Thameslink/ Class 700 Progress

[FlippyFF]

How to wreck a message by omitting one piece of punctuation!
View attachment 41137

Just rode the 08:18 St Pancras to City Thameslink and this message was played/displayed. It now has the apostrophe.

Simon

 

[Mojo]

Just rode the 08:18 St Pancras to City Thameslink and this message was played/displayed. It now has the apostrophe.

I was just on the CityMetro 14.54 from St Pancras and all screens on the unit had the message (without the apostrophe) displayed static throughout the journey. No information was displayed whatsoever although the automatic announcements were working correctly). According to posts on Twitter lots of units have been stuck displaying only this message for a few days now; does anyone know why this is?

 

[FlippyFF]

Im on the 16:52 EPH - STP (700034?) and its got the incorrect version and seems to now be stuck on it too.

Simon

 

[spark001uk]

Regarding these humps for the disabled coaches - why if the LU got the S stock sitting flush to the platform edge at AFAIK most surface stations (certainly all those on the centre circle), a fair number of which don't have step-free access I might add, has Siemens and Thameslink not done the same thing, at least in the core?

 

[spinba11]

I think it maybe to do with (outside the core) different types of trains uses the same platforms as the 700s so any platforms modifications needed to close the gap could interfere with the other types, BTW the S stock was built in Derby, I know the name (starts with B) but I’ve got no idea how to spell it.

 

[Bald Rick]

Regarding these humps for the disabled coaches - why if Siemens and the LU got the S stock sitting flush to the platform edge at AFAIK most surface stations (certainly all those on the centre circle), a fair number of which don't have step-free access I might add, has Siemens and Thameslink not done the same thing, at least in the core?

The S stock certainly isn't flush at most surface stations.

The gap left on the core bumps is because of gauging standards, and the potential for different types of stock. Whilst Thameslink will always be a 700 railway for the foreseeable future, other types of rolling stock are permitted down there, and the humps have to accommodate them. Nevertheless, the gap is still pretty small by NR standards.

Outside the core, bumps are just not practical. Take my local station for example (St Albans), the (curved) platform has to be gauged for a train stopping there, but also for trains barrelling through at 100mph with an exciting kinematic envelope, ie worst case of a swaying coach with barely acceptable suspension on track that hasn't been tamped back into design position for the previous couple of years and is thus at maximum tolerance. None of these issues arise on LU.

 

[Skimpot flyer]

Another "benefit" of the open plan straight through access design of these units is the chance to sit in a wind tunnel while they load up at a terminus as a cold wind blows through the length of the train. Must be pretty wasteful on energy too...

Don't know why this never occurred to me before, but might the open plan straight through access design be exploited by those wishing to avoid their fare? If they're able to see right down a 12-car train, and they are able to see ticket inspectors boarding at one end of the train, evaders may have time - even at the extremities of the Thameslink network - to alight at the next station, and just wait for the next train.

 

[mmh]

Regarding these humps for the disabled coaches - why if Siemens and the LU got the S stock sitting flush to the platform edge at AFAIK most surface stations (certainly all those on the centre circle), a fair number of which don't have step-free access I might add, has Siemens and Thameslink not done the same thing, at least in the core?

London Underground S stock was built by Bombardier, not Siemens - there are lots of visual similarities in an S stock train to an Bombardier Electrostar.
National Rail platform heights vary widely, perhaps they don't as much on some bits of the LU sub-surface network. (LU has some awful platform/train
height mis-matches elsewhere though, e.g. the Piccadilly / District line shared island platforms like Hammersmith where there's a massive step *down*
to board a train. Come to think of it Aldgate, solely served by S stock, has pretty big gaps and height differences, but all the platforms are curved)

Bombardier's class 378s have level boarding at the new stations on the former East London Line, including Canada Water which is a "new-ish" station
although originally opened when LU A stock served it, which didn't. Presumably the trains and platforms were designed for that to happen while still
being compatible with different height / non-straight platforms, probably the same as you'd try on LU - you do the best you can.

 

[spinba11]

I beg to differ, Aldgate (height wise) is pretty spot on, it’s not perfect but it is close.

 

[ooo]

Don't know why this never occurred to me before, but might the open plan straight through access design be exploited by those wishing to avoid their fare? If they're able to see right down a 12-car train, and they are able to see ticket inspectors boarding at one end of the train, evaders may have time - even at the extremities of the Thameslink network - to alight at the next station, and just wait for the next train.

Don't the disabled toilets mean you can't see the whole way down.

 

[D365]

As far as open gangway counter arguments go, that has got to be stretching it a bit...

 

[jon0844]

As far as open gangway counter arguments go, that has got to be stretching it a bit...

It takes almost three minutes to walk through a 12 car 700. I sincerely doubt you're going to recognise staff from the other end of the train.

But even now people will jump off if they see revenue getting on, and sometimes run behind them and reboard as they progress through.

 

[tsr]

Don't the disabled toilets mean you can't see the whole way down.

Yep. Plus there are plenty of curved bits of track on the network!

 

[spinba11]

Have the bay platforms at Blackfriars got the humps or is it just the through platforms that has them?

 

[Alteran Ancient]

It takes almost three minutes to walk through a 12 car 700. I sincerely doubt you're going to recognise staff from the other end of the train.

But even now people will jump off if they see revenue getting on, and sometimes run behind them and reboard as they progress through.

The only time I've ever seen revenue on board a Thameslink serviceis between Sevenoaks and Bromley South on a quiet Summer's evening, and they were Southeastern RPOs. Any other time I've been on a TL service, I've never encountered any sort of revenue protection, and there's plenty of opportunity to evade fares on that particular line if you're not boarding or alighting at Bromley South.

