[Wessex] Class 350 testing Basingstoke - Soton

[trains2]

350 Desiro DC testing provisionally scheduled to start running overnight between Basingstoke and Southampton w/c 6th Feb 2006. Units likely to be stabled at Barton Mill. Tests could not be accomodated in Dorset as originally planned.

Should be interesting! Although as it's overnight, shall be dark and means no pictures.

 

[Tom]

Will be out snapping then.

 

[Techniquest]

New Silverlink livery in Southampton...Would make a welcome change to the Wessex pinks and purples and the SWT liveries!

If I get a chance to get a FoSS any time soon, I'll try and make sure it's on that week so as to overnight it at Eastleigh and phot the 350s coming through.

Thanks for the information.

 

[matt]

Just pointing out they are in Silver not Silverlink as they are operated by both Silverlink and Central Trains

I have always wondered why 350s have 3rd rail pick up shoes on them.

 

[Julian G]

they were originally ordered by SWT but since the 458s proved to be reliable.. the SRA cut off the order and sent them for Silverlink Count(r)y and Central Trains

 

[Tom]

350s are basically 450s with the panto.

 

[trains2]

but since the 458s proved to be reliable

Dunno where you got that idea Julian, but it certainly cheered my day up!

I think your right there, I believe they were all for SWT, but I think they just ordered too many and couldn't cancel the order, so looked for other potential buyers. If you notice (as TC says) there is practicaly no difference between at 350 and 450; everyone knows that there is a panto area on a 450 so they were always built to have the option of a panto being installed.

 

[matt]

350s are basically 450s with the panto.

And also a different seat arrangement. 350s have 2 + 2 seating whilst 450s have 2 + 3 seating