Scotrail Class 385 Discussion

[D365]

The guy behind the "Anonymous Widower" blog seems to be enamoured with the idea of retrofitting battery power packs to every kind of electric rolling stock ever.

 

[SC318250]

Back from the wibble

Any progress been made on them being certified yet, ie when will they be allowed out on network outwith possession?

One unit at Gourock tonight
One unit been hauled from Shields to Mossend Down Yard
2 units at test track at Velim
6 units being fitted out at Newton Aycl

They were suppose to be starting test runs on North Berwick line in Spring, also Edinburgh to Queen St but that is delayed to power not on yet

 

[SC318250]

Looks like 385001 and 385102 both going to be hauled from Mossend to Craigentinny tomorrow morning
One leaving at 04+00 and the other at 06+30

 

[Clansman]

No news on these trains as of yet, however, I came across a few different visualisations of the full cab for anyone interested - as I recall some were unhappy over the DOO screen positioning.

 

[EdinburghTrain]

No news on these trains as of yet, however, I came across a visualisation of the full cab for anyone interested - as I recall some were unhappy over the DOO screen positioning.

The 2nd picture seems quite different to the other three.



What's the point of the door on the front of the train? I assumed there'd be a corridor to allow multiple units to connect.

 

[Mordac]

The 2nd picture seems quite different to the other three.



What's the point of the door on the front of the train? I assumed there'd be a corridor to allow multiple units to connect.

Possibly in case of emergency evacuation?

 

[MCR247]

Possibly in case of emergency evacuation?

It is a corridor connection isn't it? Otherwise why go through the hassle of giving drivers such a poor view

 

[Clansman]

It's 100% a corridor connection. The crap driver view is due to the pointless gangway design (as a result of the "chin" of the outer cab), as well as the DOO facilities - which will be rarely used on most routes unless in exceptional circumstances.

 

[asylumxl]

It's 100% a corridor connection. The crap driver view is due to the pointless gangway design (as a result of the "chin" of the outer cab), as well as the DOO facilities - which will be rarely used on most routes unless in exceptional circumstances.

Let's be honest here, it may be rarely used in the near future, but it's quite obvious the powers that be want to phase out guards...

 

[Clansman]

Let's be honest here, it may be rarely used in the near future, but it's quite obvious the powers that be want to phase out guards...

True.

Scotrail are lucky that they've got the 385s on the Cathcart Circle to hide behind, after the whole DOO situation with the strikes and what not portraying them (rightly so) in a negative light.

 

[SpacePhoenix]

Would it have made much difference to the driver's view if the corridor connections had been retractable (like they do on the 380s)?

 

[D365]

Would it have made much difference to the driver's view if the corridor connections had been retractable (like they do on the 380s)?

Fairly sure you've already asked these questions about the cab-end gangways.

 

[Carntyne]

True.

Scotrail are lucky that they've got the 385s on the Cathcart Circle to hide behind, after the whole DOO situation with the strikes and what not portraying them (rightly so) in a negative light.

It's not Scotrail who decided to bring in DOO.

 

[Clansman]

It's not Scotrail who decided to bring in DOO.

Never said it was their decision. But at the end of the day, they take the brunt of it, hence why I've excluded Transport Scotland from the post.

 

[Clansman]

According to the Scotsman, the Scottish parliament will be updated on Wednesday. No electric trains until October, full service December.

If this is true, then that'll leave a good few 385s going nowhere for at least a month after their proposed introduction.

A little window of opportunity could then be open to Scotrail to test these units in service if that's the case? Them DMU services from Edinburgh-North Berwick and Dunbar would be the perfect route to do so.

Wonder what the odds are on 385s operating one or two services circulating Edinburgh before E-G is complete?

 

[800001]

If this is true, then that'll leave a good few 385s going nowhere for at least a month after their proposed introduction.

A little window of opportunity could then be open to Scotrail to test these units in service if that's the case? Them DMU services from Edinburgh-North Berwick and Dunbar would be the perfect route to do so.

