Class 350 questions

[pt_mad]

Hi people

So from what I can gather, when the 350/3s have been built they will go into service with London Midland? I read somewhere that the 350/4s may have a more intercity orientated interior, although I can't remember where.

Are the 350/3s likely to have a more longer distance orientated interior or will they be essentially the same as the 350/1s?

It strikes me that an interior closer to that used in class 444 may be more appropriate for Euston - Crewe. Could London Midland not have looked at ordering something closer to an AC version of the class 444? More seats, more of a longer distance interior? Or do they require more centralised doors so that people aren't standing in vestibles?

Any info would be apreciated. Thanks.

 

[Manchester77]

The /3s will have a /1 style interior (2+2 seating) for additional London Midland services.

The /4s are for TransPennineExpress and will have a layout simular to the 185s which TPE are classing as an intercity layout

http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=84485

This thread (^^) has more details about the /4s

 

[455driver]

Thats 3 questions answered only 347 to go!

 

[pt_mad]

Couldn't London Midland have considered an intercity style layout then?

 

[Class377/5]

Couldn't London Midland have considered an intercity style layout then?

No because the fleets used on various duties across the area with the most common usage being for commuter routs hence the lay out.

 

[Monty]

Thats 3 questions answered only 347 to go!

Where is the 'like' function when you need it!

 

[pt_mad]

And an additional question...sorry to be a pain... when the 350/3s are in operation does this mean some units will be double 350s on busier services?

 

[PaxVobiscum]

Thats 3 questions answered only 347 to go!

That was how I read the title as well. Beat me to it 455driver!

 

[Pumbaa]

And an additional question...sorry to be a pain... when the 350/3s are in operation does this mean some units will be double 350s on busier services?

Not as a matter of course - they are introducing (3?) new services in the AM peak on West Coast commuter duties and (4?) in the PM peak on the same, as well as later services on the Crewe route that will go via Weedon rather than Northampton as they currently do during the peaks.

LM have stated already that some weekend Crewe services will be 8 from now on to reduce overcrowding.

 

[sonic2009]

Not as a matter of course - they are introducing (3?) new services in the AM peak on West Coast commuter duties and (4?) in the PM peak on the same, as well as later services on the Crewe route that will go via Weedon rather than Northampton as they currently do during the peaks.

LM have stated already that some weekend Crewe services will be 8 from now on to reduce overcrowding.

LM said they cannot run 8 cars north of Nuneaton. Does this mean they will take the Super Off Peak Restriction off on a Saturday?

 

[Boothby97]

LM said they cannot run 8 cars north of Nuneaton. Does this mean they will take the Super Off Peak Restriction off on a Saturday?

Well I thought they did because the 1646 London Euston-Crewe is booked to miss out Stone and Kidsgrove (calling MKC, Rugby, Nuneaton, Atherstone, Tamworth, Lichfield, Rugeley, Stafford, Stoke and Alsager) and it has been reported elsewhere that it's booked an 8 car. Unfortunatley I didn't see the service last week whilst I was at Tamworth due to delays caused by cable theft so can't confirm :roll:

Thanks, Sam

 

[Class377/5]

Well I thought they did because the 1646 London Euston-Crewe is booked to miss out Stone and Kidsgrove (calling MKC, Rugby, Nuneaton, Atherstone, Tamworth, Lichfield, Rugeley, Stafford, Stoke and Alsager) and it has been reported elsewhere that it's booked an 8 car. Unfortunatley I didn't see the service last week whilst I was at Tamworth due to delays caused by cable theft so can't confirm :roll:

Thanks, Sam

Had a look in system, last week it was a single 350/1.

 

[pt_mad]

LM said they cannot run 8 cars north of Nuneaton. Does this mean they will take the Super Off Peak Restriction off on a Saturday?

The 0518 was a double set from Crewe at least one day last week.

 

[Class377/5]

The 0518 was a double set from Crewe at least one day last week.

Just checked 1N00 05:18 Crewe to Euston for this morning and got it was formed of 350248/253/239!

