Class 360 units being underused.

[stadler]

Why are the 360s so underused? There seems to be so many spare units that sit around doing nothing? There are 21 of the four coach Class 360 units in the EMR fleet. The current timetable requires 6 diagrams so that is a minium of 6 units. However most services seem to be run as eight coach trains so 12 units are used. But that is still 9 spare units.

Why do they not run them as twelve coach trains? This would give extra capacity? Running all 6 diagrams as twelve coach trains would require 18 units. That still leaves 3 spare units so is perfectly doable.

I am sure before the 360s were introduced i heard about plans to run twelve coach formations? Has a twelve coach ever run in passenger service? Or has this plan been scrapped as i have never seen any twelve coach formations? If so does anyone know why they changed their mind with this?

If they are not going to run them as twelve coach formations than why do they not at least use them to run additional services. The frequency along the electrified part of the MML could surely be increased. It just seems such a waste to have so many spare units sitting around doing nothing. It always baffles me why they are so underused so i would be interested if anyone knows the reasons.

 

[FGW_DID]

How many are actually spare? Out of 21 diagrams (1 diagram per unit) 12 are working diagrams, some of those 9 extra diagrams will be reserved specifically for maintenance, i.e. Routine exams, component changes etc. Dependant on how many maintenance diagrams there are then what‘s left will be spare but more than likely swallowed up by the myriad of faults & things that can see a unit stopped and unavailable for traffic.

 

[A0]

Why are the 360s so underused? There seems to be so many spare units that sit around doing nothing? There are 21 of the four coach Class 360 units in the EMR fleet. The current timetable requires 6 diagrams so that is a minium of 6 units. However most services seem to be run as eight coach trains so 12 units are used. But that is still 9 spare units.

Why do they not run them as twelve coach trains? This would give extra capacity? Running all 6 diagrams as twelve coach trains would require 18 units. That still leaves 3 spare units so is perfectly doable.

I am sure before the 360s were introduced i heard about plans to run twelve coach formations? Has a twelve coach ever run in passenger service? Or has this plan been scrapped as i have never seen any twelve coach formations? If so does anyone know why they changed their mind with this?

If they are not going to run them as twelve coach formations than why do they not at least use them to run additional services. The frequency along the electrified part of the MML could surely be increased. It just seems such a waste to have so many spare units sitting around doing nothing. It always baffles me why they are so underused so i would be interested if anyone knows the reasons.

Bit in bold - care to provide evidence of where those spare paths are ? Because I'm not sure they exist and nor does one of the more knowledgeable members of this forum:

Alternative Destinations for MML Trains in London

Seeing the discussion about the limitations placed upon the Midland Mainline (MML) in London by the lack of platform capacity at St Pancras, are there other destinations that trains could run to instead? (I am thinking more of the Corby EMUs rather than the longer distance stock) From the WCML...

www.railforums.co.uk

3) There is no capacity on the MML south of Leicester for more London EMR services anyway, at least not without removing Thameslink services and doign one of i) removing frieght ii) extending journey times for Sheffield / Nottingham services or iii) taking out some calls south of Leicester from some existing EMR London services

 

[30907]

I don't think there's spare paths on the MML if the full TL service is running.
Are there particular Corby services that require 12 cars?

 

[43055]

Why are the 360s so underused? There seems to be so many spare units that sit around doing nothing? There are 21 of the four coach Class 360 units in the EMR fleet. The current timetable requires 6 diagrams so that is a minium of 6 units. However most services seem to be run as eight coach trains so 12 units are used. But that is still 9 spare units.

Why do they not run them as twelve coach trains? This would give extra capacity? Running all 6 diagrams as twelve coach trains would require 18 units. That still leaves 3 spare units so is perfectly doable.

I am sure before the 360s were introduced i heard about plans to run twelve coach formations? Has a twelve coach ever run in passenger service? Or has this plan been scrapped as i have never seen any twelve coach formations? If so does anyone know why they changed their mind with this?

If they are not going to run them as twelve coach formations than why do they not at least use them to run additional services. The frequency along the electrified part of the MML could surely be increased. It just seems such a waste to have so many spare units sitting around doing nothing. It always baffles me why they are so underused so i would be interested if anyone knows the reasons.

A 12 car has run before but it way only for a couple of days about a year or two back.

There is 12 units for the passenger diagrams in the day but you also have 2 units swap between Cricklewood and Bedford Depot for maintenance and presumably 1 or 2 units in the shed which would take you up to say 16 units accounted for. Sometimes as well a unit could be at Northampton for maintenance.

 

[cockneyviking]

There are 3 units at Northampton Kings Heath Depot today.

 

[The exile]

I wonder who would be the first to complain about cancellations and short forms if the “buffer” were reduced.

 

[swt_passenger]

All EMU services were to be 12 car in the peaks and shoulder peaks. It was discussed at length in the 2020 thread when it was new news, the intention for 12 car trains was explicitly stated in the consultation being referred to at that time. A number of posters here also explained that 21 units would allow for a full timetable of 12 car trains if EMR ever chose to do so. 18 from 21 units in service is 85% which is a perfectly normal utilisation if you look at various other Desiro EMU fleets.

So I think it’s wrong to suggest there’s some sort of fleet size problem preventing it?

 

[Merle Haggard]

4 cars instead of 8 cars on one diagram is not uncommon, it last happened last Tuesday. Last Friday there were two circuits that were 4 car.
Strangely, on the latter day, there was only one 360 in the sidings at Kettering so it'a a mystery where the rest are.

I wonder why the availability is so poor; even when they do manage to get out 'due to a fault on this train' not infrequently appears on the Wellingborough departure screens to explain late running or cancellation.