All Quiet on the Thameslink Front

[Mutant Lemming]

..or what a difference a new train makes.

I have been pretty vociferous in attacking Thameslink (and moreso FCC before them) but have to give credit where due. There has been quite a change over the past few months both in punctuality and finding a seat on rush hour trains. The lack of posts from other 'usual suspect' complainants on the Thameslink front would appear to back this up (unless you know otherwise). Hopefully I won't have jinxed it with this post.

 

[Saint66]

I agree, ThamesLink didn't start too well after FCC, who I thought had a really good final few months. However, recently there has been a marked improvement and I can't fault many areas of the railway at the moment. 700's may not be to everyone's liking, but from my personal view they do the job well, get me to where I want to go and find the seats absolutely fine! But as with all these things, it's a personal view point.

Long may it continue.

 

[Bromley boy]

It does sound like the 700s are bedding in nicely (I don't drive them but know quite a few who do).

They certainly aren't being referred to as "doodlebugs" quite as often (built in Germany, cease functioning in London ).

 

[TFN]

Well as a resident on a Catford Loop station, I FINALLY don't have to worry about breathing someone's hair and getting touched in inappropriate areas... I can stand comfortably now. And the 700s has DRASTICALLY improved the weekend service. 4 cars on the 319 on a Saturday afternoon wasn't pleasant. All positive from my and my friend's point of view.

Be that as it may, literally 20 mins ago I saw a platform man have a bit of a brutal shouting at from two passengers who missed their Sutton train. The board and the National Rail app said it leaves at 21:31 but left at 21:28.... So maybe it's just the Sevenoaks/Catford Loop passengers happy

 

[infobleep]

I do come across regularly evening delays on the Wimbledon loop though. Not sure if he fault of Thameslink, just a busy railway as a whole.

 

[ChiefPlanner]

Tempting fate , but the routes have been ticking along nicely , and the 700's have made a real difference - particularly in the elimination of (crowded) off peak 4 car workings as FCC were always keen to reduce unit mileage (to save money) ... in defiance of the Franchise agreement I have to say.

Said before , off peak is really doing rather well IMHO.

 

[ChiefPlanner]

It does sound like the 700s are bedding in nicely (I don't drive them but know quite a few who do).

They certainly aren't being referred to as "doodlebugs" quite as often (built in Germany, cease functioning in London ).

Nice quote - remember the good idea but depressing grey livery on the 319's around 1994 - the one with the natty London skyline in the background?

Staff called them "The Belgranos" , and one old Toff and partner at Harpenden one morning uttered "Good God - a wartime utility livery !"

 

[jon0844]

I think they'll achieve what they set out to do for a number of years and going forward the solution for further overcrowding will come down to timetabling and extending 8 cars to 12 cars.

 

[Agent_Squash]

I think it says a lot for the new trains when they were running a peak during the snow at 90% right time, 100% PPM.

 

[700007]

ThamesLink definitely has improved with the introduction of the class 700s. Although the service, especially from West Hampstead TL, Cricklewood, Hendon or Mill Hill Broadway (stations where I often get the train into the city), is still 'hit and miss' sometimes, I think I'd take ThamesLink over the very grim First Capital Connect any day.

 

[mgmidget1500]

I have to travel from Bedford to Gatwick at least once a week, and yes the service is pretty reliable, but the 700's are a retrograde step in terms of comfort compared to the the 375's and 387's they replaced (but the 700's are certainly no worse than the 319's). Unfortunately my current option of being able to travel in comfort using East Midlands Trains & GatEx will disappear in May 2018 when EMT stop calling at Bedford at peak times.

Hopefully when London Bridge is reopened to through trains things might improve as timings reduce, so one has less time sat on an uncomfortable train, but the 700's aren't really suitable for long distance services and would be better suited on suburban services than on what is too all intents a long distance service for some of us unfortunate travellers.

 

[D365]

... but the 700's are a retrograde step in terms of comfort compared to the the 375's and 387's they replaced (but the 700's are certainly no worse than the 319's).

I recall reading that Class 377/387 luxury was always a temporary measure.

 

[mgmidget1500]

I recall reading that Class 377/387 luxury was always a temporary measure.

Unfortunately this was the case, but until a few months ago we still had a few 377's to enjoy if you got the timing right (the 18:10 Gatwick to Bedford was one of those where you could travel without getting back pain and sore knees).

 

[GW43125]

Unfortunately this was the case, but until a few months ago we still had a few 377's to enjoy if you got the timing right (the 18:10 Gatwick to Bedford was one of those where you could travel without getting back pain and sore knees).

The worst one is 1B47 17:57 Bridge-Brighton. In the space of six months it went from the luxury of a Wessex Electric, to an electrostar, to a 700!

 

[TheAdelante]

I don’t like the hardness of the seats on 700s but I much prefer 700s to 319s. No one in my family has ever liked those.

 

[Alteran Ancient]

They still have their.... uh... quirks, from time to time, but most of the drivers know how to work-around them now. The PIS/CIS seems to be pretty consistent now, and the doors (usually) open and close when they're supposed to.

Most of my experience of them is on the Sevenoaks line, where Class 319s were abundant, so as far as we're concerned, they're a step up, although not quite as cosy as the occasional 377 that we'd see during the peaks.

