Thameslink/ Class 700 Progress

Bald Rick · 13 Jul 2016

Class377/5 said:
Have you experienced 100% traction power acceleration on AC? I still can't quite believe how quick off the mark these units are when you open them up fully.

Yep, several times, most recently about 45 minutes ago.

Quite a few people on the train taking photos and saying what an amazing train it was as well. No anoraks in sight.
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asylumxl said:
Same neutral section?

Indeed, same unit.
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asylumxl said:
This is something I wanted to experience on the MML, but I've yet to experience it the times I've ridden the 700s. Every driver seemed to be taking it easy. I'm hoping they'll become slightly more aggressive in driving style in the future.

Tonight we came across at Carlton Rd Jn so smoothly that I didn't know we had swapped to the DF. Then driver opened the taps and my ears started popping as we were towards the north end of Belsize tunnel, which has never happened before on any type of rolling stock. We were certainly faster through West Hampstead than on a 3x7. And it breezed through Cricklewood S Jn as if it wasn't there, barely any movement.

We did, however, coast for about half a mile up to Graham Park neutral section which cost us some time. Not sure why.

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asylumxl · 13 Jul 2016

Bald Rick said:
. We did, however, coast for about half a mile up to Graham Park neutral section which cost us some time. Not sure why.

Perhaps a precautionary measure given recent occurrences?

Hoping the unit that works theTB503 diagram (?) will not have issues tomorrow. Planning my journey in to London for a meeting around it...

SpacePhoenix · 14 Jul 2016

Will different unit be tried on the same diagram to rule in or out a fault with that particular unit?

Class377/5 · 14 Jul 2016

SpacePhoenix said:
Will different unit be tried on the same diagram to rule in or out a fault with that particular unit?

Two different units have already experienced the same fault in the same area. Efforts are under way to ensure reasons are known and causes found.

asylumxl · 14 Jul 2016

Class377/5 said:
Two different units have already experienced the same fault in the same area. Efforts are under way to ensure reasons are known and causes found.

Does that mean the diagrams operated by 700s are likely to be substituted?

Or are we in for games of Russian roulette regarding whether we get to London when we travel on the MML?

grid56126 · 14 Jul 2016

Slightly off topic, but... A good few years back I was working one weekend and the class 365s working all gradually starting losing traction in the South end motor coaches. We put a load away into Hornsey and those that came out started suffering. Eventually whittled down to the Neutral section just North of Hitchin (Down Line) on the Cambridge Branch. 317s were unscathed. OLE guys resolved something that way out of my understanding and the fleet guys fettled the motors which had shut down for protection rather than any serious harm being done.

Class377/5 · 14 Jul 2016

asylumxl said:
Does that mean the diagrams operated by 700s are likely to be substituted?

Or are we in for games of Russian roulette regarding whether we get to London when we travel on the MML?

Not really as the introduction of the 700s has had an affect. Already 6x 319 are off lease (one for LM, 4 in Tilgate and another at Bedford) meaning the stock isn't there.

So far it seems to be two isolated events on two different passenger services on two different units at one location. Note none of the other trips including testing trains (up to 5 a day) have had the same issue.

And for the record 104 was out this morning and not heard any issues today.

asylumxl · 14 Jul 2016

Class377/5 said:
Not really as the introduction of the 700s has had an affect. Already 6x 319 are off lease (one for LM, 4 in Tilgate and another at Bedford) meaning the stock isn't there.

So far it seems to be two isolated events on two different passenger services on two different units at one location. Note none of the other trips including testing trains (up to 5 a day) have had the same issue.

And for the record 104 was out this morning and not heard any issues today.

Goooood. On 700107 at St Albans nowm

Mordac · 14 Jul 2016

Class377/5 said:

Not really as the introduction of the 700s has had an affect. Already 6x 319 are off lease (one for LM, 4 in Tilgate and another at Bedford) meaning the stock isn't there.

Click to expand...

Class377/5 said:
So far it seems to be two isolated events on two different passenger services on two different units at one location. Note none of the other trips including testing trains (up to 5 a day) have had the same issue.

And for the record 104 was out this morning and not heard any issues today.

That's great to know! Which unit went to LM? What's the current count of 319s at TL? I've seen a figure of 59, is this before or after those 6 went?

Alteran Ancient · 14 Jul 2016

One of my colleagues described a 700 on his journey from St Pancras to Luton the other day. He seemed quite impressed with the PIS and the loading information, but did comment on the lack of tables and hardness of the seats. He didn't appear bothered about the lack of power sockets or Wi-Fi, because he didn't mention it.

I haven't had the chance to try out a 700 myself, and probably won't until they start doing runs on the Chatham Main or Catford Loop Lines to Ashford or Sevenoaks. Given that I only recently saw my first 387 passing Bromley (out of service), I don't have much hope that we'll be seeing anything any time soon.

Class377/5 · 14 Jul 2016

700104 was working today when I saw it on 501 diagram.

Mordac said:
That's great to know! Which unit went to LM? What's the current count of 319s at TL? I've seen a figure of 59, is this before or after those 6 went?

319455 went to LM, 319004/005/218/219/431/442/448/452 are off to Northern this month. Currently 54x 319 with GTR. But this is off topic

ChiefPlanner · 14 Jul 2016

Teething troubles are not (clearly) unknown....in recent memory (for me anyway as a teenager) , the troubles with 313's in their very early days was challenging. Excellent article in Modern Railways explains all this - circa October 1976.....(BR hung on to the awful non corridor stock "just in case" for a few months - thinking of the terrible experience with the Glasgow Electrics 303 /304 etc where the whole fleet and service was suspended and an emergency replacement steam service came back in till they were de-bugged and also problems with the EMU stock on the North East London electrics out of Liverpool Street due to exploding high voltage cables.

