Class 380

[Voyager 2093]

Just a query;

I wanted to know why Scotrail opted for the Class 380 and what are the difference between it and the Class 350 bar the obvious designs.

I also wanted to know why the train was designed as such with the sloping gangways ect.

Many thanks to those who can help.

 

[TheGrew]

From what I understand the reason for choosing the 380 was because they weren't allowed a 350 for crash resistance reasons. The only reason why TPE have got them is because they were able to append onto a LM order which I believe was possible because LM has grandfather rights for a consistent fleet?

 

[transmanche]

I wanted to know why Scotrail opted for the Class 380 and what are the difference between it and the Class 350 bar the obvious designs.

I also wanted to know why the train was designed as such with the sloping gangways ect.

My understanding is that the design is a compromise - a halfway house between the Desiro UK (e.g. the class 350) and the Desiro City (the forthcoming class 700) designs.

I believe the sloped front was required to help meet new crashworthiness guidelines.

 

[swt_passenger]

Just a query;

I wanted to know why Scotrail opted for the Class 380 and what are the difference between it and the Class 350 bar the obvious designs.

I also wanted to know why the train was designed as such with the sloping gangways ect.

Many thanks to those who can help.

Crash worthiness standards have changed, in a nutshell. Dispensation allowed a small number of 350s as effectively a follow-on to the previous order 350/2s, with operation in multiple being a necessity, but the Scotrail order being completely new had to provide for a revised front end.

It's usually been reasoned that the sloping gangway is basically so that driver visibility is slightly improved over the case if the gangway was vertical.

 

[Class 170101]

But surely there is more chance of damage with a 350/1, 350/3 and 350/4 because they are, or likely to be, allowed to run at 110mph where as the 380s top speed is 100mph?

 

[NotATrainspott]

The 380s were one of the first trains in the UK to be subject to the new crash-safety standards for drivers cabs. These regulations are mostly designed to protect drivers against the main remaining rail incidents left: level crossing collisions and striking trees or other debris on the track. There is probably no reason why the 380s could not be upgraded to run at 110mph as well but there is little technical need as there are few lines where the 380s, or the future EGIP EMUs which will be similar, would ever need to travel at that speed. Unlike the 350s, there is no need to share the fast lines with Pendolinos on the London Midland WCML routes and the distance between stops and termini on the routes run by 380s are also much shorter.

 

[Class377/5]

My understanding is that the design is a compromise - a halfway house between the Desiro UK (e.g. the class 350) and the Desiro City (the forthcoming class 700) designs.

I believe the sloped front was required to help meet new crashworthiness guidelines.

Correct. Basically everything above the sole bar is a Desiro City body on top of a Desiro UK under carriage.

 

[Bigfoot]

Correct. Basically everything above the sole bar is a Desiro City body on top of a Desiro UK under carriage.

Except new bogies, traction pack, acu, the list goes on... The frame is probably the only similar part.

 

[318259]

At least we didn't get more 334s. That's a blessing.

 

[Chris125]

It should also be noted that they are a 23m design, unlike the 20m 350/360/450 fleets.

Chris

 

[Class377/5]

Except new bogies, traction pack, acu, the list goes on... The frame is probably the only similar part.

I thought the traction package wasn't the full upgrade to Desiro City one?

It should also be noted that they are a 23m design, unlike the 20m 350/360/450 fleets.

Chris

They are the 23m Desiro City design just like the Desiro UK which came in 20m (450) or 23m (444) lengths.

 

[swt_passenger]

They are the 23m Desiro City design just like the Desiro UK which came in 20m (450) or 23m (444) lengths.

Not forgetting the 185s, also a Desiro UK. Body length is not a significant differentiator between them and Desiro City...