Then what on earth are they doing with them? I thought that they had been training for months using the prototypes.
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Scotrail Class 385 Discussion
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Testing the trains themselves, making sure they play nicely with the infrastructure, perform as expected, etc. I'm not sure on specifics but I wouldn't be surprised if Scotrail hadn't officially received a train yet, and they were all still in Hitachi's hands getting verification and fault free running mileage.
superkev
Established Member
That's pretty poor. Don't they even have a simulator?
K
scotraildriver
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It's DB cargo drivers driving them at the moment for testing. No Scotrail staff have had a shot yet.
Highlandspring
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A few runs took place this week with ScotRail staff driving - according to the test plan documentation anyway.
Typhoon_93
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Paths in RTT for light engine moves from Tyne Yard to Aycliffe in readiness for moves north on Wednesday and Friday next week. 385124 was outside this morning with the modified vestibule cover fitted for delivery, 385031 and 033 shouldn’t be far from being ready too.
I'd presume that is referring to the front gangway, and the temporary cover fitted so that they can haul it dead - as can be seen here
Typhoon_93
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I basically painted yellow and has a hole in the cover to allow various electrical connections to be made.
nicholaswood
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Onboard Scotrail's Class 385's:
https://www.railengineer.uk/2018/02/07/on-board-scotrails-new-class-385/
How long after certification is it until units are usually entered into service? Think we'll see these before the May timetable change?
https://www.railengineer.uk/2018/02/07/on-board-scotrails-new-class-385/
How long after certification is it until units are usually entered into service? Think we'll see these before the May timetable change?
I would think that if Scotrail have been able to start driver training on the units and get everything ready from their end, they could go into passenger service pretty quickly after the ORR certify them for passenger use. If however, they only get to start training after the passenger certification, it could be a while!
However, looking back to the 800 introduction, Ian Prosser announced that he'd certified the 800s on the 11th of October, and they entered service on the 16th, so it seems that short turnaround times are entirely possible
However, looking back to the 800 introduction, Ian Prosser announced that he'd certified the 800s on the 11th of October, and they entered service on the 16th, so it seems that short turnaround times are entirely possible
Bletchleyite
Veteran Member
I’m sure the wheelchair users will love being forced to sit next to a blank panel; that’s almost straight back to the long gone days of travelling in the guard’s van like a piece of luggage. Anyone for a discrimination case? The window layout of these units really is an appalling piece of non-design.
Typhoon_93
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67002+385124 departed Aycliffe on time.
Highland37
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Wow that looks like a really poor view out the front.
Bletchleyite
Veteran Member
That's no excuse for such a poor layout, particularly one that is rather discriminatory against wheelchair users. (Able bodied passengers can choose not to sit next to a wall as there are window-aligned seats; wheelchair users can't).
It makes the PEP EMU look good in terms of window view, and that is really saying something.
It's amusing that the franchise agreement specified that the new EMUs must provide seat-window alignment where possible. Although I don't consider myself a window alignment crusader, the 385s design really is lackluster for this aspect and completely unnecessary.
Apart from the window right above the table in the wheelchair passenger's area?
Bletchleyite
Veteran Member
With the wheelchair correctly positioned against the backrest they will be nowhere near that window (or indeed the table).
Drivers have been trained on the 380 fleet, so will just need a conversion course for the 385. Hopefully one of the drivers on here can confirm?
I wouldn't think that they are similar enough to merit just a conversion course. They are from a completely different manufacturer after all, and so there will be all manner of differences. Are the TMSs even the same?
scotraildriver
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It is just a conversion course. That was the whole point of training drivers on 380s.
lammergeier
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like an arrow slit in a medievil castle
lammergeier
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Full courses are generally only required where there are significant or fundamental differences between units (eg DMU to EMU, EP brake to air pipe etc). Differences in TMS and minor handling characteristics can be dealt with easily and quickly.
I took the 1900 Edinburgh to Glasgow 380 ands its timetabled for 44minutes .
Typhoon_93
Member
Tonight’s delivery cancelled loco heading back to Tyne Yard.
superkev
Established Member
For interest how long is the short conversation course which hopefully allows the driver to actually drive one. Presumably if required a full course takes much longer.
Have any units been accepted and owned by Scotrail yet?
K
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