Class 345 progress

[Snow1964]

There is update in TfL Board papers section 3.3 that East will transition to 22 full length 9car units by end December

3.3 Six nine-car Class 345 trains are operating in passenger service between Shenfield and Liverpool Street, supplementing seven-car Class 345 and ‘legacy’ Class 315 trains. The transition of the Liverpool Street to Shenfield service to a full nine-car Class 345 operation, with up to 22 trains commenced on 1 November 2021 and will complete by the end of December 2021.

https://board.tfl.gov.uk/documents/s16870/elc-20211124-elizabeth-line-readines.pdf

 

[JonathanH]

It appears that 345011 and 345015 have been dragged to Old Oak Depot from the east side over the last two days. I think there are now just eight 7-car units on the east now - 345012/13/16/17/38/42/56/64

The number of scheduled moves from Old Oak Depot to the east side through the tunnel each day has stepped up by one this week to four.

 

[amwells]

Seen at Liverpool St yesterday, 345033/035, but I couldn’t tell, are these still 9 car?

 

[JonathanH]

Seen at Liverpool St yesterday, 345033/035, but I couldn’t tell, are these still 9 car?

Yes, 9 car units should now be in the majority on east side workings.

 

[bnsf734]

It appears that 345011 and 345015 have been dragged to Old Oak Depot from the east side over the last two days. I think there are now just eight 7-car units on the east now - 345012/13/16/17/38/42/56/64

345011 was working today on Paddington to Reading trains. I had it on 9R98 1658 Paddington to Reading. Still a 7 car set.

 

[JonathanH]

345011 was working today on Paddington to Reading trains. I had it on 9R98 1658 Paddington to Reading. Still a 7 car set.

Yes, I think conversion to 9-car takes a number of days so highly likely any units put into service following their move west will still be 7-cars.

The other interesting thing to look out for will be centre cars arriving at Old Oak Depot to extend the 7-car units. They generally get parked in the siding to the south of the depot building. With 345006 seemingly converted to 9-car, it might be expected that another unit would be scheduled for conversion.

 

[43096]

With 345006 seemingly converted to 9-car, it might be expected that another unit would be scheduled for conversion.

345007 shows on the system as being 9-car.

 

[kevin_roche]

Looking at the new December Timetable I can see why they might need to use Platform 14.

 

[JonathanH]

Looking at the new December Timetable I can see why they might need to use Platform 14. View attachment 106076

There is of course a 1756 as well in a similar pattern to the 1826 but that is still run by GWR so doesn't appear in the timetable you have posted. The GWR services have previously been the trains which fit in platform 14. The 1826 has picked up Ealing Broadway and West Drayton stops having previously been non-stop to Slough.

 

[bnsf734]

I noted 345022 yesterday as I travelled past Old Oak Common. It had been split and pulled out of the shed by a little yellow loco so I would assume it is having its extra 2 cars inserted?

 

[JonathanH]

A report elsewhere suggests that 345018 is finally on the move from Ilford hauled by 37611 having been there since February 2020.

5Q74 1357 Ilford E.M.U.D. to Old Oak Depot
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:K02014/2021-11-26/detailed

 

[Gulf1159]

I noted 345022 yesterday as I travelled past Old Oak Common. It had been split and pulled out of the shed by a little yellow loco so I would assume it is having its extra 2 cars inserted?

hopefully it will get its correct ms3’s (340422+340622)

 

[Bob figgis]

I have seen 345001 with its correct middle cars, so 340422 and 340622 should be available to insert into 345022.

 

[Horizon22]

There is of course a 1756 as well in a similar pattern to the 1826 but that is still run by GWR so doesn't appear in the timetable you have posted. The GWR services have previously been the trains which fit in platform 14. The 1826 has picked up Ealing Broadway and West Drayton stops having previously been non-stop to Slough.

The Thames Valley crew aren’t going to be happy about that! They are normally fairly well loaded services and I’m sure many will find it a downgrade to now be on a 345 instead of a 387 and now slower.

 

[kevin_roche]

The Thames Valley crew aren’t going to be happy about that! They are normally fairly well loaded services and I’m sure many will find it a downgrade to now be on a 345 instead of a 387 and now slower.

I guess it will be more uncomfortable. Arrives in Maidenhead, Twyford and Reading 1 minute later despite 2 extra stops and I guess there is more capacity which might be the reason for doing it.

 

[Horizon22]

I guess it will be more uncomfortable. Arrives in Maidenhead, Twyford and Reading 1 minute later despite 2 extra stops and I guess there is more capacity which might be the reason for doing it.

There is currently 7 minutes of pathing time before West Drayton which is how they’ve probably made it work. It's also currently timed as a 110mph 387 v 90mph 345 but being on the Relief lines I doubt it matters much.

 

[kevin_roche]

Today at the London Assembly Transport Committee meeting Mark Wild has answered my question. The software on the 345s will be updated before Christmas. Andy Byford had just clarified that the new version number being installed is 5.4.

There is further information on software updates on the train in the CRL Response to Period 6 PRep Report now published on the TfL website.

