Class 377/6 - more info

[RichJF]

Hey all.

I am aware of the prvious forums posts about the new calss 377/6. However I came across this and thought it might be worth reading.

Fingers crossed for the first one to enter service soon...I'm looking forward to seeing them in the Selhurst depot as I go past each morning!!!

http://www.railway-technical.com/mr_mar13_p40_44_connor.pdf

 

[Skimble19]

That's just a scan of an article from last months Modern Railways.. Was hoping to finally see some proper interior pics!

 

[pendolino]

The hill start button is apparently on the desk and not on the power handle. Which isn't going down very well with drivers.

 

[A-driver]

The hill start button is apparently on the desk and not on the power handle. Which isn't going down very well with drivers.

I may be wrong but I believe 378s are like that and assume 379s also are. Seems a stupid place to put it-will just lead to roll backs! Why try and fix something that isn't broken!

Have your aslef reps seen them yet? Ours flew out to Germany a few weekends back to see the new thameslink mock up and there were a few rather big concerns from a drivers point of view that will need addressing before they enter service!

 

[transportphoto]

I may be wrong but I believe 378s are like that and assume 379s also are. Seems a stupid place to put it-will just lead to roll backs! Why try and fix something that isn't broken!

Because if it ain't broke, fit it 'til it is!

TP

 

[GodAtum]

Hi all, have the tables shrunk on the 377s? I was on a Southern one today and the 4 seater tables seemed to be cut in half!

 

[ushawk]

Hi all, have the tables shrunk on the 377s? I was on a Southern one today and the 4 seater tables seemed to be cut in half!

That would be a refurbed 377/3 - tables have been halved for more space since they are all used in the London area now.

Other 377 classes (/1, /2, /4 and /5) are unchanged. /6s will have some tables, just not as many.

 

[Class377/5]

In the new issue of Rail it mentions some date for the 377/6 introduction.

May - "three months of testing" "when first unit (377601) begins type testing for two weeks".
August - First unit to be commissioned by Southern
September - 4 diagrammed 377/6 introduced
November - increased diagramming for fleet
December - All 26x 377/6 in service

Modern Railways has already set a date of 20th September for the first 377/6 in service tho this could be the start of 4 daily diagrams for the fleet. Rumours of testing between Tonbridge and Dover have heard before but guess we'll be finding out soon enough.

There is also now a path every week day from Litchurch Lane to Selhurst using the old 377/5 delivery headcode.

 

[tsr]

That would be a refurbed 377/3 - tables have been halved for more space since they are all used in the London area now.

Other 377 classes (/1, /2, /4 and /5) are unchanged. /6s will have some tables, just not as many.

3+2 seating areas have long had short tables, of course. On overcrowded services, they are quite popular, as they will hold quite a sizeable amount of coffee but are far easier to get around.

I could see them working for a small number of further seating areas on /4s, as these units could then be diagrammed for an even more flexible mix of urban and airport services (the /4s are the ones with extra luggage racks, as far as I can tell).

 

[notadriver]

I may be wrong but I believe 378s are like that and assume 379s also are. Seems a stupid place to put it-will just lead to roll backs! Why try and fix something that isn't broken!

It shouldn't lead to rollbacks. Once the hill start button is depressed (and released) at a stand it will keep 2 bar in the brake cylinders until power notch 2 is selected - well I've never had a problem anyway. It does mean you can't do a personal brake test if you depress the hill start switch as the brakes will not release below 2 bar.

 

[A-driver]

It shouldn't lead to rollbacks. Once the hill start button is depressed (and released) at a stand it will keep 2 bar in the brake cylinders until power notch 2 is selected - well I've never had a problem anyway. It does mean you can't do a personal brake test if you depress the hill start switch as the brakes will not release below 2 bar.

I didn't mean that-I mean having drivers used to a hill start on the brake handle like in current 377s having to get used to a portion of the fleet having a dashboard button could lead to roll backs etc.

Obviously the idea of having the hill start is to prevent roll backs. (And it dosnt take much for an electrostar to start rolling! Plus when they do it locks the parking brake on I was told when signing them).

