Thameslink/ Class 700 Progress

[ComUtoR]

The problem with it today was a phantom fire alarm activation which couldn't be cleared.

So not an actual fault.....

 

[Class377/5]

The problem with it today was a phantom fire alarm activation which couldn't be cleared.

Nope.

What was the problem pls?

Sorry not for public discussion.

Being hauled to Eastleigh for storage?

Not quite. Is going to Eastleigh prior to its summer home.

 

[TEW]

700109 back out on the 1502 Brighton to London Bridge.

 

[bengley]

Nope.



Sorry not for public discussion.



Not quite. Is going to Eastleigh prior to its summer home.

Uh, well that was why it was cancelled from LBG back to BTN!

 

[Class377/5]

Uh, well that was why it was cancelled from LBG back to BTN!

Nope. I'm guessing you misunderstood the real fault. Doesn't make you correct.

 

[bengley]

Nope. I'm guessing you misunderstood the real fault. Doesn't make you correct.

I'm going by what was described to me by the person who was driving it!

 

[Class377/5]

I'm going by what was described to me by the person who was driving it!

He was wrong.

 

[Domh245]

He was wrong.

Is that indicative of the need for more training, or a better fault communication system?

 

[87015]

I'm going by what was described to me by the person who was driving it!

Oh come on now, you know only one poster is ever allowed to give out 700 gen. Meanwhile, his colleagues were doing a terrible job of updating official systems on what he says as it was indeed showing a door fault...

 

[Islineclear3_1]

Oh come on now, you know only one poster is ever allowed to give out 700 gen. Meanwhile, his colleagues were doing a terrible job of updating official systems on what he says as it was indeed showing a door fault...

I really don't understand why all the secrecy. Are there some serious issues/design faults that the industry don't want leaked out? I'm guessing therefore that the 700's won't be in revenue earning service any time soon.

 

[samuelmorris]

They're in revenue earning service already, just only one of them. Pedantic but it's nonetheless true, a unit of that class has run the full core service Bedford - Brighton on a regular timetabled service, so that watershed is over and done with. I can only assume that careful attention is being paid to any defects and/or staff mistakes that get made during the initial bedding in period are being kept quiet to avoid the press getting involved - PR is not exactly a high note for GTR at the moment and the gleaming new rolling stock is probably all they have to keep them going, be it from GTR's perspective as a company or the government's. Fingers crossed on the 0942 LBG-BTN on Wednesday as I intend to use it :P

 

[The Box Photter]

First we were told -

"units will be coming into service in the early spring"

then -

"we really meant the spring, which is until 1 June"

then -

"Hey Fleet Street, look at our shiny new trains with lots of standing space in them and fantastic on board displays to tell standard class passengers that there's space available ... in first class. Please ignore our appalling inability to provide the service HM Govt is paying us to provide and don't investigate too deeply why so many of our staff seem to have weak constitutions meaning we have to cancel trains ... Oh and by the way, Mr Reporter, have you seen our shiny new train? What's that? Only one train, well you can see the rest if you look through the security fencing at Three Bridges or if you're crammed onto one of our existing shabby fleet as you pass Cricklewood. Please don't ask us about our method of industrial relations, that's a different part of GTR and nothing to do with us (except we're borrowing some of their trains that the Gatwick Express drivers won't drive").

Will we see these wunderzugs (German) in service (properly) before the autumn? September's less than eight weeks away. Frankly, there was less secrecy surrounding the deployment of the Stealth Fighter during Gulf War One than there has been over these units. They've been tested (apparently) under ALL possible conditions (or so Ze Germans tell us), yet so far all they've managed is to stagger on a few journeys from London Bridge to Brighton/Three Bridges.

HELLO! Some of us live north of London Bridge and would like to enjoy the benefits of Class 700 traction before the south Londoners etch graffiti into the windows and smear chewing gum into the seats.

GET A FLIPPIN' MOVE ON!

 

[samuelmorris]

Jokes aside, even before the 700s' arrival the existing rolling stock on Thameslink is not what I'd argue is a main flaw of the franchise. To my understanding there's as many 377s and 387s as 319s going around at present, which is a lot better odds than many routes get for modern air-conditioned rolling stock, particularly routes that head north and east of London. Compared to the appalling punctuality on TL/SN the rolling stock really isn't much to complain about.

 

[jon0844]

Spring didn't end June 1st did it? I think give or take a day they entered service about on time.

And the screens don't actually say how crowded first class is. Nor do the screens appear to say where the declassified first class is (unless you're in it). I don't know if one end will always be declassified in the future? So far it seems to be the rear that's declassified.

 

[asylumxl]

Spring didn't end June 1st did it? I think give or take a day they entered service about on time.

And the screens don't actually say how crowded first class is. Nor do the screens appear to say where the declassified first class is (unless you're in it). I don't know if one end will always be declassified in the future? So far it seems to be the rear that's declassified.

I think The Box Photter is just venting his (understandable) dissatisfaction with GoVia. I feel that's particularly fair when you consider there will be an emergency timetable coming in to effect soon. For "robustness" they say...

Throughout this dispute, GoVia have shown utter contempt for both their staff and their passengers. I appreciate the government is complicit in all this, but that just makes it even worse.

