Thameslink/ Class 700 Progress

[MCR247]

Hate the blue/purple ones, very poor design..

Although a design that is used very widely across Europe (the Germans love them!). Not saying that makes them a good design, but I felt like the ones at St Pancras (the only ones I really experienced) weren't really used in the way that they should've been (very different to how Europe actually uses them IME)

 

[physics34]

Although a design that is used very widely across Europe (the Germans love them!). Not saying that makes them a good design, but I felt like the ones at St Pancras (the only ones I really experienced) weren't really used in the way that they should've been (very different to how Europe actually uses them IME)

yeh the format is all wrong....
...how the liste of departures basically goes horizontally rather than vertically.

 

[jon0844]

I hated the slow speed of changing...
pages for the stopping patterns...
with words repeated on page turns
and weird formatting throughout

What's worse is the screens were quite readable and it's just software, so even if the issues weren't picked up on during quality testing, it could have been changed later surely?

 

[Pumbaa]

Pay peanuts you get peanuts.

The system was deliberately scoped to have a short design life, with a major enhancement coming when Thameslink became all singing all dancing.

They were a cheap interim solution.
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That said I have no idea if the main boards on concourses are also scheduled to be replaced, as I feel they do that role fairly well.

 

[Via Bank]

I hated the slow speed of changing...
pages for the stopping patterns...
with words repeated on page turns
and weird formatting throughout

What's worse is the screens were quite readable and it's just software, so even if the issues weren't picked up on during quality testing, it could have been changed later surely?

That would require Thameslink to have a customer information strategy that is not defective.

The number of times I've seen messages that have been too long and simply been cut off partway through on the screens is ridiculous: does no-one at Thameslink even check these things?

 

[jon0844]

That would require Thameslink to have a customer information strategy that is not defective.

The number of times I've seen messages that have been too long and simply been cut off partway through on the screens is ridiculous: does no-one at Thameslink even check these things?

Another reason why a screen that allows scrolling is better than fixed pages, as I also remember seeing plenty of ad hoc engineering info messages that didn't fit and didn't text wrap.

The screens by each platform at King's Cross are a good example. Nice clear LEDs and part fixed text and part scrolling.

 

[asylumxl]

Another reason why a screen that allows scrolling is better than fixed pages, as I also remember seeing plenty of ad hoc engineering info messages that didn't fit and didn't text wrap.

The screens by each platform at King's Cross are a good example. Nice clear LEDs and part fixed text and part scrolling.

Scrap the TfL status updates too. That'd help a lot.

 

[MCR247]

That said I have no idea if the main boards on concourses are also scheduled to be replaced, as I feel they do that role fairly well.

The MML ones went a while ago i think

 

[JaJaWa]

Spotted our new screens at our London stations? Just one of the many ways we're committed to improving information. https://twitter.com/TLRailUK/status/720981959598546944

 

[asylumxl]

Wait, is that photoshopped on to an ancient photo of Blackfriars while it was being worked on?

 

[Class377/5]

Wait, is that photoshopped on to an ancient photo of Blackfriars while it was being worked on?

Who cares? Its a mock up. Detailed version would cost money that frankly would be wasted.

 

[asylumxl]

Who cares? Its a mock up. Detailed version would cost money that frankly would be wasted.

And how exactly does using an old image when compositing save money?

It's not the "mock up" I have the issue with, but rather the use of an old image for the background.

 

[philjo]

The display looks good but the text size is far too small. I have good eye sight but was unable to read a lot of the info on the new screens at St Pancras the other day unless I stood immediately underneath it. The font size of the current horizontal blue screens is easy to read - I can read the destination/time on those from about 3 carriages away without any difficulty.

If that screen/font size is to be used there would need to be one screen per carriage along the lenght of the platform - though that would also help indicate the 8 car trains as the end screens can then be blank (or display something like next train - move along the platform)

 

[Skimble19]

Who cares? Its a mock up. Detailed version would cost money that frankly would be wasted.

You know you don't HAVE to defend everything GTR do? Rebranding Thameslink was a waste of money, so was rebranding GTR that frankly cost far more than simply using an up to date image on the background of this would have..

Anyway this is all totally off topic... I'm wondering what the displays that are inside of the 700s are looking like compared to the mock up, as if it's actually as that was it'll be a massive improvement.

 

[Hophead]

... Nick Gray from Network Rail (he's "principal programme sponsor for the Thameslink Programme") mentioned them briefly. ... He did say that they have done a lot of studies into the readability of the displays so that passengers find their train easily....

In which case, they might consider route numbers (or Southern Region style head codes). An experienced commuter will quickly interpret a '12' or '33' or whatever to be their train (or another route entirely) as they rush towards the platform. Some variation on German S-Bahn style IDs could work too.

Probably a bit too "old-school" or "not invented here" for the shiny new railway, unfortunately.

 

[Class377/5]

And how exactly does using an old image when compositing save money?

It's not the "mock up" I have the issue with, but rather the use of an old image for the background.

And? It's part of a staff brief that your seeing so the background image isn't that important, just illustrating the new screens. Your irritation is just that, yours.

You know you don't HAVE to defend everything GTR do? Rebranding Thameslink was a waste of money, so was rebranding GTR that frankly cost far more than simply using an up to date image on the background of this would have..

I'm not buit facts rather matter on here. The regarding has zero to do with this. Background image was done done as part of a TLP project team that is part NR, part GTR. They had an image of the station they wanted to just so used it and didn't bother to waste time getting a new one done.

