Class 360 futures after Heathrow Connect?

[InOban]

I can understand why a major emu franchise will want a homogeneous fleet. But I wonder whether self-contained,much smaller operation like West Yorkshire could use them? Rail commuting is rising rapidly, and there seems little prospect of electrification extending soon, so they wouldn't need to wander far from their local depot.

 

[JN114]

As I've said in similar threads before I will be very, very, very surprised if they go anywhere when TfL take over Connect next year. Storage almost certainly, refit perhaps, but they will in all likelihood remain on the books of Heathrow Airport Ltd.

 

[MCR247]

As I've said in similar threads before I will be very, very, very surprised if they go anywhere when TfL take over Connect next year. Storage almost certainly, refit perhaps, but they will in all likelihood remain on the books of Heathrow Airport Ltd.

I don't think thats what the forum wants to hear though

 

[Bletchleyite]

As I've said in similar threads before I will be very, very, very surprised if they go anywhere when TfL take over Connect next year. Storage almost certainly, refit perhaps, but they will in all likelihood remain on the books of Heathrow Airport Ltd.

As in you reckon HAL may do them up to Express spec for extra capacity/maintenance spares?

 

[JN114]

As in you reckon HAL may do them up to Express spec for extra capacity/maintenance spares?

Or Western Access, yes.

 

[43096]

Possibly easier to do with 350/1s as they have third rail capability. And if I recall rightly almost nothing slung under the driving coaches.

All the power converters are under the driving coaches on the Desiros.

 

[F Great Eastern]

As I've said in similar threads before I will be very, very, very surprised if they go anywhere when TfL take over Connect next year. Storage almost certainly, refit perhaps, but they will in all likelihood remain on the books of Heathrow Airport Ltd.

That's 5 of them what about the other 21?

 

[JN114]

That's 5 of them what about the other 21?

The other 21 are outwith the topic of this thread and thus don't enter into the discussion.

 

[F Great Eastern]

The topic is "Class 360s future after Heathrow Connect"
It is not: "Heathrow Connect Class 360s future"

 

[HLE]

Send them up north. Madness that 319's will be running and 360's in storage.

 

[3141]

The topic is "Class 360s future after Heathrow Connect"
It is not: "Heathrow Connect Class 360s future"

It was said of W.E Gladstone that he could distinguish between two propositions that everyone else would consider identical. You've offered two propositions whose differences logicians might find interestingly subtle.

 

[Uzair]

Send them up north. Madness that 319's will be running and 360's in storage.

Agreed.

 

[Jamesrob637]

Send them up north. Madness that 319's will be running and 360's in storage.

We'd love them here. Not "brand" new, but nearly new trains suit a 1st rate provincial city, which is what Manchester is these days. They'd be great on the Crewe and Stoke stoppers, if only they could fit in the bay at Stoke!

 

[F Great Eastern]

I've been taking them almost every working day for the last year, having used them a lot for the first few years of build and honestly it's hard to find fault with them at all, they could do with some sockets perhaps being added and Wifi and they've had seat covers and carpets replaced, but apart from that they don't feel much difereent from when they were introduced into service

If they go into storage it will be a travesty because the build quality of both sets of them is outstanding and they feel nowhere near their age and put a lot of newer stock to shame, if you compare them with Bombarider stock produced around the same time or even half their age, the 360s still come out far better.

I've also never had one fail on me or have an AC breakdown, a door out of service or anything like that and I must have noticed up at least 500 trips on them.

 

[AverageTD]

Last time I checked (ages ago) HC was owned by First so maybe it will be kept by GWR for backup stock

 

[MCR247]

Last time I checked (ages ago) HC was owned by First so maybe it will be kept by GWR for backup stock

The trains are owned by Heathrow, as was posted upthread

 

[JN114]

The topic is "Class 360s future after Heathrow Connect"
It is not: "Heathrow Connect Class 360s future"

I think the inference is clear enough, and aside from a brief mention of "with the other Class 360 operator" the Anglia units hadn't been mentioned until you brought them up. There is a whole thread devoted to the Anglia fleet changes, perhaps the answers you seek will there.

