Construction progress: TPE 350/4

[NotATrainspott]

At least we can look forward to finally having a GC-cleared route to the Chunnel from the manufacturing areas of the country with HS2. German factories can build not only stuff for themselves but for the other EU states as well whereas we can't build trains for them unless you moved every one by road. It certainly won't hurt the railway manufacturing industry here.

Likewise with the roll-out of ECTS the various companies around Europe will finally be able to supply each other rather than only concentrating on their own country's systems.

 

[ainsworth74]

I was not making issue with these points. I was endeavouring to state that the LM maintenance staff will eventually have to come to terms with new state-of-the-art rolling stock and will not always be dealing with the rolling stock at hand at the present time.

Of course, but why do that before it's necessary and also why do it when you'll still have a micro-fleet probably for thirty years? It makes far more sense to delay introducing a new fleet until you're replacing your whole 350 fleet.

 

[Class377/5]

Also means that LM would have a more uniform fleet, with only classes 350 and 321 on the WCML and 323 in the West Midlands. Was the 700 design even completed at the time that the 350/4s were ordered?

No but have been looked at since.

Don't think so; even if it was they wouldn't have been built as early as the 350/3s are needed for LM.

(Bearing in mind that 700 refers specifically to the long fixed-formation ATO-capable Desiro City trains that are specifically tailored for Thameslink.)

Spot on.

The 350 3/4 order was originally supposed to be a follow on from the 350/2 back in 2008 where as the Desiro City was launched for Thameslink/UK in 2009.

The Desiro City is offered in designs of 3-12 cars and gangways if you want them with the Desiro Express for 115mph running. Whole idea behind the City is a modular design where you choose the important parts (power, length etc).

 

[WatcherZero]

Though to point out the carriages have been of modular construction methods during this current generation, the next generation models are of modular formation though, that is to say they can come in any formation without major hardware/software adaptation.

To put it into computer terms the next generation are Plug and Play, just couple them up and the computer will automatically configure.

 

[TheKnightWho]

Though to point out the carriages have been of modular construction methods during this current generation, the next generation models are of modular formation though, that is to say they can come in any formation without major hardware/software adaptation.

To put it into computer terms the next generation are Plug and Play, just couple them up and the computer will automatically configure.

So why aren't we ordering additional carriages that can be 'plugged in' for the peaks, and put in sidings at other times?

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

No it's the modern economy. Name a country where railway companies still own substantial rolling stock manufacturing capacity. Even China, perhaps one of the few place where you might expect that to still be the case, has bought high-speed trains from Siemens.

By means of a brief aside, looking at a light-rail example of non-British manufacture, the large Manchester Metrolink system second generation order of M5000 Flexity Swift trams are constructed in manufacturing facilities in Bautzen, that have test facilities in Vienna.

 

[Brunel]

That wasn't the point I was addressing. Had you bothered to read the original post, HSTEd said the following:



Nothing about the French buying French-built trains, but about railway companies building their own trains. SNCF don't, nor do other rail firms. The days of the likes of Swindon works supplying the GWR's needs are long gone.





True but there is also the fact that the 350/4s' time on TPE services is likely to be short-lived, with them being displaced by whatever becomes the standard design of TPE emu once the core route over the Pennines is wired, or the Manchester-Scotland route going over to the West Coast franchise. LM then gets another 10 350s without needing to gear up to maintain a micro-fleet of some other type of emu.

I'm not saying ordering yet more 350s was necessarily the best that could be done, as things have moved on since tey were designed, but there is a certain logic to this order.

Nice manners! No one else can have an opinion then?

 

[Blindtraveler]

To maybe go off in a different direction, has the 350 booked for todays working turned up on it? and before anyone growls at me I know it hasnt let PIC Yet but0hought someone in the know would be able to say? Planning on going out for this but if its a 185 then think il spend my first day off for 2 weeks at home rather than on the WCML. ↲

 

[Thomas6187]

The first train has left a few minutes down, formed by 350401 & 350403

 

[Blindtraveler]

good stuff.

 

[MCR247]

So why aren't we ordering additional carriages that can be 'plugged in' for the peaks, and put in sidings at other times?

