Thameslink/ Class 700 Progress

[AM9]

Built in redundancy, the train operates as if it were two units coupled together so a failure on one won't immobilise both. That's the theory anyway, the practice seems a little different.

Would it be because each pantograph feeds a transformer designed to power half of the train's traction, i.e. 8 or 12 motors plus hotel supplies?

 

[Silverlink]

I'm currently on a 12 car 319 to Sevenoaks which was meant to be a class 700. I didn't realise that 319's could be 12 coaches...

 

[skyhigh]

I'm currently on a 12 car 319 to Sevenoaks which was meant to be a class 700. I didn't realise that 319's could be 12 coaches...

Are you sure it's not 8x319 substituting for 12x700? As I understood it they could run as 12 car but only with a guard...

 

[hwl]

Would it be because each pantograph feeds a transformer designed to power half of the train's traction, i.e. 8 or 12 motors plus hotel supplies?

Indeed and same on 345s

 

[ComUtoR]

I'm currently on a 12 car 319 to Sevenoaks which was meant to be a class 700. I didn't realise that 319's could be 12 coaches...

I hope its not stopping anywhere :/

 

[Bald Rick]

Would it be because each pantograph feeds a transformer designed to power half of the train's traction, i.e. 8 or 12 motors plus hotel supplies?

It's a bit more than that, each 700 is effectively 2 completely independent units, just with a cab at one end, and a network connection / domestic powe link between them.

I may stand corrected, but I'm reasonably sure that if one pan drops, that half of the unit has no traction.

 

[Islineclear3_1]

I'm currently on a 12 car 319 to Sevenoaks which was meant to be a class 700. I didn't realise that 319's could be 12 coaches...

What service was this please as I haven't seen any 12-car 319s today...?

Also, I haven't seen any 12-car 700s on the Catford line either....

 

[4-COR 3142]

Does anybody know if the Sunday run to Littlehampton via the Worthing is still happening? and if so are there any timings about?

 

[Hadders]

Presumably off-peak is not where the demand is though. Could you explain how you think we should provide extra peak capacity?

There is demand in the off-peak. Many trains, especially at weekends, are full and standing. 12 car trains run between Cambridge and Kings Cross at weekends.

The additional trains that will run at off peak times are very welcome. As I understand it the peaks are different. There is very little scope to run additional trains as the lines are already full and all but a very small handful of trains already run as 8 or 12 car services. The only real way to provide more capacity in the peaks is to have fewer seats per carriage that are smaller and have less leg room so more people can stand.

 

[hwl]

It's a bit more than that, each 700 is effectively 2 completely independent units, just with a cab at one end, and a network connection / domestic powe link between them.

I may stand corrected, but I'm reasonably sure that if one pan drops, that half of the unit has no traction.

Correct and lots of other reliability features too including 1 secondary transformer winding per set of traction electronics so 4 secondary windings on an 8 car transformer (to power a half set) set or 6 secondary windings on 12car (to power a half set). Maximum unit performance on 12 car sets is actually limited by transformer cooling.

 

[OFFDN]

Does anybody know if the Sunday run to Littlehampton via the Worthing is still happening? and if so are there any timings about?

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/X96371/2017/04/02/advanced
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/X96372/2017/04/02/advanced

 

[BRblue]

Does anybody know if the Sunday run to Littlehampton via the Worthing is still happening? and if so are there any timings about?

On RTT...
07.33 ex Three bridges TI up depot.
It should be running first as 3Z64 timed to visit Worthing at 08.31, 10.16 and 11.12 then as 3Z66 at 13.02 and 13.59.... whether it actually runs or runs to that schedule is another matter.

Edit: beaten to it by above post.

 

[4-COR 3142]

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/X96371/2017/04/02/advanced
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/X96372/2017/04/02/advanced

On RTT...
07.33 ex Three bridges TI up depot.
It should be running first as 3Z64 timed to visit Worthing at 08.31, 10.16 and 11.12 then as 3Z66 at 13.02 and 13.59.... whether it actually runs or runs to that schedule is another matter.

Edit: beaten to it by above post.

Thanks to you both.....Have just got back home from The Bluebell Diesel gala to find I now have tomorrow planned too!

 

[spark001uk]

Bit trivial, but if you wanted to spend a while on a 700 with a day travelcard, the longest journey you can do on a single unit is West Hampstead to West Hampstead, going via and staying on the train at Sutton. 2hrs 9mins!

 

[JonathanH]

Bit trivial, but if you wanted to spend a while on a 700 with a day travelcard, the longest journey you can do on a single unit is West Hampstead to West Hampstead, going via and staying on the train at Sutton. 2hrs 9mins!

Elstree and Borehamwood is the furthest north station in the Travelcard zones. 2 hours 40 minutes round trip to Sutton.

 

[4-COR 3142]

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/X96371/2017/04/02/advanced
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/X96372/2017/04/02/advanced

For those that are interested it's 700 103 running on the Coastway tests today.