Last time I checked (ages ago) HC was owned by First so maybe it will be kept by GWR for backup stock

First have never "owned" Heathrow Connect - it's a brand name for the jointly operated services between Heathrow Express and GW (or more specifically the Thames Franchise holder, as they were foresighted enough to tie the agreement to the franchise, rather than a specific operator). Again the politics and finer points of the joint operation are outwith the topic of discussion - they are incredibly complex and a minefield of commercial sensitivities. In short GWR's contribution is essentially administrative - Heathrow Express provide the trains, the crews, the maintenance, the timetable and so on... The Rolling Stock is property of Heathrow Airport. And while the Connect service is due to wind up with Crossrail, that doesn't mean Heathrow don't have a use for them.

 

[absolutelymilk]

Any update on what will happen to the HC 360s?

 

[D365]

They’re not owned by a ROSCO, so unless Heathrow announces any immediate plans to repurpose them, there won’t be any news to report.

 

[whhistle]

...scrapping perfectly good trains half way through their life...

They're not "perfectly good" though, that's a significant problem.

As has already been discussed, the 360s "aren't suited" to the West Midlands 323 routes because those routes hold 2x3 car 323s better, apparently.

There is a lot of stock that isn't "perfectly" suited to a route, but it would be a darn sight better than what is already running. For example, anyone who says any of the Sprinter family are worth keeping doesn't think what a non-railway person thinks about them. They're old, too noisy and showing their age, no matter what colour you paint on the outside.

But at the same time, that is how nearly everything is going. Look at people who throw away washing machines, dishwashers, TVs, microwaves because it's easier/simpler to buy new.

 

[Buggleskelly]

Any update on what will happen to the HC 360s?

Hopefully they will be kept to fill in for any 345's that will inevitably break down due to a fault, like they are constantly doing here on the eastern side.

 

[F Great Eastern]

They're not "perfectly good" though, that's a significant problem.

With all due respect, I think someone who has traveled on them for almost 15 years would be far better qualified to comment on the trains than you. They have been perfect at doing my commute for years.

When AGA move to a 5/10 car railway 8 cars are going to be cut to 5 cars in some cases whilst trains currently 4 cars are going to be increased to 5. All 4 car services are going to see a large uplift in capacity they don't need meanwhile the 8 cars that are running around full at times are going to lose a fair bit of capacity.

Before you say that they will run the 8 car sets as 10 cars going forward - they don't have anywhere near enough units on order to do this so their answer is to take the capacity from the trains that need it (8 cars) and give it to the trains that don't (4 cars)

As has already been discussed, the 360s "aren't suited" to the West Midlands 323 routes because those routes hold 2x3 car 323s better, apparently.

Where did I say they were? Pray tell.

 

[E16 Cyclist]

As previously stated they are owned by Heathrow airport limited as they are the ex demonstration stock, so they’ll either be kept by Heathrow or sold to the highest bidder, and as they’re identical to ones used on the Bangkok airport service don’t be surprised if they end up overseas

 

[whhistle]

With all due respect, I think someone who has traveled on them for almost 15 years would be far better qualified to comment on the trains than you.

Don't get me wrong, I agree with you but perhaps the problem is defining "perfectly good".
For the route they're on yes but for elsewhere, not so much, which is what we're discussing.
But thank you for assuming you're "more qualified". I didn't know there was a qualification! :P

Where did I say they were? Pray tell.

Nobody is saying you said it. But I'm sure there was a suggestion the whole fleet could be sent to the West Mids. Maybe I read it wrong, maybe not, but someone needs to lighten up a bit.

 

[Class 317722]

Anyone know what the plan is for 360205. Will this be staying with Heathrow Express?

 

[D365]

Anyone know what the plan is for 360205. Will this be staying with Heathrow Express?

There’s nothing to suggest yet that any will be sold by Heathrow. The Terminal 4 shuttle will cease to exist when Crossrail takes over so it won’t be needed there.

 

[adrock1976]

Regarding 360205, is that the one that is specially dedicated for the Terminal 4 - Terminals 123 shuttle?

 

[D365]

Regarding 360205, is that the one that is specially dedicated for the Terminal 4 - Terminals 123 shuttle?

Specially dedicated insofar as it carries a dedicated HX livery. Other than that no different and can be seen in the general HC pool.

 

[Non Multi]

Specially dedicated insofar as it carries a dedicated HX livery. Other than that no different and can be seen in the general HC pool.

There is another difference, AFAIK and it's not on the outside.

 

[F Great Eastern]

The seating is more padded on that unit as well as being different moquette