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Class 345 progress

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Buggleskelly

Buggleskelly

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kevin_roche

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The Agenda and papers for the next Elizabeth Line Committee meeting are now published on the TfL website.

In item 6 page 19 section 3.18 it says:

Following the completion of the platform extension works at Liverpool Street
mainline station and the introduction of the nine-car Class 345 Full Length Unit
trains between Liverpool Street and Shenfield in May 2021, there are now six in
operation alongside seven-car Reduced Length Units (RLU) and Class 315
‘legacy’ trains. Replacement of the remaining RLUs and the Class 315 trains will
commence in November 2021.
Click to expand...

So it looks like we have to wait a couple of months for the 7 car units and old 315s to disappear.

In item 6 pages 17 and 18 sections 3.3 to 3.5 it says:

Trial Running has broadly been positive and although there have been a number
of expected settling down issues encountered, they relate to known issues in the
current software configuration. These are expected to be resolved with the
upcoming software release known as ELR100.
Click to expand...

The ELR100 software should be the last major configuration before revenue
service and is pivotal to the programme advancing through to the next stage,
known as Trial Operations. It is expected that the software will be assured and
commissioned in October.
Click to expand...

The next couple of months will see the continuation of Trial Running 12 tph in
order to build train mileage and identify any defects and bugs in the systems and
software. There will also be timetable demonstrations that stimulate 24 tph during
this period. This will be the service frequency in the central section when the full
end-to-end Elizabeth line is operational.
Click to expand...

It looks like the current less than 12tph tests found some issues with software that are planned to be fixed with the ELR100 software version.

The Jacobs Project Representative Report for period 4 has been published on the TfL web site.

On page 5, it contains some worrying information about the performance of the trains and signalling during Trial Running:

Train reliability performance in Period 4 has generally been poor. The compounding effects of
successive faults are significantly affecting daily operations. Only 2 out of 7 days of 12 TPH running
were achieved, with the remaining 5 days reduced to 8 TPH8. CRL’s challenge will be to manage the
disruption during the remainder of the Trial Running period to allow as much meaningful testing as
possible. STT is being impacted, and there is a risk that insufficient evidence will be produced to
demonstrate that the railway meets the reliability criteria for entry into Trial Operations. A significant
increase in train reliability, as measured by MTIN, is also necessary for entry into Passenger Service.
Click to expand...

Given the difficulties with 12 TPH trials, the planned preparatory exercises and demonstration of a
24 TPH service in August 2021 have been delayed. Auto-Reverse functionality is required for
24 TPH operation, but the preparation of safety assurance acceptable to ITAP is proving difficult. As
a consequence, schedule risk is building in the approach to Trial Operations.
Click to expand...

A substantial number of Operational Restrictions (68)10 are currently in place which have an impact
on performance; ELR100 deployment is expected to reduce this to 13. In the meantime, RfLI works
closely with CRL and MTREL to reduce the dependency of the Programme on Operational
Restrictions.
Click to expand...

The software update is identified as a key issue on Page 3:

The critical path to the deterministic date for the start of Stage 3 Passenger Service on
[redacted] February 2022 is through the implementation of signalling software ELR110. This is planned to
be commissioned at [redacted], with delivery closely linked to signalling works on the GWML
being carried out by NR at the same time. These works require close attention from both CRL and
NR, to ensure that they are properly co-ordinated, and to ensure that there is no impact upon the
start of Stage 3 Passenger Service.
Click to expand...

Looks like we might be waiting until much later in 2022 for stage 3 to begin.
 
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rebmcr

rebmcr

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"These works require close attention from both CRL and NR, to ensure that they are properly co-ordinated, and to ensure that there is no impact upon the start of Stage 3 Passenger Service."

I didn't realise it was possible to fit quite so much foreboding into one sentence!
 
kevin_roche

kevin_roche

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rebmcr said:
"These works require close attention from both CRL and NR, to ensure that they are properly co-ordinated, and to ensure that there is no impact upon the start of Stage 3 Passenger Service."

I didn't realise it was possible to fit quite so much foreboding into one sentence!
Click to expand...
Does anyone know what the Network Rail work involves? Is it the long awaited ETCS L2 work or something else?

The Evening Standard has picked up the story too...

Train problems delay Crossrail opening to May​

Click to expand...

Looks like the long-predicted issues with software have now arrived.
 