I doubt we will see large scale introduction of the 700s until GoVia either break the spirits of their staff or make concessions for them.

 

[TRAX]

I wonder which part of Govia messes things up. Go-Ahead or Keolis ?

 

[asylumxl]

I wonder which part of Govia messes things up. Go-Ahead or Keolis ?

Both. Their first attempt at Thameslink wasn't much better :P.

 

[TRAX]

Surely one of the two has more negative input ? Considering Go-Ahead has 65 % of Govia and Keolis is running well in France, I have my little idea...

 

[fgwrich]

Surely one of the two has more negative input ? Considering Go-Ahead has 65 % of Govia and Keolis is running well in France, I have my little idea...

I would almost say you only have to look at the bus side to see a certain companies Influences...

(Excluding the GO-South Coast divisions, as they are being treated as separate companies, and B&H has always ran themselves accordingly).

I'm surprised after the first round of mess GOVIA made of the LM Franchise, nothing similar to the Great Escape has yet been offered at TSGN.

Anyway this is drifting even further off topic!

 

[Class377/5]

First we were told -

"units will be coming into service in the early spring"

then -

"we really meant the spring, which is until 1 June"

then -

"Hey Fleet Street, look at our shiny new trains with lots of standing space in them and fantastic on board displays to tell standard class passengers that there's space available ... in first class. Please ignore our appalling inability to provide the service HM Govt is paying us to provide and don't investigate too deeply why so many of our staff seem to have weak constitutions meaning we have to cancel trains ... Oh and by the way, Mr Reporter, have you seen our shiny new train? What's that? Only one train, well you can see the rest if you look through the security fencing at Three Bridges or if you're crammed onto one of our existing shabby fleet as you pass Cricklewood. Please don't ask us about our method of industrial relations, that's a different part of GTR and nothing to do with us (except we're borrowing some of their trains that the Gatwick Express drivers won't drive").

Will we see these wunderzugs (German) in service (properly) before the autumn? September's less than eight weeks away. Frankly, there was less secrecy surrounding the deployment of the Stealth Fighter during Gulf War One than there has been over these units. They've been tested (apparently) under ALL possible conditions (or so Ze Germans tell us), yet so far all they've managed is to stagger on a few journeys from London Bridge to Brighton/Three Bridges.

HELLO! Some of us live north of London Bridge and would like to enjoy the benefits of Class 700 traction before the south Londoners etch graffiti into the windows and smear chewing gum into the seats.

GET A FLIPPIN' MOVE ON!

I guess you'll like to know your have the chance next week?

Don't forget staff need to get used to the new trains as much as bedding the units in. Part of the reason for the bath tub curve is lack of experience with a stock as much as unit problems.

 

[Nic Robinson]

I think part of the problem for Govia is it sounds like Gove. Coincidence?

 

[SpacePhoenix]

I guess you'll like to know your have the chance next week?

Don't forget staff need to get used to the new trains as much as bedding the units in. Part of the reason for the bath tub curve is lack of experience with a stock as much as unit problems.

Have all TL and GN staff that will be working these trains (drivers and if there is still any - guards - now had all their training on them? Are all the fitters provided by Siemens?

 

[GodAtum]

So excited today to see a 700 at East Croydon around 0730

 

[Islineclear3_1]

I guess you'll like to know your have the chance next week?

Don't forget staff need to get used to the new trains as much as bedding the units in. Part of the reason for the bath tub curve is lack of experience with a stock as much as unit problems.

Better to start small-scale rather than mass introduction so that all of these issues can be ironed out.

Out of interest, was there a 700 simulator at Three Bridges to start pre-familiarisation prior to the 700s coming over to the UK?

 

[Nic Robinson]

Apologies for being slightly o/t but just spotted a Class 37 at Three Bridges hiding behind the 442s. Presumably related to 442 drags? Anyone have any info on this?

Cheers,

Nic.

 

[Hophead]

Can confirm from a trip yesterday that there are "door not in use" lights and they do work (when the door does not). Another one to tick off the acceptance list.

 

[trainmania100]

Apologies for being slightly o/t but just spotted a Class 37 at Three Bridges hiding behind the 442s. Presumably related to 442 drags? Anyone have any info on this?

Cheers,

Nic.

37800 is presently at three bridges for a 442 drag to eastleigh
My light loco move video can be seen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eR68YXpAwwU



Meanwhile with thameslink...
Looks like a 700 failed on the up fast at three bridges today... Good thing they didnt throw all the 700s into service at once, it would be madness!

 

[Class 466]

37800 is presently at three bridges for a 442 drag to eastleigh
My light loco move video can be seen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eR68YXpAwwU



Meanwhile with thameslink...
Looks like a 700 failed on the up fast at three bridges today... Good thing they didnt throw all the 700s into service at once, it would be madness!

700107 again, Interlock issues. Running ECS from East Croydon with 1B25 starting from Gatwick.

 

[trainmania100]

Better send 700107 off to rotherham

 

[radamfi]

The 700 from East Croydon to Brighton at 1226 was unable to open the doors so the train had to leave East Croydon empty at about 1239. The train had already been cancelled between London Bridge and East Croydon.