Scotrail Class 385 Discussion

[Rick1984]

They could brand them like they do with the Gatwick Express

 

[GrimShady]

They already have express logos near the cabs. It's not striking enough though. They should have their own livery to separate them from the standard fleet.

 

[43096]

They already have express logos near the cabs. It's not striking enough though. They should have their own livery to separate them from the standard fleet.

Why? You’d then have Edinburgh-Glasgow sets used on other services as we know there are more 385/1s than are needed for that service.

 

[GrimShady]

Why? You’d then have Edinburgh-Glasgow sets used on other services as we know there are more 385/1s than are needed for that service.

I ways thinking about the above post i.e. Gatwick Express.

You could say that about the current Express branding.

 

[Rick1984]

I meant branding on the appropriate platforms, not the trains.

 

[GrimShady]

I meant branding on the appropriate platforms, not the trains.

Do both

 

[Steven_G]

Scotrail have the option of taking 10 more 385/0’s if their Franchise is extended.

When is the decision on that extension needing to take place? I appreciate the franchise is due to end 2021 (end) but a decision must be made before tenders invited as appointing a successful appointment is done 6 months prior to end.

I have read 2020 as when this decision is to be made, but I am wondering roughly when and i assume if someone else takes franchise they could be asked to fulfil that addition number of 385/0 by ScotGov.?

I am not looking for Abellio bashing replies please.

 

[Altnabreac]

Scotrail have the option of taking 10 more 385/0’s if their Franchise is extended.

When is the decision on that extension needing to take place? I appreciate the franchise is due to end 2021 (end) but a decision must be made before tenders invited as appointing a successful appointment is done 6 months prior to end.

I have read 2020 as when this decision is to be made, but I am wondering roughly when and i assume if someone else takes franchise they could be asked to fulfil that addition number of 385/0 by ScotGov.?

I am not looking for Abellio bashing replies please.

My understanding is that the notification to extend to 2025 has to be agreed with Abellio by 31 March 2020.

There are also different provisions for shorter extensions in order to help with future franchise bidding dates. This is to October 2022 (from March 2022) if the main contract is not extended and to March 2027 (from March 2025) if the main extension is activated.

These are separate from the main extension decision and can be agreed later (up to 3 months prior to franchise end).

 

[Steven_G]

perfect, thanks

 

[GLC]

I was under the impression that the 385s has been procured more or less directly by the Scottish Government, straight from Hitachi. Why would an extension to the Abellio franchise be required to order 10 additional units?

 

[Altnabreac]

I was under the impression that the 385s has been procured more or less directly by the Scottish Government, straight from Hitachi. Why would an extension to the Abellio franchise be required to order 10 additional units?

385s were procured by the franchisee not Scottish Government.

There is a guaranteed post franchise usage and transfer to Scottish Government for £1. Maybe that’s what confused you?

The ten extra units are guaranteed to be ordered by Abellio as part of a 3 year extension because they don’t arrive until 2022 so no point in Abellio ordering them if they’re finished the franchise in 2022.

So if the franchise finishes at the earlier termination date a separate agreement would be needed to order more 385s.

 

[Photohunter71]

And,,that's if the next franchisee opts to go for the 385's. Who is to say they will, they may opt for another builder unless it is stated in the procurement tendering process?

 

[NorthClyde320]

044 appears to have entered service at some point this week leaving 002 as the sole unit remaining under test.

 

[InOban]

Alec Hynes tweeted that the mean time between failures is now over 60k.miles

 

[route101]

385s were procured by the franchisee not Scottish Government.

There is a guaranteed post franchise usage and transfer to Scottish Government for £1. Maybe that’s what confused you?

The ten extra units are guaranteed to be ordered by Abellio as part of a 3 year extension because they don’t arrive until 2022 so no point in Abellio ordering them if they’re finished the franchise in 2022.

So if the franchise finishes at the earlier termination date a separate agreement would be needed to order more 385s.

What routes will extra 385s if they come ,go on?

 

[DaStripedCgull]

What routes will extra 385s if they come ,go on?

