Journeyman
Established Member
- Joined
- 16 Apr 2014
- Messages
- 6,295
Externally they aren't too bad, but some of them look a bit more worn than others.
Personally I think the exterior design got a bit of a thrashing from the ugly stick, but hey.
Externally they aren't too bad, but some of them look a bit more worn than others.
They certainly have nice interiors that get all the fundamentals right. A refresh will be very welcome, and keep them pleasant to travel in. I certainly think they're better than the 385s.
Personally I think the exterior design got a bit of a thrashing from the ugly stick, but hey.
The internals are pretty much fine, just wish they'd fine tune the bogies a bit. After 10 years it never really smoothed out, the 385s meanwhile seem to have softened up a bit with use.
As gangwayed stock goes, probably one of the better modern designs imo
I've taken a few 380 journeys in the last year and they seem to be in very good shape. Obviously 385's are a step forward (a decade later in technology) but 380's still feel new-ish. Can't believe that they are being put forward for refurb when 318's and 320's are still lurking around and becoming dated.
When will these show up on the North Clyde & Argyle routes? It's about time that we get a new class up here.
Not any time soon. If they were to show up on those routes it would be a reduction in capacity, particularly on the Argyle line where it's island platforms. As the carriages are longer you wouldn't be able to run multiple units on the Argyle. The North Clyde has some more wiggle room for extension, but not so much the Argyle.
I was on a 318 and 320 yesterday, I quite like the interior as the recent refurbishment did them all some good. Particularly the 320s which were beginning to look extremely tired.
Thanks for the info, could see how it would be a struggle for the Argyle line, especially at some of the island platform stations. Hopefully they get something newer eventually though.
I actually wish that they would send more 318's back to Inverclyde and Ayrshire - it's a treat to go on them at their fastest with good scenery. 320's should just be dumped on old 314 routes like Cathcart, Paisley Canal and any 'reserve' duties at this point (plus perhaps Maryhill if it ever got electrified) as whilst they did get a minor refurb inside, I still feel that they're past their prime.
On the topic of the 380 refurb, it doesn't look like too much, just a minor update. Probably a good thing as they didn't need much of one.
380015 stopped at Shields 22/09/2020 for refurb.380007 workings today (25/09/2020):
Today’s workings may be subject to change due to signalling problems at Glengarnock
5T00 - 05:02 Ayr CSD to Largs
1T00 06:42 Largs to Kilwinning (vice Glasgow Central due to signalling problems)
2T03 07:53 Kilwinning to Largs
1T36 09:53 Largs to Paisley Gilmour Street
2K69 10:44 Paisley Gilmour Street to Ayr
5K69 11:37 Ayr to Ayr C.S.D.
Does anyone know if another unit has gone into Shields Road TMD for the refurbishment?
380015 stopped at Shields 22/09/2020 for refurb.
The 196 trains for West Midlands remind me of a squashed 380 in a way.
I can agree with the bogies. There are some particularly rough sections of track on the Ayrshire Coast, notably being between Lochwinnoch and Howwood and between Irvine and Barassie.
I've taken a few 380 journeys in the last year and they seem to be in very good shape. Obviously 385's are a step forward (a decade later in technology) but 380's still feel new-ish. Can't believe that they are being put forward for refurb when 318's and 320's are still lurking around and becoming dated.
When will these show up on the North Clyde & Argyle routes? It's about time that we get a new class up here.
On the topic of the 380 refurb, it doesn't look like too much, just a minor update. Probably a good thing as they didn't need much of one.
It's not likely in any number of years given they're too long to run in multiple on the North Clyde or Argyle Lines. More likely to see a new build fleet to replace all three at once.Probably won't be for at least 5 years, the (318s/320s have a total life of about 40 years - typical for EMUs). And the issue with 380s is firstly they have low-density 2+2 seating and secondly they are nominally 23m vehicles which might not fit the clearances everywhere I'm not sure (334s are 20/21m and 318/320 nominally 20m length).
It's not likely in any number of years given they're too long to run in multiple on the North Clyde or Argyle Lines. More likely to see a new build fleet to replace all three at once.
Clearance shouldn't be an issue on the North Clyde - the original 303's were wider than BR standard.
Clearance shouldn't be an issue on the North Clyde - the original 303's were wider than BR standard.
10 years old already, help
They may well be due a paint refresh as one of the things mentioned was some new paint. A few of the 380s I've seen today are beginning to look very tatty on the exterior, particularly around the doors.
Bit late to this one but my reading of the press release is the paint refresh was to internal surfaces.
No mention of external repainting and does the depot have the capability do it in any case?
I know! It's surreal. I remember attempting to get my first ride on one and it broke down before it even left the platform at Glasgow Central. Swapped to a 318 which went limited stop to Ayr. Calling only at Paisley, Kilwinning and Ayr.