Great Northern Fleet - 379s introduction

[St. Paddy]

Training is slated to be classroom and unit based (in the yard). There will likely to be a dispute over the lack of brake handling.


Don't expect any changes bar a GN logo slapped on the outside, and they haven't even got round to that yet. There is absolutely no money for anything else.

They will never be run with 387s and will operate as a distinct, separate fleet. The MITRAC systems are totally incompatible, with 387s running on Windows based architecture and 379s on Linux. It was looked into but now completely off the table as the cost of new software is exorbitant and would massively outweigh any gain.

As training has already been agreed and commenced, what makes you think there will be a dispute?

Also, they may not bother with logos with potentially less than 6 months of GN to go

 

[fgwrich]

To be honest, given how unstable some of Bombardier’s software has been over the last few years, it’s probably not worth the risk of trying to replace the Linux based Software with the MITRAC on the standard Electrostars either.

 

[Fincra5]

Training is slated to be classroom and unit based (in the yard). There will likely to be a dispute over the lack of brake handling.


Don't expect any changes bar a GN logo slapped on the outside, and they haven't even got round to that yet. There is absolutely no money for anything else.

They will never be run with 387s and will operate as a distinct, separate fleet. The MITRAC systems are totally incompatible, with 387s running on Windows based architecture and 379s on Linux. It was looked into but now completely off the table as the cost of new software is exorbitant and would massively outweigh any gain.

No there won't as processes were followed with the Union.

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

My understanding is that the additional 3 x 700/0 diagrams will be covered with some minor changes to the fleet maintenance routines, with more maintenance being undertaken between the peaks on some of these units.

Good to see there pushing up utilisation of the 700's always seems to be plenty sitting in the sidings at Hornsey and they are like the IEP 80x's on a long run lease agreement so can't be stood down like most ROSCO units.

 

[bramling]

Good to see there pushing up utilisation of the 700's always seems to be plenty sitting in the sidings at Hornsey and they are like the IEP 80x's on a long run lease agreement so can't be stood down like most ROSCO units.

The trouble is, the 700/0s have often been covering for unavailable 700/1s. Push up the 700/0 diagrams, and it is likely to lead to an increase in cancellations on the core TL services.

One way to get the extra GN services would be to utilise 717s on one or more of the Peterborough services, but not sure how feasible this is. Have they been cleared for 100 mph in service running yet?

 

[PointA Rail]

I rode past Hornsey Depot earlier this morning and a pair of 379s (016 + 022) are stabled right by the running lines with pantographs up and lights on.

Does anyone know when in the last few weeks they were delivered and does this mean some are being dragged back to Hornsey to prepare for training?

 

[Peter Sarf]

I rode past Hornsey Depot earlier this morning and a pair of 379s (016 + 022) are stabled right by the running lines with pantographs up and lights on.

Does anyone know when in the last few weeks they were delivered and does this mean some are being dragged back to Hornsey to prepare for training?

The 379s have been taking it in turns to visit Hornsey for assessment for the past four months approximately. Some then go to Nene Sidings and somewhere else (Ely ?).

There is basically going to be an extra 30 x 4car units floating around the SE due to the 379s.

Flipping it around the other way. It follows that Thameslink want the spare 700s back for the services promised and also cover. So GN gets all 30 of the 379s and cascades about 25 387s away to Southern. So Hornsey ends up with an unchanged allocation size but Thameslink gets its 700/0s back.

---

As for worries about 379s being sent back North. Hornsey is only so big. Once a few 379s have been deemed acceptable they will have to be stored somewhere SHORT TERM while other 379s are poured over at Hornsey. Back at Worksop seems reasonable as a loco + driver is heading roughly that way after each delivery anyway. Once GN think they have enough usable 379s they will probably do a quick swap of say ten 379s to Hornsey and a similar number of 387s to Selhurst (or short term store). JM2PW

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 9 Nov 2024 ==

Training started a while back as per :-

Driver training has started, one day course with no practical handling needed due to similarities to the 387 cab. Therefore, the only runs you may see before the new timetable are shakedown/test runs and swaps to and from Nene CS

 

[Sutton in Ant]

With it being eerily silent on the 379’s refresh before service, what diagram do we think they will first enter service on? The new Peterborough diagram that will be introduced then goes on to do an Ely run so I doubt it would be that. Could it be the letchworth new diagrams as they start at letchworth and then sit at Hornsey all day before going back to letchworth? Or will that diagram be run by 717s? Perhaps they reshuffle the 700/1 diagram on the GN so the 379 works that instead first?

Eerily silent concerning about the 379s. Just to inform you that Halloween has been and gone.

 

[dk1]

Eerily silent concerning about the 379s. Just to inform you that Halloween has been and gone.

I don’t think there’s anything else to update. It’s a good while before any introduction to traffic yet.

 

[Peter Sarf]

Possibly some 387s (ie maintenance spares) move away from GN first indicating that GN *expect* to be able to use 379s soon after ?.

 

[OneOfThe48]

I don’t think there’s anything else to update. It’s a good while before any introduction to traffic yet.

Eerily silent concerning about the 379s. Just to inform you that Halloween has been and gone.

Another member earlier in the thread shared a response from GTR/Great Northern that they’ll be introduced in December as part of the timetable change.

Don’t see any reason why people are expecting anything different from that.

