Thameslink/ Class 700 Progress

[Deepgreen]

To collect it from Frethun maybe. . . .

Class 92s are not allowed under their own power anywhere on Sussex with the exception of the West London Line and that is only when accessing that route from Factory Junction (Kent) lines.

Class 92s are sometimes seen on diverted Kent services (there are q paths for this) being hauled dead, invariably by a 66 via Redhill to / from Clapham and the West London line.

Interesting. Why is this - surely not for current draw reasons, as the 700s for example must have a greater draw?

 

[AM9]

Does anyone have a link to the diagrams for the Class 700's? Looking to get on my first tomorrow at some point.

There is a timetable showing the scheduled times of the 5 diagrams. The link is given in post #4280 of this thread.

 

[The Box Photter]

1W96 cancelled again tonight. Due to "traction problems ". We all know it should say "problem traction".

 

[Islineclear3_1]

Are there still 5 booked diagrams this week?

If I finish work and make to Blackfriars at the right time, I would like my first ride on one. I'll have to check RTT before I buy my ticket. I would rather the MML as at least units can be expected to get up to a good speed without the meander through South London or Brighton line congestion.

 

[GodAtum]

split opinions on the comfiness of the seating!

 

[jaig]

Are there still 5 booked diagrams this week?

If I finish work and make to Blackfriars at the right time, I would like my first ride on one. I'll have to check RTT before I buy my ticket. I would rather the MML as at least units can be expected to get up to a good speed without the meander through South London or Brighton line congestion.

I'm not sure if there are, but I wanted to know how to get the diagram information. I have started to take the 11:02 from West Hampstead Thameslink to East Croydon (for leisure) to get a ride on the Class 700s. Where do you get on from?

Sent from my SM-J500FN using Tapatalk

 

[J-2739]

I'm not sure if there are, but I wanted to know how to get the diagram information. I have started to take the 11:02 from West Hampstead Thameslink to East Croydon (for leisure) to get a ride on the Class 700s. Where do you get on from?

Sent from my SM-J500FN using Tapatalk

Here:http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/

You type in your station of departure, date and time. Then click on the journey you wish to travel on and bottom right corner states 'more details' and extra info will come up like on what train type is pathed for the journey.

Hope this helps

 

[trainmania100]

I'm going to take a wild guess and say this was a 700
http://metro.co.uk/2016/08/12/passe...r-after-train-fault-causes-explosion-6063721/

 

[philjo]

I'm going to take a wild guess and say this was a 700
http://metro.co.uk/2016/08/12/passe...r-after-train-fault-causes-explosion-6063721/

I thought that Orpington services were still using 319s?

 

[swt_passenger]

I'm going to take a wild guess and say this was a 700
http://metro.co.uk/2016/08/12/passe...r-after-train-fault-causes-explosion-6063721/

Orpington to Luton?

Then binned in Smithfield sidings that cannot accept a twelve car?

I'd have another guess...

 

[trainmania100]

Orpington to Luton?

Then binned in Smithfield sidings that cannot accept a twelve car?

I'd have another guess...

Didn't read the Orpington bit lol

 

[swt_passenger]

Here:http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/

You type in your station of departure, date and time. Then click on the journey you wish to travel on and bottom right corner states 'more details' and extra info will come up like on what train type is pathed for the journey.

Hope this helps

It doesn't usually, because they just show the 'timing load', in this case a 100 mph EMU, whatever stock type is planned for the diagram.

 

[asylumxl]

Orpington to Luton?

Then binned in Smithfield sidings that cannot accept a twelve car?

I'd have another guess...

According to the reliable sources on the train, they heard the guard and driver talking to the station staff [emoji38].

...

 

[grid56126]

Pair of 319s, Deceased Barn Owl found in the pan well. Suspect it was over done though, prefer mine still a little red.

This is the 700 fault you were hoping for.

 

[AM9]

Pair of 319s, Deceased Barn Owl found in the pan well. Suspect it was over done though, prefer mine still a little red.

This is the 700 fault you were hoping for.

That's another failure that was to incorrectly blame the new trains. How many defects on the trains themselves* have been proven since they were first launched?

* as opposed to driver learning issues, staff shortages, withdrawls from diagrams because of delays caused by 319/377/387s, and of course wrong attribution in logs.

 

[bramling]

That's another failure that was to incorrectly blame the new trains. How many defects on the trains themselves* have been proven since they were first launched?

* as opposed to driver learning issues, staff shortages, withdrawls from diagrams because of delays caused by 319/377/387s, and of course wrong attribution in logs.