 

[spark001uk]

Elstree and Borehamwood is the furthest north station in the Travelcard zones. 2 hours 40 minutes round trip to Sutton.

Ah right yes sorry got mixed up, I thought they started at WHP but they don't do they it's the Sevenoaks that start there. 2h40 then, even longer!

 

[Deepgreen]

It's a bit more than that, each 700 is effectively 2 completely independent units, just with a cab at one end, and a network connection / domestic powe link between them.

I may stand corrected, but I'm reasonably sure that if one pan drops, that half of the unit has no traction.

As a matter of interest, can a 'half 700' be driven on its own (depot shunting, etc.)?

 

[Deepgreen]

2W49 (1524 Bedford to Three Bridges) has just failed at Flitwick with a problem with the brakes (according to RTT). I assume this was the rostered 700/1.

 

[spark001uk]

Just out of curiosity, how come there's still grubby old clapped-out 319s running up and down whilst there's at least 4 or 5 RLU sat at Cricklewood that I just passed, doing nothing?

 

[ComUtoR]

Just out of curiosity, how come there's still grubby old clapped-out 319s running up and down whilst there's at least 4 or 5 RLU sat at Cricklewood that I just passed, doing nothing?

Not everyone signs 700's. Sticking them out on every diagram may lead to cancelled trains due to Drivers not signing the unit. LTP diagrams change in May.

Not forgetting the units may be stabled for a reason.

 

[bengley]

Just out of curiosity, how come there's still grubby old clapped-out 319s running up and down whilst there's at least 4 or 5 RLU sat at Cricklewood that I just passed, doing nothing?

Enjoy the comfort of the 319s while they last.

They're not clapped out either - they're reliable units.

 

[Islineclear3_1]

Just out of curiosity, how come there's still grubby old clapped-out 319s running up and down whilst there's at least 4 or 5 RLU sat at Cricklewood that I just passed, doing nothing?

Probably because it takes a while to train up new or existing drivers to the relevant standards. I wouldn't want any old joe public driving my train....

Also, it might be that the new units have to do fault-free mileage accumulation running-in trips before they can be accepted for traffic

 

[spark001uk]

Enjoy the comfort of the 319s while they last.

They're not clapped out either - they're reliable units.

You may well be right. As we speak I'm held behind 1W59 which failed at Blackfriars and is making its way empty to Bedford via turnback at Herne hill siding.
What are the chances, that each random time I pick to ride some TL on a travelcard, that it's a day they're having troubles!

Edit: Just passed it at Herne, didn't catch unit number.

 

[tsr]

Enjoy the comfort of the 319s while they last.

They're not clapped out either - they're reliable units.

Comfort, what comfort? I used to commute every day on 319s towards the end of their time with FCC; they always felt the second class option, really, and the passenger environment hasn't improved much since then! I'll freely admit they've had some interesting history, but they've all seen better days, and need a thorough re-think and refresh to get back to their former glory. Yet they always seem to tag along - Thameslink just can't get rid of them! I'll concede that mechanically, apart from some pervasive compressor noisiness at times, and occasional door trouble, they're not exactly clapped out, but they're not the best advert for anything either!

The cynic in me suggests that I wouldn't be surprised if a solitary 4 car 319 is the first unit to go through the reopened TL side of London Bridge in 2018, with chewing gum stuck to the seats and some smelly oaf sleeping with their feet sprawled over First Class, at 0400 at the end of an overnight run...

 

[Islineclear3_1]

Just out of curiosity, how come there's still grubby old clapped-out 319s running up and down whilst there's at least 4 or 5 RLU sat at Cricklewood that I just passed, doing nothing?

Probably because it takes a while to train up new or existing drivers to the relevant standards. I wouldn't want any old joe public driving my train....

Also, it might be that the new units have to do fault-free mileage accumulation running-in trips before they can be accepted for traffic

 

[Bald Rick]

Enjoy the comfort of the 319s while they last.

They're not clapped out either - they're reliable units.

They're not that reliable, and they are certainly not comfortable! (For me, at least).

 

[sk688]

. They're not clapped out either - they're reliable units.

London Midland's 319s seem to fail on a daily basis . They are probably the least reliable EMUs in the South East currently ( although the 700s are doing a fine job trying to beat them )

Some of them are basically untouched from 1988 too . They were good back then , and innovative , but treating them like Thameslink OG and FCC have ( terribly ) has done them no favours . A Renatus style refresh at the minimum , will be needed , for these incredibly hard worked units

 

[Bungle965]

London Midland's 319s seem to fail on a daily basis . They are probably the least reliable EMUs in the South East currently ( although the 700s are doing a fine job trying to beat them )

Some of them are basically untouched from 1988 too . They were good back then , and innovative , but treating them like Thameslink OG and FCC have ( terribly ) has done them no favours . A Renatus style refresh at the minimum , will be needed , for these incredibly hard worked units

Northerns 319s are dropping like flies at the moment also.
Sam

 

[387star]

Enjoy the comfort of the 319s while they last.

They're not clapped out either - they're reliable units.

agreed