New metropolitan trains

[mailman]

Not sure if this is the appropriate forum but I have to say the new Metropolitan underground trains are pretty bloody good.

Ok, they still have some funky ideas around seat arrangement (why cant they just put the seats on the outside of the carriage and allow as many people standing space as possible??) but apart from that they are good. Air conditioning, quiet, space!

Be good if the entire underground network could also be brought in to the 21st century too.

Regards

Mailman

 

[Daniel]

The same trains are being phased into the entire SSR network, and will eventually be on the Circle, District, Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan Lines. The only difference with the other lines to the Met stock is that they'll be a car shorter and all the seats will be along the walls.

Mods may wish to move this to the LUL section, though!

 

[DavyCrocket]

I travelled on an S Stock last week for the first time. In the cab in one direction. It's massive - with a very comfy seat! Travelled back with the passengers and the lack of seats does make the train look busy but the ride was very smooth, even if the train didn't seem to have much oomph!
The doors also make a pretty good clunk noise!

 

[anthony263]

Not sure if this is the appropriate forum but I have to say the new Metropolitan underground trains are pretty bloody good.

Ok, they still have some funky ideas around seat arrangement (why cant they just put the seats on the outside of the carriage and allow as many people standing space as possible??) but apart from that they are good. Air conditioning, quiet, space!

Be good if the entire underground network could also be brought in to the 21st century too.

Regards

Mailman

The seating layout on the S stock for the Met is because when they suggested having a similar layout as the class 378's the commuters who use the met especially in Amersham and Chesham played hell.

 

[valenta]

I travelled on an S Stock last week for the first time. In the cab in one direction. It's massive - with a very comfy seat! Travelled back with the passengers and the lack of seats does make the train look busy but the ride was very smooth, even if the train didn't seem to have much oomph!
The doors also make a pretty good clunk noise!

Travelled on this stock last week, and in my opinion the S stock and the C stock can't be compared for journey quality.

 

[philjo]

I was at Great Portland Street waiting to go to Kings Cross last week & one of the new trains turned up. I found the ride to be very smooth.
I like the seat layout as you can choose whether to sit sideways (OK on the circle line in the tunnels or on short hops) or in bays (better for the longer distance met journeys)

You really appreciate the curves in the track as the whole train is open inside & it moves like a snake!

 

[Wolfie]

Not sure if this is the appropriate forum but I have to say the new Metropolitan underground trains are pretty bloody good.

Ok, they still have some funky ideas around seat arrangement (why cant they just put the seats on the outside of the carriage and allow as many people standing space as possible??) but apart from that they are good. Air conditioning, quiet, space!

Be good if the entire underground network could also be brought in to the 21st century too.

Regards

Mailman

Mailman

I am amazed that many on here haven't jumped down your throat for having the temerity to post this - they are, after all, built by (boo, hiss) Bombardier who, according to some on here, are incapable of building a functional train......

Of course, never mention Class 380 to the Siemens fanclub.......

 

[MCR247]

Hang on though, a 380, a completely different design, it is understandable for it to be late and to have teething problems, whereas, well you've built 1300 basically identical carriages (377s and 375s) and others based on the same design, yet when building 26 more, you can't get them into service without them dropping like flies?!

 

[87015]

Hang on though, a 380, a completely different design, it is understandable for it to be late and to have teething problems, whereas, well you've built 1300 basically identical carriages (377s and 375s) and others based on the same design, yet when building 26 more, you can't get them into service without them dropping like flies?!

You mean like the 350/2s which were late into service and didn't work very well at all so extra 321s had to be retained for months??

 

[starrymarkb]

You mean like the 350/2s which were late into service and didn't work very well at all so extra 321s had to be retained for months??

Wasn't the final unit in service within one week of schedule (and then the delay was caused in transit to the UK, it was ready to go on time) so the problems they had Siemens sorted pretty quickly. As I've said elsewhere Siemens are quick to fix any problems. Bombardier and Alstom less so! TOCs expect problems, it's how they are handled that makes the difference.

