Thameslink/ Class 700 Progress

[jon0844]

There is definitely one (and only one) of the refurbished 365s where the auto announcer still says "Welcome aboard this West Anglia Great Northern service to...". Also appears to have a slightly different wheelchair space and a different hustle alarm tone.

Yes, it did have the different hustle alarm. Also different door buttons (which look real cheap and flimsy) but I don't know if it had the newer accessible toilet, which is huge but has the toilet tucked in the corner that seems surprisingly inaccessible!

 

[Skimble19]

The WAGN announcement is triggered by the driver entering the code for it when setting up the CIS, there's a few drivers that seem to like using it- I doubt it's been officially sanctioned to do it tho. It was still played occasionally during FCC days.

 

[Class377/5]

700112 was delivered this morning. 9th unit.

 

[ungreat]

The WAGN announcement is triggered by the driver entering the code for it when setting up the CIS, there's a few drivers that seem to like using it- I doubt it's been officially sanctioned to do it tho. It was still played occasionally during FCC days.

No it isn't....it's the software version and whether its been reset or not.Nothing to do with the driver.The codes for the PIDS are the same on 365s regardless of what company is in charge at the time,be it WAGN,FCC or TSGN.There is no WAGN code,or any other company code for that matter
How do i know? I drive them.

 

[Hadders]

I was on a refreshed 365 yesterday that had the larger disabled toilet. Two rows of seats have been removed in the main part of the car for wheelchairs creating a rather large area. They haven't even bothered to install any tip up seats in this area. I suppose it's to get us used to the 700s.....

The leg room on the seats in the refurbished sets seems to vary as well. Yesterday morning on my way into London the leg room in the seats opposite the wheelchair area was tiny, coming home I was on another refurbished set which had far more leg room (it wasn't a prioroty seat either as I made a point of checking).

 

[jon0844]

I was on a refreshed 365 yesterday that had the larger disabled toilet. Two rows of seats have been removed in the main part of the car for wheelchairs creating a rather large area. They haven't even bothered to install any tip up seats in this area. I suppose it's to get us used to the 700s.....

The leg room on the seats in the refurbished sets seems to vary as well. Yesterday morning on my way into London the leg room in the seats opposite the wheelchair area was tiny, coming home I was on another refurbished set which had far more leg room (it wasn't a prioroty seat either as I made a point of checking).

There seems to have been a few changes made during the refurbishment, but when it comes to the toilet upgrade it seems very few are done.

Removing tip up seats may be following the way buses in London now have them removed. It means there's less chance of people sitting down and then refusing to move. The wheelchair area was also designed to take a bike, obviously when a wheelchair user didn't need it, but I bet a bike owner wouldn't be popular if s/he asked for people to move?

I do wonder why the priority areas for buggies/luggage on the S-Stock has tip up seats. I've never actually asked anyone to move, but nor has anyone ever offered to move when I had my son in a buggy or when I have luggage. For all intents and purposes, the priority area is only priority if you get there first! I assume most people don't even know, but if the seats weren't there, or were only of the perch type (like the Piccadilly line trains) then maybe it would be more obvious?

 

[physics34]

I was on a refreshed 365 yesterday that had the larger disabled toilet. Two rows of seats have been removed in the main part of the car for wheelchairs creating a rather large area. They haven't even bothered to install any tip up seats in this area. I suppose it's to get us used to the 700s.....

The leg room on the seats in the refurbished sets seems to vary as well. Yesterday morning on my way into London the leg room in the seats opposite the wheelchair area was tiny, coming home I was on another refurbished set which had far more leg room (it wasn't a prioroty seat either as I made a point of checking).

377/6s and 7/s are also very generous with disabled space. You could probably fit 5 wheelchairs in the space now provided, although its good that the space isnt all just outside the toilet as it was always deemed a bit "unethical"and demoralising to perch wheelchair passengers outside of a toilet.

