TPE Class 397 ('Nova 2') construction and updates

[kermit]

There are charging points at every set of seats, beneath the seat cushions and in the middle, both USB and mains. Stickers also advertise this.

Thanks, I'll look out for them. The Edinburgh Airport buses have more comfortable seats, with a USB easily accessible on the back of the seat in front - for a 30 minute journey!

 

[James James]

Thanks, I'll look out for them. The Edinburgh Airport buses have more comfortable seats, with a USB easily accessible on the back of the seat in front - for a 30 minute journey!

The Edinburgh Aiport buses probably have more competition on the route they serve though. They need a differentiating factor, these trains perhaps less?

 

[hexagon789]

More likely following another train.

I don't know why I overlooked that! My thoughts went to having to wait time first.

 

[route101]

I find them very pleasant, and far far better suited to intercity travel than the 350’s, which weren’t much more than a glorified commuter train with a trolley service (particularly the 350/2’s, nasty things!)

I’m interested to hear what people find so unpleasant about them? I’ve ridden several in the last few weeks and had no issues whatsoever, comfy enough, almost all seats well aligned with windows, great number of table seats, nice vestibules (the main problem with 350s was the lack of a vestibule turning into glorified commuter stock)

One criticism I have is if you sit right under the pantograph, the neutral sections are extremely loud indeed and sound like a loud hammer smashing the roof right above you.

Yeah , i much prefer then to 397s, used to avoid them. I noticed the noise in the pantograph coach, sounds like the panto snapping , hear it in pendos too.

Still think that five cars may not be enough whenit gets busy, when the passengers return.

 

[MDB1images]

One criticism I have is if you sit right under the pantograph, the neutral sections are extremely loud indeed and sound like a loud hammer smashing the roof right above you.

It's a valid criticism(it was raised during the training that maybe a sticker in the PTS area or near the affected seats would be of benefit).

I generally tell people in that area that they might hear a loud thumping sound from time to time and not to worry as it's perfectly safe (If I've got on part route or only got through after a neutral section it's noticeable how many passengers comment that they wondered/worried what it was!)

 

[Bletchleyite]

It's a valid criticism(it was raised during the training that maybe a sticker in the PTS area or near the affected seats would be of benefit).

I generally tell people in that area that they might hear a loud thumping sound from time to time and not to worry as it's perfectly safe (If I've got on part route or only got through after a neutral section it's noticeable how many passengers comment that they wondered/worried what it was!)

It's the same on 350/2s, though not /1s and possibly not the others. It sounds like it's coming through the ceiling. People seemed alarmed about it at first but have got used to it.

 

[Bayum]

Why does the noise happen?

 

[samuelmorris]

Vacuum Circuit Breaker - it's also the same on all Electrostars. Essentially all post-privatisation multiple units do it. I've never seen an explanation for why they are an acceptable noise level on old BR units but nothing more modern. It routinely scares the <choice of expletive> out of people and I refuse to sit under pantographs due to it. Desiro UK units are loud but tolerable, probably the least egregious of the modern units I've heard it on, possibly due to it being in the vicinity of the toilet.

 

[Liverpool 507]

Yeah , i much prefer then to 397s, used to avoid them. I noticed the noise in the pantograph coach, sounds like the panto snapping , hear it in pendos too.

Still think that five cars may not be enough whenit gets busy, when the passengers return.

Five cars proved to be enough when they first entered service up until lockdown.

 

[Jamesrob637]

Five cars proved to be enough when they first entered service up until lockdown.

They only entered service in November and by March passenger numbers hit a cliff edge. We haven't seen this summer how they'd cope with holiday traffic to the Lakes and Scotland, and Scots heading down south.

 

[supervc-10]

I'm sure they'll cope better than a 3-car 185 or 4-car 350 ever did. Although I suppose extension to 6 or 7 cars could be possible in the future? Same goes for the other Nova trains, although the issues would be Manchester Airport and fitting everything in. The 5-car Novas have a big uplift over single unit Desiros though. A 185 has 167 standard and 15 first seats, whilst a 397 has 264 standard and 22 first, a 58% and 47% uplift respectively. The 802s are even better at 318 standard and 24 first.

 

[Rhinojerry]

Still on 350 timings?

Dont know tbh..The Ben Elias trip on you tube seems the same,ie not that quick.Btw Ben's id is well worth a look.

 

[hexagon789]

Dont know tbh..The Ben Elias trip on you tube seems the same,ie not that quick.Btw Ben's id is well worth a look.

I've seen his Glasgow-Manchester in a 350 video. Hadn't noticed he'd also now done a video in a 397, must look it up

 

[Rhinojerry]

I've seen his Glasgow-Manchester in a 350 video. Hadn't noticed he'd also now done a video in a 397, must look it up

It is only Lime St to Preston on a 397...

