Class 345 progress

[jaig]

So what's the chance of seeing it running the 0945 today?

Sent from my SM-J500FN using Tapatalk

 

[ctom_s]

0, given there's no confirmed date yet.

"Hi, apologies, at moment we don't have a confirmed date when new trains will be in service. We'll update the feed when we do"

looks like they might announce it on their twitter feed anyhoo (the day, not specific trains)

 

[spark001uk]

My tweet got replied with "I'm sorry, we don't have this information".!

 

[simple simon]

So, tomorrow is the 23rd, this being the day that had been suggested as when the media event showcasing these trains will take place.

I am now beginning to wonder, will the 09:45 run? Or will I be wasting my time and money going to see it? (let alone hoping to ride it)

I suppose that even if the train does run no-one will be told in advance as by the very nature it will be a media event and ordinary people won't be welcome.

Simon

 

[Techniquest]

Wasn't the media run supposed to be today? Strange that TfL are being very quiet on the matter, I'm starting to think a visit to London this weekend may not be on the cards after all...

 

[MCR247]

You'd think the train wasn't in public service yet... oh wait

 

[samuelmorris]

I'd have thought if it were that soon we would have heard something by now - I'll keep an eye on the twitter feed. Was quite amusing how many people on the 321 arriving into Shenfield this evening stubbornly waited for the doors to open on the left hand side, despite the fact they could see there was no platform there

 

[spark001uk]

Well I'm going up tomorrow so I'll try again, I may at least see one this time, but won't hold breath for anything else.
Anyway, not the end of the world if not, keep telling myself at the end of the day it's just a glorified Capitalstar/Electrostar mix.!

 

[samuelmorris]

...but it's neither of those things

I'll keep a watchful eye on the forum thread just in case, but as it stands I have yet to see one of the units in motion outside of Youtube!

 

[chris2.0]

Just a thought, What if the media train was in fact an in service train.
There is a 0950 from Liverpool street to Shenfield that come in as a service starting at Gidea Park, this service starts from Gidea Park Middle Siding at 0908. This is where I have seen some 345s stabled in the last few weeks. Does this seem at all likely?

I might take my chances and head for Gidea Park in the morning just in case.

 

[MCR247]

Just a thought, What if the media train was in fact an in service train.
There is a 0950 from Liverpool street to Shenfield that come in as a service starting at Gidea Park, this service starts from Gidea Park Middle Siding at 0908. This is where I have seen some 345s stabled in the last few weeks. Does this seem at all likely?

I might take my chances and head for Gidea Park in the morning just in case.

This train runs everyday and seems to be the return working of 2C18 0827 Liverpool St - Gidea Park

 

[spark001uk]

There were several test runs yesterday (Monday), a few of which were cancelled last minute (happened to me last week too!). But for today (Tues) oddly there's only one working - 1119 into LST, 1127 back out. Then Weds is back to the usual several workings.

Make of that what you will. I may go over in the morning see if I can see what's going on.

 

[simple simon]

I was at Ilford this morning, it seems that the service was completely messed up because of a broken down train.

I did not see a moving Class 345, although I did see a train which was terminating at Gidea Park yet was also (according to the electronic display info) calling at Brentwood, Harold Wood, Shenfield. As I said, the service was messed up! I also noted that the platform extension works were well underway. I remain unconvinced that bay platform No.5 had to be withdrawn to facilitate the longer platform. My thoughts remain that decision-makers just did not value it.

As I had a validated Oystercard I travelled from Ilford to Seven Kings. I filmed the journey through the dirty train window and noted a couple of 345's plus what looked like a 365 (light blue doors and 'Great Northern' on its side) and some 321's, 317's, 315's, diesel shunters.....

Simon

edit to add: The only 345 that I could identify was 345 005. On its side was a message about it being a new train which is destined for the Elizabeth line.

 

[spark001uk]

Well, I came up this morning, again, to LST in time for the 345 due to arrive at 1119. Got there and saw it still hadn't arrived at Gidea. So thought I'd jump on the Colchester to see what's happening. On passing Ilford, there's a 345 rolling out the depot, 5Z05 on STP.
Got off at Romford, however the 360 I was on suffered some sort of traction issue at Stratford so we were 11 late, and I just missed the XR stopper back. Got the next one, got into LST just as the 345 was leaving!

I give up, it's obviously not meant to be.! :/

 

[simple simon]

Hmm, its even harder than searching for a needle in a haystack!

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/G52224/2017/05/23/advanced

This service was cancelled between Shenfield Stabling Sidings and Ilford due to the train operator's request (TB).

Simon

 

[spark001uk]

It's not too hard, it's just my bad luck so far. Best way is go to rtt and do a search for LST, 0000-2359, ZZ. That should give a list of them running between gidea / Chad and LST. Though it is possible one or two only come as far as gas factory jn so I'd repeat the search at Stratford as well to be sure.

Downside is the fact they're still testing tells me they're not ready to go into service yet!