Personally though I'd rather have Stadler stock in the UK

 

[swt_passenger]

The seating layout on the S stock for the Met is because when they suggested having a similar layout as the class 378's the commuters who use the met especially in Amersham and Chesham played hell.

When the original S stock mock up was first presented to the public outside Euston Stn it had already been decided that the S8 trains would have a different seating layout to the S7s and the 378s. The mock up had the S8 layout as has been delivered.

 

[whhistle]

Are the new trains pretty frequent on the Metropol line now then?

 

[es373]

Theyre not fully in service yet but there are 12 about at the minute I think. 2 are currently being repaired as they have software issues so I believe.
I don't think it's a good idea to shout about how you got a cab ride because LU managers watch this site so think of the consequences/implications.

They are being delivered at the rate of one full set a week also one A stock is being heavy hauled for scrapping by road at the same rate.

 

[DavyCrocket]

Theyre not fully in service yet but there are 12 about at the minute I think. 2 are currently being repaired as they have software issues so I believe.
I don't think it's a good idea to shout about how you got a cab ride because LU managers watch this site so think of the consequences/implications.

They are being delivered at the rate of one full set a week also one A stock is being heavy hauled for scrapping by road at the same rate.

I was speak someone from Fleet the other day who said that some are not being offered for service at present as the filters are being changed on the air con. So obviously new things for depots to do on exams!

Oh and no need to panic, Im an operational member of staff and was to the benefit of my duty that day!

 

[mappman1000]

They are running to the same timetable, but some odd ball has decided that the december timetable change will mean that Amersham and Chesham trains will be all stops, instead of the fast and semi fast services!!!

 

[trentside]

They are running to the same timetable, but some odd ball has decided that the december timetable change will mean that Amersham and Chesham trains will be all stops, instead of the fast and semi fast services!!!

That was apparently related to pressure from some rail user groups.

As a consequence, I understand that Watford trains are to be reduced to 4 per hour, down from 6. With Amersham and Chesham trains running down the local lines, these will have a more frequent service than at present. While this slightly increases journey times, the fasts do tend to carry fresh air west of Harrow off-peak. The fasts will still be used by Chiltern and certain peak time Met services.

 

[Daniel]

But it is expected to cause issues around Watford South Junction with more trains crossing each other's paths. We shall see how that one pans out, I'm hoping it goes smoothly as I'll be signalling up that way soon..

 

[Nym]

Theyre not fully in service yet but there are 12 about at the minute I think. 2 are currently being repaired as they have software issues so I believe.
I don't think it's a good idea to shout about how you got a cab ride because LU managers watch this site so think of the consequences/implications.

They are being delivered at the rate of one full set a week also one A stock is being heavy hauled for scrapping by road at the same rate.

I thought they where going to the new depot at Harrogate to run into Leeds & York? </sarcasm>

 

[NIMBUS]

They are being delivered at the rate of one full set a week also one A stock is being heavy hauled for scrapping by road at the same rate.

Strictly speaking it's one for two - 'A' stock sets are four-car units which may or may not be double-ended (i.e. having cabs equipped for OMO). Two four-car sets are being shipped to Northwood sidings each Monday/Tuesday, with Allelys taking away two cars a day on low-loaders, back to South Yorkshire (where they were built by Cravens in Sheffield) for scrapping.

 

[HSTEd]

This is a little bit peripheral, but does anyone know how long the S-stock order has taken/will take to build from when the first one started construction to when the last S-7 will roll off the production line?
I make the order 1395 carriages and I was wondering how long it will take for Derby works to build them as a way of getting a handle on its current production capacity.

 

[swt_passenger]

This is a little bit peripheral, but does anyone know how long the S-stock order has taken/will take to build from when the first one started construction to when the last S-7 will roll off the production line?
I make the order 1395 carriages and I was wondering how long it will take for Derby works to build them as a way of getting a handle on its current production capacity.

