Thameslink Class 700 at Charing Cross

[Jever35]

Anyone shed any light on this empty Thameslink working to Charing Cross? http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/O23526/2019/07/21/advanced

From a webcam it would appear to be genuine (you can just about make out the front of a class 700 arriving in the bottom left of the picture). Has this happened before?

 

[westcoaster]

I believe it is to do with ATO testing, last Sunday evening they were testing out towards new cross.

 

[Bromley boy]

I believe it is to do with ATO testing, last Sunday evening they were testing out towards new cross.

Very likely.

IIRC non TL London Bridge platforms have been fitted with ERTMS balises, so it may well be necessary to run the 700s all the way to Charing Cross to turn them around in order to fully test these platforms (Waterloo East platforms are not signalled for Bi-Di working).

In which case similar movements to CST could also probably be expected.

Perhaps @Bald Rick, who always seems well informed in these matters, could confirm?

 

[swt_passenger]

Very likely.

IIRC non TL London Bridge platforms have been fitted with ERTMS balises, so it may well be necessary to run the 700s all the way to Charing Cross to turn them around in order to fully test these platforms.

In which case similar movements to CST could also probably be expected.

Perhaps @Bald Rick, who always seems well informed in these matters, could confirm?

This was mentioned in the UK Modern EMU Yahoo group a few days ago, apparently they are testing all the possible transition points into and out of the ATO fitted area, the routes done overnight Sun 14th did include routes into Cannon St.

Sun 21st shows these late evening paths on RTT, I think it's the sequence of 5Znn paths that gives it away as testing:
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/sea...1/0100-0059?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt&toc=TL

 

[Bromley boy]

This was mentioned in the UK Modern EMU Yahoo group a few days ago, apparently they are testing all the possible transition points into and out of the ATO fitted area, the routes done overnight Sun 14th did include routes into Cannon St.

Sun 21st shows these late evening paths on RTT, I think it's the sequence of 5Znn paths that gives it away as testing:
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/sea...1/0100-0059?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt&toc=TL

As I thought. Many thanks for confirming.

 

[Jever35]

Thanks folks. An unusual sight

 

[mcatts]

I also noticed a pair of 376's at Victoria. Maybe testing there too.

 

[Bromley boy]

I also noticed a pair of 376's at Victoria. Maybe testing there too.

There are now a couple of timetabled 376 movements in and out of Victoria in passenger service (one in the morning, one in the evening IIRC).

The units are stabled in Grosvenor shed overnight.