Thameslink/ Class 700 Progress

[Via Bank]

Evidence of launch being prepared at Blackfriars tonight (the posters say things like 'Clearer on-board information"):

https://flic.kr/p/GweGyH

They could omit the "Clearer" from that, and it would still be accurate. At least in comparison to the 319s.

 

[urpert]

They could omit the "Clearer" from that, and it would still be accurate. At least in comparison to the 319s.

I strongly suspect the 319s will serve out their time with Thameslink with their PIS covered by those 'Better information coming soon' stickers.

 

[Peter Sarf]

One only on my way into London yesterday, blocked by 365s. On the way back, there was one in all its full-length glory but a Virgin train started overtaking just as we passed the depot - and given our speed it meant we'd passed the train by the time had passed.

If I'd been filming I wonder if I could have got Virgin to give me a free flight for spoiling things...

No chance. You were a fare paying passenger [/assumption].

 

[Sunset route]

So 700109 is the press launch train

 

[jon0844]

You'd think that given it is going to feature all over the local press and TV, they'd have changed the logo on the side for at least this particular unit?!

https://twitter.com/TLRailUK/status/735044457704398848 (link to Tweet showing train rolling into Blackfriars)

 

[Mordac]

Just saw on wikipedia that the 12-car units have 666 seats. Someone didn't think that one through.

Also, 360 degree photos here, though one would think they could light them a bit better: https://round.me/tour/43748/view/109463/

 

[fusionblue]

I strongly suspect the 319s will serve out their time with Thameslink with their PIS covered by those 'Better information coming soon' stickers.

Does anyone know why those stickers were put on in the first place?

(not that a constant rolling "welcome aboard this thameslink service" was of any use at all....)

 

[trainmania100]

Just saw on wikipedia that the 12-car units have 666 seats. Someone didn't think that one through.

Also, 360 degree photos here, though one would think they could light them a bit better: https://round.me/tour/43748/view/109463/

I like the look of the cab

 

[Blamethrower]

Quite nice, couldn't find any shots which represented leg room. Looks pretty small but it could be an optical llusion due to camera angle

 

[phoenixcronin]

Really annoying that the cab door isn't centered

 

[Class377/5]

Just saw on wikipedia that the 12-car units have 666 seats. Someone didn't think that one through.

Also, 360 degree photos here, though one would think they could light them a bit better: https://round.me/tour/43748/view/109463/

Strange as when your in them the light floods in. I can only assume its the camera toning down the brightness from strong light flooding in.

The 666 seats was announced two years ago. I did chuckle at that

 

[jon0844]

Just saw on wikipedia that the 12-car units have 666 seats. Someone didn't think that one through.

Also, 360 degree photos here, though one would think they could light them a bit better: https://round.me/tour/43748/view/109463/

Like the link to bicycle storage. The whole train will become bicycle storage!

 

[Kite159]

Like the link to bicycle storage. The whole train will become bicycle storage!

It will be once it reaches Cambridge

 

[urpert]

Twitter feed says entering service 'in the next few weeks'.

 

[Islineclear3_1]

How did the press launch go today?

 

[jon0844]

I recorded BBC London News, ITV London News and BBC South. Watched only the latter two so far.

ITV seemed to go on about it being 16 years late, asking questions like it was Newsnight - by asking the Thameslink CEO if he would apologise for the delays and misery to passengers.

I thought it was more a case of the Thameslink 2000 project starting late, not being delayed (haven't most milestones been reached on time?). Plus the disruption at London Bridge hasn't dragged on for 16 years and is a Network Rail project anyway, yet was included in the story.

But I digress.

BBC South seemed a lot more balanced and I'll watch BBC London later to see how that turned out. Not sure if they'll use the same footage?

 

[hassaanhc]

How did the press launch go today?

I went to Blackfriars hoping to get a look (and maybe travel on it ). However, only authorised people were allowed on P4, let alone on the train itself, with several REOs positioned at both entrances to keep away intruders (normal passengers :P).

A complete difference to how SWT did the Class 458/5 press launch at Waterloo: Everyone was allowed onto the platform and the train, as well as being allowed to travel on the launch service (it was advertised on the PIS displays!)

 

[jon0844]

I am not sure why they couldn't do a couple of runs. One for press, so they could do the obligatory walk through videos and interviews without geeky spotters in the background, and people measuring seat pitches and the thickness of cushions..

..and then one for other people who had been told on social media or the website about the event, who could come along and look around - maybe even do the same run again.

It would have been good for publicity and reputation, especially as they Tweeted about it all morning to brag about it.

But, hey, that's what I'd have done.

What's going to happen now is that they'll introduce the train into service and find that loads of extra people turn up. They'll probably run the train on a busy commuter service or something, causing chaos.

 

[trainmania100]

Should enter service within the next couple of weeks

 

[Class377/5]

I recorded BBC London News, ITV London News and BBC South. Watched only the latter two so far.

