Scotrail Class 385 Discussion

[380101]

Forward visibility looks as if it'll be horrendous with this funny shaped windscreens!

As bad, if not worse than the 380!
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I have said this before, but it looks to me like a Hitachi version of the class 380.

That was the basic design brief from Scotrail. Had to be similar to the 380 but with 1st class in the 4 car units. The cab layout is basically a copy of the 380 with updated TPWS system. I, like most ScotRail drivers that drive 380s, am somewhat dismayed and disappointed that they have failed to listen to drivers concerns over visibility, poor positioning of DOO monitors and have fitted the 385 cab out the same.

 

[Clansman]

Surely can't be as bad as the 158s they will eventually replace?

 

[RobShipway]

As bad, if not worse than the 380!
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That was the basic design brief from Scotrail. Had to be similar to the 380 but with 1st class in the 4 car units. The cab layout is basically a copy of the 380 with updated TPWS system. I, like most ScotRail drivers that drive 380s, am somewhat dismayed and disappointed that they have failed to listen to drivers concerns over visibility, poor positioning of DOO monitors and have fitted the 385 cab out the same.

Okay, I did not realise that the class 385 where purposely designed to be similar to the class 380s. Thank you.

 

[xc170]

Why not just order my 380's then?

 

[Blindtraveler]

I, like most ScotRail drivers that drive 380s, am somewhat dismayed and disappointed that they have failed to listen to drivers concerns over visibility, poor positioning of DOO monitors and have fitted the 385 cab out the same.

Whilst this is sad its typical TS, they seam deaf to anyones views. Do drivers forsee issues with these units?

 

[J-2739]

Why not just order my 380's then?

How many do you have in your yard?!

 

[fgwrich]

As bad, if not worse than the 380!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


That was the basic design brief from Scotrail. Had to be similar to the 380 but with 1st class in the 4 car units. The cab layout is basically a copy of the 380 with updated TPWS system. I, like most ScotRail drivers that drive 380s, am somewhat dismayed and disappointed that they have failed to listen to drivers concerns over visibility, poor positioning of DOO monitors and have fitted the 385 cab out the same.

Is the 385 can slightly longer than the 380? At least the 380 has a more rectangular windscreen and the raked back corridor connection - I can imagine those 385 windscreen won't be as popular by the looks of them either!

 

[jopsuk]

Why not just order my 380's then?

wading through this, there will have been a competitive tender. Siemens may or may not have offered class 380s (or an evolution of them). Hitachi obviously offered the best value package to TS

 

[xc170]

How many do you have in your yard?!

Oh, loads....

Just noticed the typo!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

wading through this, there will have been a competitive tender. Siemens may or may not have offered class 380s (or an evolution of them). Hitachi obviously offered the best value package to TS

They could have worked the tender so Siemens were the only bidder that could win, didn't one of the Southern region franchises do that so Bombardier had to win?

 

[jopsuk]

Oh, loads....

Just noticed the typo!
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They could have worked the tender so Siemens were the only bidder that could win, didn't one of the Southern region franchises do that so Bombardier had to win?

But in this case it's quite simple for Scotrail to use one fleet on one set of routes and the other fleet on a different set of routes. "fixing" it was of little or no benefit (unlike with Southern where complete interoperability of the 377 fleet is very useful) so they get better value with a properly open tender.

 

[380101]

Whilst this is sad its typical TS, they seam deaf to anyones views. Do drivers forsee issues with these units?

Yes. Alot of drivers have voiced concerns over lack of opening windows in the cab, poor positioning of the DOO screens - up too high on the moving wall panel, small windscreen and no vision to the right as per the 380. The DOO screen location has been a constant complaint since the 380 entered service with ScotRail ignoring driver concerns over it.
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Why not just order my 380's then?

Not built in the UK I imagine the prospect of UK built (assembled really) trains appealed to Transport Scotland.

I'm sure First had plans for more 380s if they had retained the franchise.

