Mikey C
Established Member
- Joined
- 11 Feb 2013
- Messages
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The 700s need fast boarding and alighting because they go through the Thameslink core, with a really intensive frequency, and large numbers of people getting on and off at several stations. Standard commuter routes don't really have this issue700s have been designed for fast boarding and alighting with very high standing loads, and they do that well.
You could have a very similar thing by removing the third seat on the 3 side in a 720. Does anyone know if the cantilever support extends under the third seat? It's hard to see for certain from photos online but it doesn't look like it does. If not this might potentially be a relatively easy job, as was done on e.g. Merseyrail 507/508s in the 90s.
If you did that (and removed the tip-ups) a 5-car would cope better with a standing load, and thus some trains could be shortened, saving costs.