Great Northern Fleet - 379s introduction

[AlexanderC]

Reports that 379022/026 did 1P82 this evening to Peterborough.

It will work 1Q85 from Peterborough tomorrow.

 

[Intercity_225]

Any idea why 'Q' headcodes are being used for 379 services?

 

[Fincra5]

Any idea why 'Q' headcodes are being used for 379 services?

Route Restriction at Ally Pally.

 

[windjabbers]

Reports that 379022/026 did 1P82 this evening to Peterborough.

It will work 1Q85 from Peterborough tomorrow.

If 022 is now working with 026, what unit is working with 002? Thanks

 

[Azuma800]

If 022 is now working with 026, what unit is working with 002? Thanks

Showing up as 379016 working with 002 today.

 

[windjabbers]

Showing up as 379016 working with 002 today.

Thanks, is there some way of ideniflying 016 first working? BW DC

 

[jammmmmsssssss]

Route Restriction at Ally Pally.

What exactly is the issue?

 

[gm671]

What exactly is the issue?

On paper, the unit doesn’t fit through the platform. In reality it’s a paperwork issue. We’re talking millimetres - utterly ridiculous.

Any idea why 'Q' headcodes are being used for 379 services?

Assists the signaller to identify 379 services and route them accordingly on UF or US2.

 

[jammmmmsssssss]

On paper, the unit doesn’t fit through the platform. In reality it’s a paperwork issue. We’re talking millimetres - utterly ridiculous.

I thought they were the same dimensions as the 387s.
They can't be that much bigger

 

[OneOfThe48]

I thought they were the same dimensions as the 387s.
They can't be that much bigger

I thought they were the same dimension as the 387 too.

Does anyone know if they are marginally different sizes or why the 387s are compliant with the platform gauging and the 379s are not?

 

[Robski]

I thought they were the same dimension as the 387 too.

Does anyone know if they are marginally different sizes or why the 387s are compliant with the platform gauging and the 379s are not?

Network Rail has changed how they gauge clear trains since the 387's were introduced. AIUI, it's now computer based (no actual gauge clearing runs) and according to the simulation it is out of gauge at Alexandria Palace.

Despite the almost (if not) identical dimensions, the 379's cannot inherit the 387's gauge clearance.

 

[D365]

Network Rail has changed how they gauge clear trains since the 387's were introduced. AIUI, it's now computer based (no actual gauge clearing runs) and according to the simulation it is out of gauge at Alexandria Palace.

Despite the almost (if not) identical dimensions, the 379's cannot inherit the 387's gauge clearance.

More or less what I’ve been told too.

 

[Clarence Yard]

You can also get caught out if the infrastructure measurements change over time. For example, a 387 would remain as it has an existing valid SOC but a “new” 379 would have to be judged and authorised on the new measurements.

Most exceedances tend to be very small but organising the minor remedial work on the infrastructure takes ages.

 

[Hadders]

This morning’s 07:20 from Stevenage to Kings Cross (starts Peterborough 06:35) is 2x379.

Standing room only!

 

[43096]

Network Rail has changed how they gauge clear trains since the 387's were introduced. AIUI, it's now computer based (no actual gauge clearing runs) and according to the simulation it is out of gauge at Alexandria Palace.

Despite the almost (if not) identical dimensions, the 379's cannot inherit the 387's gauge clearance.

This is the sort of nonsense that makes the railway a laughing stock.

 

[Magdalia]

This morning’s 07:20 from Stevenage to Kings Cross (starts Peterborough 06:35) is 2x379.

Standing room only!

People standing on class 379s is not a surprise, class 379s have fewer seats. An 8 car class 379 has 418 but an 8 car class 700 has 433, according to the sources that I can find easily.

 

[Julia]

This morning’s 07:20 from Stevenage to Kings Cross (starts Peterborough 06:35) is 2x379.

Standing room only!

There were plenty of seats towards the back - I had a table to myself. Perhaps the additional friction of walking through a 379 compared to the open-gangway 700, and the lack of the display showing where the space is, makes people more reluctant to go looking for a seat?

Was 026+022 again. 022 has certainly not had a refresh internally for a while - comfy seats but with signs of wear, and the carpet was pretty grubby, and wifi not working. Still, the presence of power sockets is much appreciated!

 

[Hadders]

There were plenty of seats towards the back - I had a table to myself. Perhaps the additional friction of walking through a 379 compared to the open-gangway 700, and the lack of the display showing where the space is, makes people more reluctant to go looking for a seat?

Good to know there were seats at the rear. I'd normally travel in the rear but needed to get to the Victoria Line swiftly at Kings Cross so went towards the front today.

I don't think the open nature of 700s means ore will walk through. Commuters on the 07:20 'know the drill' and position themselves accordingly,

 

[Failed Unit]

I suspect it will be busier for a while because it is a more comfortable train. As it gets further south once passengers realise it is full the will head back to the quieter trains if getting a seat is import or clearly stand if time is right important.

 

[Hadders]

I suspect it will be busier for a while because it is a more comfortable train. As it gets further south once passengers realise it is full the will head back to the quieter trains if getting a seat is import or clearly stand if time is right important.

