Thameslink formation updates on new timetable

[voyager1]

I am trying to find out if there are any changes to the planned formations of Thameslink trains going through Luton to London in the mornings. I catch the 0652 and it used to be 8 carriages, which was very uncomfortably packed at times, and it was changed to 12 carriages in the December timetable - I'm wanting to check that it will still be a 12 car train in the new May timetable. I remember years ago but can't find the post that it was possible to look on the Thameslink timetable and there was a number on the column that told you which train (8 car or 12 car) was being used.

Can someone please tell me how I can check? I did see a posting from 2017 but that only showed live departures for a now defunct website.

 

[westcoaster]

If you are talking about the 0653 to Three bridges, that unit arrives empty into Bedford from Cauldwell depot.
At the moment only 12 cars stable at the depot, it's been years since an 8 car has been in there, so id be confident it's still a 12 car unit.

Realtime Trains | 9R85 0633 Bedford to Three Bridges | 27/05/2026

Real-time train running information for 9R85 0633 departure from Bedford to Three Bridges on 27/05/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[SteveHFC]

According to this link --> https://timetables.thameslinkrailway.com/TL/#/timetables/4120/Table C it's booked as an 8 car. That said, the current timetable also shows it being booked as an 8 car --> https://timetables.thameslinkrailway.com/TL/#/timetables/3859/Table C so @westcoaster 's assumption seems fair.

 

[voyager1]

If you are talking about the 0653 to Three bridges, that unit arrives empty into Bedford from Cauldwell depot.
At the moment only 12 cars stable at the depot, it's been years since an 8 car has been in there, so id be confident it's still a 12 car unit.

Realtime Trains | 9R85 0633 Bedford to Three Bridges | 27/05/2026

Real-time train running information for 9R85 0633 departure from Bedford to Three Bridges on 27/05/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Thanks for the reply.

Up until December last year, this train was an 8 car train. I used to catch the earlier 0643 train which is 12 car but the local bus timetables changed and aligned towards catching the 0652. For a little while I had to endure the 8 car train and they changed it to 12 cars in December, making the journey more comfortable. I hope it continues as a 12 car train.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 13 May 2026 ==

According to this link --> https://timetables.thameslinkrailway.com/TL/#/timetables/4120/Table C it's booked as an 8 car. That said, the current timetable also shows it being booked as an 8 car --> https://timetables.thameslinkrailway.com/TL/#/timetables/3859/Table C so @westcoaster 's assumption seems fair.

Thanks for the links.

 

[LA50041]

Thanks for the reply.

Up until December last year, this train was an 8 car train. I used to catch the earlier 0643 train which is 12 car but the local bus timetables changed and aligned towards catching the 0652. For a little while I had to endure the 8 car train and they changed it to 12 cars in December, making the journey more comfortable. I hope it continues as a 12 car train.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 13 May 2026 ==


Thanks for the links.

According to the Carriage Working Notices, 9R85 0633 Bedford - Three Bridges is a 12 car 700 Mon-Fri

 

[voyager1]

According to the Carriage Working Notices, 9R85 0633 Bedford - Three Bridges is a 12 car 700 Mon-Fri

That is excellent news.

Many thanks for looking into this.