New Class350/2

[oxleywolf]

Anyone observed the new unit out and about ?? Any photos available

Regards

Oxleywolf

 

[CraigS]

There's a couple of photos on fotopic of 350231.

http://andrew-chambers.fotopic.net/p54270865.html
http://andrew-chambers.fotopic.net/p54270866.html

There's also a couple of photos on fotopic of 350233 and 350234 in Germany?

350233 http://kenbrunt.fotopic.net/p54155060.html
350234 http://kenbrunt.fotopic.net/p54155061.html

 

[oxleywolf]

Thanks Craig!

Regards

Oxleywolf

 

[Juniper Driver]

So why are they classed as 350/2?

 

[laseandre]

A second batch?

 

[Bayum]

And the colouring of the gangway doors. The new stock are yellow and black, whereas the old stock was all yellow or all black im guessing

 

[laseandre]

All Yellow.

 

[33056]

So why are they classed as 350/2?

I believe that the seating arrangement is different, 3 + 2 rather than 2 + 2.

 

[Pumbaa]

Yep 3 + 2 throughout, except FC obviously. And no 3rd rail shoe unlike the /1s.

 

[me123]

Yep 3 + 2 throughout

Boo!

 

[Pumbaa]

And looking at the numbers of those initial units, assuming that they didn't start manufacturing at xxx231, will go to xxx237 and then start again at xxx201, they have carried on the numbering from the /1s??

Meaning it goes 350130, 350231... 350267? Weird...

 

[jv3531]

Hi guys,

Supprised no one has mentioned this:

http://www.railwayherald.co.uk/

Check out issue 151, contains full report on them with pikies aswell.

They are basically a high density 350 equivalent of the 450

 

[87015]

Meaning it goes 350130, 350231... 350267? Weird...

Yes, having 101 and 201 is too complicated for staff apparently. Even worse than the mass renumbering of 317s in Anglia as having 317301 and 321301 was deemed too difficult.

 

[Mojo]

And looking at the numbers of those initial units, assuming that they didn't start manufacturing at xxx231, will go to xxx237 and then start again at xxx201, they have carried on the numbering from the /1s??

Meaning it goes 350130, 350231... 350267? Weird...

This sometimes happens across fleets, such as on Chiltern's 168s. The 168/0s are 001-005; the /1s are 106-113 and the /2s are 214-219.

 

[Ascot]

So why are they classed as 350/2?

Only real difference is they taken out the 3rd rail and the paddle for them, there will be no tables in Standard class and will be 3x2 seating a bit like the 321s we got (Birmingham's actually got commuter trains). First Class will be the same with the concrete seats and air conditioning throughout that is in Arctic mode. Oh and they have the new green interiors instead of the blue ones the old batch have.

I do hope London Midland provide more through expresses (via Northampton of course) to London from Brum as they could easily join the market along with Chiltern and Virgin (aren't we lucky to have so many London services )

 

[Juniper Driver]

I believe that the seating arrangement is different, 3 + 2 rather than 2 + 2.

Ok thanks.

When SWT ordered 450111-450127 they wern't classed as 450/1 as far as I know.

 

[A0]

Only real difference is they taken out the 3rd rail and the paddle for them, there will be no tables in Standard class and will be 3x2 seating a bit like the 321s we got (Birmingham's actually got commuter trains). First Class will be the same with the concrete seats and air conditioning throughout that is in Arctic mode. Oh and they have the new green interiors instead of the blue ones the old batch have.

I do hope London Midland provide more through expresses (via Northampton of course) to London from Brum as they could easily join the market along with Chiltern and Virgin (aren't we lucky to have so many London services )

The first of the new units are now at Kings Heath depot according to the local newspaper.

Also the new timetable will have in addition to the current pattern from Northampton

1 tph London - Northampton - Birmingham (as distinct to London - NH, and NH - B'ham services)
1 tph London - Northampton - Trent Valley - Stoke - Crewe

 

[John_158]

350236 Was out in Service on Saturday 27th as it worked the 12.34 1G34 From Liverpool Lime St to Birmingham seemed like its first day out as there was a Technician from Siemens on board i got a photo which my fotopic site will be updated sometime this week.

 

[P156KWJ]

there have been a few in service, saw some on tuesday - can't specify which as I was bombing past them at 125mph on a 390

 

[The_Rail_WAy]

Was'nt 350233 used to carry VIP's on the Siemens test track at Wegberg-Wildenrath, Germany?

 

[Stonesourscotty]

that's what fotopic says

 

[MCR247]

I never knew they had different seating. Are they using them differently like, /1's on LDN-CREWE & LDN-BHM and a few on BHM-LIV. /2'S on the rest or are they just 'random' as such

 

[Stonesourscotty]

I Thought the 350/2's where like for like for the 321's and they'd stick to the old 321 Diagrams? but it appears that 350/2's are regularly appearing on 350/1 old routes?

 

[175001]

I Thought the 350/2's where like for like for the 321's and they'd stick to the old 321 Diagrams? but it appears that 350/2's are regularly appearing on 350/1 old routes?

Seen a pic of a /2 at Crewe last week somwhere on Flickr im sure!

 

[slick]

I Thought the 350/2's where like for like for the 321's and they'd stick to the old 321 Diagrams? but it appears that 350/2's are regularly appearing on 350/1 old routes?

Correct. This is because London Midland have majorly screwed up the new timetabling so you will often find our 350/2's Coupled up with 350/1's or wherever theyre needed as a pose to just a straight swap onto 321 diagrams. Youd think that would be fine but when 350/2's and 350/1's join you get alot of anomalies electrically..Drivers are always complaining about them mixing!

Also the 350/2's sound slightly different, the destinctive 350 "spaceship" sound ive heard people describe it as is a lower pitched sound.

 

[Juniper Driver]

Yes, having 101 and 201 is too complicated for staff apparently. Even worse than the mass renumbering of 317s in Anglia as having 317301 and 321301 was deemed too difficult.

I think probably it's to help the shunters when making up sets.

Just before I started working at Ilford carriage sidings in 1982 the 315's were numbered 315001-315061 which clashed with the 306001-306064? cant remember how many 306's there were but with the 307 ones and the 308,305 and god knows what this would cause confusion with making up sets so the 315's were renumbered 315 8's.Easier for the shunters and other staff see.

I know you probably don't sound like you understand with your quote but I can understand why they number units different to avoid confusion.

 

[John_158]

I wonder if we will see a 321 appear on the Liverpool - Crewe - Birmingham Before they get cascaded as i do believe the Operating Staff at Crewe and Birmingham can Sign them.

 

[Ascot]

The 350/1s will work on the Liverpool and Crewe services. The 350/2s will work on the Wolves and Walsall, South of Birmingham to Northampton and London (In theory)

 

[D306]

The 350/2s will work on the Wolves and Walsall, South of Birmingham to Northampton and London (In theory)

I've had one as far as MKC from Coventry recently so there's one in theory thats actually working

 

[Jordy]

On Monday there was at least one example on the Euston - Crewe (via Trent Valley and Stoke-on-Trent) service!