The only ones that regularly run out from Brighton now are the Seaford services that depart (usually) from Platforms 7 & 8. Be aware though that it is not unknown for one to fail and be replaced by a more modern train
They will still need guards for the 171 services, but on a 377 they only act as OBS, according to other threads.
Always on Brighton to Seaford
Yes, hopefully in the May timetable change.
Why hopefully??? Hopefully not lol
Not all of us are delighted by clapped out trains (older than my mother, and I’m a legal adult myself) with no toilets, plugs, tables or temperature control trundling up and down the Coastway if they can be operated by something far more accommodating. To say “hopefully not” is to express intention to grossly hold back a very much due upgrade to satisfy niche enthusiast preference.
Can't speak for them personally but it might be the choice between converting to OBS, redundancy or retirement. Hopefully if converting to OBS, they will be on pay and benefits protection
OBSs do more on strike than at work. I'm finding their purpose more and more difficult to understand, seeing as they don't seem to wish to use the opportunity of not having to man doors to check tickets. As has been said multiple times, they're rarer spots than the Flying Scotsman. I reckon there'll be somewhat of a split in opinions, with some 313 guards finding this a welcome break while others dislike the loss of responsibilities.
I'm not sure what your point is. You could be 18, your mother could be 36. There are plenty of trains around the world older than that. I strongly advise you to stay away from the New York Subway. Admittedly their old bangers do have air con. Also, it seems likely that the removal of the 313s will be achieved by shorter or less frequent trains elsewhere. Is that really a win?
For those of us that pay thousands of pounds to commute on the coastway, yes.
But these trains are a great piece of history and have plenty of years left in them…
With absolute respect, we really must make sure we recognise the fine line between fair suggestions and wishful thinking/denial/delusion. The things are absolutely shot. One old woman at Bedhampton commented as such when the 313 bound for Southsea staggered up to the platform sounding and looking like it was going to give up on the spot.
Are you joking? They certainly don’t… They fail frequently, if you look at the 313 blog, you’ll see some documented faults. They are old now, not many trains survive until almost 50 but these have and now it’s time to retire them, the vast majority does not believe they are worth keeping just for trainspotters and sentimental value, at the end of the day these trains carry passengers and frequent commuters who’d just prefer train that works and that can get the from A to B without any problems really…
It’s a shame to say (well, it’s not really, because they’ve been in service an exceptionally long time and done a good, solid stretch) but they’re absolutely knackered and replacement is very much due.
Neither - I’m not sure why we’re going round in circles discussing personal opinions on what seems like every other page!
I wonder if any Guards will be able to get transfers to Eastbourne and Selhurst who will still keep Guards for the 171s to Ashford and Uckfield and 377s to Watford Junction and Milton Keynes etc once the 313s are gone. Maybe if Eastbourne and Selhurst are short of Guards than some can get transfers there. Depending on where they live some may choose to transfer to Southeastern and South Western Railway if they have vacancies at their depots.
I completely agree there. I have been using Southern Rail almost every day since OBS were introduced about five years ago and i can probably count the amount of times they have checked tickets on two hands. I think i have probably had about ten ticket checks by OBS on the hundreds and hundreds (if not thousands) of trains i have been on over the last five years.
Yes they are a great piece of history for a museum or a heritage railway for railway enthusiasts to ride on. I am not sure that ordinary non enthusiast passengers will appreciate them so much. The 313s are one of the oldest trains operating in the country now. For ordinary passengers the 377s are much more comfortable and have better facilities.
Well it depends whether you were travelling within the Oyster/contactless area which is where they don’t check tickets.
Just give them another four years so they can make it to 50
Show them a little mercy
I agree, I am unsure whether that post was made facetiously or not but 377s offer a whole range of better opportunities where people can hopefully get from A-B without too many issues and hopefully begin to get a portion of their money’s worth on the Coastway
They are utterly hateful things and I can’t wait to see the back of them. On a wet day, unable to see out of the windows due to the condensation, unable to be warm because they’re so drafty, and with no toilets to relieve one’s bladder they are the single most depressing place in the world.
I agree and since Brighton to Portsmouth is 1h30 minute journey, although, I can’t quite recall whether they still operate these services or if they’ve just been reduced to Brighton-Seaford.
I think before the December timetable 2 out of 4 diagrams ran the route, not sure if that's the case anymore.
