Class 395 ???

[moonrakerz]

Could someone offer a little help please.

I was under the impression that the 395s would be operating on the high speed Channel Tunnel Line from Dec this year. (This isn't my "neck of the woods", I'm used to 158/159s).

Anyway - my daughter happened to mention this "posh new train" she saw in Rochester, Kent on 3 occasions in the last 10 days.
The first time the train was empty, heading over the old Medway rail bridge towards Strood.
The second time it was stopped in Rochester (at around 17:45), again empty.
Her boyfriend spoke to the driver who said he was doing "high speed runs, all week" and it was beautiful to drive.
Finally, five days later, she saw it coming into Rochester labeled and being announced as the 10:44 service to Dover Priory (10:03 ex Victoria). Passengers (customers ?) appeared to leave the train.
She grabbed a quick photo on her 'phone, she apologises for the quality !!

Can anyone throw any light on what it was doing ?

 

[OMGitsDAVE]

Can anyone throw any light on what it was doing ?

As far as i know, this service has been under testing for a few weeks. Part of the test includes timekeeping, reliability etc.

The TOC has decided to run this service on some services to test out popularity, timekeeping and the likes. This train is going to run from Kent - Ebbsfleet Int - St Pancras.

Hope that helped.

 

[jon0844]

Does anyone know the timings for when it will be testing for passenger use? I'm quite keen to check it out!

 

[mumrar]

Does anyone know the timings for when it will be testing for passenger use? I'm quite keen to check it out!

Westbound
Ashfrd dep 0648
Ebbsflt arr 0707
Ebbsflt dep 0708
St Pan arr 0725

Ash dep 0713
Ebb arr 0732
Ebb dep 0733
St P arr 0750

Ebb dep 0805
St P arr 0821

Ash dep 0748
St P arr 0824

Ebb dep 0835
St P arr 0852

Then every half hour the same until below

Ebb dep 1105
St P arr 1122

Ebb dep 1305
St P arr 1322

then every half hour the same, last dep 1835

Eastbound

St P dep 0737
Ebb arr 0754

Then every half hour the same until below

St P dep 1107
Ebb arr 1124

St P dep 1307
Ebb arr 1324

Then every half hour the same until below

St P dep 1737
Ebb arr 1754
Ebb dep 1755
Ash arr 1816

St P dep 1807
Ebb arr 1824

St P dep 1837
Ebb arr 1854
Ebb dep 1855
Ash arr 1913

St P dep 1926
Ebb arr 1943
Ebb dep 1949
Ash arr 2009

 

[moonrakerz]

Am I to assume that they are running it through Rochester - Victoria to Dover - so that it will actually carry some passengers ?
I can't see it carrying many on St P - Ebbsfleet -Ashford. Except for some enthusiasts !

 

[mumrar]

Am I to assume that they are running it through Rochester - Victoria to Dover - so that it will actually carry some passengers ?
I can't see it carrying many on St P - Ebbsfleet -Ashford. Except for some enthusiasts !

Well that was copied by me from a preview timetable so my question is why would they leave any stops out on a customer preview timetable? It may not carry many passengers but the testing period still continues, any revenue is a bonus surely?

 

[moonrakerz]

The point I was trying to make was that many of the problems with new trains/rolling stock appear to be with things like doors/lights/seats/toilets and passenger associated fittings. These never seem to get the testing they deserve before entering full service, is that why these trains have appeared on this line (through Rochester) as the Victoria /Dover line was not scheduled to ever receive these trains, was it ?
Hurtling up and down at 140mph between St P and Ashford doesn't seem to do much except prove that it will do 140 mph ! Which Hitachi probably proved on their test track.

Remember the APT - I do !

 

[Mintona]

Peak and off-peak maps for when the 395s start running properly in December:
http://www.southeasternrailway.co.uk/app/webroot/files/cache/High speed peak services route map.pdf
http://www.southeasternrailway.co.u...he/High speed off peak services route map.pdf

 

[jon0844]

Just seen the ticket prices. Ouch! It mentions a supplement for existing SET ticket holders, but isn't the whole line excluded from the normal rules? So, I can't use my Travelcard to take it to Stratford, or get a discounted ticket with my Gold Card?

I may still check it out, but it says on the site that it doesn't start until the end of June - so the passengers now must be invited or applied (as I did when I did the Eurostar testing), or are those working in the industry?

 

[moonrakerz]

Mintona, answered my question perfectly - many thanks !