Thameslink/ Class 700 Progress

[grid56126]

Almost the first rescue by another class today then. . .

A 378 on the North London Line. Fitters beat it and fixed it in the nick of time. .

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/K97610/2016/12/01/advanced

 

[86211]

The unit involved was 700019

 

[GMT]

2E47 has failed again tonight, at Nunhead again, with a door fault again. Albeit a slightly different fault.

I was on that train (700008). Again at Nunhead where the doors open on the right. After about 20 min it was announced that who wanted to get off had to walk to the driver's cabin. So I did because I thought the train would stay there forever like the evening before. I was wrong, as after 5 min I was standing on the platform I saw the train leaving. The next station after Nunhead (5 after) having the platform on the right of the train is Shortlands. I wonder what happened there...

Anyway, I played safe and jumped on the SE train that was behind mine going to Dartford and from there I carried on home on another train.

I wonder about later today when I go home, is it going to happen all again? Wish me good luck.

 

[Deepgreen]

The only place where stopping positions are important is the core.

Also 1W55 4 vice 12 700 today so another issue there by the looks of things.

Really? I witnessed a 20+ minute delay at Redhill with a 700/0 doors issue that was being talked about in relation to stopping positions. That's not to say that this theory was right, of course.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

I was on that train (700008). Again at Nunhead where the doors open on the right. After about 20 min it was announced that who wanted to get off had to walk to the driver's cabin. So I did because I thought the train would stay there forever like the evening before. I was wrong, as after 5 min I was standing on the platform I saw the train leaving. The next station after Nunhead (5 after) having the platform on the right of the train is Shortlands. I wonder what happened there...

Anyway, I played safe and jumped on the SE train that was behind mine going to Dartford and from there I carried on home on another train.

I wonder about later today when I go home, is it going to happen all again? Wish me good luck.

A contradiction in terms!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Almost the first rescue by another class today then. . .

A 378 on the North London Line. Fitters beat it and fixed it in the nick of time. .

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/K97610/2016/12/01/advanced

Not sure what this means - are you saying that a 700 nearly rescued a 378 on the NLL, or vice versa (and how?)? I would have thought a 378 would struggle with a dead 12 car 700, even if they are compatible, which I don't know.

 

[tsr]

Same issue.

OK, I shouldn't have phrased it that way. What I should have said is that it presented itself differently. I believe you will be able to work out what I mean!

 

[87015]

Not sure what this means - are you saying that a 700 nearly rescued a 378 on the NLL, or vice versa (and how?)? I would have thought a 378 would struggle with a dead 12 car 700, even if they are compatible, which I don't know.

700 sat down big time at Camden Road blocking everything - they had the same problem before with a different unit. LOROL were asked to provide assistance and brought in a driver from home to take a 378 to attach (emergency coupling on site, but Siemens reckon it would couple mechanically). However a mere two and a bit hours after it failed the 700 was battered back into life so the 378 wasn't used in the end. 1500+ minutes incident despite the time of day.

 

[ComUtoR]

I found a Guards panel yesterday. Will these be used on Guard/Conductor routes and dispatched via the Guards panel ?

 

[Starmill]

I found a Guards panel yesterday. Will these be used on Guard/Conductor routes and dispatched via the Guards panel ?

Which guard routes are these?

Presumably there is a PA inside some (all?) of the panels though, so if Thameslink services gain Onboard Supervisors they would be able to use them to make announcements.

 

[dk1]

Caught my first 700 on Monday from St.Pancras to East Croydon & I didn't mind it to be honest. Maybe not the most comfortable train for long distance but suppose it's got to be all things. On the other hand, what the hell has happened to the Gatwick Express? Cramped, no ticket check, no trolley. How the mighty has fallen :cry:

 

[Nic Robinson]

Can anyone tell me which 700 took the 1810 Bed-TB last night? Think it might have been 104 but not sure. Many thanks.

 

[asylumxl]

Caught my first 700 on Monday from St.Pancras to East Croydon & I didn't mind it to be honest. Maybe not the most comfortable train for long distance but suppose it's got to be all things. On the other hand, what the hell has happened to the Gatwick Express? Cramped, no ticket check, no trolley. How the mighty has fallen :cry:

GTR happened.

 

[Alteran Ancient]

The GatX is a bit of a shame, really. When it's running properly, you've got a lot of seats to Victoria, every quarter of an hour, that only takes 30 minutes. It does that job well, but it is otherwise underwhelming, with nobody to welcome you on board, no trolley, and the same seats if you made the mistake of buying first class. It's one of the few services I think could really justify an OBS regardless of your stance on a second member of staff.

 

[ComUtoR]

Presumably there is a PA inside some (all?) of the panels though

PA + Door buttons + Cab-Cab. Standard Guards panel.

 

[Class377/5]

I found a Guards panel yesterday. Will these be used on Guard/Conductor routes and dispatched via the Guards panel ?