 

[notadriver]

I didn't mean that-I mean having drivers used to a hill start on the brake handle like in current 377s having to get used to a portion of the fleet having a dashboard button could lead to roll backs etc.

Obviously the idea of having the hill start is to prevent roll backs. (And it dosnt take much for an electrostar to start rolling! Plus when they do it locks the parking brake on I was told when signing them).

I'm sure you are right A-Driver but I do get the distinct impression that you think all my posts are drivel

 

[A-driver]

I'm sure you are right A-Driver but I do get the distinct impression that you think all my posts are drivel

Why? Not at all...you just seem to misread my posts and get defensive.

 

[notadriver]

Why? Not at all...you just seem to misread my posts and get defensive.

Again you are always right.

 

[A-driver]

Again you are always right.

Ok...I'm not and I havnt said you are wrong-I have just explained what I meant in my last post as you seemed to mis interpret what I was saying going by your reply.

 

[ushawk]

3+2 seating areas have long had short tables, of course. On overcrowded services, they are quite popular, as they will hold quite a sizeable amount of coffee but are far easier to get around.

I could see them working for a small number of further seating areas on /4s, as these units could then be diagrammed for an even more flexible mix of urban and airport services (the /4s are the ones with extra luggage racks, as far as I can tell).

I was on about for 2+2 seating only, didn't make that clear.

 

[tsr]

I was on about for 2+2 seating only, didn't make that clear.

I must admit I wasn't clear myself - I knew you were referring to 2+2 but I was just mentioning the benefits and thought I might also add that I think it could be beneficially in some areas of the /4s!

On a rather separate note, I don't much like the look of the seats on the 377/6s. I appreciate the grab handles can't stick out too much, but I would have thought there are better ways of placing handles (or indeed poles or straps) and thus allowing larger and possibly more comfortable seats.

 

[Skimble19]

I'm amazed there's still not been any further pics apart from the very few limited ones already released.. Mainly interested in that seat design, seems to have some very large grab handles!

 

[fgwrich]

I'm amazed there's still not been any further pics apart from the very few limited ones already released.. Mainly interested in that seat design, seems to have some very large grab handles!

Seems to be a very odd copy of the Grammer Design too. Just take off the 'ears' and replaced with these rather large (and rugly) grab handles.

 

[Class377/5]

From WNXX

For when they start main line testing. On the Southeastern as widely expected:

Schedule Information
Runs SSuX from 07/01/2013 to 06/12/2013

Operational Information
Timed for 100mph
Electric Multiple Unit
Runs as required

5Z31 03:26 Stewarts Lane - Ashford via Victoria
5Z31 03:51 Victoria - Ashford (times from Victoria same as above)
5Z32 05:44 Ashford - Sevenoaks
5Z33 06:40 Sevenoaks - Dover Priory
5Z34 08:21 Dover Priory - Grove Park sheds
5Z35 10:16 Grove Park sheds - Ashford
5Z36 11:50 Ashford - Stewarts Lane Depot via Lewisham
5Z37 14:09 Stewarts Lane Depot - Dover Priory via Maidstone East
5Z38 16:17 Dover Priory - Stewarts Lane Depot via Lewisham
5Z39 19:52 Victoria - Dover Priory via Bellingham
5Z40 23:11 Dover Priory - Victoria via Lewisham
5Z41 01:03 Victoria - Maidstone East via Bellingham
5Z42 02:00 Maidstone East - Victoria via Beckenham Junction

then repeats as necessary as 5Z31...

 

[Class377/5]

The first 377/6 is en route;

7Z67 1744 Derby Litchurch Lane to Wembley Yard is at Derby Station. Consist of 66081 & 377601.

