Thameslink/ Class 700 Progress

[Class377/5]

Getting back on track, some more pics of 700001.

 

[jon0844]

All the buttons look okay!

The internal screens that can obviously convey a LOT of information will perhaps be one of the biggest changes. If people can get information like the facilities, connections, real-time running information and other useful data then it surely makes travel FAR more accessible and inspires confidence in those that use them.

I can only hope that we won't see any of them running with the screens turned off because they driver didn't, or couldn't, set them up. Or they just end up showing the time only!

 

[Class377/5]

All the buttons look okay!

The internal screens that can obviously convey a LOT of information will perhaps be one of the biggest changes. If people can get information like the facilities, connections, real-time running information and other useful data then it surely makes travel FAR more accessible and inspires confidence in those that use them.

I can only hope that we won't see any of them running with the screens turned off because they driver didn't, or couldn't, set them up. Or they just end up showing the time only!

The screens won't have all final software when launched. Current graphics are a placeholder and there's a lot of work going in behind the scenes on developing it.

The idea is to be clear and also give info on the go, there's been a lot of discussion over what to provide and when. . I've already proposed my suggestions to the team and told most of its already on the list to be included, can't give details tho.

 

[asylumxl]

The internal screens that can obviously convey a LOT of information will perhaps be one of the biggest changes. If people can get information like the facilities, connections, real-time running information and other useful data then it surely makes travel FAR more accessible and inspires confidence in those that use them.

I just hope they are compliant with disability regulations. Certainly the way they had them in the mock up would not have been. This may or may not be better.

 

[Hophead]

May be perspective, or the train's not fully fitted out yet, but those bottom 2 pictures seem to indicate that there will be a lot of space with nothing for standing passengers to grab on to. And considering how many standing they're expecting....

 

[Goldfish62]

I don't wish to reignite the flames of the debate.....but the bid director for Govia has criticised the internet spec of the trains in respect of lack of passenger comforts such as pull-down tables, armrests etc.

 

[Skimble19]

Any source for that? I can fully believe it though based on most Southern interiors..

 

[physics34]

I don't wish to reignite the flames of the debate.....but the bid director for Govia has criticised the internet spec of the trains in respect of lack of passenger comforts such as pull-down tables, armrests etc.

you never know, the spec maybe changed as they are built, its been known to happen before (when southern or southcentral at the time i think, changed the spec on its 377/1s from connex's order)...i hope so anyway...although i suppose everything has been ordered/designed already by the suppliers/

IMO the seating in first class, should be the same throughout the train (the 12 car ones at least.)

 

[ainsworth74]

Also it's the interior we're talking about something which is very much changeable in future refurbishments...

 

[AM9]

IMO the seating in first class, should be the same throughout the train (the 12 car ones at least.)

Then who would pay for first class?

 

[physics34]

Then who would pay for first class?

EVEN better seats/facilities for first class.

 

[Class377/5]

May be perspective, or the train's not fully fitted out yet, but those bottom 2 pictures seem to indicate that there will be a lot of space with nothing for standing passengers to grab on to. And considering how many standing they're expecting....

That's a design choice. These are the final production units. In fact these very carriages will see public use in around 2.5 years time just like they are now.

The bottom in particular has few holding points as its the wheelchair area. In direct response to requests from user groups there is little rails to hold on so wheelchair users aren't boxed in with people leaning over them to grab something.

The second to last has plenty of places to hold onto with every seat offering two holding points along with stand back areas. Only place it could 'lack' is overhead by the doors but again this is a design choice to encourage people to move down inside the train. T

 

[ScotGG]

It's a shame the UK has given up on any design flair. So very dull and grey inside.

 

[fgwrich]

It's a shame the UK has given up on any design flair. So very dull and grey inside.

I would say that's partially down to the DfT led specification of these units though as they looked more interesting in there potential FCC guise. Better than a 319 I'll agree, but could be better!

[youtube]LJsI1ENzmtk[/youtube]

 

[physics34]

It's a shame the UK has given up on any design flair. So very dull and grey inside.

Agree, its too clinical, functional and basic..... reminds me of a operating theatre.

But i suppose if they are looking at cost, weight distribution, 'freshness', then this is what we end up with.

The days of comfort and ambience are gone

 

[talldave]

was that 319426 white with the purple doors?

Think its just a temporary job to cover up the FCC livery

Sorry I didn't see as I was in another 319 crawling past in the other direction (I honestly don't think I've ever been on a Thameslink service that arrived on time!).

Well perhaps I should propose the door "ID" concept to Govia - blue for Great Northern, purple for Thameslink, green for Southern and red for Gatwick Express.

