wanting to try out the class 465

[LudwigTails]

so on an upcoming day out i have into london during a weekend. I want to try and return back to Brighton via Hasting with Southeastern from Charring Cross. However on the way back I want to try out the Class 465, the plan at least was to ride a 465 until as far as a station that i can change back on to a service to Hastings. Would that be possible? What routes does the Class 465 run out of Charring Cross? And at what station on the 465 route can I change trains back on to a service to Hastings?

 

[alistairlees]

so on an upcoming day out i have into london during a weekend. I want to try and return back to Brighton via Hasting with Southeastern from Charring Cross. However on the way back I want to try out the Class 465, the plan at least was to ride a 465 until as far as a station that i can change back on to a service to Hastings. Would that be possible? What routes does the Class 465 run out of Charring Cross? And at what station on the 465 route can I change trains back on to a service to Hastings?

They run Charing Cross to Tunbridge Wells services. They are not permitted south of Tunbridge Wells - you will never see one in Hastings. Very occasionally they do Charing Cross to Ashford services. They also run Charing Cross to Sevenoaks services, plus things further east in Kent to Gillingham, Sittingbourne and Sheerness.

 

[LudwigTails]

They run Charing Cross to Tunbridge Wells services. They are not permitted south of Tunbridge Wells - you will never see one in Hastings. Very occasionally they do Charing Cross to Ashford services. They also run Charing Cross to Sevenoaks services, plus things further east in Kent to Gillingham, Sittingbourne and Sheerness.

I had a quick check on the timetable of trains to hastings. Those services have a stop at Tunbridge Wells. That seem ideal then to change trains there.
How do I tell on real time trains that the service is ran by a 456?

 

[JonathanH]

How do I tell on real time trains that the service is ran by a 456?

You can only find out which trains are *timed* for 75mph stock, which is most of the trains to from Charing Cross to Tunbridge Wells.

 

[30907]

You can only find out which trains are *timed* for 75mph stock, which is most of the trains to from Charing Cross to Tunbridge Wells.

The SE stopping trains terminating at Orpington and Sevenoaks could also be 465s - Victoria to Orpington almost 100% unless things have changed very recently.

 

[JonathanH]

The SE stopping trains terminating at Orpington and Sevenoaks could also be 465s

Or 376s or 707s, although Southeastern do helpfully show the booked formation lengths in some of their timetables - for example https://timetables.southeasternrailway.co.uk/#/timetables/2692/Table 6b

Victoria to Orpington almost 100% unless things have changed very recently.

Yes

 

[alistairlees]

I had a quick check on the timetable of trains to hastings. Those services have a stop at Tunbridge Wells. That seem ideal then to change trains there.
How do I tell on real time trains that the service is ran by a 456?

Almost all the Tunbridge Wells terminators are currently run by 465s. You will either pass the 465 in the siding to the south of TBW, just before you arrive at TBW; or it will already be in the adjacent platform, or on its way in (you would pass it between TBW and TON), depending on the exact timings.

From Sevenoaks 465s run stopping services via Dunton Green - these are rarely 707s and never 376s.

From Orpington 465s run the stopping services to Victoria.

It should be very easy to travel on several between TBW and London by changing at Sevenoaks and Orpington.

 

[eastwestdivide]

plus things further east in Kent to Gillingham, Sittingbourne and Sheerness

Aren’t Sheerness trains 3-car 375 rather than 465s?

 

[alistairlees]

Aren’t Sheerness trains 3-car 375 rather than 465s?

I think you're right that they are now, on reflection. At least, the last time I was there a few weeks ago. They used to be only 466s before the rules on accessible toilets were brought on, so that's what I was thinking of I expect.

 

[LudwigTails]

Or 376s or 707s, although Southeastern do helpfully show the booked formation lengths in some of their timetables - for example https://timetables.southeasternrailway.co.uk/#/timetables/2692/Table 6b


Yes

so its mix running from charring cross on similar suburban routes?

The SE stopping trains terminating at Orpington and Sevenoaks could also be 465s - Victoria to Orpington almost 100% unless things have changed very recently.

That I do remember, I am somewhat of a regular at Vicotria whenever i visit London. Pretty sure they still serve there.

Almost all the Tunbridge Wells terminators are currently run by 465s. You will either pass the 465 in the siding to the south of TBW, just before you arrive at TBW; or it will already be in the adjacent platform, or on its way in (you would pass it between TBW and TON), depending on the exact timings.

From Sevenoaks 465s run stopping services via Dunton Green - these are rarely 707s and never 376s.

From Orpington 465s run the stopping services to Victoria.

It should be very easy to travel on several between TBW and London by changing at Sevenoaks and Orpington.