No. No plans to use the 700s in any other mode than DOO. This was stated policy by the DfT.

Which guard routes are these?

Presumably there is a PA inside some (all?) of the panels though, so if Thameslink services gain Onboard Supervisors they would be able to use them to make announcements.

Siemens put them in the trains. I was on a unit the other day with a group of drivers using them to training drivers on a passenger train.

No plans for OBS or guards on Thameslink. Just came with the train and may prove helpful during the next 40 years onboard.

Can anyone tell me which 700 took the 1810 Bed-TB last night? Think it might have been 104 but not sure. Many thanks.

104 sounds about right as it was taken into service off Bedford earlier. I will try and check but can't guarantee it'll 100% correct due to the disruption yesterday.

 

[SpacePhoenix]

Guards panels are probably a standard feature of the Desiro City design/build but it's upto the individual TOCs who might run Desiro Cities as to if they'll use them

 

[D365]

Just came with the train and may prove helpful during the next 40 years onboard.

In case they're cascaded to Northern?

 

[387star]

Saw four at gatwick plus one on the sutton loop so they really are everywhere

Incidentally Also saw a 12-car 377 rake with all 2+2 seating which must be quite rare given there are only about 19 four cars like that

Rode home on a 377/3 and was reminded what a luxary these once were on the coastway west

 

[Islineclear3_1]

Any chance of a reminder of Sunday diagrams please...any increase in units?

 

[W230]

The door issue at Nunhead should have been resolved now at least. it's not a unit or driver fault but seeing as 377/5 has said the details won't be made public I shan't be doing it either. Someone will have ended up with egg on their face though...

 

[asylumxl]

The door issue at Nunhead should have been resolved now at least. it's not a unit or driver fault but seeing as 377/5 has said the details won't be made public I shan't be doing it either. Someone will have ended up with egg on their face though...

Someone didn't enable the balise?

 

[westcoaster]

Someone didn't enable the balise?

No because it stopped there 6 other times no problem

 

[asylumxl]

No because it stopped there 6 other times no problem

 

[Aws87024]

Are there any 700's operating today? Thanks

 

[BRX]

I've just been on a 700 between Wimbledon and Loughborough Junction. I don't know if this is the first time one's been in service round the Wimbledon Loop but I've not been aware of any so far.

Am I right in thinking they won't officially be on these services until 2018 though?

 

[hwl]

I've just been on a 700 between Wimbledon and Loughborough Junction. I don't know if this is the first time one's been in service round the Wimbledon Loop but I've not been aware of any so far.

Am I right in thinking they won't officially be on these services until 2018 though?

See http://www.railforums.co.uk/showpost.php?p=2784735&postcount=6179

2 diagrams running on the loop for the last fortnight (week days).

They will gradually replace the remaining existing stock early in 2017 on the loop and Sevenoaks etc. max 8 car services.
The next circa 27? units to be delivered will be 8 car so plenty to replace existing stock on 8car Thameslink services on the loop etc as well as start introducing them on GN.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

I've just been on a 700 between Wimbledon and Loughborough Junction. I don't know if this is the first time one's been in service round the Wimbledon Loop but I've not been aware of any so far.

Am I right in thinking they won't officially be on these services until 2018 though?

I rode on one about 3 or 5 weeks ago; there's a picture of it at Sutton on my Twitter somewhere. I'll try to find it again later.

 

[cjohnson]

Saw a 12-car 700 (think it was 700109) sat outside Wimbledon this evening, not going anywhere for around half an hour. Is that a usual move round the loop?

 

[JonathanH]

Saw a 12-car 700 (think it was 700109) sat outside Wimbledon this evening, not going anywhere for around half an hour. Is that a usual move round the loop?

Laying over between workings due to the issues on the Quarry Line - presumably run out of other refuge sidings to use.

I saw 700109 on the late running 1W24 10.35 Brighton to Bedford earlier - ran fast St Pancras to Luton Airport Parkway and Bedford, return working terminated Herne Hill and presumably ran to Wimbledon to lay over before returning north to pick up diagram at Blackfriars later.

This is the STP working:
5W41 1440 London Blackfriars to Sutton (Surrey)
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/O52183/2016/12/05/advanced

5W41 1520 Sutton (Surrey) to London Blackfriars
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/O52184/2016/12/05/advanced

 

[387star]

Not sure if mentioned much but the room for luggage on the 700s and window alignment is the best in a new train for a long time..the overhead racks are very capacious something siemens seem good at

The legroom is noticably tighter than the 387s but I think you get used to it and actually it isn't any worse than many other commuter type trains

Once the tables are retro fitted they will be near,perfect

 

[jon0844]

the overhead racks are very capacious

Aren't they just! And then go and look at the ones on a 377/5! Just about big enough for a copy of Metro, as long as it's unfolded.