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Post by 725DYE on May 31, 2017 10:16:42 GMT
One of my favourite train classes, the 319, will be running under its last service with Thameslink this Sunday. What's your opinion on these trains? Will you miss them or not?? Are the 700s a worthy replacement?
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Post by redexpress on May 31, 2017 11:37:53 GMT
One of my favourite train classes, the 319, will be running under its last service with Thameslink this Sunday. What's your opinion on these trains? Will you miss them or not?? Are the 700s a worthy replacement? The best 319s had to be those Brighton Express ones with the lounge area. I have some fond memories of trips down to the coast on those. The bog-standard 319s with their 3+2 seating have less character although I suppose I'll miss them when they're gone. As for the 700s... oh dear. They may have had the makings of a decent train there, but it feels like they ran out of money when it came to fitting out the interior. Horrible uncomfortable seating, no legroom, no tables, no power points, really really dull colour scheme. OK for short trips within London, but for the longer journeys out of London they are awful things to travel on. It doesn't help that two of my first trips on a 700 were affected by door troubles. On my very first trip I took a 700 from Blackfriars to St Pancras - I was going to catch a bus but realised I was running late. Boy was that a mistake. The bl**dy thing sat at St Pancras for 20 minutes, with captive passengers, while the poor driver desperately tried to convince the doors to open. They wouldn't. In the end he had to take us all the way to Kentish Town where I jumped on the tube. All in all it took an hour to get to KX More recently I caught a 12-car 700 from Brighton. Intending to travel near the front I'd walked all the way to the end of the platform. Just as I was about to get on, the doors of the front 4 coaches deactivated themselves. Again the driver tried and tried but couldn't persuade them to open. Luckily he took pity on me and let me in through the cab door, which saved me a walk back to the rear coaches! OK these may be just teething troubles, but I'll avoid a 700 as much as I can for now.
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Post by snoggle on May 31, 2017 11:54:40 GMT
One of my favourite train classes, the 319, will be running under its last service with Thameslink this Sunday. What's your opinion on these trains? Will you miss them or not?? Are the 700s a worthy replacement? I think the 319s were OK when new. However the tenure of Govia then First then Govia again has wrecked them. Shoddy maintenance, minimal spend and no sense of actually caring for the fleet. I don't use mainline trains very much these days but I have horrible memories of using 319s from Burgess Hill (after photo courses at Park Cameras) - slow, uncomfortable interminable journeys with seats that are so low you may as well sit on the floor. Unfortunately that's a feature of many ex BR 31x class trains with the mark 3 bodyshell. I've also done a few "mega crush" commute rides from the old KX TL to City T/Link when I had meetings with lawyers in Fleet St. They weren't exactly designed for crush conditions either but demand has risen to a level completely unforeseen when they were ordered. I haven't even seen a Class 700 in the metal never mind travelled on one so can't give a personal view. I've yet to read a glowing review of them from people who've used them through. Still they'll be around for 30+ years so I may ride on one sometime.
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Post by vjaska on May 31, 2017 13:02:52 GMT
One of my favourite train classes, the 319, will be running under its last service with Thameslink this Sunday. What's your opinion on these trains? Will you miss them or not?? Are the 700s a worthy replacement? The best 319s had to be those Brighton Express ones with the lounge area. I have some fond memories of trips down to the coast on those. The bog-standard 319s with their 3+2 seating have less character although I suppose I'll miss them when they're gone. As for the 700s... oh dear. They may have had the makings of a decent train there, but it feels like they ran out of money when it came to fitting out the interior. Horrible uncomfortable seating, no legroom, no tables, no power points, really really dull colour scheme. OK for short trips within London, but for the longer journeys out of London they are awful things to travel on. It doesn't help that two of my first trips on a 700 were affected by door troubles. On my very first trip I took a 700 from Blackfriars to St Pancras - I was going to catch a bus but realised I was running late. Boy was that a mistake. The bl**dy thing sat at St Pancras for 20 minutes, with captive passengers, while the poor driver desperately tried to convince the doors to open. They wouldn't. In the end he had to take us all the way to Kentish Town where I jumped on the tube. All in all it took an hour to get to KX More recently I caught a 12-car 700 from Brighton. Intending to travel near the front I'd walked all the way to the end of the platform. Just as I was about to get on, the doors of the front 4 coaches deactivated themselves. Again the driver tried and tried but couldn't persuade them to open. Luckily he took pity on me and let me in through the cab door, which saved me a walk back to the rear coaches! OK these may be just teething troubles, but I'll avoid a 700 as much as I can for now. Any pictures please as I know absolutely nothing about trains?