And perhaps they'd consider sticking a logo on EVERY carriage, rather than just 1 & 4?!

 

[physics34]

Sorry I didn't see as I was in another 319 crawling past in the other direction (I honestly don't think I've ever been on a Thameslink service that arrived on time!).

Well perhaps I should propose the door "ID" concept to Govia - blue for Great Northern, purple for Thameslink, green for Southern and red for Gatwick Express.

And perhaps they'd consider sticking a logo on EVERY carriage, rather than just 1 & 4?!

AH ok. Funnily enough the only 319 with Thameslink logos on it (009) has them on every carriage.

 

[jon0844]

Agree, its too clinical, functional and basic..... reminds me of a operating theatre.

But i suppose if they are looking at cost, weight distribution, 'freshness', then this is what we end up with.

The days of comfort and ambience are gone

Like it or not, these trains and many of the routes might be a lot longer, with more people actually going end to end, but they're still going to be run more like London Overground or S-Stock. Open, easy to clean, to cope with peak loads.

They have to last a fair few years and unless there's a plan to four track the core one day, I can't imagine how busy they're going to be in 35-40 years time.

 

[southern442]

Well perhaps I should propose the door "ID" concept to Govia - blue for Great Northern, purple for Thameslink, green for Southern and red for Gatwick Express.

Wouldn't they get sued by AGA if they did that?

 

[traji00]

Wouldn't they get sued by AGA if they did that?

Why would AGA sue them?

I agree though, colour coded doors would be a brilliant idea for TSGN.


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[southern442]

Why would AGA sue them?

It's basically their livery!

It is a very good idea to colour code the train doors though.

 

[asylumxl]

Why would AGA sue them?

I agree though, colour coded doors would be a brilliant idea for TSGN.


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You'd think, but in reality it's not a practical idea.

Unfortunately it's not not uncommon to see the wrong subclasses of 319 on various services.

 

[edwin_m]

Won't each of the four "brands" have their own captive fleets, with the possible exception of 377s that might appear on Thameslink or Southern until the Desiros appear? As far as I know 319s only work Thameslink services.

In any case if they are using different logos they must be expecting to keep the fleets on their own networks.

 

[jopsuk]

The main important factor for having distinct liveries, especially whilst 377s are operating on Thameslink, is if they retain "operator" specific ticketing. It would be especially vital if the Gatwick Express 387s turn up before the 700s- could have three "operators" (in reality, one TOC!) all with specific tickets operating at Gatwick with outwardly very similar trains!

 

[AM9]

The main important factor for having distinct liveries, especially whilst 377s are operating on Thameslink, is if they retain "operator" specific ticketing. It would be especially vital if the Gatwick Express 387s turn up before the 700s- could have three "operators" (in reality, one TOC!) all with specific tickets operating at Gatwick with outwardly very similar trains!

It would also be a challege for even enthusiasts to differentiate between a 377 and a 387 unless they saw the front or back.
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Like it or not, these trains and many of the routes might be a lot longer, with more people actually going end to end, but they're still going to be run more like London Overground or S-Stock. Open, easy to clean, to cope with peak loads.

They have to last a fair few years and unless there's a plan to four track the core one day, I can't imagine how busy they're going to be in 35-40 years time.

Exactly, the Thameslink for most of its passengers is a high density outer suburban railway with journey times under 1 hour. There are a few who would travel across the core and even fewer who go from Herts/Beds to Sussex, but they are in a small minority and to design for their comfort would detract from the main role of the route.

 

[jon0844]

It would also be a challege for even enthusiasts to differentiate between a 377 and a 387 unless they saw the front or back.

Broken buttons throughout? That'll be a 387! Easy.

 

[samuelmorris]

Ah but surely it could also be a 377/6 or 377/7 there?

Surprises me that nothing seems to have been done about this, but that's off-topic! Saw my first missing button on an S7 the other day as well...

 

[jon0844]

Ah but surely it could also be a 377/6 or 377/7 there?

Surprises me that nothing seems to have been done about this, but that's off-topic! Saw my first missing button on an S7 the other day as well...

Perhaps Bombardier plans to roll out these new lightweight buttons on all their trains by the end of the year...

 

[ert47]

It would also be a challege for even enthusiasts to differentiate between a 377 and a 387 unless they saw the front or back.

To see the differences between the /6s, /7s and the 387s, All you need to look for are the number of carriages and whether it has a pantograph (or not).

 

[AM9]

To see the differences between the /6s, /7s and the 387s, All you need to look for are the number of carriages and whether it has a pantograph (or not).

But the Thameslink runs 377/2, 377/4 and when they are delivered 387, all of which are 4 cars.