FCC Thameslink Bedford/Brighton car formations

[bicbasher]

On my day trip to Brighton today, I noticed that the stopping services have 8 car formations, while the semi-fasts are 4 car. Any reason?

Also have to admit the 319's despite showing their age are holding up well on the East Croydon to Brighton section at least after the last refurb, although gutted I missed bashing a 377 with the air con.

 

[Class377/5]

On my day trip to Brighton today, I noticed that the stopping services have 8 car formations, while the semi-fasts are 4 car. Any reason?

Also have to admit the 319's despite showing their age are holding up well on the East Croydon to Brighton section at least after the last refurb, although gutted I missed bashing a 377 with the air con.

There no hard or fast rule on if you'll get a 4, 8 or 12 car train. Note that the way they work the stoppers become semi fasts on the way back.

A lot will depend on time of day as in peak there are less trains so you get more fours cars in between the peaks.

 

[bicbasher]

There no hard or fast rule on if you'll get a 4, 8 or 12 car train. Note that the way they work the stoppers become semi fasts on the way back.

A lot will depend on time of day as in peak there are less trains so you get more fours cars in between the peaks.

Ah, that explains it. The four car 319 due out at 1834 (departed 1840) had at least 200 people waiting for "a member of train crew" to open the doors, although FCC's sub contracted cleaners were still able to board and proceed with their duties as normal.

It's fortunate that most people today don't take up FCC's TOC only deal and went on the 12 car Southern Brighton Express, otherwise that four car train could have easily have been overcrowded, although I suspect that service will be a nightmare during the school summer holidays with day trippers.

 

[Class377/5]

Ah, that explains it. The four car 319 due out at 1834 (departed 1840) had at least 200 people waiting for "a member of train crew" to open the doors, although FCC's sub contracted cleaners were still able to board and proceed with their duties as normal.

It's fortunate that most people today don't take up FCC's TOC only deal and went on the 12 car Southern Brighton Express, otherwise that four car train could have easily have been overcrowded, although I suspect that service will be a nightmare during the school summer holidays with day trippers.

That departure time from Brighton means its towards the end of the Core peak when it arrives in London hence the four cars. Not much else can be done until the 700's arrive as there isn't the stock to have everything 8 or 12 cars yet. Although Brighton to Bedford's may not see just 12 car trains in the day time even post KO2.

 

[W230]

The four car 319 due out at 1834 (departed 1840) had at least 200 people waiting for "a member of train crew" to open the doors, although FCC's sub contracted cleaners were still able to board and proceed with their duties as normal.

It often gets a bit confusing with the 'punters' when a service is departing a touch late as there is a semi-fast service that leaves at 18.34hrs and then a stopper that leaves at 18.37hrs. The doors are supposed to be kept closed on the stopper until the semi fast leaves so that people don't get the wrong train.

Although in this case it sounds like it was the semi-fast that had the doors closed due to cleaning. I'm assuming it was possibly late in. :?

 

[bicbasher]

It often gets a bit confusing with the 'punters' when a service is departing a touch late as there is a semi-fast service that leaves at 18.34hrs and then a stopper that leaves at 18.37hrs. The doors are supposed to be kept closed on the stopper until the semi fast leaves so that people don't get the wrong train.

Although in this case it sounds like it was the semi-fast that had the doors closed due to cleaning. I'm assuming it was possibly late in. :?

The stopper arrived late in this instance and passengers were allowed to board before the semi-fast doors were opened. Still most people waited for the semi-fast on the platform.