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Post by YY13VKP on May 31, 2017 13:09:43 GMT
The best 319s had to be those Brighton Express ones with the lounge area. I have some fond memories of trips down to the coast on those. The bog-standard 319s with their 3+2 seating have less character although I suppose I'll miss them when they're gone. As for the 700s... oh dear. They may have had the makings of a decent train there, but it feels like they ran out of money when it came to fitting out the interior. Horrible uncomfortable seating, no legroom, no tables, no power points, really really dull colour scheme. OK for short trips within London, but for the longer journeys out of London they are awful things to travel on. It doesn't help that two of my first trips on a 700 were affected by door troubles. On my very first trip I took a 700 from Blackfriars to St Pancras - I was going to catch a bus but realised I was running late. Boy was that a mistake. The bl**dy thing sat at St Pancras for 20 minutes, with captive passengers, while the poor driver desperately tried to convince the doors to open. They wouldn't. In the end he had to take us all the way to Kentish Town where I jumped on the tube. All in all it took an hour to get to KX More recently I caught a 12-car 700 from Brighton. Intending to travel near the front I'd walked all the way to the end of the platform. Just as I was about to get on, the doors of the front 4 coaches deactivated themselves. Again the driver tried and tried but couldn't persuade them to open. Luckily he took pity on me and let me in through the cab door, which saved me a walk back to the rear coaches! OK these may be just teething troubles, but I'll avoid a 700 as much as I can for now. Any pictures please as I know absolutely nothing about trains? Here's one, took this yesterday while out spotting them
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Post by vjaska on May 31, 2017 13:12:57 GMT
Any pictures please as I know absolutely nothing about trains? Here's one, took this yesterday while out spotting them Oh those ones - thanks for sharing. First Capital Connect ones IIRC that were in a shoddy condition every time I saw one.
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Post by snoggle on May 31, 2017 13:21:58 GMT
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Post by redexpress on May 31, 2017 13:29:09 GMT
Here's one, took this yesterday while out spotting them Oh those ones - thanks for sharing. First Capital Connect ones IIRC that were in a shoddy condition every time I saw one. Found a video (not mine!) showing the Brighton Express 319s with the "lounge" area. I remember now that the "lounge" seats weren't particularly comfortable, but I always liked sitting there because of the odd layout. The seats in the rest of the train were much better (they weren't the same type as on standard 319s).
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Post by 725DYE on May 31, 2017 14:25:13 GMT
I would certainly agree that FCC and Govia ruined the 319s. Hopefully the 700s can see a better lifetime and one day have a refurb with decent seats Regarding those seats, however, they seem to have been very common with recent EMUs, such as Southern's 377/6 and 377/7 and Gatwick Express' and GWR's 387s. With all examples, including the 700s, they are very uncomfortable. Hopefully we don't see any more with upcoming trains
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Post by T.R. on May 31, 2017 22:31:15 GMT
Having previously sampled all Thameslink stock (319, 377, 387, 700) between St Albans and Gatwick, the 319s were decent but overworked units, and rather comfortable IMO.
Unfortunately I can't say the same for the incoming 700s due to discomfort by the 'ironing board' seats, and the lack of power points.
