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Govia get Thameslink Franchise

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21C101

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I can see Chiltern eyeing up the 442s and putting a 67 on the front if they are released.
 
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Class377/5

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While your all arguing over whether to call them plug or electrical sockets, perhaps I should correct the above statement by pointing out that the franchise agreement actually says fitted to the additional HLOS phase 2 units or Class 442 replacement units (as applicable).

In essence, this means whatever units replace the Class 442s.

Been confirmed multiple times by insiders the 442 replacement fleet are the 387/2 orders. We now even have a picture of this hence Temple's post still correct.
 

Aictos

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I can see Chiltern eyeing up the 442s and putting a 67 on the front if they are released.

Very unlikely, as you have to fit the 442s with the multiple working equipment to work with 67s from a cab not on the 67 itself which will be too costly and that's only part of the issues - what will likely happen is a few 442s will stay and be used on more Eastbourne/Hastings services.

Out of the entire 442 fleet, I would say about half would be scrapped with the other half kept in service.
 

GatwickDepress

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Very unlikely, as you have to fit the 442s with the multiple working equipment to work with 67s from a cab not on the 67 itself which will be too costly and that's only part of the issues - what will likely happen is a few 442s will stay and be used on more Eastbourne/Hastings services.

Out of the entire 442 fleet, I would say about half would be scrapped with the other half kept in service.
Hastings? Don't get my hopes up! :lol:
 

ushawk

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Very unlikely, as you have to fit the 442s with the multiple working equipment to work with 67s from a cab not on the 67 itself which will be too costly and that's only part of the issues - what will likely happen is a few 442s will stay and be used on more Eastbourne/Hastings services.

Out of the entire 442 fleet, I would say about half would be scrapped with the other half kept in service.

What would be good would be the 442s used on an actual fast service from each Coastway to London with a limited stopping pattern - something the East Coast line badly needs.....

Of course, it would never happen due to pathing issues.
 

Mutant Lemming

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Day Five : Outward - Got a lift in, had a seat journey took half the time.
return : train a few minutes late.

Conclusion - will stick with the car, saves so much more, guaranteed seat, half the journey time. The journey in by public transport added at least 30 minutes each way per day more than five hours over the week. Five hours at overtime rate means the car pays for itself.
 

jon0844

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It's good that the car is a viable alternative, as I tried to drive to Old Street many times and the times I was delayed heavily (as in 2 or 3 hours delayed) was far too common to make it viable.

Delays going in were predictable, but coming home was a total gamble. Most delays having no obvious cause, and there being limited diversions available. Sitting in solid traffic isn't fun even if you have a seat, air conditioning, a radio etc - as you're still having to concentrate on when you can move, as well as what other people do (like cutting in, changing lanes, turning without notice because they too are trying to avoid the congestion).

On a train, you can at least relax and read or play on your phone. Clearly being stuck in a tunnel would be torture for the latter.

In ten years, I never encountered massive disruption that stopped me getting home or work. Sure, if I was on a train that broke down or was stuck, then I was stuck - but otherwise it was a case of my 'plan b' route kicking in. Now FCC and GTR publish detailed guides to alternative routes during disruption.

Even when we slag off the railway for not providing information, it's still likely to be easier to find out what has happened and use your own knowledge to predict what is likely to happen going forward, than when you're stuck in total gridlock in London and haven't got a clue - while the radio is telling you to avoid the area!

So, good luck in the car!
 

AndyNLondon

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Note one of the 313s has the FCC branding still visible though scrubbed off underneath the new logo whilst the removal of FCC on that coach has created quite an eyesore

Surely the state of that 313 is from graffiti removal, rather than the FCC logos?
 

jon0844

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The logo really doesn't work on the old FCC livery. Govia no doubt designed the new logo for the new livery, which - now I've seen a few 365s with the logos on - look fantastic.

However, surely someone tested what the logo would look like on the existing livery, given these will remain for some time, and realised the issue - and considered having some sort of outline or white/lighter background to make it stand out.

Sure, that would have looked a bit odd, but at least you'd have seen it properly.

Personally, I'd have just used the white Great Northern text and not the logo itself at all - until such time that the old vinyls were removed and the new ones applied. It's also silly that it's not wide enough to fully over the old text, which is clearly visible given the text was stuck on to the livery and means the vinyl underneath hadn't faded/worn as much.

But, again, I have to say that on the new livery, the logo looks awesome.
 
