Brighton Main Line improvements

[SECR 65]

I think to be honest a proportion of the 387/2s (maybe 10 units) need to be repainted into Southern colours or at least white - you don't need 27 units for 12 diagrams.

 

[izvor]

Do they not also subcontract Southeastern's Tonbridge guards for Redhill-Tonbridge?

Yes, though the Southern crewed trains are DOO with OBSs.

 

[foggy69]

Seeing as many of Southern's OBSs are ex-guards, would it be possible to re-introduce the guard role on some services - would this be easier than installing DOO equipment?

Most guards lost their safety critical duties nearly 10 years ago, with some of them 3 years ago when the 313's were scrapped. This would mean that Southern would have to train up staff from scratch. Not a deal breaker, but as an OBS earns about the same, with no actual responsibilities, why become a guard.

 

[Geogregor]

As a biased Southern customer this frustrates me so much! I don't see why the Networkers can't eke out a few more years allowing Southern to gain some units.

Because Networkers are literally falling apart. Yes they might not be the oldest units ever but not much was done to improve them in recent decades. So they are really struggling, there are faults on a daily basis.

 

[yorksrob]

Because Networkers are literally falling apart. Yes they might not be the oldest units ever but not much was done to improve them in recent decades. So they are really struggling, there are faults on a daily basis.

Not as durable as the wonderful EPB's then.

 

[williamn]

Staff have raised repeatedly with senior management who have said the stock is simply not there and nothing can/will be done.

I never really see trains short formed (living in Lewes) so it just seems to be the case that there’s enough stock, they’ve just stopped bothering trying to allocate Gatwick Express stock to the correct services?

Not complaining though as the Southern liveried units are looking pretty knackered.

 

[SECR 65]

I never really see trains short formed (living in Lewes) so it just seems to be the case that there’s enough stock, they’ve just stopped bothering trying to allocate Gatwick Express stock to the correct services?

Not complaining though as the Southern liveried units are looking pretty knackered.

Thought Lewes the London trains are almost always 8s. Pre-Covid, iirc they were 12s. I know this because when a stopping train went over Cooksbrige level crossing, the last half coach was still blocking the road, but that doesn't happen any more.

GatEx services often seem to be short formed to 4. It seems like when there's disruption, they split a diagram to find stock for another.

I agree that there is just about enough stock to get by, but they need to repaint some 387/2s.

 

[The exile]

Not as durable as the wonderful EPB's then.

Though to be fair, they’re rapidly approaching a similar age (which is a bit depressing if, like me, you still think of them as “nasty new plastic”)

 

[yorksrob]

Though to be fair, they’re rapidly approaching a similar age (which is a bit depressing if, like me, you still think of them as “nasty new plastic”)

Indeed (and I do !)

 

[JohnElliott]

Interesting that the document sees fit to mention 6-tracking East Croydon to South Croydon and additional 4-tracking south of Three Bridges as potential improvements at some point in the future. Widening the South Croydon cutting without shutting the railway down completely for the duration doesn't sound like fun.