Thameslink ATO (Automatic Train Operation)

[D365]

Split from this thread:

It is used on passenger trains when driver training on ATO is being done, we were expecting full ATO service in the core in December 2020 but its now been delayed

I was under the impression that ATO was a pre-requisite for 24tph operation, and that ATO would be fully introduced in 2018. Has ATO still not been fully rolled out on Thameslink yet?

 

[Jorge Da Silva]

Split from this thread:



I was under the impression that ATO was a pre-requisite for 24tph operation, and that ATO would be fully introduced in 2018. Has ATO still not been rolled out on Thameslink yet?

It was rolled out in 2018 just before the May timetable.

 

[Bald Rick]

Split from this thread:



I was under the impression that ATO was a pre-requisite for 24tph operation, and that ATO would be fully introduced in 2018. Has ATO still not been fully rolled out on Thameslink yet?

ATO was installed on the trains from new. It was commissioned on the infrastructure in 2018. However around 800 drivers need training; that was planned to take place from this spring, however for reasons that I hope are obvious it hasn’t been happening.

Strictly speaking, ATO isn’t need for 24tph; indeed the core regularly operates at 24tph frequency, albeit not very punctually. ATO is needed to run more than 20tph reliably. There was little point doing an extensive and expensive driver training exercise until ATO was needed, which was for this December (as per the revised plan).

 

[whoosh]

Route learning for the expanded Thameslink routes started very late in the day.

Timetable chaos resulted as trains often didn't have a driver with the requisite route knowledge.

The expanded service had by then started up which meant that if too many drivers were released to route learn then there would be cancellations, as timetables we re-jigged to have a changeover mid-route.

ATO training was therefore postponed so as to concentrate any release for training on getting drivers route knowledge covered.

Some services had to be postponed due to route learning having to be done, and their presence in the timetable necessitating ATO as they would add to the trains per hour through the core (Welwyn to Sevenoaks, Cambridge to Maidstone).

ATO training was supposed to start in April (the driver managers had completed their training - just the hundreds of ordinary drivers [not Testing & Commissioning drivers who are already competent with ATO] to do.

Welwyn drivers learning to Sevenoaks, Orpington drivers learning to Welwyn, Cambridge drivers learning to Maidstone, and Ashford drivers learning to Cambridge, were all supposed to commence this year as well.

But then the coronavirus came...