Wonder what the odds are on 385s operating one or two services circulating Edinburgh before E-G is complete?

Id like to see what the delivery schedule for these is, as yet, none have been seen in the test shop yet at Hitachi, and are still in the main production area.

 

[Clansman]

No idea about the delivery schedule, but the introduction schedule has 385 operation on E-G commencing in August, with full 385 operations on that route by December. With EGIP looking to be pegged back by a month, there would certainly be a few 385s sitting around doing nothing.

 

[Southsider]

If this is true, then that'll leave a good few 385s going nowhere for at least a month after their proposed introduction.

A little window of opportunity could then be open to Scotrail to test these units in service if that's the case? Them DMU services from Edinburgh-North Berwick and Dunbar would be the perfect route to do so.

Wonder what the odds are on 385s operating one or two services circulating Edinburgh before E-G is complete?

Or Cathcart Circle?

 

[Clansman]

Or Cathcart Circle?

The problem with that would be you'd have to fast track the training for Glasgow Central crew, whereas Edinburgh crews would already be signing them from August.

 

[InOban]

The latest story is that it may be as late as October before there are any electric E-G trains.

 

[jzw95]

A little window of opportunity could then be open to Scotrail to test these units in service if that's the case? Them DMU services from Edinburgh-North Berwick and Dunbar would be the perfect route to do so.

As far as I'm aware, all Edinburgh-North Berwick services are EMUs? Would still be a good little self-contained route to test out the 385s on, though.

 

[Clansman]

As far as I'm aware, all Edinburgh-North Berwick services are EMUs? Would still be a good little self-contained route to test out the 385s on, though.

There are a couple of DMU services per day along the route surprisingly.

 

[Clansman]

Here's a photo which was posted on Modern Railways' Twitter a month or so ago, showing presumably one of the first UK built 385s.

Nothing out yet in terms of diagrams of testing or anything, not even any press updates like we've seen previously on these trains. Probably just as well with all this rubbish going on with EGIP at the moment.

 

[superkev]

A vale of secrecy seems to have come over the railways in general of late particular ly anything to do with electrification.
Does anyone know how many units have been delivered and where things are with testing and training?
K

 

[Carntyne]

There's hardly a veil of secrecy, Head of NR, ScotRail and ScotRail Infrastructure Director gave an update last week at the Scottish Parliament.

There's 2 units in Scotland on test, a 3 car and a 4 car.

 

[najaB]

There's hardly a veil of secrecy...

Indeed. It's worrying how anything other than incessant stream of inane social media posts is seen as conspiracy and secrecy these days. :roll:

 

[MCR247]

Indeed. It's worrying how anything other than incessant stream of inane social media posts is seen as conspiracy and secrecy these days. :roll:

I'm glad it isn't just me that has noticed this!

 

[Typhoon_93]

The first car for 385103 (444103) arrived complete from Japan at the Aycliffe factory today 10/07/2017.

 

[SC318250]

Do we know which units are nearly complete in the UK?

Obviously 385102/385001

Any word on 385101/385002 coming from Velum to Uk?

I would have thought a few completed units apart from the 2 on test in Scotland would have been delivered now to allow training of drivers, if full electric service on E&G goes ahead in December

 

[800001]

Do we know which units are nearly complete in the UK?

Obviously 385102/385001

Any word on 385101/385002 coming from Velum to Uk?

I would have thought a few completed units apart from the 2 on test in Scotland would have been delivered now to allow training of drivers, if full electric service on E&G goes ahead in December

None delivered and none have left Aycliffe factory. I was on visit to factory last week, trains up to T14 were visable in various build states. Unlike IEPs where 1 per week is being delivered, Hitachi said that they are contracted to deliver a set quantity on certain dates, i think it was 10 complete units by October.

A few key dates:-

August - Mandatory testing due to be completed.

September - Commisioning starts from Craigentinny

October - Around 60 Abellio Scotrail drivers start training

November - Type Approval due

December - 21 trains delivered to ASR.