 

[NotATrainspott]

Hitachi were also clearly gunning for the EGIP order, as evidenced by their use of Glasgow Queen Street in their AT200 promotional materials. Given that First have ordered a huge amount from Hitachi across their various rail operations it's somewhat plausible that they went for AT200s too. Indeed, Hitachi could well have been the chosen EMU supplier by all the bidders who were in for a chance. Both Bombardier and Siemens had a good set of orders in the pipeline while Hitachi were looking to 1. use the second production line at Newton Aycliffe and 2. break into the regional/commuter EMU market, so it seemed rather predictable that they would get the order. In the end, I don't think there could have been an incredible amount of difference between the various options - there's only so much you can do to differentiate a 100mph 23m bodyshell EMU with commuter doors and inter-unit gangways.

 

[D365]

As far as I recall hearing, Siemens were involved in First's bidding for the 2015 ScotRail franchise.

 

[ld0595]

First Hitachi EMU for ScotRail on test

TESTING has started at the Velim test track in the Czech Republic of the first of 70 class 385 EMUs being built by Hitachi Rail Europe for the ScotRail franchise operated by Abellio.


This is the first of six four-car trains being built by Hitachi at its Kasado factory in Japan. The remainder of the order for 24 four-car and 46 three-car EMUs will be produced at Hitachi’s new factory in Newton Aycliffe, Britain.
The 25kV 50Hz ac 160km/h trains are based on Hitachi's AT200 platform and will be formed of 23m-long vehicles equipped with cab-end gangways for multiple operation.

The £370m contract includes a 10-year maintenance agreement.
The first trains are due to enter service on the Edinburgh - Falkirk High - Glasgow Queen Street line from autumn 201

 

[Clansman]

Full yellow gangway.....the half and half with black in the render looked a little bit nicer. Looking smart(ish) I may say...
Looking at it thoroughly the bolted gangway makes the face look awful.

Here's the picture, for anyone unable to get onto the link:

I can tell this train is going to be the new Marmite of UK railways already...

 

[J-2739]

Eww. That train looks uglier than I remembered it.

 

[gimmea50anyday]

Kind of has that Darth Vader wedge of the 460's about it

 

[phoenixcronin]

That is UUUUUUUUUUUUUuuuugly

 

[47271]

If you want the full dose of ugly, just flip between that picture and one of a Class 70 diesel and you'll feel a lot better about the Hitachi unit.

I don't mind it and find it easier on the eye than the Class 700.

 

[jopsuk]

I like it. And whilst it's not in any way identical, it does share quite a few visual cues and design commonality with the suburban versions of the Hitachi A-Train family. much as the AT300 family (395, 80x) are rather similar to the higher speed versions

 

[380101]

Full yellow gangway.....the half and half with black in the render looked a little bit nicer. Looking smart(ish) I may say...
Looking at it thoroughly the bolted gangway makes the face look awful.

Here's the picture, for anyone unable to get onto the link:

I can tell this train is going to be the new Marmite of UK railways already...

I reckon the bolted yellow plates on the gangway is a temporary measure to protect the gangway doors. They'll fold in the same way as the 380s and most other modern "ruined" EMU cabs.

 

[Carntyne]

I reckon the bolted yellow plates on the gangway is a temporary measure to protect the gangway doors. They'll fold in the same way as the 380s and most other modern "ruined" EMU cabs.

Correct!

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Eww. That train looks uglier than I remembered it.

It reminds me of the creatures in "Alien".

 

[FS-2-11]

I can't quite say why exactly, but there's a look of the Class 309 about it. It'll grow on people.

 

[Orchid]

I quite like it actually, nice to see something other than the usual electrostar or desiro variant. Having said that, whilst it will of course conform to relevant visibility standards, I can't help but feel that sighting R/H signals might be problematic out of that narrow windscreen and past the vestibule door.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

I can't quite say why exactly, but there's a look of the Class 309 about it. It'll grow on people.

I know what you mean, and I'm not sure why either! I rather like the "agressive" styling...

 

[xc170]

I may be in the minority, but I think it looks good, it'll look better when it has vinyls and logos etc added...

Cab window does look small though.

 

[janahan]

I have to admit, it looks like someone has attached a corridor connector to a Class 460. it even has the same type of headlight cluster.

 

[bgstrowger]

You know how pugs look like normal dogs that have run into a wall?

Looks like Hitachi have done the same with a Class 395 then stuck a gangway on the front.

 

[phoenixcronin]

You know how pugs look like normal dogs that have run into a wall?

Looks like Hitachi have done the same with a Class 395 then stuck a gangway on the front.

That is an insult to the beautiful 395s