One way or other, it's quite appropriate to blame a combination of the rail industry, GTR and/or the Thameslink Programme for these issues, ultimately resulting in the passenger not being provided with their published timetable.

Early days yet, but so far things could have gone a lot better.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

split opinions on the comfiness of the seating!

No, any negative opinions about the trains are all figments of the imagination, and in the Thameslink Programme dreamworld the trains are wonderful and everyone loves everything about them.

In the real world, the seats are uncomfortable and legroom is awful, and a downgrade compared to the existing trains.

The next element of the Thameslink Programme to deliver misery to passengers will of course be the 2018 timetable, when many users will find their service is now more likely to suffer delays and disruption. Given the mess of the 700 introduction so far, and the wider GTR shambles, it seems the powers that be think this is all acceptable for passengers.

 

[asylumxl]

That's another failure that was to incorrectly blame the new trains. How many defects on the trains themselves* have been proven since they were first launched?

* as opposed to driver learning issues, staff shortages, withdrawls from diagrams because of delays caused by 319/377/387s, and of course wrong attribution in logs.

Issues in neutral sections.

 

[AM9]

One way or other, it's quite appropriate to blame a combination of the rail industry, GTR and/or the Thameslink Programme for these issues, ultimately resulting in the passenger not being provided with their published timetable.

Early days yet, but so far things could have gone a lot better.

Fair enough, but with a project that large there are many opportunities for things to go wrong. In this latest reported incident, the Metro rag has decided to put a picture of a class 700 in the midst of the text, maybe just to get interest, but I doubt there will be a big spread on the random inconsiderate action of the owl, - or even a footnote about the incedent at all despite that 'fact' that it involved a 'small explosion'.
However I'm not convinced that there have been anywhere near the number of class 700 'failures' as some on this thread imply. It would be interesting to see a list of the number of actual class 700 failures formally recorded (after wrong knee-jerk attributions have been corrected). The number of actual registered train defects would be even more interesting but that might be a little commercially sensitive.

 

[Domh245]

In this latest reported incident, the Metro rag has decided to put a picture of a class 700 in the midst of the text, maybe just to get interest, but I doubt there will be a big spread on the random inconsiderate action of the owl, - or even a footnote about the incedent at all despite that 'fact' that it involved a 'small explosion'.

It's literally the header picture for Thameslink on Wikipedia, so I suspect it was done more out of laziness than anything else.

Edit: And for Thaneslink & Great Northern as well

 

[sarahj]

As I was leaving work the 15.02 Btn to London Bridge 700 service had still not managed to open the doors to get folks on at 15.15. BML service is a mess today due to a 20mph limit both ways in Balcombe Tunnel. If this gets going, it will not help matters.

 

[Bald Rick]

In the real world, the seats are uncomfortable and legroom is awful, and a downgrade compared to the existing trains.

*opinion*

In my opinion the seats are more comfortable than the existing. They are also more comfortable than a Northern 156 and a Northern 142, both of which I was on earlier this week. But that's my opinion.

 

[leomartin125]

Sat now at St Pancras Thameslink, looks like I'm here till gone 6pm as 1W45 isn't running. However a 700 has just gone North when I want a Southbound one. Typical. I'm never going to catch one, why are they honestly so lacking in reliability?!!

 

[Nic Robinson]

In the real world, the seats are uncomfortable and legroom is awful, and a downgrade compared to the existing trains.

^ This.

Unless having your legs wedged against the seat in front and at a 45 degree angle (in the window seat) is an improvement.

The trains are good but the seating is a disgrace, in my opinion.

 

[Islineclear3_1]

Finally had my first ride on a 700 (but "short hop") on late-running 1W24 between WHP - SAC and after reading all the comments here, I was rather impressed.

The train had a lot of natural light, neutral colours, the PIS worked - but not the aircon :cry:

The ride was superb and very smooth and as there weren't many people on the train, I alternated between sitting by the window and next to the aisle. Seats were reasonable on the rear end (but remember, this was a short journey) and my elbows could rest comfortably on the window sill with my foot up on the raised grilles by the side. I don't think I would have been comfortable with someone sat next to me though so for this reason alone, I would choose an aisle seat.

Door opening/closing was snappy.

