|
Post by TA1 on Jul 10, 2018 19:35:50 GMT
Just a 717 update for anybody interested. The first bit of 717' infrastructure has been placed on the network, a stop car marker placed on the road bridge at the end of the platform at Watton-at-stone on the 'UP' road, the marker has however been installed in the wrong place; staying with the 717's the first two are due in the UK at present a week Wednesday, although things are subject to change as always on the railway. 717007 & 717008 have left Krefeld due for Hornsey, very shortly. I’m hoping they stable it in the main shed vice the siemens shed closer to Alexandra Palace, So i can get some pictures on Friday when I work one off of Hornsey. Disappointed I wont be signing them until I get on a 700 course, the end is near for my beloved 313’s
|
|
|
Post by ADH45258 on Jul 10, 2018 21:22:35 GMT
Class 313s will still be in service on Southern services along the South Coast, though will need replacing as possibly the oldest rolling stock type in service in the UK.
As GTR already have class 700 and 717 desiros in operation, perhaps they could take the 707s from SWR? As these are designed for Metro-style services, they could operate local services out of Victoria and London Bridge, displacing class 377s and/or 455s to the South Coast to replace the 313s.
|
|
|
Post by TA1 on Jul 10, 2018 21:58:39 GMT
Class 313s will still be in service on Southern services along the South Coast, though will need replacing as possibly the oldest rolling stock type in service in the UK. As GTR already have class 700 and 717 desiros in operation, perhaps they could take the 707s from SWR? As these are designed for Metro-style services, they could operate local services out of Victoria and London Bridge, displacing class 377s and/or 455s to the South Coast to replace the 313s. I'm aware that the 313's will remain in operation with Southern, I'm a GTR employee. My soft spot is for the Dual Voltage 313's that are on the GN, The SN ones have been heavily modified and have lost their pans. I'm not one to speculate but it will be interesting to see where the 707's go next. Some of the forthcoming train cascades are ridiculous to say the least but let me not veer too much off topic. A revised timetable commences from Sunday on the TL/GN.
|
|
|
Post by 700101 on Jul 10, 2018 22:04:23 GMT
Class 313s will still be in service on Southern services along the South Coast, though will need replacing as possibly the oldest rolling stock type in service in the UK. As GTR already have class 700 and 717 desiros in operation, perhaps they could take the 707s from SWR? As these are designed for Metro-style services, they could operate local services out of Victoria and London Bridge, displacing class 377s and/or 455s to the South Coast to replace the 313s. 717’s aren’t in operation yet, the first two are on there way to the UK now, testing and commission will start soon so hopefully have one in service by the end of the year. I agree with the 707’s this will be perfect for the Southern Metro routes
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 16, 2018 12:25:28 GMT
Excellent bit on Radio Jackie this morning discussing possible ridiculing songs about the constant delays and timetable changes on thameslink. One suggestion was anything from the Manic Street Preachers album Forever Delayed.
Bit commentary from the host about the mass cancellations over the weekend was that Govia blamed these on drivers not wanting to do overtime. How I chuckled when he stated the obvious that they’re entitled not to work overtime and maybe they should simply EMPLOY MORE DRIVERS. Made my eyes water.
|
|
|
Post by snoggle on Jul 16, 2018 13:04:11 GMT
Excellent bit on Radio Jackie this morning discussing possible ridiculing songs about the constant delays and timetable changes on thameslink. One suggestion was anything from the Manic Street Preachers album Forever Delayed. Bit commentary from the host about the mass cancellations over the weekend was that Govia blamed these on drivers not wanting to do overtime. How I chuckled when he stated the obvious that they’re entitled not to work overtime and maybe they should simply EMPLOY MORE DRIVERS. Made my eyes water. Crush by Jennifer Paige Waiting for a train by Flash and the Pan London Reconnections had an article with some fantastic "alternative lyrics" on songs to reflect the Thameslink mess. Some of them are sheer brilliance.
|
|
|
Post by snoggle on Jul 23, 2018 18:15:07 GMT
A couple of excerpts from the Mayor's oral answers at the last MQT about the GTR timetable fiasco. They sort of support my theory that the Mayor has "calmed down" a bit in berating the DfT because of the possible devolution of GN inners and some WLL services.
The usual political demand to strip GTR on the TSGN franchise ....
"DfT should just get on with devolving services to TfL" (AM Eshalomi)
On more devolution to TfL ...
