Thameslink/ Class 700 Progress

[Deepgreen]

I would have thought it would have been spotted before going to Hornsey and sent "home" to Three Bridges for cleaning instead. Can't imagine GTR would want the entire world to see this artwork on their shiny new trains prior to entering service...would they?

Wonder how long this would take to remove considering part of the second coach has been decorated as well.

Bear in mind that GTR don't care what people think of them...

 

[Class377/5]

in reponse to that the seats should actually start a few inches (3 or 4) away from the side wall, funilly enough, the width of an armrest, because there is also nowhere for your shoulder to go, unless your shoulder width is the same or less than the width of the seat (!!!!!)

This wouldnt significantly reduce the aisle width.

Try and sit two-abreast n those seats and you will see what i mean.

I like the P.I.S and the chime!

I don't actually find it bad but that's me personally. Seems you did like something about the train. Did you go far?

Was interesting chatting with the public, there was genuine excitement by a few at being the first. Space being the first thing to be commeted on as well as luggage racks or those going to/from Gatwick.

 

[southern442]

I'm afraid the fears about the seats are correct.

Hard, no elbow room at all if sitting two a breast (window seat too close to train body), and also footwell intrusion on the window seat

Sitting two a breast for an hour journey would be grim.

Get the negatives out of the way, and they are nice! Nowhere to put my coffee though

Are they still planning on adding tables and plug sockets?

 

[physics34]

I don't actually find it bad but that's me personally. Seems you did like something about the train. Did you go far?

Was interesting chatting with the public, there was genuine excitement by a few at being the first. Space being the first thing to be commeted on as well as luggage racks or those going to/from Gatwick.

Ha ha, yeh there are a few things that are good. I mean they are perfect for metro, just not toe longer. Obvious advantages are the walk through carriages, the ride quality, the wider doors and the PIS.

I am quite chubby so I find the seats too small, so they are set up for the average.

 

[Nippy]

Guard? Presumably you mean the driver. The introduction of 700s onto certain Southern routes is at least partly why there is a dispute.

Yes ok, someone. No ticket check.

 

[fgwrich]

Here's the evidence.... View attachment 27120

Arguably more attractive than the existing Thameslink decal...

Still cant but help feel that it was a bad idea painting them as a blank white 'canvas'. But then again rolling stock can end up being vandalized anywhere.

At least the 700s are now entering service at last though!

I'll admit, I did like the fact that the 700s seem to cope better with luggage for Gatwick better than the dedicated Electrostars.

 

[Islineclear3_1]

Bear in mind that GTR don't care what people think of them...

Then perhaps GTR should have sent 700102 out today instead....

 

[radamfi]

Is it likely to run tomorrow? I didn't fancy today because of the weather.

 

[Class 466]

The People of Kent won't know what's hit them when they reach Maidstone & Rainham in 2018, a huge jump up from the Networkers they currently have to use!

 

[Class377/5]

Is it likely to run tomorrow? I didn't fancy today because of the weather.

Yes but significantly different times due to the strike.

1T01 08:11 Brighton to London Bridge
1T02 09:32 London Bridge to Brighton
1T03 11:45 Brighton to London Bridge
1T04 13:08 London Bridge to Brighton
1T05 14:45 Brighton to London Bridge
1T06 16:08 London Bridge to Brighton
1T07 18:21 Brighton to London Bridge
1T08 19:31 London Bridge to Brighton

Wednesday will be the same as today.

 

[trainmania100]

Will they be running Saturday or Sunday?

Otherwise I'll need to catch 1T07 after work tomorrow

 

[Alfie1014]

Had a quick run on the 11:12 from London Bridge to Gatwick Airport today. Quite impressed seemed quieter and rode better than Electrostars and the 360s that I travel on. I especially enjoyed the moment the member of the on-train presentation staff at London Bridge chastised a member of the public for putting his feet on the seats, "Don't you know that this is a brand new train!"

A pic of the first train arriving at LBG in the rain

https://www.flickr.com/photos/8673209@N04/27188431894/in/dateposted-public/

and some video of the CIS; note the pictogram of the disabled toilet changing from vacant to occupied!

https://www.flickr.com/photos/8673209@N04/27188430614/in/dateposted-public/

 

[SpacePhoenix]

Now that the 700s have started to enter public service, what is the current rate at which the rest of the new units are due to enter service? Will there now be any increase in deliveries from Siemens?

 

[AM9]

... I especially enjoyed the moment the member of the on-train presentation staff at London Bridge chastised a member of the public for putting his feet on the seats, "Don't you know that this is a brand new train!"

That's a shame as the age of the train doesn't qualify whether feet should be on trains.

Like the video.

 

[ungreat]

Saw one today between Stevenage and Watton at Stone.Testing still Im assuming.

 

[AlexNL]

I like the P.I.S and the chime!

