class 317 thameslink history

[bramling]

Thanks for the info.

Reading there that GN only had 25 Class 365s, so did all of the 317/2 transfer to WA duties when they arrived? GN really didn't have many units back then did they?

No, it was a batch of low-numbered 317/1s which transferred, and this was to LTS to replace the 302s. I think in the event only 17x 317s ever went to LTS.

The rest of the 317s were available for both GN and WA duties under WAGN, although at some point 9x 317/1s were refurbished and dedicated to Stansted Express.

This situation then continued until the WAGN/'one' split, when GN was left with 317337-348 (the 12 it still has today), plus a batch of earlier units mainly those returned from LTS. As the second batch of 365s arrived from South Eastern, these earlier 317s also made their way over to West Anglia, having been used to cover a Thameslink blockade as well.

Regarding fleet totals, after arrival of the 365s, the outer suburban section of the combined WAGN would have had:
25x 365
55x 317
5x 322
(Total 85)

Today it's more complex because of some of the West Anglia inners are part of London Overground, however, prior to the arrival of the 387s, I make it:
GN:
12x 317
13x 321
40x 365
(Total 65)
WA:
60x 317 (albeit many are operated by LO)
30x 379
(Total 90).
(Grand total GN + WA 155.)