There are dates in LU's 'board papers' which are public domain here:

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/about-tfl/boardandchiefofficers/papers/1436.aspx

September's 'investment report' gives the dates as

Met complete 31 Dec 2013
Circle H&C complete 31 Dec 2014
District complete 31 Dec 2016

 

[jon0844]

I've seen a few recently and actually went on one for the first time on Monday (after having last seen one at a test run in Wembley a year or two ago - but not travelling on it).

Firstly, these look so much nicer than the Victoria line trains. Sure, they're obviously able to be bigger - but it shows that Bombardier were obviously able to use a more tried and tested design. It shows - with all the panels looking like they line up and no seals hanging down or looking messy.

The seats also seem nicer.

Looking down the train from one end, it does look quite funny seeing all those screens all showing text in perfect sync! You could probably light the coaches from these alone.

Now, given they're Bombardier trains, why is the door opening sound different? It's a different tone?

Anyway, given I'm one of those people who often criticises Bombardier-built trains, I do believe in giving credit where credit is due. So far, from first impressions at least, these trains look very good.

Let's come back to this thread in five, then ten, years to see if they're still in one piece.

 

[Crossover]

Managed to get one of the new trains back in mid-August whilst in London - just a short hop from Baker Street to Kings Cross - it was a complete punt as I had no idea whether it would be one of the old ones that turned up, but it wasn't :P

I find the external shape somewhat interesting and I'm not sure I'm a fan - the air con units on the top make them look rather bulbous.

However, I did love the journey on them. Very smooth and don't recall hearing too much in the way of flange squeal. The ability to move between carriages is sure to make journeys a lot better as people are not stuck in the carriage they boarded and can move down the train as necessary and the air con is sure to be a huge boon for commuters come the summer months

 

[jon0844]

I think they're fantastic trains. I like the 378s too.

Not yet sold on the new Victoria line trains, which seem to have loads of problems - from the doors to the fitting of the internal panels.. along with a seat fabric that instantly looks worn out even when new! Oh, and the poor ventilation system (blowing hot air through the train).

The best and worst of Bombardier I guess.

 

[nk133]

I am loving the new s-stock trains! Long overdue, but the improved ride comfort is undeniable. I do however think that it will be a bit of a shame that these new metropolitan line trains will in time become a common sight across all the sub-surface lines - losing the character and unique-ness of their predecessors.

Inside you could be mistaken for already thinking that the train was for use on the circle line, what with the yellow handrails. Why could they not have selected purple?! These trains will never be used on the other sub-surface lines due to their length as I understand.

It might also be the end of the metropolitan line heraldry/coat of arms that feature on the outside of the a-stock (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Metropolitan_Line_Heraldry_white_bg.JPG). This coat of arms is somewhat dated in appearance, and I'm surprised it survived the 90s refurbishment, but again to me it would have been great if they had included it on the new s-stock and continued it's legacy!

The limited number of transverse seating and train length is all that will make this s-stock variety unique- but I suppose times and designs do change!

 

[A60K]

Anyway, given I'm one of those people who often criticises Bombardier-built trains, I do believe in giving credit where credit is due. So far, from first impressions at least, these trains look very good.

Let's come back to this thread in five, then ten, years to see if they're still in one piece.

I don't think you will need to wait that long! There's a variety of electronic, electrical and mechanical quirks that are appearing, perhaps more so than on the Victoria line stock. Will be interesting to see the Met reliability figures in a few months time.

 

[Dave A]

I don't think you will need to wait that long! There's a variety of electronic, electrical and mechanical quirks that are appearing, perhaps more so than on the Victoria line stock. Will be interesting to see the Met reliability figures in a few months time.

Haha. I've been wondering if the more frequent excuse of "due to a faulty train at xxx" anywhere between Aldgate - Baker St had been down to the S Stock!?

It will be a shame to see the A60's go, but the improvements the S offers can't be denied (providing they work).

 

[jon0844]

I wonder if Bombardier will do a good job with the new trams in Blackpool?

Surely they can build something that works?

 

[Nym]

The M5000s are OK, don't like the door control placement though, or the fact it doesn't have a real whisle.

 

[jon0844]

But the doors open and close properly?!