Class 374 Deliveries

[starrymarkb]

Does anyone know when the first Class 374's will arrive in the UK? Are they due this year or next?

 

[G_A_C_C_C]

no such unit

 

[starrymarkb]

Oh yes there is - currently being tested at Wildenrath (Germany)

I was wondering when they were due for HS1 testing?

 

[whhistle]

I am sure Eurostar said later this year, 2013.
They look like quite smart units. When they are here in regular service... I'll be taking a short holiday I think.

 

[G_A_C_C_C]

oh, the E320...you should have said

 

[gazthomas]

I am sure Eurostar said later this year, 2013.
They look like quite smart units. When they are here in regular service... I'll be taking a short holiday I think.

They're pretty similar to DB's existing ICE3 units

 

[Crossforth]

Does anyone know when the first Class 374's will arrive in the UK? Are they due this year or next?

Are they definitely going to be 374s then?

They do look quite smart I think

 

[Class377/5]

Are they definitely going to be 374s then?

They do look quite smart I think

Yes, already confirmed as class 374. Makes sense.

 

[Crossforth]

Yes, already confirmed as class 374. Makes sense.

Cool, first I've heard that's all but it does make sense.

 

[MK Tom]

They're pretty similar to DB's existing ICE3 units

More similar to the Velaro D now being rolled out in Germany and other places. The ICE3 is an older design than the standard Velaro used in Spain and China. Also the 374s have far more fireproofing for use in the tunnel.

 

[317666]

More similar to the Velaro D now being rolled out in Germany and other places. The ICE3 is an older design than the standard Velaro used in Spain and China. Also the 374s have far more fireproofing for use in the tunnel.

The interiors are pretty similar - well, a Velaro D (ICE-3NG is a term I've heard used before, NG for New Generation) has a similar interior to an older ICE-3, not sure what Eurostar have planned for theirs though.

 

[MK Tom]

The Velaro D does have a noticeably different body design to the ICE3 and the standard Velaro though. The headlights are higher up, the body is a little wider at the front and the nose is flatter. It looks a lot more like the old tilting diesel ICE.

The main difference between the 374 or E320 or whatever and the standard Velaro D though is in the construction. The requirements for running through the tunnel are pretty severe as regards fireproofing, crashworthyness and so on.

 

[starrymarkb]

I beleive that DB's Velaro D (Class 407 in the German system) are suitable for Channel tunnel use in terms of Fireproofing. Certainly the German Authorities have been increasing their requirements for new stock - as well as New Buildings, following a fire at Dusseldorf airport they are now extremely strict for new projects! (see Berlin Brandenberg Airport's failure to pass their inspection)

 

[starrymarkb]

First set has been undergoing 3kV testing in Belgium... any news when UK testing starts?

 

[Voyager 2093]

This may sound slightly outrageous but I spoke with the General Manager of the Eurostar fleets a while back, well when I saw a while, I mean May and he told me that they will enter service from 2015 onwards. There have been huge delays in testing or something along that matter.

 

[starrymarkb]

Siemens had already announced there would be a delay, plus they have to be Homoglamated in 5 countries (at least) so it might be sensible to allow an extra year (I suspect they will enter service before then but on London/Paris runs rather the planned German and Dutch services)