So it looks like things are moving slowly and everyone is trying not to upset the apple cart too much by pushing Grayling too far, too fast.
|
|
|
Post by TA1 on Jul 24, 2018 6:01:07 GMT
|
|
|
Post by ADH45258 on Aug 8, 2018 14:49:20 GMT
With "Thameslink only" tickets now accepted on all other GTR services due to the temporary timetable - can alternative London terminals be used? E.g. could a Thameslink ticket from London Blackfriars to Gatwick Airport be used on the Gatwick Express from Victoria instead?
|
|
|
Post by 700101 on Aug 24, 2018 20:02:18 GMT
Just seen from internal weekly email that full ticket restrictions will be back in place from 01/09/18
|
|
|
Post by snoggle on Aug 24, 2018 23:13:49 GMT
Just seen from internal weekly email that full ticket restrictions will be back in place from 01/09/18 Yes there were people down Redhill / Reigate way ranting on Twitter that this means they lose their Southern ticket availability and that some of their fares rise 17% because their service will be deemed to be Thameslink who do have the same fare structure as Southern (how mad is that given they are all one company?). They have already questioned the legality of this and contacted their local MP. This "franchise" (management contract really) stumbles from one disaster to another but DfT take all the dosh so they're only to be interested in increasing revenue not reducing it.
|
|
|
Post by ADH45258 on Aug 25, 2018 7:25:39 GMT
Just seen from internal weekly email that full ticket restrictions will be back in place from 01/09/18 What is the purpose of this? There is no timetable change etc proposed for the same date.
|
|
|
Post by 700101 on Aug 30, 2018 19:28:25 GMT
Week starting 03/09/18 6 services are being reintroduced on the Sutton Loop with more being added during September including some Luton - Rainham services. The Great Northern route will see 4 additional services from 24/09/18
From Monday 3 September 2018
9V17 06:07 St Albans City to Sutton
9V18 07:46 Sutton to St Albans City
9O29 09:22 St Albans City to Sutton
9O30 10:49 Sutton to St Albans City
9O55 15:52 St Albans City to Sutton
9O56 17:19 Sutton to St Albans City
The 9Y94 06:22 Sevenoaks to Kentish Town service will be extended to terminate at Cricklewood (but will not call at West Hampstead Thameslink)
From Monday 10 September 2018
9P02 07:01 Mill Hill Broadway to Luton
9P13 07:46 Luton to Gillingham (Kent)
9P46 16:00 Gillingham (Kent) to Luton
From Monday 17 September 2018
9V14 06:41 Three Bridges to St Albans City
9O25 08:22 St Albans City to Sutton
9O26 09:49 Sutton to St Albans City
9R43 17:35 London St Pancras International to Gatwick Airport
From Monday 24 September 2018 (Details of these services will be available in journey planners from early September 2018)
2C11 06:57 Cambridge to London King’s Cross
2Y08 08:36 London King’s Cross to Welwyn Garden City
2Y51 17:02 Welwyn Garden City to London King’s Cross
2C46 17:51 London King’s Cross to Cambridge
Thameslink ones are already showing on journey planners
|
|
|
Post by snoggle on Sept 12, 2018 20:41:05 GMT
Had a little spin to Luton today to collect some records I'd bought online and to visit the record shop that the record sellers run. Due to some nice timing on my part I managed to catch the one East Midlands train an hour that now calls at Luton. Been a while since I've used St Pancras but what a mess. The lovely old large ticket office has been sacrificed to a retail unit so now we have the frankly ridiculous situation of a Thameslink ticket office *and* an East Midlands one. I opted to use EMT as the queue at TL was ridiculous with one window open. Thankfully the queue moved reasonably well and the lady who served me was great - old school but polite and grateful I knew what I wanted!
And now St Pancras - you have to walk half way to the SSR platforms to find an up escalator. I opted for the lift but that takes forever and then, even off peak, you have to push through crowds of people in front of the gateline. What a mess. It must be utter hell on Fridays or other peak times. For some daft reason the Corby train I was on got a signal check near St Albans that made us late into Luton. I'd have thought that they would have reasonable paths on the fast lines but seemingly not. Still at least it was reasonably fast and comfortable.
On the return it was time to use a class 700. I've only had one shortish ride on one of these before. A 12 car unit turned up and was not very busy. We picked up fair numbers at Luton Airport Parkway but such a long train was never going to be stressed. I did think the customer info displays were very good - the train loading displays, TfL info, toilet info etc. I was sat over a bogie and while it was generally smooth it did transmit some vertical shock straight to the seats which was a surprise. The trains are very fast - it was marginally late into Luton but arrived 3 early at St Pancras! I know the seats have been much discussed but they really are very poor - my back is still complaining. I deliberately waited on the platform at St Pancras to watch the dispatch. Interesting to observe passenger behaviour - despite the trains being walk through some people insisted on walking a long way down the platform before getting on. There were incredible numbers of people with luggage and many all poured in the one open door just across from the escalators. Others got on further down where there was no "platform hump". Two older ladies were really struggling with the step up with bags - thankfully someone helped them but it seems a shame not to raise more of the platform to reduce / remove the step height given this issue. It would reduce dwell times or the risk of them being extended.
It did seem as if the service was a bit more stable than it was a few weeks ago even though part of the service to Sutton and also via Denmark Hill was disrupted because of infrastructure / fire issues. I watched the 12 car train depart - reminded me very slightly of the RER in Paris which also has long trains. Shame we've got a year to wait now to make the Crossrail comparison.
|
|
|
Post by snoggle on Oct 1, 2018 15:40:24 GMT
I see that Richard Clinnick of Rail Magazine has reported that the first class 717 in passenger service ran this morning from Gordon Hill. That's pretty good going all things considered and in very marked contrast to the shambles that is Bombardier getting new trains turning a wheel never mind actually entering service.
|
|