 

[Clip]

Sure I saw one of these when south of the river the other day. Looked nice from the front from afar

 

[jon0844]

377/6s and 7/s are also very generous with disabled space. You could probably fit 5 wheelchairs in the space now provided, although its good that the space isnt all just outside the toilet as it was always deemed a bit "unethical"and demoralising to perch wheelchair passengers outside of a toilet.

I am not sure about unethical, but I am all for creating larger open spaces that will be prioritised for wheelchair users, then for buggies/bikes or luggage.

It may remove seats, but now we're building so many new trains it shouldn't be such a problem (at least until every possible path and every platform inch is full to capacity). It has many benefits, not least reducing the issues with blocked vestibules and aisles.

Also, in London I see a lot of wheelchair users and it's good that slowly we're building a very accessible city. Sure, lots of old buildings/stations have a long way to go - but we seem far ahead of a lot of Europe. If wheelchair users are going to feel confident to travel, they don't want to actually find there is no room because of other wheelchair users.

Trains today shouldn't run on the basis that there's one or possibly two spaces available per service. You can see why there's a physical space limit on a bus, but not a 8/10/12 carriage train.

 

[Islineclear3_1]

700112 was delivered this morning. 9th unit.

Thanks for update. Looking forward to my first ride on one after having eyeballed one properly (for the first time) yesterday

 

[Class377/5]

Thanks for update. Looking forward to my first ride on one after having eyeballed one properly (for the first time) yesterday

No worries. Thought I'd actually talk about the 700s in the 700 thread instead of repeating other threads again. Should be another 12 car next delivery too.

 

[grid56126]

112 arriving today

https://youtu.be/qgMPveSU1VY
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
11th March (13.40) Vectron Diesel 247.901 dragging half of 700008 at Aachen Rothe Erde. No idea where to / from!
http://bienenstich.spdns.de/sites/default/files/pictures/1P7A6163.JPG

 

[physics34]

I am not sure about unethical, but I am all for creating larger open spaces that will be prioritised for wheelchair users, then for buggies/bikes or luggage.

It may remove seats, but now we're building so many new trains it shouldn't be such a problem (at least until every possible path and every platform inch is full to capacity). It has many benefits, not least reducing the issues with blocked vestibules and aisles.

Also, in London I see a lot of wheelchair users and it's good that slowly we're building a very accessible city. Sure, lots of old buildings/stations have a long way to go - but we seem far ahead of a lot of Europe. If wheelchair users are going to feel confident to travel, they don't want to actually find there is no room because of other wheelchair users.

Trains today shouldn't run on the basis that there's one or possibly two spaces available per service. You can see why there's a physical space limit on a bus, but not a 8/10/12 carriage train.

Sorry yeah ethical is probably the wrong word, i just think its wrong to have seats just outside of a toilet door (or space for a wheelchair for that matter) just based on the chance of getting a whiff of someones business and also any embarrasment factor from "noises" etc.

Ive never had anymore than 2 wheelchair passengers on my trains... which means space for 3 would probably be ample.......another idea would be more tip up seats or "another" way of providing seats that move/slide out of the way to provided extra space when needed.

I suppose with trains now wanting more space for standees the 377/6s etc are well suited. It just seems overkill.

 

[fusionblue]

Are both the depots built and ready to go? If not, in the short term where will the 700s go to stable?

Because if its Bellingham (at least), they won't stay shiny white for very long.

 

[bengley]

Are both the depots built and ready to go? If not, in the short term where will the 700s go to stable?

Because if its Bellingham (at least), they won't stay shiny white for very long.

Three Bridges certainly has plenty of spare space at the moment. I don't think it'll be a problem for the time being.

 

[traji00]

112 arriving today

https://youtu.be/qgMPveSU1VY
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
11th March (13.40) Vectron Diesel 247.901 dragging half of 700008 at Aachen Rothe Erde. No idea where to / from!
http://bienenstich.spdns.de/sites/default/files/pictures/1P7A6163.JPG

The latter picture does put our loading gauge into perspective are they all being delivered in halves/thirds?

 

[urpert]

Are both the depots built and ready to go? If not, in the short term where will the 700s go to stable?

