Class 323 issues - the Reprise!

[causton]

The 323s arent bad, and the seating arrangement is certainly better than the 150s. I was on one for a while yesterday in the rush hour, and theyre OK.
I returned on one which had new interior lights and it made it look so much better, than the old, now turned yellow light clusters. I hope theyre replacing the lights on all of the LM stock.

The 323s would be perfect if they had information screens and automated announcements like the 350s do. With the amount of stops that they make, its difficult to tell where you are when its dark, and very few guards make station stop announcements.

EDIT: Would people prefer the 323s or the 350/2s on the Cross City line and would the 350/2s be able to perform at the same level?

I would prefer the 350/2s on the Cross City line - *IF* I was using the Cross City line more often!

As I've only been on the Cross City line twice and Euston-Bham a lot more, I would just about prefer the 350s were used on the latter rather than the former

 

[tom1649]

Don't forget Crewe via Stockport and Stoke!

What about the 19.22 Man Picc - Hazel Grove and return?

 

[Batman]

I would prefer the 350/2s on the Cross City line - *IF* I was using the Cross City line more often!

As I've only been on the Cross City line twice and Euston-Bham a lot more, I would just about prefer the 350s were used on the latter rather than the former

We've had this discussion many times before, Class 350 are not a suitable replacement for 323's on the Cross city line unless a 3 car version is developed. This is because platform lengths are 6 car maximum and platform extensions would be very difficult at certain stations (Barnt Green, Duddeston, Aston, Four Oaks and Lichfield City).
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The 323s would be perfect if they had information screens and automated announcements like the 350s do. With the amount of stops that they make, its difficult to tell where you are when its dark, and very few guards make station stop announcements.

I use the cross city line all the time and station anouncements are made at by the vast majoirty of guards at all stations. I hate the automated ones on 172's and 350's. They get very anoying after a while. It's nice to hear an actual human voice on a train anouncement, somthing which I guess will unfortunatly be phased out over the coming years. :cry:

 

[BuhSnarf]

It's nice to hear a human announcement if it's done well. With automated announcements they are 99% going to occur, whereas some guards dont bother or are busy getting back to the doors to get them ready or announce them in the most undecipherable way possible!

I find intercity operators do them well - EMT and Virgin especially. Local operators not. Used to travel on train in Manchester area tons on the 323 as I worked at the airport and regularly all you'd get was "Wilmslow" a few minutes before arriving!

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[Lampshade]

I find intercity operators do them well - EMT and Virgin especially. Local operators not. Used to travel on train in Manchester area tons on the 323 as I worked at the airport and regularly all you'd get was "Wilmslow" a few minutes before arriving!

Most lines 323s operate on around Manchester have stations two minutes apart; to do a full intercity announcement before each station the Guard would need to start announcing as soon as the train starts moving and would end up with laryngitis very quickly hock:

 

[Robinson]

What about the 19.22 Man Picc - Hazel Grove and return?

I didn't mention that as he was referring to routes where they are the regular traction; alas, Hazel Grove only has 1tpd which is 323 operated!

 

[87015]

EDIT: Would people prefer the 323s or the 350/2s on the Cross City line and would the 350/2s be able to perform at the same level?

350s couldn't keep to the timings because they need extended station dwell times, which would be a bit of a disaster...

 

[BuhSnarf]

Indeed.

However there is nothing wrong with "Our next station is xxxx" gives you time to notice announcement beginning and here the station name!

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