Thameslink/ Class 700 Progress

[urpert]

The GN&C is possibly the only line that still has a service to have vanished entirely from the tube map

No, Thameslink between Kentish Town and E&C/London Bridge definitely used to appear:

http://www.clarksbury.com/cdl/maps/tube90.jpg

 

[Class377/5]

Pretty sure they didn't.. There was always a standard rolling deep clean programme which continues to this day. The only difference could potentially be the chemicals, seeing as most things we get have changed supplier since FCC.

As someone who regularly uses 313s there has been no difference to me whatsoever in the "smell".

Anyway, we're veering off topic. To get back to a 700 related note, does anyone know how the remedial works to allow the 700s north of St Neots are going?

That's not the restiction. Repeating doesn't make it correct. Peterbrough is fine.

 

[petersi]

So is the sole problems for clearing them on the great northern side are on the Cambridge branch

if I remember correctly it just the stoppers affected as its to do the Three station north of Royston

 

[Class377/5]

So is the sole problems for clearing them on the great northern side are on the Cambridge branch

if I remember correctly it just the stoppers affected as its to do the Three station north of Royston

Correct. 12 cars on 4 car platforms isn't sensible!

 

[tsr]

Correct. 12 cars on 4 car platforms isn't sensible!

Please go down to Ifield in the rush-hour and re-evaluate your comment. (OK, yes, I know it's a 5 vs 4...).

Short platforms done sensibly, with advance warning to all passengers and on the outer stretches of even a very busy route, can work. Granted it will not work everywhere, but with walk-through trains it most certainly could. Not often, but if the demand is there in the Core and on other parts of the route, I see no reason not to balance convenience for those further North.

 

[jopsuk]

there's no plans, I thought, to stop 12-car trains at the stations between Royston and Cambridge? Of course the 8-car trains that they are planning to stop will foul, in the down direction, the A10 crossing at Foxton just as badly as a 12-car would. Twice an hour. Going to be fun!

 

[Hadders]

The GN&C line is very much under-utilised in London. Hardly anyone I know is even aware of the line. I think there should be more publicity regarding the route, instead of just being tucked away in a corner.

Have you seen how busy the trains are in the morning peak - absolutely wedged so hardly under utilised.

 

[southern442]

Please go down to Ifield in the rush-hour and re-evaluate your comment. (OK, yes, I know it's a 5 vs 4...).

I think there are a few stations in the West Coastway area that have 4-coach platforms and are served by 12-car trains in the peak. Generally speaking it works perfectly well.

 

[petersi]

I believe it also to do with the position of level crossings
Fox ton station is just down from a level crossing across the a10 which is a major route front north Herts to Cambridge

 

[jon0844]

Have you seen how busy the trains are in the morning peak - absolutely wedged so hardly under utilised.

I'd be quite happy for nobody new to find out.

 

[Class377/5]

Please go down to Ifield in the rush-hour and re-evaluate your comment. (OK, yes, I know it's a 5 vs 4...).

Short platforms done sensibly, with advance warning to all passengers and on the outer stretches of even a very busy route, can work. Granted it will not work everywhere, but with walk-through trains it most certainly could. Not often, but if the demand is there in the Core and on other parts of the route, I see no reason not to balance convenience for those further North.

Ifield isn't the same as...

I believe it also to do with the position of level crossings
Fox ton station is just down from a level crossing across the a10 which is a major route front north Herts to Cambridge

Multiple level crossings meaning lots of extended closures for 5mins twice an hour in each direction per hour. Or better put shutting roads for 20mins in each hour which won't go down well with locals. Plus an iussues and the roads stay closed.

Better to wait for the 8 700/0 to arrive.

 

[SpacePhoenix]

Once the unit that came across this week is up and running will they have enough units to be able to increase the amount of testing (eg test something in the 3rd rail area with one pair and something else in a overhead area with another pair on the same night)?

 

[Envy123]

Have you seen how busy the trains are in the morning peak - absolutely wedged so hardly under utilised.

I meant under-utilised compared with the Piccadilly Line.

New Southgate to King's Cross - I time it right and a train arrives in a few minutes. I manage to get on and I stand until Finsbury Park. Then, a trundle across the platform for a virtually empty train to King's X.

Compare this with a journey from Arnos Grove to King's X. I get on the even more rammed train with no chance of a seat for my entire journey and I'm rammed into a corner.

I'd be quite happy for nobody new to find out.

I think if people found out...maybe they would buy property at places like Hatfield and possibly crowd Hatfield station even more.

Looking on PrimeLocation, Hatfield and WGC are more expensive than Upminster. Have the house price ripples from the TL programme already started?

 

[MikePJ]

I believe it also to do with the position of level crossings
Fox ton station is just down from a level crossing across the a10 which is a major route front north Herts to Cambridge

Hello everyone, I'm new here

I commute between Cambridge and Meldreth. You're right about Foxton crossing, it's a source of a great deal of local antipathy. Especially since the branch to Barrington Quarry reopened and we now have freight trains shunting across the crossing at around 5pm several times a week...