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Post by sid on Jun 1, 2017 17:44:33 GMT
One of my favourite train classes, the 319, will be running under its last service with Thameslink this Sunday. What's your opinion on these trains? Will you miss them or not?? Are the 700s a worthy replacement? I can't say I'll be sorry to see them go, I hadn't realised they were going so soon so I'll try and get one last ride on them, probably on the Sevenoaks service assuming they won't be appearing on the Brighton line. Are they going to Northern? The 700's look nice but as others have mentioned the rock hard seating and lack of power sockets is a big let down!
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Post by 725DYE on Jun 1, 2017 18:45:34 GMT
One of my favourite train classes, the 319, will be running under its last service with Thameslink this Sunday. What's your opinion on these trains? Will you miss them or not?? Are the 700s a worthy replacement? I can't say I'll be sorry to see them go, I hadn't realised they were going so soon so I'll try and get one last ride on them, probably on the Sevenoaks service assuming they won't be appearing on the Brighton line. Are they going to Northern? The 700's look nice but as others have mentioned the rock hard seating and lack of power sockets is a big let down! Ooh I wouldn't bag it on a Sevenoaks service. My best bet would be to find somewhere on the Sutton loop or just turn up at the core and wait for the first one that arrives. I believe that the last service (on Sunday) is a Brighton one but not entirely sure. Why not ask YY13VKP since he'll be snapping the last service when it runs this weekend
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Post by sid on Jun 1, 2017 18:52:56 GMT
I can't say I'll be sorry to see them go, I hadn't realised they were going so soon so I'll try and get one last ride on them, probably on the Sevenoaks service assuming they won't be appearing on the Brighton line. Are they going to Northern? The 700's look nice but as others have mentioned the rock hard seating and lack of power sockets is a big let down! Ooh I wouldn't bag it on a Sevenoaks service. My best bet would be to find somewhere on the Sutton loop or just turn up at the core and wait for the first one that arrives. I believe that the last service (on Sunday) is a Brighton one but not entirely sure. Why not ask YY13VKP since he'll be snapping the last service when it runs this weekend They still seem to be the norm on the Sevenoaks service from what I've seen? I wasn't sure about the Sutton loop although it would be nice to see one on the Brighton line.
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Post by sid on Jun 1, 2017 21:06:26 GMT
I read on the Rail UK Forum that whilst there is a farewell tour on Sunday that will not be the end of the 319's and that these are the booked diagrams for next week:
SX 319 diagrams for next week