In fact every day last week when it ran, it shows in TRUST as 12 cars.

 

[pt_mad]

Niceeee!!


Shame they can't run a 6:18 as this is a nice little alternative to the pendo.

 

[sd0733]

Just checked 1N00 05:18 Crewe to Euston for this morning and got it was formed of 350248/253/239!

In fact every day last week when it ran, it shows in TRUST as 12 cars.

The 05:18 from Crewe is booked an 8-car from Crewe to Northampton with 4 more added on Mondays only, on Tuesday-Friday it is booked 4-car from Crewe with 8 added at Northampton.

I believe the 16:46 ex-Euston is due to become 8-car at some point during the timetable, I was told that it presently cannot operate at 110mph with 2 pantograhs as its not yet authorised by Network Rail altough not sure how true this is.

 

[Class377/5]

The 05:18 from Crewe is booked an 8-car from Crewe to Northampton with 4 more added on Mondays only, on Tuesday-Friday it is booked 4-car from Crewe with 8 added at Northampton.

I believe the 16:46 ex-Euston is due to become 8-car at some point during the timetable, I was told that it presently cannot operate at 110mph with 2 pantograhs as its not yet authorised by Network Rail altough not sure how true this is.

Ah that explains the TRUST results. Thanks.

 

[pt_mad]

Could do with an 8 car on the 1724 also.

 

[sd0733]

The 17:24 is booked 8 car as far as Northampton then 4 from there to Crewe.
UDS isn't authorised to be used at Stone or Kidsgrove which is why no Crewe services are 8 car. (The 5:18 monday double set is non-stop to rugeley so isn't affected by this.

 

[Boothby97]

UDS isn't authorised to be used at Stone or Kidsgrove which is why no Crewe services are 8 car. (The 5:18 monday double set is non-stop to rugeley so isn't affected by this.

And that is why the 1646 EUS-CRE misses out Stone and Kidsgrove so in future it could be 8 cars

 

[Pumbaa]

The 17:24 is booked 8 car as far as Northampton then 4 from there to Crewe.
UDS isn't authorised to be used at Stone or Kidsgrove which is why no Crewe services are 8 car. (The 5:18 monday double set is non-stop to rugeley so isn't affected by this.

I'm taking an educated guess and saying that this is simply because the train overhangs on the junction on both of these stations?

 

[sd0733]

There are neutral sections just outside both stations which the rear set would be still in, or very very near to.

 

[Pumbaa]

Aha. Thanks.

 

[Nym]

The essential auxillaries can be powered from any one tranny though, so it would just mean no traction till on one unit until you get the other back on juice.

Have seen a pair of 350s in service with one panto dropped and no problems.

 

[branchline]

If the rear unit is still in the neutral section then it's VCB will be closed. You can run 2 350's on one pan but 110v cross feed would have to be in place first, generally only used in times of assistance.

 

[sd0733]

I've seen a memo that Network rail are planning on making some changes to get 8-car running in place on certain Crewe services for the December timetable change. Its not known if they will be 110mph as its not yet authorised in multiple.

On the subject of 350 questions, does anyone know what's up with/what happened to 350103? Its been sat in the same place at Kings Heath for months with a side window boarded up.

 

[cj_1985]

I've seen a memo that Network rail are planning on making some changes to get 8-car running in place on certain Crewe services for the December timetable change. Its not known if they will be 110mph as its not yet authorised in multiple.

On the subject of 350 questions, does anyone know what's up with/what happened to 350103? Its been sat in the same place at Kings Heath for months with a side window boarded up.

isn't the usual "official" reason that its awaiting parts, or awaiting decision by insurers, while unofficially such units or locos are used as a Christmas tree to supply parts to keep other members of the fleet in service until the new parts are delivered,or manufactured (or refurbished in some cases)

 

[sd0733]

True,Yes probably. I guess it needed some parts when it first went in and now it needs a few more!

 

[D365]

Shouldn't be too hard to find 350 parts with the latest batch taking shape in Krefeld :P