ITV seemed to go on about it being 16 years late, asking questions like it was Newsnight - by asking the Thameslink CEO if he would apologise for the delays and misery to passengers.

I thought it was more a case of the Thameslink 2000 project starting late, not being delayed (haven't most milestones been reached on time?). Plus the disruption at London Bridge hasn't dragged on for 16 years and is a Network Rail project anyway, yet was included in the story.

But I digress.

BBC South seemed a lot more balanced and I'll watch BBC London later to see how that turned out. Not sure if they'll use the same footage?

ITV forgot this the the TLP not TL2000. TLP was only authorised in 2008. However it's three years late as original date for KO2 was December 2015 back in 2009.

ITV fail to realise it's not the TOC the project but NR/DfT. Then again and it seems ITV was headline chasing.

I am not sure why they couldn't do a couple of runs. One for press, so they could do the obligatory walk through videos and interviews without geeky spotters in the background, and people measuring seat pitches and the thickness of cushions..

..and then one for other people who had been told on social media or the website about the event, who could come along and look around - maybe even do the same run again.

It would have been good for publicity and reputation, especially as they Tweeted about it all morning to brag about it.

But, hey, that's what I'd have done.

What's going to happen now is that they'll introduce the train into service and find that loads of extra people turn up. They'll probably run the train on a busy commuter service or something, causing chaos.

There isn't the paths for some jollys. The current training runs all are booked into Sidings not cleared for passengers so they can't just allow people on them. Don't forget yesterday's run was using existing paths (IIRC return path was an edited existing one).

 

[jon0844]

That's a fair point. Maybe the run could have been done in the middle of the day, serving as a regular service, but with lots of staff on board to introduce the train. Publicity would have gone out through the social media channels, to allow a broad spectrum of people to come.

But, no matter. I am sure everyone will find out when the first public service is and pile on.. so I hope it won't be an early morning rush hour train where commuters end up left behind!

 

[Islineclear3_1]

Maybe the first passenger working could be on a late evening (like the early 387/2 on GatEx) or on a weekend (using a 377/387 path)

 

[Class377/5]

Maybe the first passenger working could be on a late evening (like the early 387/2 on GatEx) or on a weekend (using a 377/387 path)

Early use of 387/2 was on a peak train.

 

[class387]

Now that it has been launched, may I ask whether there are any updates on when it will enter service?

 

[trainmania100]

Will enter service in the next couple of weeks
No concrete date yet

 

[Islineclear3_1]

Will enter service in the next couple of weeks
No concrete date yet

Soon

(mods...feel free to delete)

 

[Peter Sarf]

I gather that some of the doors did not open at East Croydon. Maybe it was deliberate to demonstrate SDO ?.

Anyway I see the news media have not changed much - they only want a good story (never mind the truth).

None of those 360 photos seem to be alongside airline seating so cannot judge the legroom. But it looks a bit tight in the face to face seats in another picture.

Still won't have to wait long to see them in the flesh - will we ?.

 

[jon0844]

I do think ITV London wanted a nice scandal, and probably thought it got it by getting confused with the whole TL2K thing, and the actual start of the Thameslink Project.

Funny thing is, I'm sure ITV did various stories about the Thameslink project during the previous construction work (St Pancras, the introduction of the Class 377s etc).

As it turned out there was nothing on the BBC London News (6.30pm). I thought the BBC South coverage was okay and seemed positive, albeit highlighting the reduced seats and more standing room (but pointing out the huge growth and the fact that even these trains will soon fill up).

These trains are necessary, unless we can begin lowering the population.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

I saw two 700s out this afternoon at East Croydon; 700 109 and 700 111 - about an hour apart from each other.

 

[Class377/5]

Now that it has been launched, may I ask whether there are any updates on when it will enter service?

Every time you ask it's put back a week. No point repeating the same question as your going to get the same answer. If there was a date the thread would have it.

I gather that some of the doors did not open at East Croydon. Maybe it was deliberate to demonstrate SDO ?.

I was told all went well. As for leg room, not all the seats are spaced the same.

I do think ITV London wanted a nice scandal, and probably thought it got it by getting confused with the whole TL2K thing, and the actual start of the Thameslink Project.

Funny thing is, I'm sure ITV did various stories about the Thameslink project during the previous construction work (St Pancras, the introduction of the Class 377s etc).

As it turned out there was nothing on the BBC London News (6.30pm). I thought the BBC South coverage was okay and seemed positive, albeit highlighting the reduced seats and more standing room (but pointing out the huge growth and the fact that even these trains will soon fill up).

These trains are necessary, unless we can begin lowering the population.

Most of the press seem unable to do basis maths. Less seats per carriage (as required/asked for) with more coaches means more seats. ITV went with a clear objective that didn't inolove trains. Shame they missed the point of thier own questions but that's stupid editors chasing headlines without fact checking in the first place for you.