(701/702) 5H14 06+32 Cauldwell to Luton 2E15 07.00 Luton to Sevenoaks 2E73 09.13 Sevenoaks to West Hampstead 5J73 10+41 West Hampstead to Cricklewood Depot 5A39 13+10 Cricklewood Depot to West Hampstead 2E39 13.20 West Hampstead to Sevenoaks 2E57 15.00 Sevenoaks to West Hampstead 5J57 16+27 West Hampstead to Cricklewood Depot 5A05 17+02 Cricklewood Depot to West Hampstead 2E05 17+12 West Hampstead to Sevenoaks 2E73 19.00 Sevenoaks to West Hampstead 5J73 20+27 West Hampstead to Cricklewood UGL 5A21 20+43 Cricklewood UGL to West Hampstead 2E21 20.51 West Hampstead to Sevenoaks 2B87 22.30 Sevenoaks to Blackfriars 2B31 23.42 Blackfriars to Sevenoaks 5F31 00+54 Sevenoaks to Orpington Sidings
(703/704) 5L51 04+22 Orpington Sidings to Orpington 2L51 04.34 Orpington to Blackfriars 2E01 05.24 Blackfriars to Sevenoaks 2E61 06.42 Sevenoaks to Luton 2V31 08.54 Luton to Sutton 2V32 10.38 Sutton to St Albans 2O57 12.14 St Albans to Sutton 2O58 13.37 Sutton to Luton 2V87 15.44 Luton to Sutton 2V88 17.42 Sutton to St Albans 2O31 19.22 St Albans to Sutton 2O32 20.37 Sutton to Luton 2V61 22.50 Luton to Sutton 5V61 00+39 Sutton to Orpington
(705/706) 2L55 05.34 Orpington to Blackfriars 2E07 06.42 Blackfriars to Sevenoaks 2E67 07.53 Sevenoaks to Kentish Town 5J67 09+31 Kentish Town to Cricklewood UGL 5A27 09+52 Cricklewood UGL to West Hampstead 2E27 10.20 West Hampstead to Sevenoaks 2E85 12.00 Sevenoaks to West Hampstead 5J85 13+27 West Hampstead to Cricklewood UGL 5A41 13+42 Cricklewood UGL to West Hampstead 2E41 13.50 West Hampstead to Sevenoaks 2B59 15.30 Sevenoaks to Blackfriars 3E61 16+51 Blackfriars to Elephant & Castle (via Bellingham Sidings) 1G61 18.20 Elephant & Castle to Bedford 5G61 19+46 Bedford to Bedford CS
(707/708) 5H05 04+47 Bedford CS to Luton 2O05 05.26 Luton to Sutton 2O06 07.06 Sutton to St Albans 2E23 08.58 St Albans to Sevenoaks 2E81 11.00 Sevenoaks to Kentish Town 5J81 12+25 Kentish Town to Cricklewood UGL 5A37 12+42 Cricklewood UGL to West Hampstead 2E37 12.50 West Hampstead to Sevenoaks 2E55 14.30 Sevenoaks to West Hampstead 5J55 15+56 West Hampstead to Cricklewood UGL 5A01 16+12 Cricklewood UGL to West Hampstead 2E01 16.20 West Hampstead to Sevenoaks 1E65 18.00 Sevenoaks to Bedford 5U65 20+30 Bedford to Cauldwell
(709/710) 5H01 04+10 Bedford CS to Luton 2V01 04.46 Luton to Sutton 2V02 06.35 Sutton to St Albans 2E95 08.07 St Albans to Sevenoaks 2E77 10.01 Sevenoaks to West Hampstead 5J77 11+26 West Hampstead to Cricklewood UGL 5A35 12+12 Cricklewood UGL to West Hampstead 2E35 12.20 West Hampstead to Sevenoaks 2E53 14.00 Sevenoaks to West Hampstead 5J53 15+27 West Hampstead to Cricklewood UGL 5A49 15+42 Cricklewood UGL to West Hampstead 2E49 15.50 West Hampstead to Sevenoaks 2E67 17.30 Sevenoaks to Bedford 5G65 20+10 Bedford to Bedford CS
(801/802) 5L91 04+36 Orpington Sidings to Orpington 2D91 04.54 Orpington to St Albans 2E11 06.38 St Albans to Sevenoaks 2E71 08.43 Sevenoaks to St Albans 2O45 10.44 St Albans to Sutton 2O46 12.07 Sutton to Luton 2V75 14.14 Luton to Sutton 2V76 16.08 Sutton to St Albans 2E09 17.44 St Albans to Sevenoaks 2A96 19.45 Sevenoaks to Bromley South 5B96 20+16 Bromley South to Bellingham Sidings
(803/804) 5L59 07+00 Bellingham Sidings to Orpington 2L59 07.47 Orpington to Luton 2V39 09.44 Luton to Sutton 2V40 11.38 Sutton to St Albans 2O65 13.14 St Albans to Sutton 2O66 14.37 Sutton to Luton 2V95 16.44 Luton to Sutton 2V96 18.38 Sutton to St Albans 2O39 20.14 St Albans to Sutton 2O40 21.47 Sutton to Bedford 5G40 00+12 Bedford to Bedford CS
