Class 376 to Canterbury

[375610]

I was wondering if anyone had any idea why two Class 376 units made their way last night from Slade Green to Ashford (via Faversham, Ramsgate and Canterbury) and then back again. They appear to have stopped along the route and doors released.

Here's a video of the units stopping at Chilham.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9Qt-Uh6aK4&app=desktop

This is the workings on RTT.

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/J30958/2016/04/14/advanced

and

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/J30959/2016/04/15/advanced

 

[westcoaster]

Watching the video looks like the doors were locked out of use (you can see the door out of use light on), maybe SDO checks or a unit out on test after works being done on it.

 

[jon0844]

Looked like a test given two people looking like staff at the front.

Sent from my EVA-L09 using Tapatalk

 

[375610]

Yes, I agree, it did look like a test. Apparently only 4 out of the 10 cars had the external LED indicators on, so some sort of SDO test seems likely, what makes less sense is why they would test the units on this route as 376s are normally confined to the suburban 'metro' routes.

 

[MrB]

Perhaps they were on this route because there are no platforms short enough on the metro routes where SDO could be used?

 

[ScotGG]

Why would they be testing SDO? Every station on metro is at least 10 car capable.

*wild speculation alert*

Would they be used on any rural routes? Or go to other TOCs to serve routes with 8 car platforms and Southeastern instead get trains which can run as 12 car yet use SDO to stop at 10 car stations? This would be a big improvement for metro routes in coming years.

 

[MrB]

I doubt units configured for high-density metro routes, with few seats and a lot of standing room, would be cascaded to rural routes.

 

[ScotGG]

That's true but a refit could occur I suppose. The seats are already threadbare on quite a few.

Ultimately the 376's 10-car limit on the 12-car capable Southeastern metro network makes them unsuitable mid to long term. So best option is to move them to where 8 or 10 cars are the limit, and use SDO at 8 car stations.

 

[ComUtoR]

Why would they be testing SDO? Every station on metro is at least 10 car capable.

Incorrect. There are plenty of metro stations that are only max 8
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Watching the video looks like the doors were locked out of use (you can see the door out of use light on)

Can you point that out please. I'm going blind in my old age and can't see them :/

 

[hulabaloo]

They could have been testing how long you could sit in 376 without having to visit a chiropractor.

 

[hassaanhc]

Incorrect. There are plenty of metro stations that are only max 8
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Can you point that out please. I'm going blind in my old age and can't see them :/

There appears to be only one door locked out, the inner end door on the leading car, seen very briefly at 0:45.

 

[urpert]

Why would they be testing SDO? Every station on metro is at least 10 car capable.

No - the Victoria/Blackfriars routes are max 8.

 

[ComUtoR]

Still can't see it. I paused it and saw an almost perfect view of the leading door buttons and nothing is illuminated. There is a flash of red but that's the rear lights indication and the flash of blue looks like the interlock light.

The SDO on a 376 is limited to SDO(f/r) so unless there is a software update then I doubt it's SDO testing. Doors are easily disabled using the mitrac.

Are 376's route certified on that route ? Maybe it's undergoing route certification ?

 

[MrB]

Why would it need route certification down to Canterbury? Perhaps to sub in if a 375 has a fault?

 

[Class 466]

I can confirm it was for SDO testing purposes with a requirement for a 4 car platform. Nothing more. Nothing less.

 

[ComUtoR]

I can confirm it was for SDO testing purposes with a requirement for a 4 car platform. Nothing more. Nothing less.

New software ?

Not heard anything about SDO on a 376 internally yet. Would be interesting. Any reason why ?
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Why would it need route certification down to Canterbury? Perhaps to sub in if a 375 has a fault?

They have run one down to Tonbridge before. Before units run on a route they need to go through route certification.

I don't have my sexypendix to hand at the moment to check.