These 3 examples how there is nothing new under the sun - ....

physics34 · 14 Jul 2016

Class377/5 said:
700104 was working today when I saw it on 501 diagram.

319455 went to LM, 319004/005/218/219/431/442/448/452 are off to Northern this month. Currently 54x 319 with GTR. But this is off topic

off topic..... but still no plans for the rest of them?

Class455 · 14 Jul 2016

Class377/5 said:
700104 was working today when I saw it on 501 diagram.

319455 went to LM, 319004/005/218/219/431/442/448/452 are off to Northern this month. Currently 54x 319 with GTR. But this is off topic

Suprised to see 319004/005 and 218 off to Northern. They were only released from Wolverton recently. Thought it would only be 319/4s for Northern.

Minstral25 · 15 Jul 2016

Now there are more around in service, have 700's started doing any weekend workings yet?

Saint66 · 15 Jul 2016

What luck, just borded my first class 700 completely by accident, as I make my way home having been travelling round Europe. First thoughts? Very nice, still got a new train smell, ride seems very nice and the seats... They seem good to me! (not that I'm too picky after hostels and trains across Europe haha!) The space is brilliant, and makes a change from the so often busy trains.

Though I don't know which 700 it actually is!

Class377/5 · 15 Jul 2016

Minstral25 said:
Now there are more around in service, have 700's started doing any weekend workings yet?

Not just let. I *think* it'll be the last weekend of this month before any weekend workings but cannot confirm it at present. It will happen during August tho as older stock is withdrawn and 700 have to replace them.

Minstral25 · 15 Jul 2016

Class377/5 said:
Not just let. I *think* it'll be the last weekend of this month before any weekend workings but cannot confirm it at present. It will happen during August tho as older stock is withdrawn and 700 have to replace them.

Thanks - I don't travel by train much since I changed jobs to avoid Rail commuting (as it is so terrible currently) so don't get the opportunity to try them.

As a vocal critic of interior layout think I should get out at a weekend to find out if I am right or not.

Class377/5 · 15 Jul 2016

Minstral25 said:
Thanks - I don't travel by train much since I changed jobs to avoid Rail commuting (as it is so terrible currently) so don't get the opportunity to try them.

As a vocal critic of interior layout think I should get out at a weekend to find out if I am right or not.

As soon as I can confirm I'll let you (all) know and you can experience the units for yourself. I look forward to your view after a trip aboard a 700.

talldave · 15 Jul 2016

Adjusted my journey timing to pick up a 700 at St Pancras and it's cancelled due to a train fault

. Gutted!

skyhigh · 15 Jul 2016

Class377/5 said:
As promised, next week's 700 workings...

Are the 700s likely to stay on the same weekday diagrams next week? I haven't yet had a chance to get one, but I'll hopefully to have time next week to finally try one out!

FlippyFF · 15 Jul 2016

talldave said:
Adjusted my journey timing to pick up a 700 at St Pancras and it's cancelled due to a train fault . Gutted!

That would be the 15:54 from Blackfriars? Don't think thats run to time once this week at BFR.

Simon

Class377/5 · 15 Jul 2016

skyhigh said:
Are the 700s likely to stay on the same weekday diagrams next week? I haven't yet had a chance to get one, but I'll hopefully to have time next week to finally try one out!

The diagram changes last two weeks (this is week 1) so nothing will change until the 25th. Note that if a service is 700 now, it should be staying 700 although that isn't 100% guaranteed.

talldave · 15 Jul 2016

FlippyFF said:
That would be the 15:54 from Blackfriars? Don't think thats run to time once this week at BFR.

Simon

Yes. Had the pleasure of a four car 319 instead!

skyhigh · 15 Jul 2016

Great, thanks. I'm looking forwards to trying one.

notlob.divad · 15 Jul 2016

talldave said:
Yes. Had the pleasure of a four car 319 instead!

You say that like it is a bad thing. Up here a little cheer goes up when one turns up. Because the alternative is usually a couple of 142s bouncing down the tracks. :grin:

Hadders · 15 Jul 2016

talldave said:
Adjusted my journey timing to pick up a 700 at St Pancras and it's cancelled due to a train fault . Gutted!

I was planning a quick out and back to Bedford on the 1604 from St Pancras too, only to find it cancelled.

Kite159 · 15 Jul 2016

Currently on the delayed 18:42 to Brighton from London Bridge. Seats feel Ok, lack of seat back tables meaning coffee cups on the floor.

For a train designed for standing passengers I'm surprised there isn't any grab handles on the ceiling around the door area

Class377/5 · 15 Jul 2016

Kite159 said:
Currently on the delayed 18:42 to Brighton from London Bridge. Seats feel Ok, lack of seat back tables meaning coffee cups on the floor.

For a train designed for standing passengers I'm surprised there isn't any grab handles on the ceiling around the door area

You can't have grab panels on the roof as the celling moves to allow access to the wirings on board so if you had people's weight pulling on it would damage this and pull the whole thing down (and it opens as one big piece) hence the handles on seats and bars.

asylumxl · 15 Jul 2016

Class377/5 said:
You can't have grab panels on the roof as the celling moves to allow access to the wirings on board so if you had people's weight pulling on it would damage this and pull the whole thing down (and it opens as one big piece) hence the handles on seats and bars.

You know, I've only just realised that grab rails on the roof (in between the doors) didn't make it from the mock up to the final product.

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