Favourite train used on Southeastern

[Jack Wicket]

I have noticed that southeasterns franchise is running out and I would like to know if it's going to public hands or another private person, I think southeastern should keep the franchise because they are actulty a good train operator.

Class 375's
Does anyone recon that Class 375's might be able to run on HS1, I think they will be able to.

 

[EM2]

375s don't have in-cab signalling equipment to run on HS1, only 395s do from the Southeastern fleet.

 

[KingJ]

Even if they did have the required in-cab signalling, I can't see them running on there with their max speed of 100mph - they wouldn't mix well with international traffic going at 186mph!

The Iniviation to Tender has closed, and the Department for Transport are currently considering the merits of each bidder, including the current franchise holder. There's a good thread on the next franchise here.

 

[Bromley boy]

375s don't have in-cab signalling equipment to run on HS1, only 395s do from the Southeastern fleet.

Indeed.

Does anyone recon that Class 375's might be able to run on HS1, I think they will be able to

375s are DC only, most don’t have pantographs and, on the ones that do (375/3/6) the pantographs would need to be recommissioned into use. So that would be a stumbling block bar expensive maintenance work.

Plus the low top speed. What would be the point of Electrostars on HS1 anyway?!

 

[BluePenguin]

Does anyone recon that Class 375's might be able to run on HS1, I think they will be able to.

I am sure they could although I can't think why anyone would want them to.

Most of them are DC only (actually all of them - the 375/6 pantographs would need to be recommissioned into use). So that would be a stumbling block bar expensive maintenance work.
QUOTE]
I did see an Electrostar with pantographs on top at Dover Priory last week. I was quite surprised actually seeing as most of them have a large gap instead. Would this train be able ot use them? I wonder what you mean by "recommissioning"?

 

[Bromley boy]

I am sure they could although I can't think why anyone would want them to.

If it was a 375 it would have been a /3 or a /6.

The other sub classes don’t have pantographs, although of course, being elextrostars, they do have the rooftop wells. Of the ones that do, recommissioning would be required simply because the equipment has not been used since they were built and is no longer cleared for use.

The SE 377s are a different kettle of fish since they are ex TL (not sure about the (two?) ex southern 377 sets SE recently inherited - which presumably ran up to MK “under the wires” in their former life).

 

[Domh245]

The SE 377s are a different kettle of fish since they are ex TL (not sure about the (two?) ex southern 377 sets SE recently inherited - which presumably ran up to MK “under the wires” in their former life).

The two ex-Southern units that SE have taken on are DC only units. Only the 377/2, /5, and /7 sub classes are dual voltage - SE have got two /1s.

 

[RichJF]

There has been talk that the next franchise may possibly reintroduce fast trains between Tonbridge & Ashford.

SE have the 375/6s with pantographs that would require recommisioning.
SE have the 377/5s on sub-lease from GTR that could in theory easily operate on the wires due to their recent use on TL however HS1 requires in-cab French LGV style signalling.
You're better off with a new build domestic high speed unit to compliment the 395s.

 

[Bromley boy]

The two ex-Southern units that SE have taken on are DC only units. Only the 377/2, /5, and /7 sub classes are dual voltage - SE have got two /1s.

Thanks.

That makes total sense as clearly SE wouldn’t be able to utilise the AC capability of AC/DC units.

 

[MAV39]

Anybody know what is gained from fast trains between Ashford and Tonbridge?

Any one from Ashford and further out has the HS1 fast service to London.

Paddock Wood, Staplehurst and Headcorn are railheads (also Marsden to a lesser extent) for the many communities south of the line (Tenterden, Biddenden, Benenden, Cranbrook, Goudhurst, Pembrey etc). Those commuters would be less than delighted if their current 2 tph became 1tph.

 

[Bromley boy]

There has been talk that the next franchise may possibly reintroduce fast trains between Tonbridge & Ashford.

Anybody know what is gained from fast trains between Ashford and Tonbridge?

Were these services mentioned in the ITT? I somehow doubt it due to pathing at the London end of the congested SEML.

If they were I will obviously stand corrected.