 

[tsr]

Many of the revenue staff on the routes south of the Thames are now diagrammed onto the routes which used to be worked by Southern trains with conductors/OBSs, therefore those trains should always have somebody rostered onto them. Other stuff may end up being a lower priority.

 

[mrmatt]

Just had my first trip on 130 with the WiFi enabled - I was impressed with how speedy it was. I was expecting it to be useless and to go back to tethering but not the case at all. I even could browse passing Kentish Town which normally is next to impossible on EE.

One other thing though - this is the second newish unit with seat back tables I have been on (125 was the other) and both had all the tables in the down position. Seems a bit odd?

 

[Dunnyrail]

Don't know why this never occurred to me before, but might the open plan straight through access design be exploited by those wishing to avoid their fare? If they're able to see right down a 12-car train, and they are able to see ticket inspectors boarding at one end of the train, evaders may have time - even at the extremities of the Thameslink network - to alight at the next station, and just wait for the next train.

Ah but so long as the TOC's can save money on staff and barriers why should they care? After all they will be subsidised by the Taxpayer if they loose Money.

 

[jon0844]

Ah but so long as the TOC's can save money on staff and barriers why should they care? After all they will be subsidised by the Taxpayer if they loose Money.

From today and for around one month the DfT will be doing surveys for ticketless travel. If the percentage rises above an agreed amount, GTR will be punished financially.

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

Where about will the link from STP Thameslink join the East Coast Mainline, will they use the very old original tunnels or is a new one being built? Did the old line used to call at York Road, or was that on the BedPan line from Moorgate? I get a but confused with that area? I know the old Kings Cross Met / Thameslink Station closed in favour of the one under STP.

 

[Agent_Squash]

Where about will the link from STP Thameslink join the East Coast Mainline, will they use the very old original tunnels or is a new one being built? Did the old line used to call at York Road, or was that on the BedPan line from Moorgate? I get a but confused with that area? I know the old Kings Cross Met / Thameslink Station closed in favour of the one under STP.

They’ll use the Canal Tunnels built when TL moved to STP.

 

[AM9]

They’ll use the Canal Tunnels built when TL moved to STP.

... and the link will join the ECML at Bell Isle Junction which is between the Gasworks and Copenhagen tunnel portals under the HS1 covered bridge.
See here: https://goo.gl/maps/4WgUGJEwnSu

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

... and the link will join the ECML at Bell Isle Junction which is between the Gasworks and Copenhagen tunnel portals under the HS1 covered bridge.
See here: https://goo.gl/maps/4WgUGJEwnSu

Thank you for that.

 

[physics34]

Where about will the link from STP Thameslink join the East Coast Mainline, will they use the very old original tunnels or is a new one being built? Did the old line used to call at York Road, or was that on the BedPan line from Moorgate? I get a but confused with that area? I know the old Kings Cross Met / Thameslink Station closed in favour of the one under STP.

Been studying the line between york road and farringdon/moorgate recently and its a shame those tunnels are no longer in use ..the one from york road round the curve to the old Kings cross Thameslink still exists but is used for maintainence access and storage, but in the other direction the tunnel which emerged on the 'suburban' side via the hotel curve stopping at Kings Cross 'Suburban'...no longer exists

 

[physics34]

... and the link will join the ECML at Bell Isle Junction which is between the Gasworks and Copenhagen tunnel portals under the HS1 covered bridge.
See here: https://goo.gl/maps/4WgUGJEwnSu

cool, thanks for that. Saves looking it up.

 

[Samson]

Am i the only one already concerned about the lifespan of the PIS screens? Was on 700002 the other evening and one of the left hand smaller screens was damaged with an LCD leak so it was unreadable. Been on quite a few units where a number of the smaller screens were discoloured already too, including 700101 and 700008.

 

[spark001uk]

Where do the two sets of points lead to at the north end of TL STP? Is that the link to the canal tunnels?

 

[jon0844]

Am i the only one already concerned about the lifespan of the PIS screens? Was on 700002 the other evening and one of the left hand smaller screens was damaged with an LCD leak so it was unreadable. Been on quite a few units where a number of the smaller screens were discoloured already too, including 700101 and 700008.

I've not seen any broken LCD panels yet (but I can imagine that sooner or later vandals will find a weak point and take advantage to knock them out). The colours might be adjustable, assuming it's down to the colour temperature and a need to calibrate. Newer batches of screen from a different supplier, perhaps?

Don't the small screens offer the ability to show video? I wonder if they'll ever do so? Either advertising or potentially something like news broadcasts (with captions) like on the Heathrow Express?

 

[APUK002]

I've not seen any broken LCD panels yet (but I can imagine that sooner or later vandals will find a weak point and take advantage to knock them out). The colours might be adjustable, assuming it's down to the colour temperature and a need to calibrate. Newer batches of screen from a different supplier, perhaps?

Don't the small screens offer the ability to show video? I wonder if they'll ever do so? Either advertising or potentially something like news broadcasts (with captions) like on the Heathrow Express?

Could be,I did tweet them once and they said in time they will be ‘connected ‘up to control ,whatever that could mean.

 

[AM9]

Where do the two sets of points lead to at the north end of TL STP? Is that the link to the canal tunnels?

If you mean those at the country end of both platforms then yes. The down tunnel passes under the TL gradient up to Kentish Town, then alongside the up tunnel, they both pass under the canal before rising to the surface at Bell Isle junction.
If you travel north from STP you can see down the northbound tunnel, often it is fully lit. Not long now before service trains start using the TL/GN link.