Quite frankly I find it petty to complain an older image wasn't used. Funny how you lot aren't so outraged when the pres do it. Double standards again. And yeah I'm a tad miffed that the posters on this forum again obsessive over tiny stupid details.

Anyway this is all totally off topic... I'm wondering what the displays that are inside of the 700s are looking like compared to the mock up, as if it's actually as that was it'll be a massive improvement.

Not been checking my Flickr then. Here a picture of the live PIS in action

https://flic.kr/p/Fs2kK1

 

[asylumxl]

Hah! Double standards? When the press use an old image people on RailUK lose their heads and 32 pages of ranting ensues.

I don't know why you're so aggravated by my observation. You make it sound like using a different photo would be a major project in itself.

Though, I suppose seeing as it's related to Thameslink, it'll probably be delivered decades late too.

If you'd rather I comment on the screens themselves, from what I've seen at St Pancras they have good sharpness and contrast but they are far too small for their purpose. I am sceptical as to how they will display the relevant information and be compliant with various accessibility legislation.

 

[MatthewRead]

Are the 700s still due into service tomorrow?

 

[387star]

Are the 700s still due into service tomorrow?

news to me this true?

 

[southern442]

Who cares? Its a mock up. Detailed version would cost money that frankly would be wasted.

Would it also cost money to display the trains on that photoshopped image as running on time? The time on the display is 15:33, the third train, the 15:43, is shown as departing in '12 mins' meaning that it is two minutes late. They can't even get made-up services to run on time for crying out loud

 

[FOH]

Would it also cost money to display the trains on that photoshopped image as running on time? The time on the display is 15:33, the third train, the 15:43, is shown as departing in '12 mins' meaning that it is two minutes late. They can't even get made-up services to run on time for crying out loud

Just making it ultra-realistic.

 

[jon0844]

Just making it ultra-realistic.

Don't forget the service that never cleared properly and stays up all day. Next train 520 minutes late, and counting up minute by minute...

 

[absolutelymilk]

Are the 700s still due into service tomorrow?

No, 16th April was the original service entry date but this has been pushed back - no new date announced yet.

 

[Class377/5]

Hah! Double standards? When the press use an old image people on RailUK lose their heads and 32 pages of ranting ensues.

I don't know why you're so aggravated by my observation. You make it sound like using a different photo would be a major project in itself.

Though, I suppose seeing as it's related to Thameslink, it'll probably be delivered decades late too.

If you'd rather I comment on the screens themselves, from what I've seen at St Pancras they have good sharpness and contrast but they are far too small for their purpose. I am sceptical as to how they will display the relevant information and be compliant with various accessibility legislation.

I just don't see the obsession with having a simple mock up image creates. For the record full installation is due in August 2016.

Are the 700s still due into service tomorrow?

Try reading back in the thread. Same question every page.

Would it also cost money to display the trains on that photoshopped image as running on time? The time on the display is 15:33, the third train, the 15:43, is shown as departing in '12 mins' meaning that it is two minutes late. They can't even get made-up services to run on time for crying out loud

Reason that people was used is the TLP have plenty of images of the rebuilt so just used the first one to hand rather than waste time going through the 100s they have.

Did notice the CIS on the way home this morning with the 03xx on time at 0655!

No, 16th April was the original service entry date but this has been pushed back - no new date announced yet.

Not the original, just the latest that was put in print. (Have people forgot the Feb date mentioned in the earlier edition of Connections already?)

 

[chickenwings12]

It's weird how thameslink changed the logo and yet all the 700s coming in have the old one on it. Their logic/planning just baffles me.

 

[SpacePhoenix]

Does the logo form part of the spec/contract given to Siemens? if it does then that's probably what's in the spec

 

[jon0844]

Does the logo form part of the spec/contract given to Siemens? if it does then that's probably what's in the spec

Sure, but assuming GTR didn't decide the change about 20 minutes before announcing it, they could have arranged a change for trains not yet done. The logo will be a separate vinyl put on won't it? Not exactly hard to change part way through.

Next we'll find that they hardcoded the old logo to display on the CIS...

 

[Skimble19]

Sure, but assuming GTR didn't decide the change about 20 minutes before announcing it, they could have arranged a change for trains not yet done. The logo will be a separate vinyl put on won't it? Not exactly hard to change part way through.

Next we'll find that they hardcoded the old logo to display on the CIS...

Well they've got great big illuminated old logos on the sides of the new depots so it wouldn't surprise me

I'm still not liking the new one, mainly because of that damned capital L..! Just doesn't look right..

 

[asylumxl]

Sure, but assuming GTR didn't decide the change about 20 minutes before announcing it, they could have arranged a change for trains not yet done. The logo will be a separate vinyl put on won't it? Not exactly hard to change part way through.

Next we'll find that they hardcoded the old logo to display on the CIS...

They'll probably just put a new vinyl over the old one, if previous efforts are anything to go by .

Class 377/5, on a more serious note any rumblings yet as to when the first 700 will enter service? Dissapointed they haven't entered service on the date originally specified but understandable I suppose.

 

[Class 466]

They'll probably just put a new vinyl over the old one, if previous efforts are anything to go by .

Class 377/5, on a more serious note any rumblings yet as to when the first 700 will enter service? Dissapointed they haven't entered service on the date originally specified but understandable I suppose.

This question is being asked nearly daily now... :roll: Read back and you'll see that there isn't a date yet.