People aren't choosing which train to get to work in the morning based on the comfort of the seats. Travelling from Stevenage to London between 06:30 and 08:30 (on Tuesdays to Thursdays) you're probably not getting a seat on any train.

 

[jon0844]

People aren't choosing which train to get to work in the morning based on the comfort of the seats. Travelling from Stevenage to London between 06:30 and 08:30 (on Tuesdays to Thursdays) you're probably not getting a seat on any train.

Never underestimate just how many people board at the London end (in both directions). I suspect there are seats for the taking, at least when there isn't disruption and a previous service has been cancelled/short formed etc.

 

[Failed Unit]

People aren't choosing which train to get to work in the morning based on the comfort of the seats. Travelling from Stevenage to London between 06:30 and 08:30 (on Tuesdays to Thursdays) you're probably not getting a seat on any train.

I do, I know which trains are formed of 387s and avoid where possible the 700s. Fortunately my working patterns allow me to do that. I also know which coach is least likely have a seat. People tend to want to be in the coach nearest the exist on the way home. As a result coach 1 (country end) is normally empty and coach 8 is often standing so Hatfield passengers can get to the bridge quickly.

If I know I need to stand, absolutely it doesn't matter if the train is a 700, 387 or 379. Even though the seats are the same ironing boards the 387s are much more comfortable trains, with the 379s taking this up a another level.

 

[Doomotron]

I do, I know which trains are formed of 387s and avoid where possible the 700s. Fortunately my working patterns allow me to do that. I also know which coach is least likely have a seat. People tend to want to be in the coach nearest the exist on the way home. As a result coach 1 (country end) is normally empty and coach 8 is often standing so Hatfield passengers can get to the bridge quickly.

If I know I need to stand, absolutely it doesn't matter if the train is a 700, 387 or 379. Even though the seats are the same ironing boards the 387s are much more comfortable trains, with the 379s taking this up a another level.

You're on this forum so you're almost certainly a train enthusiast and therefore are more likely to know the differences between different types of trains. The overwhelming majority of people can't name a single train, let alone know the differences between a Class 379 and a 387 to the point that they choose which train to take solely based on the seats. That isn't how people think. They are both just trains.

 

[Failed Unit]

You're on this forum so you're almost certainly a train enthusiast and therefore are more likely to know the differences between different types of trains. The overwhelming majority of people can't name a single train, let alone know the differences between a Class 379 and a 387 to the point that they choose which train to take solely based on the seats. That isn't how people think. They are both just trains.

You will be surprised, granted they can't tell what a 379 and 387 is, however they can tell that train departs at x has more comfortable seats and tables compared to the train that normally departs at time y. When they were introducing the 717s, passengers soon knew what times the new trains left Welwyn Garden City.

 

[Peter Sarf]

You're on this forum so you're almost certainly a train enthusiast and therefore are more likely to know the differences between different types of trains. The overwhelming majority of people can't name a single train, let alone know the differences between a Class 379 and a 387 to the point that they choose which train to take solely based on the seats. That isn't how people think. They are both just trains.

True but I bet some punters will recognise a 700 is different to a 379/387.

In terms of empty part of trains. On the tube I could not convince my co traveller that a walk down the platform would find us plenty of space inside the next train. Looking round me most people were just by the platform entrance. Maybe significant others moved to what they determined would be the exit at the other end.

 

[kacper]

punters will recognise a 700 is different to a 379/387.

Most people will call them by "Thameslink trains" and "Great Northern trains"

 

[Peter Sarf]

Most people will call them by "Thameslink trains" and "Great Northern trains"

Of course - never the class numbers.

 

[Bikeman78]

You're on this forum so you're almost certainly a train enthusiast and therefore are more likely to know the differences between different types of trains. The overwhelming majority of people can't name a single train, let alone know the differences between a Class 379 and a 387 to the point that they choose which train to take solely based on the seats. That isn't how people think. They are both just trains.

The commuters at Fenchurch Street knew exactly what the score was. When there were three car class 310s, they turned up randomly. If the commuters waiting for a 12 car saw it approaching with a Regional Railways livery unit in the formation, they sighed and shuffled 20 metres up the platform knowing that there would be a carriage missing.

 

[bramling]

You're on this forum so you're almost certainly a train enthusiast and therefore are more likely to know the differences between different types of trains. The overwhelming majority of people can't name a single train, let alone know the differences between a Class 379 and a 387 to the point that they choose which train to take solely based on the seats. That isn't how people think. They are both just trains.

This isn’t really the case, and the proliferation of commuter Facebook groups has furthered this. Commuters would certainly notice the difference between a 317 and 365 or a 700 and 387, even if they probably couldn’t tell you the class number.

I agree that your average off-peak passenger is likely to be less conditioned.

 

[notverydeep]

Of course - never the class numbers.

Interestingly, the customer information screens at Welwyn Garden City (WGC) have included a note - prominently visible to customers - that particular trains are 'Class 387', although this might have stopped recently as I didn't see it last time I was travelling. It did not describe the class of any other train, but you could thus deduce that any other King's Cross to Letchworth, Royston or Cambridge working through WGC would be a 700 or 'Thameslink train'.