Networkers (465s) allocated to long runs

[itsjamierawr]

Hi All

Since Southeastern have changed the timetable for trains to the Kent coast, I've noticed an increase of Networkers being used on these services. E.g. the other day whilst sat at the level crossing for Canterbury West I noticed a single 465 go across to terminate at CBW (from Victoria). End to end Canterbury West - Victoria is pretty much 2 hours. Not exactly a suitable train for that.

Additionally today I went underneath the bridge near Canterbury East (stuck in traffic) I noticed 2x 465s going over to Dover (again about 2 hours Dover - Victoria). I would've thought that by running the high speed services round the coast this would've freed up more of the 375s to be put onto these services either as single units or doubled up (I know the CBW-Ashford line needs SDO for anything over 4 coaches so only 375s/395s can be used). And that the London metro routes would want these 465s for strengthening due to London Bridge being shut and I think a slight reduction in paths as a result?

So my question is, why the increase in the use of 465s since the timetable change?

 

[466.networkers]

Basically the 375s are not splitting / attaching at Faversham anymore so the stoppers to Victoria from Gillingham have been extended to Dover.

It's all linked in to the High Speed rounders too IIRC.

This article explains in more detail what changed.

http://www.southeasternrailway.co.u...utheastern-publishes-proposed-2015-timetable/

- A new Highspeed ‘rounder’ service improving connections between London and North / East Kent, providing another choice of London terminal
- Highspeed trains will stop at Snodland, Birchington-on-Sea, Martin Mill and Walmer for the first time
- Extra seats on the Highspeed service (with 698 seats at Ashford in the morning peak and 349 extra seats from Ebbsfleet.)
- Two additional Highspeed trains from Margate and Broadstairs creating a half hourly service at these stations in the morning peak
- An additional Highspeed service from Ramsgate via Canterbury to St Pancras
• A reduction of splitting and joining on the Mainline and Highspeed services
• A new hourly direct off-peak service between Maidstone East and Canterbury West
• A new fast service from Hastings to Charing Cross departing at 0804 and a Charing Cross to Hastings service departing at 1620, offering a 90 minute journey time
• A new peak hour service from Maidstone East to Blackfriars departing at 0845
• A new Blackfriars to Maidstone East service departing at 0719
• New additional services between Dartford and London Victoria at 0640 and then new later services half hourly from 1905 until 2308 (Dartford to Victoria) and from 2039 until 0009 (Victoria to Dartford)
• A new direct through-service between London Victoria and Sheerness-on-Sea (two trains in the morning peak and two trains in the evening peak)

 

[SpacePhoenix]

Do the Networkers and Electrostars both get used on all SE routes (apart from HS1) or do they get some routes to themselves?

 

[GatwickDepress]

Do the Networkers and Electrostars both get used on all SE routes (apart from HS1) or do they get some routes to themselves?

Solely Electrostars are used on Hastings services. The furthest the Networkers get on the Hastings line is Tunbridge Wells, where they operate a half-hourly service to Cannon Street.

 

[chubs]

Certainly around 2005-2007ish there was a timetabled networker (465/9?) from Victoria to Canterbury East, and it wasn't that uncommon to see one instead of a 375.

The 375's were much better on the route but the change was nice.

 

[Blindtraveler]

Sorry to take the thread a bit off, but the High Speed Rounders are confusing me do they opperate STP to STP in 1 or iether direction or do they do an out and back terminating somewhere on route but with through pax being allowed from certain parts of the outjaound journey onwards?

 

[Cletus]

They do the whole loop in both directions like so:
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/W55026/2015/01/23/advanced
and
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/W55016/2015/01/23/advanced

 

[Blindtraveler]

meaning in theory you could, if you had a spare 3.5hrs do it end to end, or is this discouraged?