317/7s during and after the 2012 Olympics

[D365]

Maybe they're on standby? Where's the common sense in railways these days?!

I haven't been on a FCC 317/1 in a long time (never on one of their 321/4s); they're alright, but not as good as a 365. I doubt that the next franchisee will do anything other than an interior refresh, since the 317s, 321s and a number of the 365s will be released in 2018 by the Thameslink "700".

 

[jon0844]

The latest refresh of the 317/1s by FCC are fine. First class still has wonky seats on many of the sets - but on the whole, they're clean and bright. Still have 3+2 seating which isn't nice, but to change that would have been a much bigger job.

The toilets had the retention tanks refitted and the toilets were upgraded with new flush handles.

Nowhere near as nice as a 317/6 or /7 (and clearly not a 365) but they do the job and are still reliable trains that have plenty of life left in them come the time they move on and are given a bit refit.

FCC has also made its 321s look clean and fresh and done a much better job in first class.

 

[87015]

Maybe they're on standby? Where's the common sense in railways these days?!

They are not on standy. 3 317 diagrams lacking in available 317s this morning...

 

[D365]

Wishful thinking... They're off-lease, of course :/

 

[SprinterMan]

It is interesting to think what would have happened if another TOC had one the franchise like GoVia or Stagecoach. Would the 317/7s have been withdrawn? And if someone else gets the franchise in 2014 will they be reintroduced?

Adam

 

[D365]

The 9 317/7s have been withdrawn as part of a cost-cutting excercise; they also have the least seats of any 317 variant. I struggle to see where else money could have been saved, but doesn't the Anglia franchise pay money back to the government/DfT?

 

[ATW Alex 101]

Are 317's not with GA anymore? I went on one about 4 weeks ago

 

[D365]

The 9 317/7s only, these were rebuilt at the turn of the millenium to replace the 5 322s initially built for Stansted Express. The 30 379s have thus taken over all Stansted Express services and fasts to Cambridge.

 

[IanXC]

Are 317's not with GA anymore? I went on one about 4 weeks ago

The discussion is about the 317/7s which were (mostly) placed off lease at the start of the current Greater Anglia franchise.

 

[SprinterMan]

The 9 317/7s have been withdrawn as part of a cost-cutting excercise; they also have the least seats of any 317 variant. I struggle to see where else money could have been saved, but doesn't the Anglia franchise pay money back to the government/DfT?

Yes it does, so maybe if Abellio had put in a smaller bid they could have stayed and Harwich would not have 321s for boat-trains and the 1930 Norwich-London would still be useable.
Adam