 

[Medicy]

The new Southeastern franchise will be required to operate 4tph off-peak on the South Eastern Main Line between Ashford International and London Charing Cross from 2022, with a minimum of two slow services. The other two are required to call at Ashford International, Paddock Wood (for connections to the Medway Valley line), Tonbridge, Sevenoaks, London Bridge, London Waterloo East and London Charing Cross, but the bidders can choose to stop at additional stations. The bidders can also run all the services from east of Ashford (e.g. from Ramsgate/Dover Priory)

 

[Bromley boy]

The new Southeastern franchise will be required to operate 4tph off-peak on the South Eastern Main Line between Ashford International and London Charing Cross from 2022, with a minimum of two slow services. The other two are required to call at Ashford International, Paddock Wood (for connections to the Medway Valley line), Tonbridge, Sevenoaks, London Bridge, London Waterloo East and London Charing Cross, but the bidders can choose to stop at additional stations. The bidders can also run all the services from east of Ashford (e.g. from Ramsgate/Dover Priory)

Very interesting, thanks. I do indeed stand corrected!

Perhaps this is in anticipation of GTR services eventually (if/when the Ashford GTR depot is actually established - it’s been pushed back enough times) running from the core to/from Ashford via Maidstone east.

EDIT: and will result in a similar diminution of service quality for those living at Pluckley, Headcorn etc. as the Sidcup line passengers have recently seen?

 

[Jack Wicket]

The new Southeastern franchise will be required to operate 4tph off-peak on the South Eastern Main Line between Ashford International and London Charing Cross from 2022, with a minimum of two slow services. The other two are required to call at Ashford International, Paddock Wood (for connections to the Medway Valley line), Tonbridge, Sevenoaks, London Bridge, London Waterloo East and London Charing Cross, but the bidders can choose to stop at additional stations. The bidders can also run all the services from east of Ashford (e.g. from Ramsgate/Dover Priory)

That's really good and I hope they do the same with the Victoria - Ramsgate and Dover Priory Line. Quite a few trains stop at all the village stations which isn't needed. It should just go from Rochester straight to Bromley South and atleast run 1 train an hour from the Village Towns.

 

[MAV39]

The new Southeastern franchise will be required to operate 4tph off-peak on the South Eastern Main Line between Ashford International and London Charing Cross from 2022, with a minimum of two slow services. The other two are required to call at Ashford International, Paddock Wood (for connections to the Medway Valley line), Tonbridge, Sevenoaks, London Bridge, London Waterloo East and London Charing Cross, but the bidders can choose to stop at additional stations. The bidders can also run all the services from east of Ashford (e.g. from Ramsgate/Dover Priory)

Thank you for giving the facts (and the link).

I see the 'fasts' would be additional trains, thus preserving the 2 tph status quo.

 

[bramling]

I have noticed that southeasterns franchise is running out and I would like to know if it's going to public hands or another private person, I think southeastern should keep the franchise because they are actulty a good train operator.

Class 375's
Does anyone recon that Class 375's might be able to run on HS1, I think they will be able to.

This poll is hard to answer as Electrostars are good for the mainline work and Networkers are good for suburban work. I don’t get why there seems to be so much bad feeling towards Networkers - provided they’re maintained well (as with any train) in my view they offer a quite adequate journey experience. I’d far rather have a 465 over a 700.

 

[yorksrob]

Very interesting, thanks. I do indeed stand corrected!

Perhaps this is in anticipation of GTR services eventually (if/when the Ashford GTR depot is actually established - it’s been pushed back enough times) running from the core to/from Ashford via Maidstone east.

EDIT: and will result in a similar diminution of service quality for those living at Pluckley, Headcorn etc. as the Sidcup line passengers have recently seen?

I think Pluckley only gets one train an hour at the moment, so its hard to see it getting any worse.

In answer to the OP, EPBs. Or if it must be contemporary, the Electrostars with the comfortable seats provide a very nice journey.

 

[KingJ]

Pluckley currently has 2TPH. Some of the extra peak time services do skip it however.

 

[yorksrob]

Pluckley currently has 2TPH. Some of the extra peak time services do skip it however.

Ah Cheers, I know I've skipped it a few times !