Timing for trip to Stewards Depot are as follows;

7Z67 17:44 Derby Litchurch Lane to Wembley Yard
DERBY LIT 17:44
DERBY 17:49 18:09
DERBYL&NW PASS 18:15
STENSONJN PASS 18:21
NTHSTFDJN PASS 18:23
CLAY MLSJ PASS 18:27
BURTON PASS 18:36
WICHNORJN PASS 18:48
ALREWASSB PASS 18:51
LICHFTVJN PASS 19:12
LICHFTVHL PASS 19:14
LICHFCITY PASS 19:16
BLAKE ST PASS 19:26
FOUR OAKS PASS 19:31
ASTON PASS 19:47
STECHFORD 19:54 20:03
BHAM INTL 20:10 20:25
COVENTRY PASS 20:40
RUGBY TVJ PASS 20:58
RUGBY 20:59 22:14
HILMORTNJ PASS 22:17
DAVTRY NJ PASS 22:21
LNGBUCKBY PASS 22:30
MILANE JN PASS 22:42
NTHPTNNJN 22:44 01:37
NORTHAMPT PASS 01:38
HANSLOPEJ PASS 02:02
MILTON KC PASS 02:11
BLETCHLEY PASS 02:15
LEDBURNJN PASS 02:28
TRING PASS 02:35
BORNE END PASS 02:44
WATFORDJN PASS 02:54
HARROWWLD PASS 03:02
WEMBLEY C PASS 03:07
WEMBLEYYD 03:13

7Z68 08:10 Wembley Yard to Stewards Lane Depot
WEMBLEYYD 08:10
WEMBLYDSJ PASS 08:17
WILSDNNO7 PASS 08:18
WILSDNWLJ PASS 08:21
MITREBDGJ PASS 08:24
NTHPOLEJN PASS 08:27
KENSGTN O PASS 08:31
LATCHMERE PASS 08:38
LONGHDGJN PASS 08:40
STEWRTSLN PASS 08:42
BATRSEALP 08:45 09:16
STEWRTSLN PASS 09:19
SLNT+RSMD 09:29

 

[bolli]

The first 377/6 is en route;

7Z67 1744 Derby Litchurch Lane to Wembley Yard is at Derby Station. Consist of 66081 & 377601.

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/R43334/2013/05/13/advanced ?

 

[Class377/5]

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/R43334/2013/05/13/advanced ?

Yes that the train. Always forget about that website!

 

[33056]

On its way (on time) with 66081 doing the hauling; shame it hangs around so much on the way south - would probably have had a good chance of seeing it on the way home if it kept going (and no, I'm not getting up to see it at 08:00 in the morning either )

 

[Class377/5]

Now have pictures

http://mark5812.smugmug.com/Trains2013-1/May-2013/29199535_hSBg3d#!i=2510330082&k=D87vNbH

And have video now too.

http://youtu.be/lfN1Ux2012g

Interestingly the livery isn't finished.

 

[jopsuk]

So other than the camera and protector, are the lighter green bits mainly vinyl? A little dull, perhaps, but it does look quite smart without them!

 

[Class377/5]

I saw it go by at Clapham Junction, half the seats are missing with computer desk set up in one coach. This unit is for testing. Seems it may go back to Derby to be completed.

 

[Chrisgr31]

On its way (on time) with 66081 doing the hauling; shame it hangs around so much on the way south - would probably have had a good chance of seeing it on the way home if it kept going (and no, I'm not getting up to see it at 08:00 in the morning either )

Is there a speed restriction on them when they are bieing towed like this? I seem to recall that if a EMU and DMU are ever connected (presumably for recovery reasons on the Oxted to East Croydon route) they can only operate at a very low speed.

 

[swt_passenger]

Is there a speed restriction on them when they are bieing towed like this? I seem to recall that if a EMU and DMU are ever connected (presumably for recovery reasons on the Oxted to East Croydon route) they can only operate at a very low speed.

It's mainly dependent on the braking capability of the combined train. In the case of EMU delivery like this I believe the unit's brakes are available - if you look closely at the first photo (linked to above) you'll notice there's a pipe passing through a temporary cover on the gangway door.

 

[jopsuk]

I may be wrong, but I think that may actually mean the brakes are NOT available- that pipe will be connected to the brakes of the addtional wagons in order that they provide the braking force. This is why, rather than just a single wagon with loco coupling at one end and EMU coupling at the other, there's three wagons on each end of the consist.