I came across this video of the first ride:
[youtube]mQ6EbdYs_Ak[/youtube]

At 3:29 the driver makes an announcement, is that really the chime? If so, that's the Dutch railways announcement chime

 

[Bishopstone]

What was the reason for the cancellation of the Balcombe call on the first Up train, well before departure? Is there some incompatability between this station and the 700s, for now?

 

[Class377/5]

Slight alteration to what I put eariler, 700108 will work the following tomorrow...

5T01 07+05 Three Bridges Depot to Brighton
1T01 08:11 Brighton to London Bridge
1T02 09:32 London Bridge to Brighton
1T03 11:45 Brighton to London Bridge
1T04 13:08 London Bridge to Brighton
1T05 14:45 Brighton to London Bridge
1T06 16:08 London Bridge to Haywards Heath
26mins wait
1T96 17:18 Haywards Heath to Brighton
1T07 18:21 Brighton to London Bridge
1T08 19:31 London Bridge to Brighton
5T08 20+43 Brighton to Three Bridges Depot

Had a quick run on the 11:12 from London Bridge to Gatwick Airport today. Quite impressed seemed quieter and rode better than Electrostars and the 360s that I travel on. I especially enjoyed the moment the member of the on-train presentation staff at London Bridge chastised a member of the public for putting his feet on the seats, "Don't you know that this is a brand new train!"

A pic of the first train arriving at LBG in the rain

https://www.flickr.com/photos/8673209@N04/27188431894/in/dateposted-public/

and some video of the CIS; note the pictogram of the disabled toilet changing from vacant to occupied!

https://www.flickr.com/photos/8673209@N04/27188430614/in/dateposted-public/

We played with the loo CIS, it works instantly. A useful feature.

Now that the 700s have started to enter public service, what is the current rate at which the rest of the new units are due to enter service? Will there now be any increase in deliveries from Siemens?

Slowly slowly. This week just one unit. Next month will see a step change but it's still early days.

Saw one today between Stevenage and Watton at Stone.Testing still Im assuming.

ECTS/ATO testing. Will continue for awhile with the ATO testing on a 700 in the Core in late summer.

 

[Starmill]

Looks great, can't wait for my first ride.

I concur with the person who said they like the PA chime - I've always liked that one. (It's the same as the 380 one).

 

[stut]

The number of people sitting with their legs in the aisle does not bode well.

 

[AM9]

The number of people sitting with their legs in the aisle does not bode well.

Except the view of several (presumably non-public) passengers in hi-vis jackets who aren't even sitting straight, all the other travellers seem to no worse than a typical off-peak service using class 387 stock.
Add to that the wide aisle where a large-framed adult doesn't have to walk sideways, it's clear that the passenger space does 'bode well' and meets the exceptional requirements of the route.

 

[trainmania100]

Slight alteration to what I put eariler, 700108 will work the following tomorrow...

5T01 07+05 Three Bridges Depot to Brighton
1T01 08:11 Brighton to London Bridge
1T02 09:32 London Bridge to Brighton
1T03 11:45 Brighton to London Bridge
1T04 13:08 London Bridge to Brighton
1T05 14:45 Brighton to London Bridge
1T06 16:08 London Bridge to Haywards Heath
26mins wait
1T96 17:18 Haywards Heath to Brighton
1T07 18:21 Brighton to London Bridge
1T08 19:31 London Bridge to Brighton
5T08 20+43 Brighton to Three Bridges Depot

It seems the 5T01 hasn't left or been activated
Presumably caped due to driver sickness? LMAO

 

[Class 466]

It seems the 5T01 hasn't left or been activated
Presumably caped due to driver sickness? LMAO

It Wont report out of the depot, be patient.

 

[trainmania100]

Half an hour later...
No activation nor presence on signalling diagrams

 

[SpacePhoenix]

I came across this video of the first ride:
[youtube]mQ6EbdYs_Ak[/youtube]

At 3:29 the driver makes an announcement, is that really the chime? If so, that's the Dutch railways announcement chime

Was that filmed by a Thameslink employee? I find it hard to believe that the cab door was open

 

[Class377/5]

It's got make up time as it's supposed to run and reverse at Three Bridges. Certainly not sickness as there staff inboard as I went pass. Did slow going through Balcombe Tunnel tho.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Was that filmed by a Thameslink employee? I find it hard to believe that the cab door was open

Cab door was open the whole time we went south. Enough staff to ensure there was nothing amiss with that.

 

[jon0844]

Are all the staff on the train equipped with duck tape and hammers in case there's any issue with the train?

 

[Class 466]

I assume given that all these trains won't advertise until it's activated, it could come out mid diagram or start forward from Three Bridges if necessary.

 

[class387]

Was some of First Class declassified yesterday?

 

[Class377/5]

Seems the extra working are cancelled. Nothing to do with unit sadly. Should in theory do the same as yesterday.