 

[ScotGG]

Incorrect. There are plenty of metro stations that are only max 8
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Can you point that out please. I'm going blind in my old age and can't see them :/

Ah yes, I only ever tend to think of the Dartford and Hayes line where they ply their trade. 10 car minimum there?

Maybe they could work on Vic-Dartfords long term with SDO? Those services can get VERY busy with their low frequencies. I thought 319s were coming to take over at the end of the year (possibly on this line but more likely on Vic-Orpingtons) to free up Networkers for longer trains elsewhere, but all gone quiet and they would of course still be limited to 8-cars when that line could do with 10. Similarly they could go onto Vic-Orpingtons which are seeing big growth in passenger numbers where 10 would be preferable.

 

[ComUtoR]

I'm not sure that it would be safe to run 10 sdo up the loop or on the vic's it's an entire route that's restricted to 8 cars and the DOO monitors won't see off the end of the platforms. There are also a few stations where two coaches out the back sit across pointwork so that would also influence sdo running.

We don't use sdo on the 376's so we will all need training on the new software. Operationally and financially I'm not sure where they are going with 376 sdo.

When all the units get reshuffled about its going to be interesting to see what happens. Nothing on the cards in the next roster that I've seen so December at the earliest for any changes.
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Similarly they could go onto Vic-Orpingtons which are seeing big growth in passenger numbers where 10 would be preferable.

Not really.

Peak travel is growing but during the day a fair amount of lines are deathly quiet and can cope with a 4-car. It would be hard to justify a change to 10's for minimal gain. Better to increase frequency in the peak.

 

[ScotGG]

Is there scope to increase frequencies on Vic to Orpingtons in the peak? There isn't on Vic to Dartford.

Out of interest, what stations are the problem with 10 car on Vic to Dartford & Vic to Orpington? 10 car is fine Dartford to Lewisham, so I guess Ladywell and Peckham Rye. Denmark Hill is 10 car capable I thought.

And which ones on the line to Orpington? That's one I rarely ever use.

Also, heard anymore about 319s coming later in the year?

 

[ComUtoR]

Dart - vic

Nunhead, peckham rye, Denmark hill are all catford loop so restricted to 8

Orpy - vic

Pretty much all of it and when running in service opry - vic your restricted to 8

Orpington, petts wood, bromley south, and victoria can all fit 12 but operationally its a total nightmare. Vic wont be able to cope as they can technically have 10 but you limited on platform choice and you will then be running 319/376/375(7)/465(6) all into vic. Im not sure if vic even sign 376's

Oddly i have run a 10 down the chatham main with two locked out the back and its pretty messed up. On a regular basis id be very concerned.

On the vic's you can run into kent house, bromley south and beck jn and change ends and there are a few services in the peak that do. Im in no way a planner so its hard for me to say for certain if there is capacity but from what i see i would say its possible. 8's are certainly jammed in the peak. Personally id stop a few mainliners but i think the posh people would have a fit.

Technically we now own 6 319's (easily found on potterbrooks website) and I've heard we are getting more. All the rumours say its happening but its a case of when. I just drive the buggers.

Apologies for the horrific typing. My laptop died a terrible death so I'm on a (£:&:@;£:*pad

 

[MrB]

Does anyone know which routes the 319s are going on to?

 

[Class 466]

Does anyone know which routes the 319s are going on to?

Victoria - Orpington Runs as most of the drivers already sign them, and it's already a fairly self contained circuit with most stations only able to take 8 coaches.

 

[MrB]

Victoria - Orpington Runs as most of the drivers already sign them, and it's already a fairly self contained circuit with most stations only able to take 8 coaches.

This would then free up some networkers to lengthen other services I imagine?

 

[NSE]

Maybe it might simply be that its easier to test it away from London. If something didn't work it'd be far easier to have it stuck on the line at Canterbury than right bang in the middle of Lewisham Station say.

Also, I believe the Southern Electric Group website has a piece on the end of the last booked working of 376's into Victoria, so I guess it makes sense they don't sign them.