Class 345 progress

[class387]

Have they always shown the head code on the displays?

Also, how many train care staff members do they have? Four people with rubbish bags and litter pickers on this one and then a fifth with window cleaner polishing off any marks on the glass by the doors!

View attachment 46212

They usually show a PIS code - 8A07 I think? Unless it has been changed.

 

[jon0844]

As far as I know yes, and - several - since the TfL takeover there have been quite a few cleaners working the trains on turnaround at Liverpool Street.

I assume when the service ramps up, they'll travel on the trains and won't all congregate on a single service!

 

[samuelmorris]

Not sure - maybe cleaners will travel through the turnback at Paddington? Otherwise it'd have to be done at Shenfield, Reading, Abbey Wood etc - you couldn't have cleaners in the middle of the line, it'd be too busy.

 

[DanNCL]

Not sure - maybe cleaners will travel through the turnback at Paddington?

Cleaners travel through DLR turnback at Bank, so it wouldn't be surprising if they were to travel through the Crossrail turnback at Paddington.

 

[paulravuslante]

MTR gets fined for cleanliness failings I believe

Yes, fines for anything from cleanliness, staff appearance, number of announcements, graffiti, defective items in stations....the list goes on...

 

[jon0844]

Yes, fines for anything from cleanliness, staff appearance, number of announcements, graffiti, defective items in stations....the list goes on...

Is there a fine for passengers being unable to board because it's full and standing with train crew?

 

[Ronnie268]

On a different note, this morning's 0756 Shenfield - Liverpool St was a 315 again today, when it is usually a 345. Does anyway one know whether this was:
a) a fault with this specific 345?
b) a 345 that has been transferred to the Western side? or
c) some other unknown thing?

 

[matt_world2004]

Is there a fine for passengers being unable to board because it's full and standing with train crew?

The operator is supposed to inform rfl of any circumstances that could effect capacity or any unexpected changes in loadings so yes.

 

[306024]

Is there a fine for passengers being unable to board because it's full and standing with train crew?

That would be about 1,000 train crew all on the same train?

 

[jon0844]

That would be about 1,000 train crew all on the same train?

I wasn't being serious you know!

 

[306024]

And I was being deliberately obtuse but the smiley didn't work from my phone.

With regards to diagrams things should settle down from the May timetable change until the 7 car units return from the West.

 

[iphone76]

On a different note, this morning's 0756 Shenfield - Liverpool St was a 315 again today, when it is usually a 345. Does anyway one know whether this was:
a) a fault with this specific 345?
b) a 345 that has been transferred to the Western side? or
c) some other unknown thing?

The 07.56 is booked to be a 315 so it may have been an extra 345 used which has now gone to the West.

 

[iphone76]

They usually show a PIS code - 8A07 I think? Unless it has been changed.

8A07 and 8A03 are generic all station codes which can be used. In most cases, the proper head code is used which produces the correct stopping pattern.

 

[jon0844]

8A07 and 8A03 are generic all station codes which can be used. In most cases, the proper head code is used which produces the correct stopping pattern.

Any idea why it's shown to the public? Not that I think it's a bad idea, and something more TOCs could do to remove any doubt of whether you're on the correct train or not.

 

[306024]

If I asked my 'public' friends whether showing (e.g.) 2W21 helps them they would think I had joined the flat earth brigade.

 

[Domh245]

Any idea why it's shown to the public? Not that I think it's a bad idea, and something more TOCs could do to remove any doubt of whether you're on the correct train or not.

I think it is a similar situation to that of the London Underground S stock which display the train number (LU equivalent of a headcode) on the side displays of driving vehicles when there isn't a driver's key present. It makes it easier for staff on the platform to check what train it is if they're supposed to be taking it over.

 

[rebmcr]

If I asked my 'public' friends whether showing (e.g.) 2W21 helps them they would think I had joined the flat earth brigade.

Regular commuters would learn, regardless of whether they knew what it actually meant.

 

[700007]

Any idea why it's shown to the public? Not that I think it's a bad idea, and something more TOCs could do to remove any doubt of whether you're on the correct train or not.

It's for staff reference - during the peaks mainly the staff radio to the control room I believe what train has just left their station and give an estimation of how busy it is. So they will say something like 2W51 has just departed Ilford 90% full.

That's what I have seen and heard anyways.

 

[jon0844]

If I asked my 'public' friends whether showing (e.g.) 2W21 helps them they would think I had joined the flat earth brigade.

For a tube-like service, headcodes are pointless.. but for Intercity services it would be ideal. Eurostar identify each train with a code and it means you can more easily check against your ticket than checking a time (especially at stations where there may be more than one departure at the exact same time, rare as it is).

Imagine if flights just went by the time and destination!

 

[306024]

You would need a better system than just using the current 4 character headcode as these are duplicated all over the country. A human could probably cope but a computer would be baffled. In data terms train IDs are already 6 characters, but then your train would be 1A00AA for example.

Most of mainland Europe uses individual train numbers that are visible to the public so it isn't a bad idea, but implementing it would require £,£££,£££s.

Meanwhile I'll check whether my plane next week has the flight number on the outside.

 

[matt_world2004]

For a tube-like service, headcodes are pointless.. but for Intercity services it would be ideal. Eurostar identify each train with a code and it means you can more easily check against your ticket than checking a time (especially at stations where there may be more than one departure at the exact same time, rare as it is).

Imagine if flights just went by the time and destination!

They could also be printed on advanced tickets

 

[JW16]

Could the 345s be retro-fitted with luggage racks at all? Even just a small one here and there (doesn't have to run the full length of the coach like on the 315s) would be amazingly helpful.

 

[700007]

Could the 345s be retro-fitted with luggage racks at all? Even just a small one here and there (doesn't have to run the full length of the coach like on the 315s) would be amazingly helpful.

I would love if it they did. One of the selling points about this line is it goes to Heathrow Airport and yet they have no racks which baffles me because it means an uncomfortable journey.

 

[paulravuslante]

I would love if it they did. One of the selling points about this line is it goes to Heathrow Airport and yet they have no racks which baffles me because it means an uncomfortable journey.

I dont see the big deal. Everyone is told not to leave their bags out of their sight for security reasons, as a result many people would rather take up a seat with their bag or crane their neck at every stop to make sure their bag is still where they left it in the luggage rack at the end of the carriage. Currently on the GWR 387s luggage racks are used as makeshift seating on crowded trains rather than its designed purpose.

 

[700007]

I think any 7 cars that have gone Old Oak should be back soon, as it appears the bay platform extension is ready to be commissioned and it should be using the 9 cars.

 

[swt_passenger]

I think any 7 cars that have gone Old Oak should be back soon, as it appears the bay platform extension is ready to be commissioned and it should be using the 9 cars.

A Network Rail plan comes together just in time? Whatever next...

 

[700007]

A Network Rail plan comes together just in time? Whatever next...

Yes it was a shocker to me too but that's what I have been told!! I even saw the platform yesterday and the extension looks ready to use.

 

[D365]

A Network Rail plan comes together just in time? Whatever next...

The 385s introduced in time for a December timetable?

 

[700007]

The 385s introduced in time for a December timetable?

D365, it isn't April Fools anymore

 

[Domh245]

The 385s introduced in time for a December timetable?

December 2019 perhaps!