Class 375s and Ebbsfleet International

[atomicdanny]

This may sound strange but i noticed that the uk signalling ends at the end of the platform 5/6 at Ebbsfleet international (the Cab Signalling starts after that from Appearance and signage - which of course only the 395s have out of the SE Stock).

My question in theory could a Class 375 or even a Networker operate as far as the Ebbsfleet platforms 5/6 as a shuttle service (only wondered this as during the Olympics there were several trains that didn't go to Faversham for a few hours in the evening). Although I suspect that none of the 3 classes are cleared to do that!

 

[D365]

I believe 375/6s were at one point or another proposed for domestic CTRL (which is serviced today by 395s) and even Thameslink "2000", which is to (may) be dominated by 700s. This is why they have pantographs and AC trafos.

Also, 4tph were originally intended to extend from Crossrail's Abbey Wood branch into Ebbsfleet Int, although the short section shared with South East trains was supposed to mess the timetables up.

 

[atomicdanny]

I believe 375/6s were at one point or another proposed for domestic CTRL (which is serviced today by 395s) and even Thameslink "2000", which is to (may) be dominated by 700s. This is why they have pantographs and AC trafos.

Also, 4tph were originally intended to extend from Crossrail's Abbey Wood branch into Ebbsfleet Int, although the short section shared with South East trains was supposed to mess the timetables up.

That does sound interesting, although I'm guessing that the Ebbsfleet crossrail platforms would have been either Northfleet or new ones between Northfleet and Ebbsfleet, although I've always wondered why there is no connection between the two of them (direct one I mean!)

 

[D365]

As was detailed in the document I linked to, 4 out of 12tph were planned to continue to Ebbsfleet International via Northfleet. That would leave at least 8tph for the one-station hop to a rebuilt Gravesend. However, if the Abbey Wood branch was extended to Gravesend/Ebbsfleet (and third-rail equipment fitted - would be useful if Watford DCs were taken over too), how would that co-ordinate with other services?

 

[jopsuk]

the Crossrail route would surely not have been "via Northfleet"- there's no way you could stick a sensible chored in that junction. Presumably with the plans showing it as "ebbsfleet Crossrail" it would have been a third station (4th, if your's a bit picky and count Ebbsfleet high level as the seperate station it effectiveoly it is!) situated between Northfleet and Ebbsfleet International- and I'd guess with a proper pedestrian route linking all three.