about 314 issue...

The answer was all 385 will be maintained at Craigentinney... I had asked if Shields will do any 385 maintenance... was meaning for example if say minor maintenance was required like a pan head was damaged, would the unit be dragged back to Craigentinney or would it be done at Shields?

 

[Carntyne]

Hi, it'll be done over at Craigentinny, they're contracted to carry out all maintenance and supply all parts for the new fleet.

 

[ScottDarg]

Hi, it'll be done over at Craigentinny, they're contracted to carry out all maintenance and supply all parts for the new fleet.

Are there plans to stable 385s at Shields or is the intention to run ECS to/from Millerhill/Craigentinny each day?

 

[Typhoon_93]

385103 at Aycliffe has started to receive is “Spots n Dots” with the addition of a yellow line around one window (first class) and “eXpress” logo. Will pop a pic up later this evening.

 

[Typhoon_93]

 

[LunchSociety]

View attachment 36040

They certainly look good in that livery - even better when its finished I'm sure!

 

[InOban]

Is there any sign of the test set venturing back on to the E&G, hopefully further than Linlithgow?

 

[SC318250]

Looks good

I wouldnt be suprised if 103 appears north in the next couple of weeks to allow 102 or 001 down to be fitted out

 

[superalbs]

Well that's certainly something!!

 

[Fleetwood Boy]

View attachment 36050
Well that's certainly something!!

Had I missed the fact that there will only be First Class at one end - I had assumed both ends, like the 170's? Doesn't look like there will be as much First Class accommodation in future?

 

[Bletchleyite]

View attachment 36050
Well that's certainly something!!

What's wrong with a yellow cantrail stripe? Why do TOCs have to keep doing their own thing when there is a perfectly good standard that suits most liveries?

 

[Altnabreac]

Found the seating plans here Nice to see first class being in the same coach to save the confusion on which end has the reservations, which I've seen people come across multiple times. Also good that there are more tables

Had I missed the fact that there will only be First Class at one end - I had assumed both ends, like the 170's? Doesn't look like there will be as much First Class accommodation in future?

Currently 18 first class seats, 9 at each end:
2 x tables of 4
2 x tables of 2
2 x airlines of 2
2 x airlines of 1

Assuming 385s are still as set out in diagram above then they have 20 first class seats, all at one end:
2 x tables of 4
3 x tables of 2
1 x table of 3
1 x airline of 2
1 x airline of 1

 

[Bletchleyite]

Wow, that's a surprisingly high quality and low density interior - near enough all tables like the Southern/Southeastern "Intercity" Electrostar layout. Wasn't expecting that. Window alignment of the tables isn't even that far off either.

 

[Altnabreac]

Wow, that's a surprisingly high quality and low density interior - near enough all tables like the Southern/Southeastern "Intercity" Electrostar layout. Wasn't expecting that. Window alignment of the tables isn't even that far off either.

You've got to remember that the nature of Scottish political life is that a large chunk of the nation's elected representatives are from the more populous west central Scotland, while Edinburgh is the seat of the parliament and the executive.

Glasgow is also close enough to Edinburgh that many politicians will come through to Edinburgh for the day rather than having second homes / hotel stays.

So if you total up the relevant constituencies there are the best part of 35 Scottish Parliament Constituency members and 20 regional list members who will be using Class 385s to get to work. That is almost half of the parliament so naturally the Edinburgh - Glasgow route is much more politically noticeable than a similar 4tph 50 minute journey time route elsewhere in the UK.

Any individual route into London will only have a small number of politicians travelling onto it so nowhere else has quite the same political pressure as the E-G does.

 

[InOban]

Traditionally the 1st class has been occupied by lawyers, since the advocates (= barristers) are based in Edinburgh but the High Court more often sits in Glasgow.

 

[nicholaswood]

Will there be a dedicated "end" for first class, in the same way that first class is almost always at the London end of the train?

 

[superkev]

Hitachi factory visit on YouTube see

Where is everyone?
K

 

[Typhoon_93]

Hitachi factory visit on YouTube see

Where is everyone?
K

As he says in the video it’s a Sunday and the factory works Monday to Saturday

 

[Highlandspring]

Will there be a dedicated "end" for first class, in the same way that first class is almost always at the London end of the train?

No.