I'll have to wait now until Saturday diagrams are introduced for my "proper" run to either Bedford or Brighton

 

[bramling]

Fair enough, but with a project that large there are many opportunities for things to go wrong. In this latest reported incident, the Metro rag has decided to put a picture of a class 700 in the midst of the text, maybe just to get interest, but I doubt there will be a big spread on the random inconsiderate action of the owl, - or even a footnote about the incedent at all despite that 'fact' that it involved a 'small explosion'.
However I'm not convinced that there have been anywhere near the number of class 700 'failures' as some on this thread imply. It would be interesting to see a list of the number of actual class 700 failures formally recorded (after wrong knee-jerk attributions have been corrected). The number of actual registered train defects would be even more interesting but that might be a little commercially sensitive.

It doesn't help that pretty much all the constituent parts of GTR all have their own issues.

The general feeling is of an operation that doesn't know what it's doing.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

*opinion*

In my opinion the seats are more comfortable than the existing. They are also more comfortable than a Northern 156 and a Northern 142, both of which I was on earlier this week. But that's my opinion.

Opinion yes about comfort, but the legroom and associated issues are certainly *not* opinion.

I'm still waiting for an answer as to how many seat pitches on a class 700 are comparable or better than a normal class 365 pitch - either facing or airline?

Unfortunately the seating is a pretty fundamental part of the passenger experience, the fact that it's been got so badly wrong just speaks volumes for how the Thameslink Programme has no desire to provide a quality customer experience.

 

[swt class 450]

Today (Friday 12/8/2016) 700 107 has developed a fault with the motors causing the 17:32 Brighton - London Bridge 18:35 to be cancelled. Everyone boarded the train and was waiting for it to depart. Then at 17:34 they let us all know that the train was now cancelled due to a fault with the motors. This train then left at 17:38 out of service presumably back to the Siemens depot at Three Bridges.

 

[Islineclear3_1]

Today (Friday 12/8/2016) 700 107 has developed a fault with the motors causing the 17:32 Brighton - London Bridge 18:35 to be cancelled. Everyone boarded the train and was waiting for it to depart. Then at 17:34 they let us all know that the train was now cancelled due to a fault with the motors. This train then left at 17:38 out of service presumably back to the Siemens depot at Three Bridges.

The 13.24 BD - BI yesterday (formed of 700104) was originally announced (at Harpenden) to be 20mins late but was subsequently cancelled - reason given "due to a train defect". Yet, 20mins later it must have been doing line speed as it literally bombed though on the Up Fast heading south. Boy I would have liked to have been riding on that one....

 

[AM9]

Sat now at St Pancras Thameslink, looks like I'm here till gone 6pm as 1W45 isn't running. However a 700 has just gone North when I want a Southbound one. Typical. I'm never going to catch one, why are they honestly so lacking in reliability?!!

Well fairly soon you won't be able to catch anything but class 700s on the Thameslink routes. By the May 2017 timetable it has been said that there will be enough trains delivered to run the full service. From postings here, it seems that there is a steady flow of deliveries from Krefeld with no hiccups.

 

[leomartin125]

Well fairly soon you won't be able to catch anything but class 700s on the Thameslink routes. By the May 2017 timetable it has been said that there will be enough trains delivered to run the full service. From postings here, it seems that there is a steady flow of deliveries from Krefeld with no hiccups.

Yeah that's a good point. Did manage to catch one in the end, 1W92 Gatwick Airport to Bedford, from between St Pancras Intl and St Albans. Was a great fun, little slow out of St Pancras but quickly hit the fast lines and started speeding passed all those 319's! Think it was 700104 operating. Great expereince, even for rush hour there were a few spaces on the train, though it was extremely busy. I guess if the other Class 700 diagram trains hadn't had been cancelled, this train probably wouldn't be as packed given it had 12 coaches. But an enjoyable experience overall, nice A/C and very spacious inside, my favourite part being the destination displays which are very informative. To be honest, can't see what all the fuss is about!

 

[class387]

Yeah that's a good point. Did manage to catch one in the end, 1W92 Gatwick Airport to Bedford, from between St Pancras Intl and St Albans. Was a great fun, little slow out of St Pancras but quickly hit the fast lines and started speeding passed all those 319's! Think it was 700004 operating. Great expereince, even for rush hour there were a few spaces on the train, though it was extremely busy. I guess if the other Class 700 diagram trains hadn't had been cancelled, this train probably wouldn't be as packed given it had 12 coaches. But an enjoyable experience overall, nice A/C and very spacious inside, my favourite part being the destination displays which are very informative. To be honest, can't see what all the fuss is about!

700004? Are you sure it wasn't 700104 - 004 isn't in service yet!