 

[chris2.0]

Sadly no passenger services today and the rumoured press train was also cancelled which was probably for the best seeing the distribution caused by a failed train at Brentwood. They did run a train especially for the £15 billion railway documentary team. They left 90 seconds at the end of next weeks episode to dedicate to the first official running of the new train so needed some footage to fill this. 345006 pulled into Liverpool Street arround 1210 and after the film crew got their shots, the train left for Shenfield. Once at shenfield, the train occupied platform 5 causing a 315 to occupy platform 4 which I don't think they have done in a little while. The train left back to Liverpool Street and then returned to Gidea Park Sidings. Whilst it was not the first passenger service I had hoped for, it was great fun chasing it up and down the line. None of the TFL Rail staff or cross rail team were able to give me a date for the first passenger run.

 

[HainultLoop]

It all seems rather secretive! One would have thought that they would be advertising the first day of the 345s in service all over the line but it doesn't look like it…can we expect the entry into service to be in the next few days?

 

[spark001uk]

I gave up after it left just as I arrived back there at 1237, there was no signs that it would return today at that point so I left.

 

[MCR247]

It all seems rather secretive! One would have thought that they would be advertising the first day of the 345s in service all over the line but it doesn't look like it…can we expect the entry into service to be in the next few days?

Oh please! Why do people on here feel like they have some divine right to be told of everything? Why would you publish a date and advertise when it may not happen? Just like the press run didn't happen. :roll:

It is actually ridiculous, if something hasn't been told to enthusiasts the first response "oh why are they so secretive" as if they are specifically doing it to annoy people, well the fact is we don't need to know do we?

 

[Lockwood]

TfL seem to like people to get on board the hype train, if you pardon the phrase.

They push a lot of "This new thing is coming in!" "Look for this new thing!" "New stock for you!" advertising, so it wouldn't be atypical for them to do a "Crossrail trains are here! Starting XX/XX/2017, you can see the new trains for yourself!" campaign

 

[LAX54]

It all seems rather secretive! One would have thought that they would be advertising the first day of the 345s in service all over the line but it doesn't look like it…can we expect the entry into service to be in the next few days?

Can't see any 345's running anyway ! all 321/315/317

 

[spark001uk]

Oh please! Why do people on here feel like they have some divine right to be told of everything? Why would you publish a date and advertise when it may not happen? Just like the press run didn't happen. :roll:

It is actually ridiculous, if something hasn't been told to enthusiasts the first response "oh why are they so secretive" as if they are specifically doing it to annoy people, well the fact is we don't need to know do we?

To be fair that's not quite how I interpreted the guy's post, I don't see anything in it that's particularly demanding, just an expression toward the fact that they HAVE already said May, which we are fast approaching the end of with no news. Yes people are anxious and keen to see them in service, just as they have been with other recent and upcoming stock. Certainly not what I'd call ridiculous though.

What could be construed as ridiculous, however, is when people take part in an enthuasiasts' forum discussion, then slate fellow enthusiasts for being... well... enthusiastic!!

.

 

[MCR247]

deleted

 

[MCR247]

TfL seem to like people to get on board the hype train, if you pardon the phrase.

They push a lot of "This new thing is coming in!" "Look for this new thing!" "New stock for you!" advertising, so it wouldn't be atypical for them to do a "Crossrail trains are here! Starting XX/XX/2017, you can see the new trains for yourself!" campaign

I agree, thats why the lack of announcement suggests to me that they're not in a position to, because they don't know for sure. The press train being cancelled also seems to back up this theory

 

[EssexGonzo]

But the fact is, there hasn't been a public service yet, and as you say we are approaching the end of May so logically TfLs silence suggests they aren't in a position to make a big press release saying "ENTRY TO SERVICE XX/XX/2017" as they don't know for sure? Maybe they're hoping it will be tomorrow, but if there is any chance it won't be, why would they announce it to the public and leave themselves open to being slated/having to then explain why it isn't happening if something goes wrong? We just don't know whats happening behind the scenes. Calling it secretive suggests they're trying to conceal the start date when all we have to go on is the lack of an announcement. Come on :roll:

And breathe.

Why did you take his post so literally? He just implied that they were keeping any first running plans to themselves after the PR machine has been banging on about new trains for ages. It was a fair point to make and the inference that "it's now gone quiet, is there a problem?" seems reasonable.

His post certainly didn't invite your vitriol flavoured response.

 

[spark001uk]

Hear hear.

 

[MCR247]

Sorry, looking back I can see I interpreted the post incorrectly. I don't think not getting any sleep last night helped the situation but that's no excuse.

Apologies HainaultLoop and spark001uk

 

[futureA]

I was at Stratford about 45 mins ago and spotted a 345 heading east. It appeared to have a number of engineers on board.

 

[spark001uk]

I was at Stratford about 45 mins ago and spotted a 345 heading east. It appeared to have a number of engineers on board.

That will have been 3Z44 to Shenfield (running late). There's a number of test runs overnight.