I love their beastly acceleration, I like the on-board displays, and the doors and vestibules are wide and do exactly what they're supposed to.

Just as many others feel, I also dislike the ultra-firm "ironing-board" Fainsa seats and that's where the majority of my dislike comes from. A friend of mine who had to use them for a few months couldn't sit in them - they'd send his back into spasm, whereas the 377s never gave him this issue. I'm not fussed on the colour scheme or decor either way - it's "only" a train, but it does look just a touch clinical. I would also value a table, but it isn't a deal-breaker.

 

[AFC440]

Travelled down to Brighton today on Thameslink. Found it odd my ticket was £11.80 but on Southern would have been £27.60.

I found the class 700 modern and tidy even if there was an unnecessary 10min delay on the down leg. Would be perfectly happy to use the Thameslink on a regular basis for an hour journey again, especially for the super off peak fare

 

[D365]

I don’t like the hardness of the seats on 700s but I much prefer 700s to 319s. No one in my family has ever liked those.

As we are thoroughly aware of..!

 

[TheAdelante]

Deleted

 

[TheAdelante]

I prefer the 700s over 365s as well, so when Thameslink send some of their units over there too that will be good!

 

[mgmidget1500]

They still have their.... uh... quirks, from time to time, but most of the drivers know how to work-around them now. The PIS/CIS seems to be pretty consistent now, and the doors (usually) open and close when they're supposed to.

Most of my experience of them is on the Sevenoaks line, where Class 319s were abundant, so as far as we're concerned, they're a step up, although not quite as cosy as the occasional 377 that we'd see during the peaks.

I love their beastly acceleration, I like the on-board displays, and the doors and vestibules are wide and do exactly what they're supposed to.

Just as many others feel, I also dislike the ultra-firm "ironing-board" Fainsa seats and that's where the majority of my dislike comes from. A friend of mine who had to use them for a few months couldn't sit in them - they'd send his back into spasm, whereas the 377s never gave him this issue. I'm not fussed on the colour scheme or decor either way - it's "only" a train, but it does look just a touch clinical. I would also value a table, but it isn't a deal-breaker.

I agree with pretty much all of this, for speed, displays and doors all are good. Anything was a step up from the 319's, while I like a table (so I can work...it's a 1hr 45min to 2hr plus journey time Bedford to Gatwick..I can get a lot done if I go EMT & GatEx even allowing for faffing around on the underground) it's not deal breaking, the seats on 4+4 configuration are probably no wider than the seats on the 6+4 the 319's had, there is just more standing room...which I find is only needed between Blackfriars & St Albans..before and after these stations in the evenings the majority of people can sit...in the morning they are starting to stand from Luton, lots standing after Harpenden and the St Albans passengers ensure the train is rammed, but St Albans to St Pancras is a relatively short journey.

My thought is as the ThamesLink programme is completed and they electrify Bedford - Corby, then some sort of fast service stopping at Corby, Kettering, Wellingborough, Bedford, Luton (and/or Luton Airport Parkway), London St Pancras (then I assume the stations between St Pancras & London Bridge), East Croydon, Gatwick, Three Bridges & Brighton. (Ideally not run with 700's but something more suited to a long distance (semi) express service)..... I can but dream.......

 

[nuneatonmark]

Apologies if this has already been mentioned somewhere, but when do TL services start going down the direct route to Gatwick rather than 'around the houses' as they do now?

 

[GW43125]

Apologies if this has already been mentioned somewhere, but when do TL services start going down the direct route to Gatwick rather than 'around the houses' as they do now?

May timetable change.

 

[skyhigh]

I travelled yesterday on Thameslink - no issues other than all the display screens and announcements at the station weren't working which was a little annoying! Other than that, it looks like the 700s have settled in well now from a passenger's perspective.

 

[Hadders]

I prefer the 700s over 365s as well, so when Thameslink send some of their units over there too that will be good!

Commuters on the 0656 from Peterborough (particularly those boarding at Stevenage) would disagree with you.

I'm sure that mechanically the 700s will turn out to be fine units but there's no excuse for the bargain basement interior that's been installed.

 

[Abpj17]

I have to travel from Bedford to Gatwick at least once a week, and yes the service is pretty reliable, but the 700's are a retrograde step in terms of comfort compared to the the 375's and 387's they replaced (but the 700's are certainly no worse than the 319's).

Particularly as you're getting on at Bedford, sit in the declassified first class in the last coach.

 

[GW43125]

Particularly as you're getting on at Bedford, sit in the declassified first class in the last coach.

Unfortunately the seats are just as hard in there. You just get a table and marginally more legroom.

 

[ivanhoe]

Was on one in September from St Pancras to Brighton. Fine train, no problems with seats for me but we all have different bodies and aspirations.

 

[EM2]

The lack of posts from other 'usual suspect' complainants on the Thameslink front would appear to back this up...

How is Sparky these days?

 

[GW43125]

Was on one in September from St Pancras to Brighton. Fine train, no problems with seats for me but we all have different bodies and aspirations.

I think we came a long time ago on this forum to the consensus that we all have to agree to disagree. We've all got our own preferences.

But, like the argument with 390s, one thing that isn't up for debate is they take off. Standing start at Gatwick, easily 70-75 through Horley.