Meldreth station has an accommodation foot crossing at the Cambridge end. Shepreth station has an AHB road crossing at the Royston end. The crossing at Foxton is also at the Royston end. All three could have their platforms lengthened without too much hassle, I think, though the business case is pretty poor for doing so.

The local authorities were trying to get the crossing at Foxton replaced by a short bypass road with a bridge (over/under to be decided) but neither the DfT nor Network Rail considered it a high enough priority to fund, as it's likely to be pretty expensive. http://www.foxtonparishcouncil.gov.uk/page.php?id=156

Anyway, I'm looking forward to the new 700s, at least there'll be plenty of space for my bike

 

[Class377/5]

Once the unit that came across this week is up and running will they have enough units to be able to increase the amount of testing (eg test something in the 3rd rail area with one pair and something else in a overhead area with another pair on the same night)?

We've already had three on test on night. Currently the limit is five. Should seeing more from next week I believe.

 

[The Box Photter]

We've already had three on test on night. Currently the limit is five. Should seeing more from next week I believe.

To ask a question (for once) directly connected to the topic, how are the new units performing on test? What is being tested at present, traction equipment, electrics, doors, CIS etc?

Are they on schedule to enter service in April and which services are expected to be the first diagrams?

 

[SpacePhoenix]

On a vaguely related note:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-35372617

The 700s might be run by TFL within a decade (presumably as part of LO)

 

[Domh245]

Er, no. They might take over the Moorgate ones (which aren't 700s, merely a 700 derivative) but they certainly won't be taking over Thameslink

 

[D365]

Also just to note that we've had a topic started for discussion of said TfL proposals.

 

[Class377/5]

To ask a question (for once) directly connected to the topic, how are the new units performing on test? What is being tested at present, traction equipment, electrics, doors, CIS etc?

Are they on schedule to enter service in April and which services are expected to be the first diagrams?

Performing well I believe, can't give more details. PIS not full tested yet. More details soon.

First phase diagrams are planned but not able to say more at present.

 

[Bald Rick]

First phase diagrams are planned but not able to say more at present.

A plea for 1W89 / 1W13!

 

[Minstral25]

A plea for 1W89 / 1W13!

I'd like 1W08 and 1W82 as they need extra coaches to get everyone on - although I heard that either 1W04 or 1B00 are first

 

[Bald Rick]

I'd like 1W08 and 1W82 as they need extra coaches to get everyone on -

Ditto 89 / 13. I don't think everyone has got on 13 for about 4 years (except on Fridays). Indeed almost every fast train from St Albans from 0718 to 0902 leaves people behind some days (disruption free days too).

 

[Minstral25]

Ditto 89 / 13. I don't think everyone has got on 13 for about 4 years (except on Fridays). Indeed almost every fast train from St Albans from 0718 to 0902 leaves people behind some days (disruption free days too).

Same for all Redhill to London Bridge or Thameslink trains arriving 7am to 9am. Since they cut 5 of our services reducing us to 4 trains (from 9) to LBG in the high peak it has been a nightmare to get on trains.

For this suffrage we will end up with almost the same number of trains as in 2011, although they will now have a lower number of seats than in 2011 (12 car 377 to 12 car 700 for London Bridge) although we get some "technical" improvement to the core in terms of number of trains but all the London Bridge passengers will now be on the train as well creating more over crowding.

 

[southern442]

On a vaguely related note:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-35372617

The 700s might be run by TFL within a decade (presumably as part of LO)

[RANT]This whole thing just makes me groan. Why do TfL think that they are better than everyone else, so that they can take over everything?[/RANT]

Plus the Thameslink routes are very integrated with eachother, and it is highly unlikely that LO will run London-Brighton unless some moron thinks that that would be a great idea. I certainly don't want TfL to take over the running of my local line, DOR potentially, but TfL never.

The thought of having Brighton and Bedford, plus all of the SWT metro lines, on the tube map sends chills down my spine.

 

[A-driver]

Er, no. They might take over the Moorgate ones (which aren't 700s, merely a 700 derivative) but they certainly won't be taking over Thameslink

I would never go as far as saying 'certainly'. What you mean is that 'at present they are not considering making TL part of TfL'.

 

[trainmania100]

Hi could someone in theknow tell me if this is likely to run?
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/O64332/2016/01/23/advanced
And assume it'll be a 700
Close to my insurance miles limit and really want to see it :-P

 

[AM9]

Hi could someone in theknow tell me if this is likely to run?
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/O64332/2016/01/23/advanced
And assume it'll be a 700
Close to my insurance miles limit and really want to see it :-P

Well all those that that the core won't cope with 24tph hadn't reckoned on their speed available for recovery.

 

[trainmania100]

Might just see it anyway
Only chance I'll get now I'm working 6dpw

 

[Peter Sarf]

Hi could someone in theknow tell me if this is likely to run?
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/O64332/2016/01/23/advanced
And assume it'll be a 700
Close to my insurance miles limit and really want to see it :-P

Apparently its 387209 not a 700 !. But I did not get a chance to go to South Croydon and check (caused by an empty washing line and a full washing machine !).