On page 3 of the Appendix to the response letter:

Performance has been impacted by known Communication Based Train Control (CBTC),
European Train Control System (ETCS) and Train Control and Management System (TCMS)
defects. There has been some improved ETCS and TCMS stability seen in the Y0.638
configuration which was used in the final week of Trial Running before the start of the Blockade on
10 October 2021.

Further significant reliability uplift is not expected until CBTC ELR100 is
commissioned in the Central Operating Section on 25 October 2021 and ALSTOM have
introduced the H5.3 reliability boost train software in December 2021.

So it looks like the train software configuration was updated at the start of October and parts of it will be updated by Alstom again in December.

 

[Gulf1159]

There is further information on software updates on the train in the CRL Response to Period 6 PRep Report now published on the TfL website.

On page 3 of the Appendix to the response letter:


So it looks like the train software configuration was updated at the start of October and parts of it will be updated by Alstom again in December.

There are two further updates ELR110 24-27 December 2021 and ELR200 05-06 February 2022

 

[kevin_roche]

There are two further updates ELR110 24-27 December 2021 and ELR200 05-06 February 2022

You are correct but the ELR software is the trackside signalling system rather than train based software which I was referring to.

 

[Gulf1159]

You are correct but the ELR software is the trackside signalling system rather than train based software which I was referring to.

yes thats right I was just posting the dates of the two further updates that are due to take place

 

[jfisher21]

Was suprised to see a 315 still out tonight at 10.10pm at Romford heading towards Shenfield .... I thought they were retired now! Sorry for the poor picture, my train arrived to block the view!

 

[JonathanH]

This week's movements of 7-car units from Ilford to Old Oak Depot ran on Monday and Tuesday and appear to have been 345017 on Monday and 345016 on Tuesday which I think leaves just six 7-car units operating east side services - 345012/13/38/42/56/64.

Monday 29 November -
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:K02072/2021-11-29/detailed

Tuesday 30 November
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:C01117/2021-11-30/detailed

(345017 appears to have been in service west side this week and 345016 was reported elsewhere as being the unit moved on Tuesday.)

There are STP paths in for two further units to move on Monday and one on Tuesday so 7-car operation on the east side looks like it may be finished fairly soon.

 

[iphone76]

Yes. A further two 9 cars are due over to the east on Sunday. I'm amazed how quickly the use of 7 cars / 315s has been eliminated/reduced.

 

[theking]

Yes. A further two 9 cars are due over to the east on Sunday. I'm amazed how quickly the use of 7 cars / 315s has been eliminated/reduced.

Why they've been sat in the depot doing nothing for years and the platform works were completed a while a go

 

[3973EXL]

Snapshot Reading end 6/12

1052 345011 7
1122 345004
5G50/51 345067
1152 345016 7
5G56/57 345024
1222 345046

 

[Roger B]

I noted 345022 yesterday as I travelled past Old Oak Common. It had been split and pulled out of the shed by a little yellow loco so I would assume it is having its extra 2 cars inserted?

Thanks bsnf734. I've not seen a report of 345022 in service as a 9-car. Has it entered service yet? Thanks

 

[JonathanH]

Thanks bsnf734. I've not seen a report of 345022 in service as a 9-car. Has it entered service yet? Thanks

There tends to be a bit of delay between a unit going in for 9-car conversion and it re-entering service. I don't think 345006 or 345007 have been in passenger service yet since their conversion to 9-car although there are reports of 345006 doing 5Gxx workings.

If 345022 is the next one to be extended then it doesn't appear to have yet done the trip to signal berth 0142 which units having had attention tend to do as a first step. 345006 did that on 16 November and 345007 on 29 November.

Reports elsewhere that 345064 is being dragged to Old Oak Depot this morning. 5 more to go.

Interesting to see a report of 345067 working 5G50/5G51 this morning. Maybe this one will be into passenger service soon.

 

[3973EXL]

Another snapshot - Reading 07/12

0952 345046
1022 345009 7
1052 345014 7
1122 345015 7
5G50/51 345063
1152 345064 7
5G56/57 345001

08/12

1122 345052
5G50/51 345017 7
5G56/57 345067
1152 345054
1222 345048

 

[Roger B]

There tends to be a bit of delay between a unit going in for 9-car conversion and it re-entering service. I don't think 345006 or 345007 have been in passenger service yet since their conversion to 9-car although there are reports of 345006 doing 5Gxx workings.

If 345022 is the next one to be extended then it doesn't appear to have yet done the trip to signal berth 0142 which units having had attention tend to do as a first step. 345006 did that on 16 November and 345007 on 29 November.

Reports elsewhere that 345064 is being dragged to Old Oak Depot this morning. 5 more to go.

Interesting to see a report of 345067 working 5G50/5G51 this morning. Maybe this one will be into passenger service soon.

Many thanks JonathanH. Another informative and detailed response - much appreciated.

 

[alanc]

08/12

1122 345052
5G50/51 345017 7
5G56/57 345067
1152 345054
1222 345048

Extras, later on at Twyford
345014(7)
345016(7)
345018 on 5G78 Can someone kindly confirm please, ID missing on N side of leading cab.