380 in Britain NOW!

[CarterUSM]

Yoker isn't for any more than light maintenance though, tanking and the like? Purpose built facility at shields too.

 

[Damien1986]

Will anybody be taking photos of class 320 emus when they make their first Argyle Line appearance on 12 December as well as the new class 380 units when they start running trains to Ayrshire/Inverclyde etc?

 

[CarterUSM]

Will anybody be taking photos of class 320 emus when they make their first Argyle Line appearance on 12 December as well as the new class 380 units when they start running trains to Ayrshire/Inverclyde etc?

I'm sure they will, traininthebrain is notably prolific with such still images. Why don't you have a go yourself also and post the results Damien?

 

[me123]

No longer necessary, as the units could travel via Bathgate and head to Yoker for maintenance
Equally, in the event Carstairs is closed, same as above then reverse at Hyndland and via Rutherglen

Are they going to be cleared via the new line? It would make sense to at least clear them for ECS running (given that it's the only electrified alternative to travelling via Carstairs ATM), but the last time I asked over on Scot-rail, they hadn't been cleared to run this way.

 

[rail-britain]

Yes, Class 380 units may operate via Airdrie/Bathgate, just not in public service
I had assumed this was so that units could use either Yoker or Bathgate as required; such as a blockade, etc
A good example will be the weekend Class 380 which ends up in Edinburgh, this could then return to Bathgate for retention emptying and cleaning

 

[Wyvern]

It is actually a disgrace, they should, and i assume could, be designed to run in varying conditions.

Surely the sales of a company like Siemens isnt restricted to warm dry countries. Dont they sell into Scandinavia for instance?

 

[The_Stig]

Yes, Class 380 units may operate via Airdrie/Bathgate, just not in public service
I had assumed this was so that units could use either Yoker or Bathgate as required; such as a blockade, etc
A good example will be the weekend Class 380 which ends up in Edinburgh, this could then return to Bathgate for retention emptying and cleaning

Just 334's at Bathgate.

 

[ianthescot]

There is no need; same drivers, same unit knowledge
All that is different is the train type with similar specification (Class 318 and Class 320)
The only time traction knowledge is required is if there is a signifcant change, such as the Class 156 and Class 158

Not quite. I am passed out on 318s but am not authorised to drive 320s. Yoker drivers drive both but Motherwell drivers have yet to be trained. While this would just be a familiarisation course, until it's done we can't drive them. 320s are not on my licence.

 

[Damien1986]

Not quite. I am passed out on 318s but am not authorised to drive 320s. Yoker drivers drive both but Motherwell drivers have yet to be trained. While this would just be a familiarisation course, until it's done we can't drive them. 320s are not on my licence.

Surely we will get some class 320 units on the Argyle Line next Sunday seeing as the Airdrie to Bathgate line will be opening that day?

 

[rail-britain]

Not quite. I am passed out on 318s but am not authorised to drive 320s

I do not see why you would need training on a Class 320 at this time, but it may happen at some point
I think you will see some pretty crazy changes to working patterns from the next timetable, but it will mean you will almost exclusively be operating Class 318 units between Lanark and Dalmuir

 

[Bittern]

So at least one 380 is officially in service, then?

 

[class156]

So at least one 380 is officially in service, then?

Yep, they entered service , I went to catch it yesterday and thought it was leaving Irvine at 15:30 heading to Glasgow and had already bought my ticket, the 380s did turn up then, but were heading to Ayr . It could only happen to me.

 

[rail-britain]

I'm wondering if commuters will catch on to this, where SDO applies

Southbound, travel in the rear three coaches, they should be quieter
Northbound, board at the last door, then walk towards the rear of the train, pretty much guarantee you a seat

 

[me123]

Having travelled with commuters, I can guarantee you that they will continue to cram themselves into the front carriage just because "you get out closet to the barrier". :roll: The rear two carriages may as well be locked out of use, because even people who're going to stations like Ayr will probably just use the front carriages just in case.

The good thing is, however, that there will be dozens of angry letters in the Metro

 

[CarterUSM]

Having travelled with commuters, I can guarantee you that they will continue to cram themselves into the front carriage just because "you get out closet to the barrier". :roll: The rear two carriages may as well be locked out of use, because even people who're going to stations like Ayr will probably just use the front carriages just in case.

The good thing is, however, that there will be dozens of angry letters in the Metro

There has been a pretty informative handout compiled for passengers about this, Ticket Examiners should be on the lookout for prams and buggies especially though. It'll be murder for a while, though they'll just have to get used to it.

 

[Bittern]

Yep, they entered service , I went to catch it yesterday and thought it was leaving Irvine at 15:30 heading to Glasgow and had already bought my ticket, the 380s did turn up then, but were heading to Ayr . It could only happen to me.

There's been a complete lack of anything to do with this, then. I've only seen one picture.

 

[me123]

There has been a pretty informative handout compiled for passengers about this, Ticket Examiners should be on the lookout for prams and buggies especially though. It'll be murder for a while, though they'll just have to get used to it.

I've seen the handout. It's idiot proof. But not commuter proof.

 

[CarterUSM]

I've seen the handout. It's idiot proof. But not commuter proof.

Idiot equals commuter? Surely not!!! Seriously though, i'm sure things will settle down, and the extra capacity helps no end, the Ayr line is as busy as E & G sometimes, probably busier off peak occasionally too.

 

[me123]

Idiot ≠ commuter. Idiot > Commuter :razz:

In all seriousness, I hope the automatic announcements on the new trains take into account the extra time it takes for people (not just idiots) to work out that the doors aren't going to open and get themselves into the correct carriage. They'll need to announce two or three minutes in advance of the station, rather than the 30s they normally have, just to give people who have boarded the rear carriages a fair chance to move forward.