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user15681

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On that note, this was included in the franchise agreement...

Govia Thameslink Railway Franchise Agreement said:
6.30 The Franchisee shall use reasonable endeavours to procure long term funding from Network Rail for a new facility for painting rolling stock. Subject to securing such funding by 1 January 2015, the Franchisee shall procure a new facility for painting trains by 31 December 2016.
 

jon0844

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I can't work it out either.

Unless it's to get Network Rail to fund a paint shop that gets guaranteed work because Govia has to use it, as well as all new franchises/management contracts?

If so, why doesn't the DfT organise this?
 

philjo

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The doors out of use stickers that I saw on couple of 317 units last week still have FCC branding on them. (the notices that everyone ignores, try to open the doors several times & wonder why the doors are not opening then have to run through the train to get off before the doors close)
 

ModernRailways

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The doors out of use stickers that I saw on couple of 317 units last week still have FCC branding on them. (the notices that everyone ignores, try to open the doors several times & wonder why the doors are not opening then have to run through the train to get off before the doors close)

Something like that isn't likely to be a priority change and it's pointless throwing them away when they have the ones with FCC on them still.

I imagine they will be using the FCC ones until they run out.
 

Mutant Lemming

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So, good luck in the car!

I have been using the car for the past couple of years instead of FCC. Average journey time 30 minutes whereby the absolute quickest time by public transport is 55 minutes - IF it all links up.
The occasional snarl ups and grid lock on the roads are more than matched by problems on the trains. I have a seat, I don't have to endure banal phone calls or people coughing the latest batch of flu germs all over me... but most importantly of all it has given me an additional 400 hours of my life or around 16 days over the past 2 years to do with what I want to do as opposed to being crammed like a moo-ing thing on a 319.
I suppose there is luck involved in being able to park at work and I do have to give the Thameslink route it's due as you can (nearly) always get home after a night out(though still standing room only on the 01:35 last Saturday night) but commuting on it is for 'normal' lemming kind and not for us mutants.
 
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jon0844

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It certainly has been a while since you've been on a train. Hardly anyone makes phone calls these days, let alone banal ones!
 

Mutant Lemming

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It certainly has been a while since you've been on a train. Hardly anyone makes phone calls these days, let alone banal ones!

You may be right - I may have dozed off like John Lennon did on the 26 all those years ago inspiring him to write 'Day in the Life' and imagined the various squawking into handsets on last week's journies.... and am not really interested in Mrs Jones chatting away about her Bert's lumbago. I suppose one persons banal is another's scintillating piece of gossip.
 

Bald Rick

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I have been using the car for the past couple of years instead of FCC. Average journey time 30 minutes whereby the absolute quickest time by public transport is 55 minutes - IF it all links up.
The occasional snarl ups and grid lock on the roads are more than matched by problems on the trains. I have a seat, I don't have to endure banal phone calls or people coughing the latest batch of flu germs all over me... but most importantly of all it has given me an additional 400 hours of my life or around 16 days over the past 2 years to do with what I want to do as opposed to being crammed like a moo-ing thing on a 319.
I suppose there is luck involved in being able to park at work and I do have to give the Thameslink route it's due as you can (nearly) always get home after a night out(though still standing room only on the 01:35 last Saturday night) but commuting on it is for 'normal' lemming kind and not for us mutants.

Fair shout - that's your choice and it works for you.

I would argue that for most GTR commuters, the balance of journey time + cost favours using GTR. Certainly if I tried to drive to work it would take at least an extra 30 mins each way and cost me at least an extra £5k a year before I'd accounted for a car. Plus it means I can make phone calls / check dodgy on line forums on the move. ;)
 

user15681

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Seems GTR aren't too happy with the interior spec. of the 700s : "...interiors are not suitable for longer distance journeys."

http://issuu.com/mortons-digital/docs/renov14-issuu

Page 8 refers.

Relevant bit from that article is that tables and seat back trays are considered a necessity for longer distance journeys and Govia are 'dismayed' at the lack of provision of these and that the contract with the DfT allows no change to the spec.
 

Class377/5

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Seems GTR aren't too happy with the interior spec. of the 700s : "...interiors are not suitable for longer distance journeys."

http://issuu.com/mortons-digital/docs/renov14-issuu

Page 8 refers.

That's actually original from comments in Today's Railway where the comments were less they weren't happy but more looking into it. Note that neither article mentions where this has actual come from at all.
 
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