So essentially what happens now in the south with EMUs? Lots of trains in service in the peaks, many go to sidings off peak

 

[Buspilot]

good stuff.

The first service by a new type of unit, departing late, is not good,it is poor,anything but good.

Every effort should have been made to ensure it ran on time.

An unwanted standard has now been set.

 

[harz99]

The first service by a new type of unit, departing late, is not good,it is poor,anything but good.

Every effort should have been made to ensure it ran on time.

An unwanted standard has now been set.

Bit unfair to say that as we don't yet know why it was late - could have been awaiting a bustitution from the Airport for instance. Or delays due to pax not being familiar with the train configuration re reserved seats. etc. etc. As far as the railway was concerned 5m late was counted as on time in my day anyway.

 

[Thomas6187]

It arrived late off the depot plus the Liverpool was sightly delayed in front. There was also the photo op and the catering to put on.

 

[Solent&Wessex]

The first service by a new type of unit, departing late, is not good,it is poor,anything but good.

Every effort should have been made to ensure it ran on time.

An unwanted standard has now been set.

Bit unfair to say that as we don't yet know why it was late - could have been awaiting a bustitution from the Airport for instance. Or delays due to pax not being familiar with the train configuration re reserved seats. etc. etc. As far as the railway was concerned 5m late was counted as on time in my day anyway.

It arrived late off the depot plus the Liverpool was sightly delayed in front. There was also the photo op and the catering to put on.

It was late from the depot due to a track circuit failure at Ardwick Junction causing other trains to be delayed too and a bit of congestion.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Good job TP did not put it on an Edinburgh service - Carstairs-Haymarket is blocked by flooding.
Also all the WCML Glasgow services are delayed around Motherwell by "vandalism".
5 down at Gretna.

 

[Blindtraveler]

yes, v lucky! xC only tickets valid on a very busy E and G by the looks of it, thankfully Winchburgh has not sercomed to the rain, yet!

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

It was late from the depot due to a track circuit failure at Ardwick Junction causing other trains to be delayed too and a bit of congestion.

Some earlier postings seemed somewhat judgmental without any knowledge of the actual reason that you have quoted above.

 

[Blindtraveler]

timely start from Glasgow with the T P E MD onboard!

 

[Haydn1971]

What's the livery like now the trains are in service ? Still a plain silver look ?

 

[swt_passenger]

Some earlier postings seemed somewhat judgmental without any knowledge of the actual reason that you have quoted above.

Situation normal then... :roll:

 

[Blindtraveler]

I have put a few not very informative posts on my blog in Trip Planning and reports if anybody cares to read them.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
now being held due to flooding on the main WCML. A bit unfortunate for this but has been very damp here!

 

[pdq]

What's the livery like now the trains are in service ? Still a plain silver look ?

From the FTPE Facebook page:
"We're currently reviewing options and we'll provide an update once a timescale for livery has been agreed."

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=595757640477876&set=a.178248142228830.60698.116365638417081&type=1&theater

 

[harz99]

Still not arrived LOC yet - being delayed by flooding between Beattock and LOC.

 

[samj]

Am heading up north in early February. Does anyone know if these will be running on Sunday services anytime soon? Many thanks

 

[Blindtraveler]

approaching Lockerbie

 

[Manchester77]

55 late according to http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/Y82562/2013/12/30/advanced

 

[harz99]

approaching Lockerbie

Just left LOC, two units as expected in all grey livery without company branding. Interestingly, a 3 car 185 went south about 10 mins earlier, and NR are saying no service between Carstairs and Carlisle due to aforementioned flooding. NR now delays up to 45 mins.

 

[Blindtraveler]

Am heading up north in early February. Does anyone know if these will be running on Sunday services anytime soon? Many thanks

no announcement as yet mate.

55 down from Lockerbie

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Just left LOC, two units as expected in all grey livery without company branding. Interestingly, a 3 car 185 went south about 10 mins earlier, and NR are saying no service between Carstairs and Carlisle due to aforementioned flooding. NR now delays up to 45 mins.

Weather matters have certainly conspired to "rain upon their parade"...excuse the pun.:cry: