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Thameslink Programme, South Central & South Eastern area fleet cascades etc

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ungreat

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I am an FCC driver and havent heard anything regarding new stock definates as yet..all rumour
 
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class 313

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I am an FCC driver and havent heard anything regarding new stock definates as yet..all rumour

Latest on the stock front on FCC is that by 2015, the 319s will start to be replaced.

May I ask what side of FCC you're from?
 

Edvid

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ungreat, I've included a link to a DfT microsite (in my previous post), on which you'll find documents related to the rolling stock which will be built as part of the Thameslink Programme in time for the December 2015 completion date.

In the more immediate future, the infrastructure closures of March 2009 (explained earlier in the thread) will require the FCC TL fleet to expand given the additional route miles involved. The 319s coming from Southern won't be enough so 377s (and/or perhaps 375s) will be used by FCC in the interim (and even more so from December 2011, therefore requiring yet more 377s/375s) as they are the only other Thameslink-gauge-cleared trains on the network.

So IMHO there is no reason to suggest that it is 'all rumour', but perhaps you've been kept in the dark about these developments.
 

paul1609

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Maybe its worth pointing out that the FCC franchise is automatically terminated at the end of the project and that several Southern services will be transferred to "Thameslink" at this time (or both franchises merged).
 

bluenoxid

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There are some new trains on order that are causing a cascade IIRC (375/377's)
 

westcoaster

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reading a publication in the week, 27 377's are coming fcc's way, all i can say is watch this space, just give it a few weeks, also on a side note the 321's going to the gn side will be a small fleet, and will be refurb'd.
 

Edvid

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class 313 said:
Southern are getting 12 new 377s IIRC. Which will then mean all the 319/2s with Southern come to FCC.

In May 2007 12 377s were originally ordered for NSR (whch triggered the 319/(0,2) cascade now in motion) but the TP funding decision means that FCC need even more EMUs - now the current plan is to divert those 12 377s (plus 11 377s that NSR currently use) to FCC, and 11 377s have recently been ordered to backfill the 11 existing 377s in use. The 319/(0,2) cascade however is yet to be backfilled and NSR is currently expected to lose 12 units (net) as a result.

westcoaster said:
reading a publication in the week, 27 377's are coming fcc's way, all i can say is watch this space, just give it a few weeks, also on a side note the 321's going to the gn side will be a small fleet, and will be refurb'd.

The said publication is either old or probably behind the times on the 377 issue - the figure is now 23 (as explained above). I've linked a uk.railway thread in post #57 - look for someone called Capt. Deltic (who is a respected railway journalist by the way).

As for the 321s the Rolling Stock Plan currently implies that FCC will get 10, although the final figure may be different.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Maybe its worth pointing out that the FCC franchise is automatically terminated at the end of the project and that several Southern services will be transferred to "Thameslink" at this time (or both franchises merged).

The current GNTL franchise lasts until 31 March 2012 (the last 2 years are subject to performance targets being achieved), and there is also an optional extension that may be implemented for up to 3 years (only if the franchise is still in place on 31 March 2012) - therefore a new Thameslink franchise will commence before the TP is completed.
 

class 313

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In May 2007 12 377s were originally ordered for NSR (whch triggered the 319/(0,2) cascade now in motion) but the TP funding decision means that FCC need even more EMUs - now the current plan is to divert those 12 377s (plus 11 377s that NSR currently use) to FCC, and 11 377s have recently been ordered to backfill the 11 existing 377s in use. The 319/(0,2) cascade however is yet to be backfilled and NSR is currently expected to lose 12 units (net) as a result.

FCCTL have all but one 319/0 at the moment.

Isn't a 375/6 meant to make its way to Bedford soon for driver training.?
 

westcoaster

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The said publication is either old or probably behind the times on the 377 issue - the figure is now 23 (as explained above). I've linked a uk.railway thread in post #57 - look for someone called Capt. Deltic (who is a respected railway journalist by the way).

As for the 321s the Rolling Stock Plan currently implies that FCC will get 10, although the final figure may be different.
.

said publication is not old , only a week or so and comes right from the horse's mouth im afraid:lol:
 

Edvid

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Well there's a surprise...methinks a phone call to the DfT will be handy! After all they are the primary organisers of rolling stock cascades these days, and the Rolling Stock Plan only serves to at least maintain their hand in such matters.

Who exactly were you referring to by the way?
 

ungreat

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Latest on the stock front on FCC is that by 2015, the 319s will start to be replaced.

May I ask what side of FCC you're from?


Of course mate..Im GN,based at Peterborough
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
So IMHO there is no reason to suggest that it is 'all rumour', but perhaps you've been kept in the dark about these developments.

That would not surprise me in the least my friend!
 

Edvid

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I see...in that case I'm not surprised you haven't heard anything about the Electrostars because they're only intended for TL services.

In the short run, the 2 317s on TL Moorgate paths will be fully repatriated with the rest of the GN fleet in December, and the (for now) likely arrival of 321s will depend on how quickly they are released by new 350s, which are currently under construction.

In the long run, of course, you'll have the Thameslink 'New Generation' EMUs to look forward to (and yes, some Great Northern routes will become Thameslink routes as a result).
 

class 313

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In the long run, of course, you'll have the Thameslink 'New Generation' EMUs to look forward to (and yes, some Great Northern routes will become Thameslink routes as a result).

I'm hardly looking forward to the replacements. =\
 

Edvid

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class 313 said:
FCCTL have all but one 319/0 at the moment.
Prior to December 2007 FCC had all but 5 319/0s - obviously the latest 4 additions belong to the same sub-class.
class 313 said:
Isn't a 375/6 meant to make its way to Bedford soon for driver training.?
From which source did you deduce that it would be a 375/6? (I see that you (or a namesake) posted such a claim on this YouTube page.) A 377 has been quoted by Richard Armstrong as the unit in question, but in light of these conflicting statements all I'll say for now is that it will be a DV Electrostar (don't know which sub-class), and the driver training apparently commences in July.
class 313 said:
I'm hardly looking forward to the replacements. =\
Just out of curiosity, is there any particular reason?

[By the way, some of your posts seem to be inserted between posts either side of yours (in chronological terms), despite the time stamps saying otherwise.:?]
 

RJ

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[By the way, some of your posts seem to be inserted between posts either side of yours (in chronological terms), despite the time stamps saying otherwise.:?]

I believe that is because his posts have to be approved by the moderators first.
 

Edvid

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Fair enough - I'll leave it at that.

Getting back on topic now - FCC will be hosting another webchat Thursday next week (April 24) between 3pm and 6pm, so if you have more questions to ask of them...
 

Edvid

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David Sinnett said:
One of the EMT staff did say though that EMT were planning on reducing the number of Bedford stops!

I can confirm that EMT are currently planning to run the 1730 ex-STP fast through Bedford from December (relevant documents available here and here, courtesy of the Bedford Commuters Association). And there won't be any changes in the FCC timetable beyond what is needed to compensate for the diversion of Moorgate and Blackfriars services into the core route.

westcoaster said:
said publication is not old , only a week or so and comes right from the horse's mouth im afraid:lol:

I've spoken to them (DfT) over the phone and it is most definitely 23 377s for Key Output 0. Just like what the Captain said.
In the context of the above quote, who is the horse? ;)
 

Edvid

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myself said:
driver training apparently commences in July
Yesterday FCC hosted another webchat, and in the words of one of the directors (Andy Cope I think - see question 104):
'You will see the new 377 units on the route from October onwards as we go through a rigorous testing and driver training.'
So it sounds like we'll have to wait until October for the first Electrostar to run under its own power over MML metals (since 2004 anyway). But at least they'll be in passenger service from December.
 

westcoaster

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Yesterday FCC hosted another webchat, and in the words of one of the directors (Andy Cope I think - see question 104):
'You will see the new 377 units on the route from October onwards as we go through a rigorous testing and driver training.'
So it sounds like we'll have to wait until October for the first Electrostar to run under its own power over MML metals (since 2004 anyway). But at least they'll be in passenger service from December.

:roll: not what i have heard/read ???????????
 

Edvid

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Plans might have changed recently, and in any case Andy Cope is the (Engineering/Deputy Managing) Director so he should know what he's talking about. Who was the source in the magazine you got your info from?
 

Edvid

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Talk about consistency :? - I'll assume the more conservative info (23 377s streaming in from October) is correct, and that way I'll avoid any disappointment.
 

Edvid

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Some more updates - a member of the BCA posted the following on the Thameslink Yahoo Group (info from this page):

* Driver training with 377s should start on the TL route soon (Using hired in 377/2 presumably).

* Work is about to start on extending Bedford Caudwell Walk depot to provide a dedicated road for the 377s.

* The turnback siding being installed at Herne Hill is for the Moorgate trains which will not be able to go there from March 2009. It was said that these trains will go out of service at Elephant & Castle and go on to Herne Hill to turn round.

* The current plans for the FCC(Thameslink)fleet to be either 78x 319 and 9x 377 (newly built) or 82x 319 and 5x 377 (newly built) at December 2008 (depending on build progress). At March 2009 the fleet size is planned to e 86x 319 and 23x 377 (newly built).

* Blackfriars bay platforms to close March 2009.
 

class 313

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Some more updates - a member of the BCA posted the following on the Thameslink Yahoo Group (info from this page):

* Driver training with 377s should start on the TL route soon (Using hired in 377/2 presumably).

* Work is about to start on extending Bedford Caudwell Walk depot to provide a dedicated road for the 377s.

* The turnback siding being installed at Herne Hill is for the Moorgate trains which will not be able to go there from March 2009. It was said that these trains will go out of service at Elephant & Castle and go on to Herne Hill to turn round.

* The current plans for the FCC(Thameslink)fleet to be either 78x 319 and 9x 377 (newly built) or 82x 319 and 5x 377 (newly built) at December 2008 (depending on build progress). At March 2009 the fleet size is planned to e 86x 319 and 23x 377 (newly built).

* Blackfriars bay platforms to close March 2009.

Thanks for the update Edvid!
 

will1337

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Quick slightly off topic question. Why is it 377s are 377s when they seem to spend all the time on 3rd rail? Are all 3rd Rail + OHLE trains 3xx like the 313, 319?
 
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