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H

hwl

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kevin_roche said:
Looks like the long-predicted issues with software have now arrived.
Click to expand...
Plenty of software drops to come:

ELR100
ELR110
ELR200
ELR21x
ELR300

The first provides a number of fixes from known issues, the rest additional functionality later.
 
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Mag_seven

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Just a reminder that the focus of this thread is Class 345 progress and discussion should be confined to that topic.

For general discussion about Crossrail construction progress please use this thread:

Crossrail - Construction updates and progress towards opening (now expected 24 May 2022)

More funding, a further 825m https://www.constructionenquirer.com/2020/12/01/crossrail-gets-extra-825m-to-complete-construction/ "Mark Wild, Chief Executive, Crossrail Ltd, said: “Delivery of the Elizabeth line is now in its complex final stages. Good progress continues to be made with...
www.railforums.co.uk

thanks
 
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JonathanH

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Relatively recent 9-car conversion 345008 appears to have worked in service west side yesterday - the first time I have seen this reported.
1632910501941.png
[Picture shows a screen shot of output from TrackIt! with headcode '5I08' cancelled at signal berth C313 having arrived at Old Oak Depot on '5Y28' around 0000 on 29 September].

As 'typetwos' has also just noted, there appears to be a move between Old Oak Depot and Ilford via the North London Line today - this would seem likely to be 345012 returning to the east side but the locomotive (37510?) appears to have arrived late from Wembley.
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:K06028/2021-09-29/detailed

No trial running in the tunnel so far this week but the usual stock transfers have continued as normal.

typetwos said:
37510 taking 345012 5Q50 10:26 OLDOKDTXR to ILFORDEMD 29/09/21
Click to expand...
EDIT - Another scheduled move, another cancellation.

Locomotive reached Old Oak Depot at 1001, 50 minutes late https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:R06151/2021-09-29/detailed
Presumably missed its original path at 1026 https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:K06028/2021-09-29/detailed
Retimed for 1226 https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:65054/2021-09-29/detailed
Didn't run and the locomotive went empty to Wembley at 1414 https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:R06150/2021-09-29/detailed

Crazy - can't be cheap to hire a locomotive for a move and for it then to be aborted.
 
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J

JonathanH

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With the tunnel currently closed, there appears to be a daily stock move involving 9-car units around the North London Line.

7-car unit 345015 was reported to be moved from Ilford to Old Oak Depot by 37601 on Thursday.

On the days since, one unit appears to have been moved in each direction with no movements via the tunnel. Usually there are three moves via the tunnel each day which I think allow two three-day cycles for passenger units and one cycle for tunnel work (but I am guessing and it might not quite be so regimented).

These moves appear to be in every day this week until Friday with the tunnel appearing to be open again on Saturday 23 October.
 
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JonathanH

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Peter Mugridge said:
I've just seen 37 601 hauling 345 062 up Acton incline so looks like a change of plan as to which unit is moving.
Click to expand...
345047 moved yesterday from Gidea Park to Old Oak Common according to a report elsewhere - maybe the allocation wasn't updated.
 
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Roger B

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What's the state of play re units working East side these days? On my last visit (August), they were all 7-cars, is that still the case, or are some / all made up to 9-cars? Many thanks
 
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hwl

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Is it mostly 7cars going west bound and 9 car going eastbound during the block?
(Have lost track of some of the unit lengths)
 
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JonathanH

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hwl said:
Is it mostly 7cars going west bound and 9 car going eastbound during the block?
(Have lost track of some of the unit lengths)
Click to expand...
9 car in both directions as far as any reports have indicated - would appear to be rotations for routine maintenance.
 
3973EXL

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5Q50 19/10 37601 345047
Realtime Trains - 504F 0948 Old Oak Depot to Gidea Park C.H.S.

5Q73 20/10 37601 345028
Realtime Trains - 507G 1430 Gidea Park C.H.S. to Old Oak Depot

5Q51 20/10
Realtime Trains - 561G 2100 Old Oak Depot to Ilford E.M.U.D.

5Q74 21/10 37601 345013
Realtime Trains - 571G 0018 Ilford E.M.U.D. to Old Oak Depot

5Q50 21/10
Realtime Trains - 502H 0948 Old Oak Depot to Gidea Park C.H.S.

5Q73 21/10
Realtime Trains - 526H 1430 Gidea Park C.H.S. to Old Oak Depot

5Q50 22/10 37601 345028
Realtime Trains - 573H 0948 Old Oak Depot to Gidea Park C.H.S.

