LM 350/3 discussion (was Construction Progress)

[Old Hill Bank]

First one due on or around 15th April 2014

 

[Kristofferson]

The LM Desiros on the WCML are relatively new, what's the reason behind the 350/3s?

I'm assuming it's not replacement stock, and the WCML seems pretty full so extra capacity doesn't seem practical... Are they for the Cross City Line?

 

[Manchester77]

3 for extra Birmingham services and 7 for more WCML 110mph services.

 

[YorkshireBear]

The LM Desiros on the WCML are relatively new, what's the reason behind the 350/3s?

I'm assuming it's not replacement stock, and the WCML seems pretty full so extra capacity doesn't seem practical... Are they for the Cross City Line?

Extra capacity on the WCML ie longer formations, also they come as 110 capable i believe?
They are also to (release i believe so indirectly) provide units for the increased frequency to Redditch and the extensions to Bromsgrove.

That is my understanding anyway.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

3 for extra birmingham services and 7 for more wcml 110mph services.

this

 

[swt_passenger]

I'm assuming it's not replacement stock, and the WCML seems pretty full so extra capacity doesn't seem practical... Are they for the Cross City Line?

As said above, it is definitely 3 for Birmingham and 7 for WCML - I just posted the LM explanation (and link) in a different thread here:

http://www.railforums.co.uk/showpost.php?p=1738823&postcount=1489

 

[Old Hill Bank]

It should provide a mini internal cascade with the /3s going to WCML south jobs with some capacity enhancements, three /2s to Wolverhampton-Walsall jobs releasing 323s for the Redditch branch enhancement. I should know more in a couple of weeks.

 

[YorkshireBear]

Sorry just for my clarification are the 350/3 2+2 long distance? and the /2s 3+2 hence them moving to commuter work?
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Sorry just googled that.

Are the /2s ever going to be uprated to 110?

 

[43074]

No plans to upgrade the /2s to 100mph at the moment. They don't need to really since they will be concentrated on Commuter work and not the outer suburban work that needs 110mph.

 

[YorkshireBear]

No plans to upgrade the /2s to 100mph at the moment. They don't need to really since they will be concentrated on Commuter work and not the outer suburban work that needs 110mph.

Okay, thank you

 

[387star]

Okay, thank you

Good to know

Speaking of desiros SWT have replaced the carpeting in the vestibules of at least one class 450 with a light brown fitting

Looks very smart

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

No plans to upgrade the /2s to 100mph at the moment. They don't need to really since they will be concentrated on Commuter work and not the outer suburban work that needs 110mph.

Except those that work the Birmingham-Liverpool service.
About 2/3 of these units are currently 350/2 (and they also appear on the Trent Valley services).

 

[43074]

The first 350/3 appears to have been finished externally: (not my photo)

 

[Old Hill Bank]

Nice pic, seems they are on schedule then

 

[Pumbaa]

And in one fell swoop disappears the best chance of identifying for sure if it's a 110mph (and 2+2) unit

 

[Class377/5]

The first 350/3 appears to have been finished externally: (not my photo)

Where did that come from? That's a Class 700 on the right.

 

[Old Hill Bank]

And in one fell swoop disappears the best chance of identifying for sure if it's a 110mph (and 2+2) unit

Oh please Mr negative!

 

[43074]

Where did that come from? That's a Class 700 on the right.

It was uploaded by a Facebook friend without a caption, but I would guess it must have been taken at Siemens' test track at Wildenrath? I thought the 350s and 700s were being built at different locations, but I assume they are both being tested there.

 

[Class377/5]

It was uploaded by a Facebook friend without a caption, but I would guess it must have been taken at Siemens' test track at Wildenrath? I thought the 350s and 700s were being built at different locations, but I assume they are both being tested there.

Both the 350 and 700 are being built in Krefeld. Don't think its Wildenrath as the first one is due there shortly from what I've been told.

Thanks for sharing tho.

 

[43074]

Both the 350 and 700 are being built in Krefeld. Don't think its Wildenrath as the first one is due there shortly from what I've been told.

Well I'll take your word for it Class377/5 as you are clearly in the know over such things. Must be Krefeld then.

 

[Class377/5]

Well I'll take your word for it Class377/5 as you are clearly in the know over such things. Must be Krefeld then.

Its not 100% as the info is a couple of weeks old (and partly based on my understanding of Siemens testing events/locations).

Anyway back to the 350/3....

 

[387star]

Except those that work the Birmingham-Liverpool service.
About 2/3 of these units are currently 350/2 (and they also appear on the Trent Valley services).

Will these new low density units change this?

 

[Pumbaa]

Where did that come from? That's a Class 700 on the right.

Oh yeah? Since when where there loads of roof modules mounted on top of them?

It's a dutch unit methinks.

 

[Class377/5]

Oh yeah? Since when where there loads of roof modules mounted on top of them?

It's a dutch unit methinks.

I don't get what you mean?

 

[MCR247]

I don't think its a 700 :?

 

[Class83]

Will these new low density units change this?

At a quick glance the Liverpool-Birmingham run will have 8 diagrams, so could probably take up 10 units with maintenance and peak doubles. Which would keep the new fleet together and free up the /1s and /2s for Crewe and commuter services.

 

[MK Tom]

I'm pretty sure that unit on the right is a European loading gauge unit.

Any more pictures of 350368 would be very welcome!

 

[Techniquest]

At a quick glance the Liverpool-Birmingham run will have 8 diagrams, so could probably take up 10 units with maintenance and peak doubles. Which would keep the new fleet together and free up the /1s and /2s for Crewe and commuter services.

10 350s wouldn't be far off from a bit of estimates. I've yet to see a double 350 on a peak time Liverpool-Birmingham or vice versa service mind.

It's also fair to point out that yesterday it was almost all /1s on Liverpool runs, noted only a few /2s in use on the route.

 

[Manchester77]

8 car 350s can't be used on Birmingham - Liverpool runs because of short platforms IIRC

 

[sprinterguy]

8 car 350s can't be used on Birmingham - Liverpool runs because of short platforms IIRC

Indeed - There are no pairs of 350s diagrammed for the Birmingham to Liverpool services. Certainly, platform 4c at New Street, the usual bay that they use, would be unable to accomodate an 8-car formation.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Except those that work the Birmingham-Liverpool service.
About 2/3 of these units are currently 350/2

Actually, the current diagrams show it as being more like half and half between 350/1s and 350/2s. It has been a 2:6 split previously though.

As such, I don't think that any proposals to concentrate the 350/3s on the Birmingham to Liverpool corridor would work: While we won't know exactly what services the 350/3s will be working until all their diagrams are in place from the December 2014 timetable, presumably more 110mph capable units than would be freed up from Birmingham - Liverpool will be required to introduce 8-car working on some Crewe 110 services, and whatever other improvements have been announced (A new morning fast service from Northampton to London, was it?).

 

[WestCountry]

Why is the one pictured numbered 350368, rather than something in the 301-310 series?