We just need patience, they’ll be running soon

 

[dk1]

Another member earlier in the thread shared a response from GTR/Great Northern that they’ll be introduced in December as part of the timetable change.

Don’t see any reason why people are expecting anything different from that.

We just need patience, they’ll be running soon

December seems ridiculously over optimistic.

 

[Peter Sarf]

December seems ridiculously over optimistic.

These aren't new trains. Training is simple as they are similar enough to 387s. My only concern is what state these 379s are in (mechanically, electrically and ergonomically) after such a long time in store.

It is no big deal for the passengers on Great Northern of course as I suspect the real difference will be for the eventual recipients of the cascaded 387s.

 

[dk1]

These aren't new trains. Training is simple as they are similar enough to 387s. My only concern is what state these 379s are in (mechanically, electrically and ergonomically) after such a long time in store.

It is no big deal for the passengers on Great Northern of course as I suspect the real difference will be for the eventual recipients of the cascaded 387s.

It’s a very big deal to get them in traffic next month as was mentioned however. I will watch with enormous interest on that one if only traincrew wise

 

[brad465]

It’s a very big deal to get them in traffic next month as was mentioned however. I will watch with enormous interest on that one if only traincrew wise

Earlier posts imply only a handful are planned to be in service next month. The full fleet won't be in service till next year.

 

[dk1]

Earlier posts imply only a handful are planned to be in service next month. The full fleet won't be in service till next year.

Interesting stuff.

 

[Peter Sarf]

Earlier posts imply only a handful are planned to be in service next month. The full fleet won't be in service till next year.

That is my assumption, kjust the beginning of a roll out. Plus there is bound to be a really errant 379 or more that will not be got back in order so quickly.

 

[bramling]

Earlier posts imply only a handful are planned to be in service next month. The full fleet won't be in service till next year.

I thought the initial plan is to cover the diagrams with other stock until the 379s are ready. So it seems unlikely we’ll see 6x 379 diagrams (3 pairs) initially.

I’m still curious as to whether there will be more 700/0 work to Kings Lynn in December. I’ve heard conflicting info about this. I’ve seen one lot of info which has just one return trip in the morning, but another has a handful of further trips. The train plan must be finalised by now one would think.

 

[MikeWM]

It is no big deal for the passengers on Great Northern of course as I suspect the real difference will be for the eventual recipients of the cascaded 387s.

Though it will be a big deal for Ely/Kings Lynn commuters and leisure travellers if services currently run by 387s are now run by deeply-unsuitable-for-those-services 700s, as hinted above. Saturdays are already cursed by too many 700 diagrams at Ely over the past couple of years, we really don't want any further spread into weekdays too.

 

[43074]

I thought the initial plan is to cover the diagrams with other stock until the 379s are ready. So it seems unlikely we’ll see 6x 379 diagrams (3 pairs) initially.

I’m still curious as to whether there will be more 700/0 work to Kings Lynn in December. I’ve heard conflicting info about this. I’ve seen one lot of info which has just one return trip in the morning, but another has a handful of further trips. The train plan must be finalised by now one would think.

There is less 700/0 work to Kings Lynn from this December as there is only one return trip on weekdays (possibly two on Saturdays), but if I remember rightly it's balanced by one additional Ely round trip.

 

[physics34]

They will need to cover 4x 387s that are moving to southern in Dec, including the 2 green ones. That's the educated guess anyway.

 

[Spur365]

Oh hello hello. Someone's out and about this evening for some testing and measuring.

 

[fgwrich]

Oh hello hello. Someone's out and about this evening for some testing and measuring.

Shhhhh, project is eerily quiet apparently (even though there will be plenty going on behind the scenes)

 

[Spur365]

Shhhhh, project is eerily quiet apparently (even though there will be plenty going on behind the scenes)

Absolutely!
This pair working Hornsey - KGX - Welwyn CS. 5W93/5Y94

 

[brad465]

Oh hello hello. Someone's out and about this evening for some testing and measuring.

The main thing I learnt from that picture isn't the 379s on test, it's that Kings Cross has a good looking ambience at night under its lighting.

 

[fkofilee]

The main thing I learnt from that picture isn't the 379s on test, it's that Kings Cross has a good looking ambience at night under its lighting.

Oh boy - It most certainly does...

 

[notverydeep]

They are out again this evening with 379016 on the rear of 5W83 2013 Hornsey E.M.U.D. to London Kings Cross at Finsbury Park a few minutes ago…

Returns to Hornsey apparently after a brief stop.

 

[Wolfie]

Oh boy - It most certainly does...

View attachment 168992

View attachment 168993

Not a patch on Euston...... PMSL!

 

[AlexanderC]

There’s some test run to Peterborough and back on the system which can be activated when required:

Realtime Trains | 5P82 1103 Hornsey E.M.U.D. to Peterborough | 13/11/2024

Real-time train running information for 5P82 1103 departure from Hornsey E.M.U.D. to Peterborough on 13/11/2024. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Realtime Trains | 5E82 1241 Peterborough to Hornsey E.M.U.D. | 13/11/2024

Real-time train running information for 5E82 1241 departure from Peterborough to Hornsey E.M.U.D. on 13/11/2024. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[jon0844]

379 at Welwyn Garden City this morningr, doing platform tests. PIS showing as Ashwell & Morden for the destination, but went into the sidings before coming back out to return to King's Cross.