 

[hexagon789]

It is only Lime St to Preston on a 397...

Fair enough, still be interesting to watch though. I'm not familiar with that route as such.

 

[route101]

Fair enough, still be interesting to watch though. I'm not familiar with that route as such.

They can go two ways between Liverpool and Preston. Via Golborne and Via St Helens.

 

[Jamesrob637]

Another 397 terminating at Preston and the return starting at Piccadilly meaning an empty move between Preston and Piccadilly.

Edit: I think the defective 397 is going straight to Longsight and another is picking up the return working but only from Piccadilly.

 

[hexagon789]

They can go two ways between Liverpool and Preston. Via Golborne and Via St Helens.

Is the former diversionary or do they schedule passenger services both ways?

 

[Railperf]

Just been comparing Class 397 vs Class 350 data on the North WCML. Tthe 397s are seriously fast - and can reach 110mph in just over 2 mins compared to the trains they have replaced - 350's which need another minute to reach 110mph, But what shocked me was how little additional time this saves over distance.

The 350 takes 3.9 miles to get to 110mph - but that is only 12 seconds slower than the 397!

And because the 350's can be driven consistently at 110mph - the software preventing any overspeed - they can be driven very closely to the speed limit whereas a 397 has to be driven in an on/off style - between 108/110mph - and it starts to lose time compared to the 350. My data shows that in the next 1.6 miles the 397 lost almost 2 seconds to the 350. The time loss over longer distances is significant.
From an operating perspective - the lack of speed hold/speed set device on the 397 seems to be puzzling when TOC's and DfT want consistent performance.

 

[43096]

From an operating perspective - the lack of speed hold/speed set device on the 397 seems to be puzzling when TOC's and DfT want consistent performance.

Given that they have bought as cheaply as possible - and from a supplier whose initials are known across Europe as Cheap As ____ - it’s not that much of a surprise in some ways.

 

[bengley]

I've seen his Glasgow-Manchester in a 350 video. Hadn't noticed he'd also now done a video in a 397, must look it up

It is only Lime St to Preston on a 397...

Actually the Glasgow to airport video is 397 from Carlisle

 

[DannyMich2018]

Is the former diversionary or do they schedule passenger services both ways?

According to RTT there are only 2 services each way for TPE between Liverpool and Glasgow (for today)one of which starts from Oxenholme going south. Looks like just 1 goes via Golborne with other 3 going via St Helens. Thought they were more service than that?

 

[driver9000]

According to RTT there are only 2 services each way for TPE between Liverpool and Glasgow (for today)one of which starts from Oxenholme going south. Looks like just 1 goes via Golborne with other 3 going via St Helens. Thought they were more service than that?

Normally there are 3 services daily but the current reduced timetable provision has cut the middle journey out. As I remember the middle journey was routed via Golborne both ways.

 

[hexagon789]

According to RTT there are only 2 services each way for TPE between Liverpool and Glasgow (for today)one of which starts from Oxenholme going south. Looks like just 1 goes via Golborne with other 3 going via St Helens. Thought they were more service than that?

There were three each way

Actually the Glasgow to airport video is 397 from Carlisle

I'm not doubting you, but I don't remember that weirdly. Was a while ago though

 

[hexagon789]

Has any progress been made on allowing the 397 to run above 110mph?

Not yet and the southern WCML is getting priority

 

[Railperf]

Anyone know the plated weight for a Class 397 and power at rail?

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Hello Have we got any updates on 397005 please, which as I understand it, has not worked since around August time? Is there something wrong with the unit?

 

[XCTurbostar]

Hello Have we got any updates on 397005 please, which as I understand it, has not worked since around August time? Is there something wrong with the unit?

397005 was sent to Kilmarnock for repairs in October 2021. It will return to Longsight tomorrow by 37611.

Realtime Trains | 584W 0558 Kilmarnock Long Lyes T.C. to Longsight Car. M.D. | 19/01/2022

Real-time train running information for 584W 0558 departure from Kilmarnock Long Lyes T.C. to Longsight Car. M.D. on 19/01/2022. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

397005 was sent to Kilmarnock for repairs in October 2021. It will return to Longsight tomorrow by 37611.

Realtime Trains | 584W 0558 Kilmarnock Long Lyes T.C. to Longsight Car. M.D. | 19/01/2022

Real-time train running information for 584W 0558 departure from Kilmarnock Long Lyes T.C. to Longsight Car. M.D. on 19/01/2022. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Thank you

 

[M60lad]

Not to sure why but according to Real Time Trains the above working was cancelled by the train operator so hasn't run this morning