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Wondered when that was going to happen, as there's something on the GatEx (I think) website which states the service will be operated entirely by the 'new trains' (ie 387/2) from 'the end of the summer', however that is defined. Yesterday (Saturday) saw several 442 diagrams on GatEx...

Thanks. And Epping-Ongar, or did that require a guard until the very end?

Another query from this era: There are videos online of the 1960 Cravens set(s), with 1938 trailer, where the cabs appear to be fitted with small wing mirrors acquired (I imagine) from road vans. Was this a crude Driver Only Operation scheme? If so, where was the stock allowed to operate DOO...

Had a quick spin today on the 15.35 Gatwick-Brighton, formed of 700 102. This departed Bedford almost on time, but appeared to lose about 15 minutes at East Croydon, with some talk of door problems. At Haywards Heath we were bluntly advised 'the stopping pattern of this service has been...

377 604 worked the 18.24 Seaford - Brighton tonight, in connection with football traffic to Falmer. As far as I know, this is the first visit of a 5-car 377 to the branch, in passenger service.

Because if First Class was enforced at both ends, the ratio of First to Standard seating would shift towards the former, versus the outgoing 319, 377 and 387 stock. With lots of standing in Standard during the peaks, this is not regarded as being politically acceptable. Obviously the...

Thanks, that's what I'd gathered from the latest reports although 2-3 months ago I read some suggestions that it was coach 1 which would be declassified. I hope to (finally) sample a moving 700 this week, and spend some time in 'first class' without buying a first class ticket. Hopefully the...

What's the settled position with First Class on the 700s? Is it coach 1 or 12 which is permanently declassified? (I seem to have read conflicting information via various sources).

In the circumstances, whatever the cost and inconvenience to Network Rail and Southern, the right decision would have been to defer or re-time these works. Unless undertaking them immediately is absolutely critical, for safety reasons, to the operation of (substantively) a weekend-only rail...

Should have checked earlier, but unimpressed to discover the Seaford branch is closed all weekend for engineering work, with a (halved frequency) replacement bus service. Over the last five weeks Network Rail could have taken possessions Monday-Friday between 08.30 and 17.30, but instead are...

Now they ARE running to Falmer tonight, every ten minutes, having found some additional resource.

Strange goings on at Falmer: station for the AMEX stadium. Although the strike is off and the 'revised' timetable back in place, nothing is stopping at Falmer after 17.00 tonight, and (apparently) on subsequent match days, on police advice.

Has someone bought the seat-back tables, just in case there is a future market for several thousand seat-back tables?

And a job that has some security for 3-5 years is more job security than many/most enjoy, whatever their line of work or seniority. In fact, if we're heading for a recession, an employment guarantee (almost) of 3-5 years looks like a good deal, weathering the storm until the next upturn.

Seems to be a focus on getting additional trains to Eastbourne, especially from the east, to cater for the Airbourne crowds.

Declassified tomorrow (Thursday) according to Southern Twitter feed, with Friday still being reviewed.

In addition to the strike timetable, I note the Horsham-Victoria via Dorking service is operating today. Also, non-folding bicycles are now permitted again, subject to the standard policy restrictions on peak services.

That door and window are the position from which a guard dispatches a 442 where DOO does not apply, eg the Eastbourne peak workings.

When commuting regularly, I used the reading lights in 377/1s as the primary lighting in this sub-class (and 377/3) was dimmer than the 377/4s. I have a feeling the lighting situation was standardised during the last refurbishment, but I might be wrong.

1. GWR to Havant (twice a day?) then SWT to Waterloo. 2. Book a minibus type vehicle from a private hire firm, large enough to accommodate the bike as luggage. 3. Ride it, via the back roads, either all the way or as far as Gatwick, from where other train connections should be possible to...