Did I read somewhere that 171s & 313s still have conductor/driver operation?
They do. But they run on routes (or part routes) where DOO / DCO applies on other stock.
Did I read somewhere that 171s & 313s still have conductor/driver operation?
Strange with 171s as I worked 170s as DOO. Then again though we had to have a conductor if running in multiple.They do. But they run on routes (or part routes) where DOO / DCO applies on other stock.
Dep 0402
VSTP 17/08Dep 0402
VSTP 17/08
Realtime Trains - 5Q86 0410 Cricklewood Depot Exit Rd to Eastleigh Arlington (Zg) 5Q86
37800 was dragging 360107.
Well yes... so does a Pendolino by that account.The Class 360s are already fitted with DOO equipment tho eg the driver can release the doors and close them from their cab as well as the ability for the guard to do this too, just because they don't have DOO cameras doesn't mean they haven't been fitted with DOO equipment.
Just thought I point that one out
Umm they do stable them at Caudwell and you can't really see the yard from a passing train on the MML, usually only about 4 a night there being stabled, deep cleaned or under going maintenance.
Credit to @tom_mcdermott on insta
Indeed - looks like it’s almost ready!Credit to @tom_mcdermott on insta
It's strange how a simple piece of painting can change the appearance of something so easily - TPE 170s trying to match the 185 'face' for instance. The top of this 360 with it's angular yellow panel has a very 331 likeness to about it.Credit to @tom_mcdermott on insta
That looks amazing. Definitely a lot better than the vinyled ones.
My guess is to try and make it look as much of a new train as possible, especially considering how much of a let down users of EMR Connect had when the 360s entered service in the same condition as when they left Greater AngliaLooks like a 195/331 front. Though I thought they were going to look like the 185s, with the curves instead of sharp corners?
erm, that's not the right handle???Credit to @tom_mcdermott on insta
They don't have a member of staff in every unit at the moment. That's why the dispute is on and that's why you didn't see a member of staff. The only staff member in the front unit would have been the driver.I travelled on the 23:04 EMR Bedford to St Pancras service last night (Friday 3rd), which was 360 operated.
The train was not busy, we had the entire front carriage to ourselves but the train was absolutely filthy, stank of weed, the toilet was in a state (I won’t elaborate further…) with no soap or water. No staff visibility even though the unions are demanding a member of staff in every unit for ‘passenger safety’.
Refurb or not this simply isn’t good enough for such a service and I wouldn’t fancy travelling in this type of service from Wellingborough given the prices charged.
Next time I’ll take Thameslink for the superior ambience. That’s something I never thought I’d say.
I will be doing so later today.Have you made a complaint to EMR?
Wonder if you were on a later working of the train I caught into London earlier that evening. I ended up switching to the other unit at Luton… (to be fair, up until yesterday I’ve found the 360s to be mostly clean, albeit in dire need of a refurbishment, and the other unit was fine)I will be doing so later today.
I'm a regular user of both EMR and Thameslink from Bedford to st pancras . I have found the EMR service much better. Never yet smelt any weed on them and have regularly seen people rolling joint's on Thameslink. Almost never see staff on Thameslink and Thameslink trains almost always have litter on them , people with feet on the seats and playing loud music on their phones etc. I personally would always use a 360 , unless I'm travelling when Thameslink are operating and EMR aren't , such as very early or late.I travelled on the 23:04 EMR Bedford to St Pancras service last night (Friday 3rd), which was 360 operated.
The train was not busy, we had the entire front carriage to ourselves but the train was absolutely filthy, stank of weed, the toilet was in a state (I won’t elaborate further…) with no soap or water. No staff visibility even though the unions are demanding a member of staff in every unit for ‘passenger safety’.
Refurb or not this simply isn’t good enough for such a service and I wouldn’t fancy travelling in this type of service from Wellingborough given the prices charged.
Next time I’ll take Thameslink for the superior ambience. That’s something I never thought I’d say.
Are you saying you would rather use a 360 than a 700?I'm a regular user of both EMR and Thameslink from Bedford to st pancras . I have found the EMR service much better. Never yet smelt any weed on them and have regularly seen people rolling joint's on Thameslink. Almost never see staff on Thameslink and Thameslink trains almost always have litter on them , people with feet on the seats and playing loud music on their phones etc. I personally would always use a 360 , unless I'm travelling when Thameslink are operating and EMR aren't , such as very early or late.
Just curious but did you get the unit number at all? I ask because I've been on nearly the whole fleet and not once have I come across a toilet in such a state that you have described. Indeed as I understand it, there is a cleaning regime in place with three types of cleaning schedules but they depend on what is actually needed and requested by EMR.I travelled on the 23:04 EMR Bedford to St Pancras service last night (Friday 3rd), which was 360 operated.
The train was not busy, we had the entire front carriage to ourselves but the train was absolutely filthy, stank of weed, the toilet was in a state (I won’t elaborate further…) with no soap or water. No staff visibility even though the unions are demanding a member of staff in every unit for ‘passenger safety’.
Refurb or not this simply isn’t good enough for such a service and I wouldn’t fancy travelling in this type of service from Wellingborough given the prices charged.
Next time I’ll take Thameslink for the superior ambience. That’s something I never thought I’d say.
I think the front looks quite good.Credit to @tom_mcdermott_2021 on insta
The class 350/2s have the same seats and seating layout as the 360s. The other class 350s have the same seats in a 2+2 layout with greater spacing and arm rests. I'd imagine that the 360s are likely to go to that too.I have to say that as a regular passenger, I am more interested in the interior fitment and comfort than the cosmetic effects of the exterior livery. I've never understood why train operating companies continually tell their customers how they are 'customer focussed', yet they spend millions on the exterior livery while doing very little to improve the interior fitment which is what the customer actually sits looking at for the entire journey. (threadbare seat covers, filthy carpets, uncomfortable seats etc)
Are the 360s being fitted with new FISA Lean seats or are they retaining the existing seats and just changing the seat covers?
I read the 3+2 standard class seating was going to change to 2+2 seating. But looking at the current seats, the removal of the 3rd seat would simply leave a very wider aisle and the remaining 2+2 seating would be quite narrow. I'm not sure whether it would be possible to increase the gap between the 2 seats and perhaps insert armrests to give greater elbow room for passengers. Otherwise apart from a new carpet and new seat covers, the extra space would just result in a wider aisle for a route where customers shouldn't typically be standing for any distance since it is not an inner suburban Metro service.
I guess we shall have to wait for the big reveal in the next few weeks.
I have to say that as a regular passenger, I am more interested in the interior fitment and comfort than the cosmetic effects of the exterior livery. I've never understood why train operating companies continually tell their customers how they are 'customer focussed', yet they spend millions on the exterior livery while doing very little to improve the interior fitment which is what the customer actually sits looking at for the entire journey.
The more sensible passengers should simply carry a portable charger, not expensive or difficult at all.The most frequently asked question from passengers travelling on 360s is "Where are the sockets for charging your phone?". The answer of course is there aren't any. Some enterprising people have taken to using the tucked away mains sockets intended for vacuum cleaners, but if there's a power surge that blows their charger then it's at their own risk.