And I really am looking forward to reading the Metro in a few weeks time. I can guarantee that the words "imprisoned", "hostage", "treated like a criminal" etc etc will be used. Probably a lot of angry people in the newspapers as well.

 

[YorkshireBear]

Idiot ≠ commuter. Idiot > Commuter :razz:

In all seriousness, I hope the automatic announcements on the new trains take into account the extra time it takes for people (not just idiots) to work out that the doors aren't going to open and get themselves into the correct carriage. They'll need to announce two or three minutes in advance of the station, rather than the 30s they normally have, just to give people who have boarded the rear carriages a fair chance to move forward.

And I really am looking forward to reading the Metro in a few weeks time. I can guarantee that the words "imprisoned", "hostage", "treated like a criminal" etc etc will be used. Probably a lot of angry people in the newspapers as well.

i dont know much on the topic but fantastic link there!

 

[rail-britain]

The announcements are due to be played 3 minutes before arrival at the next station
Sadly this will mean the announcements will be virtually continuous from boarding, especially on services which call at most stations (on top of the existing announcements you expect)

There is then the issue of those passenger who have a buggy and move first
Everyone ends up stuck behind them

Equally, station staff may not be aware of which coach is relevant for disabled passengers; this is a disaster waiting to happen

 

[me123]

3 minutes should be ample time.

I would assume that station staff would suggest that disabled passengers etc use the front five coaches regardless of their destination? Fairly easy to remember and enforce, and only limited scope for any problems. And most people with a disability would probably get some sort of assistance from station staff to point them in the right direction.

 

[CarterUSM]

3 minutes should be ample time.

I would assume that station staff would suggest that disabled passengers etc use the front five coaches regardless of their destination? Fairly easy to remember and enforce, and only limited scope for any problems. And most people with a disability would probably get some sort of assistance from station staff to point them in the right direction.

You're spot on, the location of any disabled passengers is really being pushed to the fore with this. Only other possible problem is a lack of a TE on board, which is not too uncommon , especially on later evening services.

 

[Damien1986]

I do not see why you would need training on a Class 320 at this time, but it may happen at some point
I think you will see some pretty crazy changes to working patterns from the next timetable, but it will mean you will almost exclusively be operating Class 318 units between Lanark and Dalmuir

But we will still get some class 318 units on the Argyle Line this Sunday won't we? even if it is Motherwell to Balloch via Blantyre and Yoker or Motherwell to Milngavie via Bellshill?

 

[MacCookie]

Yes, Class 380 units may operate via Airdrie/Bathgate, just not in public service
I had assumed this was so that units could use either Yoker or Bathgate as required; such as a blockade, etc

No they're not.
http://www.scot-rail.co.uk/thread/222940/page5/230097

Nor are they cleared to operate between Haymarket and Bathgate.

A good example will be the weekend Class 380 which ends up in Edinburgh, this could then return to Bathgate for retention emptying and cleaning

And what about the units that are booked to stable at Waverley overnight during the week?

Ewan

 

[Peter Sarf]

You're spot on, the location of any disabled passengers is really being pushed to the fore with this. Only other possible problem is a lack of a TE on board, which is not too uncommon , especially on later evening services.

This seems all very familiar. We have a FEW short platforms on the Southern so have the SDO curse already. I would have thought it cheaper in the long run to just lengthen the platforms as this is a low tech solution. Thus making it SIMPLER for travellers, requiring less anouncements and simpler for staff. Another advantage of getting rid of SDO is that the doors would open at Victoria quicker - apparently the reason is the SDO determines the location of the train by using GPS and there is a shopping centre on top of the platforms blocking the satellite signal so the computer has to take longer figuring it out !. Also lots of announcements and door opening/closing warnings stop us regular commuters, who can do an entire journey in our sleep, from sleeping !.

 

[swt_passenger]

This seems all very familiar. We have a FEW short platforms on the Southern so have the SDO curse already. I would have thought it cheaper in the long run to just lengthen the platforms as this is a low tech solution.

It's only a low tech solution when there are no signals or S&C to move, or level crossings, or under bridges, overbridges, tunnels, embankments, cuttings etc.

Please add anything I haven't thought of...

 

[Peter Sarf]

It's only a low tech solution when there are no signals or S&C to move, or level crossings, or under bridges, overbridges, tunnels, embankments, cuttings etc.

Please add anything I haven't thought of...

What I wanted to get across is that once the platform lengthening is done there is no longer any technology/staff/information/ongoing-costs required to cope with short platforms.

Have to say though that when you bring up signalls and S&C I begin to give up !.

I cannot think of any stations on the Southern that are hemmed in by civil engineering, I am sure someone can correct me though. But on the South Eastern the Woolwich line stations are AFAIK hemmed by Bridges etc and I think Cross Rail needs to cope with 10 coach platforms !.

Wandering off topic maybe ?:- I have been on the East London line and coulld not help noticing how over engineered it seems. Much concrete has been used to hem in platforms and track on viaducts. If they can spend that amount of money why not undo some older limitations on other lines.

One you have not thought of and I have to admit it probably is a complete show stopper is the "environmental issue". Residents alongside the GW mainline have secured promises that platforms will not be lengthened for Cross Rail (Modern Railways Nov/Dec 2010). NIMBYs !. However who did they get the promise from ?.

 

[route101]

So a 380 is really in service? Really

 

[The Engineer]

I can't vouch for what did or did not happen last week (end) but the current situation is that 8 units are "accepted" for service and 4 of these are shown diagrammed for service this week. But none of them are actually being used for passenger service at the moment.

What with all the snow problems, and lack of 380's, what chance an Airdrie - Bathgate service next week? I note that - so far this week - no (diesel) trains at all are running to Bathgate from Edinburgh!!