5Q73 22/10 37601 345024
Realtime Trains - 599H 1430 Gidea Park C.H.S. to Old Oak Depot

5Q50 23/10 37601 345010
Realtime Trains - 536I 0809 Old Oak Depot to Gidea Park C.H.S.

5Q73 23/10 37601 345063
Realtime Trains - 557I 1315 Gidea Park C.H.S. to Old Oak Depot
 
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JonathanH

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345001 appears to have been in passenger service today on Paddington to Reading services, based on a sighting reported elsewhere and on headcode '5I01' appearing on the returns to Old Oak Depot this evening.

1635464846987.png
[Picture shows a screen shot of output from TrackIt! with headcode '5I01' cancelled at signal berth C313 having arrived at Old Oak Depot on '5Y30' around 0015 on 29 October].

Just 7 to go now for passenger service now I think - 345018/19/32/41/50/67/69.
 
43096

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345007 is unusually out in the west side today, still running as a 7-car. It’s currently working 9P48 1052 Reading-Paddington.
 
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JonathanH

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43096 said:
345007 is unusually out in the west side today, still running as a 7-car. It’s currently working 9P48 1052 Reading-Paddington.
Click to expand...
Given it would seem unlikely that there is a shortage of 9-car units for service, I assume this must be some sort of reacquaintance arrangement for 7-car units and the west operation ahead of the December peak workings.
 
kevin_roche

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43096 said:
345007 is unusually out in the west side today, still running as a 7-car. It’s currently working 9P48 1052 Reading-Paddington.
Click to expand...
I'm wondering if this is because of a planned upgrade to the train based software in the 9 car units. It is costly to move 7 car units to the east so if there are 9 car units out of action while being upgraded any 7 car units might be needed. Has anyone any information on the upgrade? I may be imagining it, but I thought I read somewhere that it was scheduled shortly after the upgrade to ELR100 in the COS. I can't find the reference to it now.
 
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JonathanH

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I think the following is needed in this thread as well as it is part of the class 345 story.

JonathanH said:
It looks like TfL Rail pick up the following evening relief line services from the timetable change - some still shown as working from platform 14. This seems to suggest the return of 7-car 345s on the west side for limited workings.

9N51 1727 London Paddington to Maidenhead
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:G91995/2021-12-15/detailed

9R59 1826 London Paddington to Reading
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:G92074/2021-12-15/detailed

9R63 1856 London Paddington to Reading
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:G92078/2021-12-15/detailed

Two diagrams
3P51 1709 Old Oak Depot to London Paddington
9N51 1727 London Paddington to Maidenhead
5N51 1804 Maidenhead to Maidenhead Reversing Sdgs
3P14 1813 Maidenhead Reversing Sdgs to London Paddington
9N14 1858 London Paddington to Maidenhead
5N14 1944 Maidenhead to Maidenhead Reversing Sdgs
5Y14 1957 Maidenhead Reversing Sdgs to Old Oak Depot

3P59 1758 Old Oak Depot to London Paddington
9R59 1826 London Paddington to Reading
5Y59 1927 Reading to Old Oak Depot

The 1856 to Reading is formed of a 9-car unit by stepping up the working which currently does 9N14 and then goes from Reading to Maidenhead Carriage Sidings.

GWR retain

1N42 1656 London Paddington to Maidenhead
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:L87310/2021-12-15/detailed

1R03 1756 London Paddington to Reading
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:L87396/2021-12-15/detailed
Click to expand...

Horizon22 said:
Yep broadly correct.

There's a couple of morning services too.

2P70 (ex 1P78) 0730 Reading - Paddington https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:G92766/2021-12-15/detailed. Then forms 5Y70 to Old Oak
2P74 (ex 1P80) 0800 Reading (ex 0734 Didcot Parkway) - Paddington https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:G92767/2021-12-15/detailed. Then forms 5Y74 to Old Oak

2P74 used to be 1P80 - 1P80 will now be 2L11 from Didcot Parkway to Reading.

I find it interesting they've not been 9xxx coded - probably because they are 7-cars and can utilise Platform 14 at Paddington which can hold a maximum of 8 cars.
Click to expand...

I've lost track of how many 7-car 345s are currently at Old Oak Depot.
 
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I

iphone76

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There were two 9 cars moves West (Old Oak) to East (Ilford) via the COS first thing this morning so the ramp up of 9 cars on the East can restart. Should be more FLUs out next week on the East.

I am not sure of software updates. No notices have been issued so far. Usually they get issued when the software gets updated and "interesting" new "features" are discovered!
 
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