(805/806) 5H07 05+12 Bedford CS to Luton 2V07 05.52 Luton to Sutton 2V08 07.37 Sutton to Luton 2V35 09.14 Luton to Sutton 2V36 11.08 Sutton to St Albans 2O61 12.44 St Albans to Sutton 2O62 14.07 Sutton to Luton 2V91 16.14 Luton to Sutton 2V92 18.08 Sutton to St Albans 2E19 19.58 St Albans to Sevenoaks 2B85 22.00 Sevenoaks to Blackfriars 2B29 23.12 Blackfriars to Sevenoaks 5B29 00+31 Sevenoaks to Sevenoaks CHS
(807/808) 5E59 06+10 Sevenoaks CHS to Sevenoaks 2E59 06.13 Sevenoaks to St Albans 2V27 08.23 St Albans to Sutton 2V28 10.08 Sutton to St Albans 2O53 11.44 St Albans to Sutton 2O54 13.07 Sutton to Luton 2V83 15.14 Luton to Sutton 2V84 17.08 Sutton to St Albans 2O27 18.52 St Albans to Sutton 2O28 20.07 Sutton to Luton 2V57 22.20 Luton to Sutton 5V57 00+07 Sutton to Cricklewood Depot
(809/810) 5A93 05+50 Cricklewood Depot to West Hampstead 2L93 05.59 West Hampstead to Orpington 1G61 07.28 Orpington to Bedford 5H29 09+34 Bedford to Luton 2E29 10.14 Luton to Sevenoaks 2E87 12.30 Sevenoaks to West Hampstead 5J87 13+55 West Hampstead to Cricklewood Depot 3J75 15+26 Cricklewood Depot to Elephant & Castle (via Bellingham Sidings) 1G75 16.52 Elephant & Castle to Bedford 5U75 18+14 Bedford to Cauldwell
(811/812) 5H17 06+44 Cauldwell to Luton 2O17 07.10 Luton to Sutton 2O18 08.45 Sutton to Luton 2V47 10.44 Luton to Sutton 2V48 12.38 Sutton to St Albans 2O73 14.14 St Albans to Sutton 2O74 15.37 Sutton to Luton 2E11 17.38 Luton to Sevenoaks 2E77 20.00 Sevenoaks to West Hampstead 5J77 21+27 West Hampstead to Cricklewood Depot
(813/814) 5V94 04+44 Cricklewood Depot to Selhurst 2V94 05.38 Selhurst to Luton 2V19 07.30 Luton to Sutton 2V20 09.13 Sutton to Kentish Town 5J20 10+10 Kentish Town to Cricklewood Depot 5A31 11+12 Cricklewood Depot to West Hampstead 2E31 11.20 West Hampstead to Sevenoaks 2E89 13.00 Sevenoaks to West Hampstead 5J89 14+27 West Hampstead to Cricklewood UGL 5A45 14+42 Cricklewood UGL to West Hampstead 2E45 14.50 West Hampstead to Sevenoaks 2E97 16.21 Sevenoaks to St Albans 2E13 18.26 St Albans to Sevenoaks 2B79 20.30 Sevenoaks to Blackfriars 2B23 21.42 Blackfriars to Sevenoaks 5F23 22+52 Sevenoaks to Bellingham Sidings
(815/816) 5L93 06+24 Bellingham Sidings to Orpington 2D93 06.58 Orpington to St Albans 2O29 08.43 St Albans to Sutton 2O30 10.07 Sutton to Luton 2V59 12.14 Luton to Sutton 2V60 14.08 Sutton to St Albans 2O85 15.44 St Albans to Sutton 2O86 17.11 Sutton to Luton 2E17 19.10 Luton to Sevenoaks 2B83 21.30 Sevenoaks to Blackfriars 2B27 22.42 Blackfriars to Sevenoaks 5F27 23+50 Sevenoaks to Orpington
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Post by YY13VKP on Jun 1, 2017 22:07:31 GMT
I read on the Rail UK Forum that whilst there is a farewell tour on Sunday that will not be the end of the 319's and that these are the booked diagrams for next week: I saw that too. To be fair I am baffled by it, as I spoke to a few drivers and they told me they'll be gone by June. But it seems the 700 commissioning programme has slowed down.
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