Class 345 progress

[dmncf]

It's a shame that TfL Rail's services to Hayes & Harlington are not running to Maidenhead instead, but I guess that terminating at Hayes & Harlington was never the plan and that these trains were expected to be running to Heathrow.

 

[matt_world2004]

They have stuck tfl rail stickers on some of the 9 car 345s at old oak might be an indication of movement to 9 car to either heathrow or hayes.

 

[lyneux]

There was a 9 car at Ealing Broadway on Tuesday night (not a service train) that according to the platform staff was headed for the bay platform at Hayes. So there is clearly testing of them going on on the western section.

I didn't notice which type of stickers it had.

 

[timatheronwood]

Further on seeing class 37s powering Elizabeth Line stock, I saw 37611 pass through Denmark Hill around 16:30 on 4th July. I can no longer check on real time trains where it was heading to or from. Sadly, I also failed to count the carriages - I was too busy trying to work out how to get back to West Berkshire.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

I saw seven diagrams in operation off Liverpool Street today, of which at least four were the all day off peak ones.

 

[theking]

The usual bombardier build quality.

 

[fgwrich]

I'm not surprised. I tried one of the 345s last week between Padd and Southall and was surprised how much they rattle. I really don't think the Flexx-Eco bogies help either, giving their usual standard of harsh riding.

At least the door buttons look like a smart new type (that won't fall off!).

 

[Mordac]

I was about to ask, how have the buttons been holding up?

 

[samuelmorris]

I've not seen any come off, they're just horrible to use :P

 

[387star]

I'm not surprised. I tried one of the 345s last week between Padd and Southall and was surprised how much they rattle. I really don't think the Flexx-Eco bogies help either, giving their usual standard of harsh riding.

At least the door buttons look like a smart new type (that won't fall off!).

Rattling is also common on 377s with the between carriage doors which are often broken

 

[700007]

The door buttons were not placed in the best area as people often block it and if you ask someone on TfL Rail to move, that's a likely starter for a fight

Also the lack of braille which is poor considering both the 315s and 360s had that on their buttons makes it a step back for deaf-blind people.

 

[Goldfish62]

The door buttons were not placed in the best area as people often block it and if you ask someone on TfL Rail to move, that's a likely starter for a fight

So true!!!!

 

[matt_world2004]

They should set up the doors so they open automatically at busy stations(Like Ealing Broadway) but remain closed until a user presses the button at quiet stations (Like Acton Main Line)

 

[twpsaesneg]

I don't know much about buffers, but they are not meant to fall over and wedge themselves under trains.

not least at what was presumably a low speed?

A fixed buffer stop such as this is purely used as an end marker and isn't designed to take any impact load.

 

[Non Multi]

I experienced the cl345 for the first time during rush hour between Hayes & H. and Paddington yesterday. My verdict: So unbelievably uncomfortable! I expect leisure travellers will quickly learn to avoid these trains for long journeys, such is the level of discomfort on offer.

Later that same day I travelled on a Pacer between Sheffield and Darton. You know, one of those old trains that are much disliked 'Oop North'. Its Richmond seats were infinitely more comfortable (even if the legroom was rubbish), I bet even the Pacers with original bus benches are more comfy...

 

[InterCity:125]

I've not seen any come off, they're just horrible to use :P

I find most door buttons on new trains are horrible to use, it was like that with the class 800s when they arrived.

 

[superkev]

This month's Modern Railways TIN watch shows a MTIN (miles per technical incident of just 2027 miles.
Glad my comfy car is much more reliable and I don't have to risk trains anymore.. Poor show.
K

Is there anywhere to access MTIN data or do we have to rely on Modern Railways.
K

 

[rebmcr]

Also the lack of braille which is poor considering both the 315s and 360s had that on their buttons makes it a step back for deaf-blind people.

If such a person has located the button well enough to feel the braille on it, there's not much more that the braille would be able to tell them.

They should set up the doors so they open automatically at busy stations(Like Ealing Broadway) but remain closed until a user presses the button at quiet stations (Like Acton Main Line)

That's a recipe for mass confusion. It's already bad enough where people change between the Tube and the DLR.

 

[Mag_seven]

It's already bad enough where people change between the Tube and the DLR.

Tell me about it - I almost missed a flight from City airport because of my "expectation" that the DLR train doors would open automatically!

 

[samuelmorris]

The plan is for automatic door release in the core surely?

 

[700007]

The plan is for automatic door release in the core surely?

Similar to ThamesLink in their core, yes.

 

[Mikey C]

The usual bombardier build quality.
View attachment 49641

Not sure Bombardier can be blamed for the bloke's saggy jeans

 

[swt_passenger]

The plan is for automatic door release in the core surely?

I very much expect so. It would be technically difficult to have independent passenger control of 27 sets of train and platform edge doors in the underground section.

Not sure if how they operate 4 tph west of Paddington today sets much precedent for the future full service though, as all they are really doing now is replicating what went on before under GWR and HCon. Once the full service runs predictable timing will be much more important. Although only half the core service is extended west, it still has to integrate fully with the services that turnback at Westbourne Park.

 

[Andyh82]

I haven’t been following this thread as it isn’t in my usual scope of interest, but as I’m currently in London I might as well go on the look out for a 345. Where I have got the highest chance of a service being operated by one, during the off peak this week?

 

[700007]

I haven’t been following this thread as it isn’t in my usual scope of interest, but as I’m currently in London I might as well go on the look out for a 345. Where I have got the highest chance of a service being operated by one, during the off peak this week?

If you go West London (out of London Paddington), all departures at xx16 and xx46 to Hayes and Harlington Monday to Saturday are operated by class 345s.

If you come to the East Side (out of London Liverpool Street) on a Saturday, about 8 out of 11 trains are 345s, and on a Monday to Friday you have one every few trains.

 

[matt_world2004]

A 9 car class 345 left London paddington at just before the scheduled passenger service 345 at 21:45 it it went to platform 4 in hayes and turned back round again. Today. Both were parked next to each other at hayes for a brief time

 

[G_A_C_C_C]

Before H&H went over to 345s I would regularly see 9 car 345s running to Maidenhead and back on test trains, but nothing since. Has testing/driver training finished? What has happened to these units? Are the 9 cars mainly collecting dust in OO? Does anyone have an up-to-date list of the location of all the built units?

 

[TrainSailing]

Before H&H went over to 345s I would regularly see 9 car 345s running to Maidenhead and back on test trains, but nothing since. Has testing/driver training finished? What has happened to these units? Are the 9 cars mainly collecting dust in OO? Does anyone have an up-to-date list of the location of all the built units?

These training runs are still taking place with the 9 cars albeit not as much as they were a few months ago. After dark mileage accumulation is also taking place with the newly delivered units.

 

[matt_world2004]

Sometimes the 9 cars leave paddington at 2137 go to heathrow junction and turn back around again.

 

[cactustwirly]

Saw a 9 car 345 testing around Maidenhead this afternoon