Probably just adding carriages

 

[JumpinTrainz]

What routes will extra 385s if they come ,go on?

I wish, as has been said before, that the additional units could be changed to the AT100 Metro design. They could be used on Cathcart Circle services, Neilston, Newton, Paisley Canal instead of the Class 385s given their unsuitability for the route.

 

[gingertom]

I wish, as has been said before, that the additional units could be changed to the AT100 Metro design. They could be used on Cathcart Circle services, Neilston, Newton, Paisley Canal instead of the Class 385s given their unsuitability for the route.

they could possibly go on the Inverclydes, releasing 318/320s for use on the Cathcarts.

 

[GLC]

Scotrail have tweeted that all 70 386s have now been accepted:

https://twitter.com/ScotRail/status/1206192663101358081

Delighted to announce that all 70 brand new #Class385 electric trains from
@HitachiRailEU
have now been accepted into our fleet. A massive well done to everyone involved in the project. Find out more about the #trainsformation below

 

[mcmad]

Scotrail have tweeted that all 70 386s have now been accepted:

https://twitter.com/ScotRail/status/1206192663101358081

so how many years late was it in the end, 2?

 

[snookertam]

they could possibly go on the Inverclydes, releasing 318/320s for use on the Cathcarts.

The diagrams would have to be radically altered to do this as there's more than a few which do both routes on weekdays.

 

[JumpinTrainz]

The diagrams would have to be radically altered to do this as there's more than a few which do both routes on weekdays.

I’m sure it would be worth it. The 385s and even the 380s aren’t exactly the suitable replacement for the Class 314s. A metro style unit should have been ordered for shorter routes from Glasgow Central with more standing areas and trains that don’t require the range that the 380s and 385s have.

I doubt that will ever be an option until the 318s and 320s get replaced.

 

[matchmaker]

First 385 trip today - Stirling to Queen Street and return. Impressions? Excellent acceleration, especially up Cowlairs Incline! I didn't mind the seats, as I like a firm seat. Not too noisy, except under initial acceleration. Ride not particularly good, especially over pointwork - my missus was (literally) jolted out of a nap as we went over Greenhill Upper Junction - although we were sitting above a bogie.

Overall not too bad.

 

[InOban]

so how many years late was it in the end, 2?

I stand to be corrected, but I think it is less than 2 from the scheduled date for the final delivery. There's been no urgency about the final deliveries - ScotRail had sufficient for the timetable until the platform alterations at Queen Street were complete.

 

[DaStripedCgull]

There's a double 385 sitting in Lanark with the pantograph down, apparently it came in last night. edit : found out 385s will be stabled at lanark

 

[snookertam]

A 3 car 385 working the 0745 Glasgow Central to Newton this morning.

6 car 385 in platform 10 at Glasgow Central at 0800, displays showing ‘Not in Service’. Buffer end unit as 001. I see there were problems affecting Lanark services this morning - possibly related?

 

[PaxVobiscum]

It’s shameless plug time:
The video from yesterday’s Robroyston opening ceremony has some 385s in it (110, 020, 122, 005)
It does also however contain most of Alex Hynes’ speech, though I did spare you Michael Matheson’s.
This has already been posted in the Robroyston thread. https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/robroyston-station.194729

 

[DaStripedCgull]

A 3 car 385 working the 0745 Glasgow Central to Newton this morning.

6 car 385 in platform 10 at Glasgow Central at 0800, displays showing ‘Not in Service’. Buffer end unit as 001. I see there were problems affecting Lanark services this morning - possibly related?

It was in Lanark for storage overnight and it did have its pantograph down possibly related?

 

[NorthClyde320]

Just spotted a 6 car 320 on Lanark, I thought this had been replaced by a 385? Surely they can't be short of 385's already.

 

[alangla]

It does also however contain most of Alex Hynes’ speech, though I did spare you Michael Matheson’s.

Did it finish with Matheson doing the ceremonial handover of the P45 to Hynes? (Sorry, couldn’t resist)