So changing at TBW would be best if i want to ride the Class 465 as far as it can go before changing trains and continue on to Hastings?

 

[alistairlees]

So changing at TBW would be best if i want to ride the Class 465 as far as it can go before changing trains and continue on to Hastings?

Yes

 

[LudwigTails]

okay so i double checked with RTT. Apparently services of 465s running to Tunbridge Wells on Sundays doesnt exist. And I think they are on services to sevenoaks only?
By the way how does services that ends at Tunbridge wells turn around? There was mentions of some sidings right?
And by looking at stations I think I might try get a 465 to Sevenoaks instead and change there. Or if i have more time i might give Tonbridge a visit for the West Yard they have (the footbridge above the yard).

 

[30907]

okay so i double checked with RTT. Apparently services of 465s running to Tunbridge Wells on Sundays doesnt exist. And I think they are on services to sevenoaks only?

Yes, on a Sunday that's your furthest option

By the way how does services that ends at Tunbridge wells turn around? There was mentions of some sidings right?

The old Down line is a turnback siding just beyond Grove Hill tunnel immediately south of the station.

 

[LudwigTails]

Yes, on a Sunday that's your furthest option

The old Down line is a turnback siding just beyond Grove Hill tunnel immediately south of the station.

is it viewable on google maps? I remember trying to look for the siding but all i can see was tracks just immediately becoming single tracks.

 

[30907]

is it viewable on google maps? I remember trying to look for the siding but all i can see was tracks just immediately becoming single tracks.

Shown as double track on Default view, but no pointwork. In Satellite view it is largely obscured by trees.

 

[LudwigTails]

Shown as double track on Default view, but no pointwork. In Satellite view it is largely obscured by trees.

ooh i see- I will try look out for that if i can. Considering on the way back it will probably be dark by the time I arrive at Hastings so i might not be able to see it.

 

[LudwigTails]

well this was an amazing day out on Saturday.
From Brighton, I decided not to ride Gatwick Express for just for fun and rode 377 to Hove and change a train from Littlehampton with another pair of 377 up to London.
On the way down to Victoria, I sudden found 2 Class 69 doing RHTT out of Vicotria! It was my first time seeing a one too!
After Victoria I quickly went over to Oxford Circus for my search for a specific MUJI (Its a Japanese brand that sells a large variety of products, from food, clothing, pens and much more) curry. Luckily I did which meant that I have some extra time to do some more train rides! After that it was directly to Kings Cross for a quick curry lunch at a place called HIDEN (japanese curry, worth trying out!). After that I went to Waterloo and FINALLY after seeing it many times by Clapham Junction and knowing that they would be gone soon, I found a pair of 458/5 that was bound for Reading that day, I originally wanted to travel the pair up to Richmond for a bit more mileage however due to time in preparation for a big plan i have for tonight on the way back I wasn't able to and had to just travel up for one stop to Clapham Junction. The pair of 458/5 consisted of a full ex-460 unit on the back and on the front a rebuilt 458 with an additional ex-460 middle coach. After traveling up to Clapham junction, it was back up to Waterloo. And decided to have another go at 455 and got a pair of 455/8s (I still need to officially ride on a /9 and /7) back up to Waterloo. Then after a quick dinner at Wetherspoons at Waterloo it was off to Charing Cross!
And it was my first ever time there too! And reason why I was there it was too finally ride the Class 465s! Which I did from Charing Cross all the way to Sevenoaks! (Thanks to those who helped me here about where they go.) Riding it was a blast! Its motor sounds absolutely brilliant. And when nearing the end of the journey I even have an entire carriage all to myself! After arriving at Sevenoaks the driver was kind enough to let me even get on the cab of the 465 and a tone when it was heading back to Charing Cross! After around an hour later it was time for the second leg. It was my first class 375 ride and really unfortunately it was a /9 and even had a look at the /6 that was on the back of the consist. The seating layout on other variants of the 375 really reminds me of the existing layouts on newer generations of the Electrostar. I feel okay with them, but I really hate how a lot of the bays of seats doesn't even align with the windows. After the trip down the Hastings it was the final leg on a 377 back to Brighton even after past midnight I am really surprised to see a lot of people still out and about during that late night from Hastings. And a bit later I finally arrived back in Brighton which ended my day!
Great day out but drained a lot out of me but it is well worth it.

 

[contrex]

well this was an amazing day out on Saturday.
...
Great day out but drained a lot out of me but it is well worth it.

I have to say, this is the kind of day out I love, both to experience and to read about! Well done and thank you.

 

[LudwigTails]

I have to say, this is the kind of day out I love, both to experience and to read about! Well done and thank you.

cheers to you and thank you for reading!