Because if its Bellingham (at least), they won't stay shiny white for very long.

Haha,I was thinking the same. Not to mention they still haven't installed stopping points on the Catford loop yet.

 

[Class377/5]

The latter picture does put our loading gauge into perspective are they all being delivered in halves/thirds?

They are getting transferred in four car portions (so half's for 700/0, thirds for 700/1). They are formed up fully for delivery.

Are both the depots built and ready to go? If not, in the short term where will the 700s go to stable?

Because if its Bellingham (at least), they won't stay shiny white for very long.

Three Bridges has been fully open depot since last autumn. Hornsey is opening in June.

I can't recall the figures for Hornsey but other locations built are such...

Three Bridges - 304 max
Cricklewood - 220 IIRC
Bedford - 172
Brighton - 36
Peterborough - 60

That's 792 out of 1,140 carriages leaving just 348.

And that's without out stabling locations such as Bellingham, Blackfriars and Sevenoaks on current TL routes along with Littlehampton, Hornsey and various other locations on the GN.

700112, 700106, 700110 & 700002 in Three Bridges Depot by Mackenzie Soley, on Flickr

 

[westcoaster]

I'll ask, what is the yellow ball!

 

[RichardN]

I'll ask, what is the yellow ball!

Looks to me like something that happens in that road requires precise positioning, so the train is driven until the windscreen touches the ball. I'm sure somebody who actually knows will chime in soon enough.

 

[Sunset route]

They are getting transferred in four car portions (so half's for 700/0, thirds for 700/1). They are formed up fully for delivery.



Three Bridges has been fully open depot since last autumn. Hornsey is opening in June.

I can't recall the figures for Hornsey but other locations built are such...

Three Bridges - 304 max
Cricklewood - 220 IIRC
Bedford - 172
Brighton - 36
Peterborough - 60

That's 792 out of 1,140 carriages leaving just 348.

And that's without out stabling locations such as Bellingham, Blackfriars and Sevenoaks on current TL routes along with Littlehampton, Hornsey and various other locations on the GN.

700112, 700106, 700110 & 700002 in Three Bridges Depot by Mackenzie Soley, on Flickr

Not to mention the 6X12 car roads at Horsham

 

[Class377/5]

Looks to me like something that happens in that road requires precise positioning, so the train is driven until the windscreen touches the ball. I'm sure somebody who actually knows will chime in soon enough.

Correct.

Not to mention the 6X12 car roads at Horsham

I'd forgotten them when writing the reply out. Another 60 coaches of extra space.

 

[jopsuk]

Presumably Cambridge will be a stabling location as well?

 

[physics34]

can imagine a couple of units will be berthed at tattenham corner and tattenham corner sidings too and maybe London Bridge station.

How about Selhurst and Lovers Walk depot too?

 

[Fincra5]

can imagine a couple of units will be berthed at tattenham corner and tattenham corner sidings too and maybe London Bridge station.

How about Selhurst and Lovers Walk depot too?

Or those Thameslink Sidings opposite Lovers!

 

[Sunset route]

Or those Thameslink Sidings opposite Lovers!

That's what they are built for, as they can't be permissively worked for attatching or sharing as the track circuits don't allow for anything other than 3X12 car. Although you could pu 3x8 car units in there or a mixture of both, but it it will always be two units in siding 1 and one unit in siding two. You can't for instance put 3X8 in siding one of even though it is long enough as the signalling doesn't permit it.

 

[Class 466]

Orpington platforms/Orpington Down Sidings should take care of at least one unit

 

[trainmania100]

I have now booked Saturday 16th April 2016 off work - any ideas what schedule it will run on or is it too early to say

 

[bengley]

I have now booked Saturday 16th April 2016 off work - any ideas what schedule it will run on or is it too early to say

there isn't even a guarantee it'll run on that day.

 

[Islineclear3_1]

Orpington platforms/Orpington Down Sidings should take care of at least one unit

Should be fun if a 12-car is sent down to the bay for stabling by mistake, instead of an 8-car...