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Post by vjaska on May 24, 2024 13:21:38 GMT
The Networkers are good trains, only gripe I have is the 3+2 seating - they're even ok to ride in the summer as the windows are big enough to help with ventilation even if the odd one has a to tendency to shut by itself - quite happy they still operate my local Southeastern service though I suspect I'll end up with cascaded Electroliners (just please not 376's) rather than the new stock. But your right, buying new trains isn't always going to increase reliability substantially, improve frequencies or bring in the links required and in some circumstances, new trains can be a downgrade instead. Absolutely, I think more work needs to be put into the interior specifications of new trains. There have been some real successes stories- the new Greater Anglia Stadler fleets have revolutionised rail travel in East Anglia. However, the layout of the Stansted Express Stadlers isn't the best for Airport runs, and the cl720s could do with 2+2 seating or something similar to the c2c cl720s. The Merseyrail class 777s are pretty good, however their introduction has been marred by reliability issues. Having worked on the new DLR stock, they are much better than the B92 trains they are replacing. It is good that SouthEastern have recognised the need for level boarding, something which I think only Stadler can offer at the moment unless Bombardier can specify something similar to the new Irish Dart train fleet Recently I actually used the Stanstead Express for the first time in nearly two decades and I managed to have the two different classes across the two trips and I preferred the Aventra to the Stadler despite hearing a lot of good things about the Stadler - I wasn't keen on the that higher seating position they had on the Stanstead Express units though the seats very comfortable. Personally, I'd still prefer a 317 myself Personally, I think Southeastern should look at introducing platform humps instead which would introduce level boarding without being tied into a particular train model especially when platform heights vary between stations - it's shown it works at the Underground and National Rail stations that have platform humps.
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Post by ThinLizzy on May 24, 2024 14:43:56 GMT
Absolutely, I think more work needs to be put into the interior specifications of new trains. There have been some real successes stories- the new Greater Anglia Stadler fleets have revolutionised rail travel in East Anglia. However, the layout of the Stansted Express Stadlers isn't the best for Airport runs, and the cl720s could do with 2+2 seating or something similar to the c2c cl720s. The Merseyrail class 777s are pretty good, however their introduction has been marred by reliability issues. Having worked on the new DLR stock, they are much better than the B92 trains they are replacing. It is good that SouthEastern have recognised the need for level boarding, something which I think only Stadler can offer at the moment unless Bombardier can specify something similar to the new Irish Dart train fleet Recently I actually used the Stanstead Express for the first time in nearly two decades and I managed to have the two different classes across the two trips and I preferred the Aventra to the Stadler despite hearing a lot of good things about the Stadler - I wasn't keen on the that higher seating position they had on the Stanstead Express units though the seats very comfortable. Personally, I'd still prefer a 317 myself Personally, I think Southeastern should look at introducing platform humps instead which would introduce level boarding without being tied into a particular train model especially when platform heights vary between stations - it's shown it works at the Underground and National Rail stations that have platform humps. The 317s were great trains, always good when the former Stansted Express ones turned up on the Enfield Town/Cheshunt circuit in the peaks
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Post by wirewiper on May 24, 2024 15:16:32 GMT
Recently I actually used the Stanstead Express for the first time in nearly two decades and I managed to have the two different classes across the two trips and I preferred the Aventra to the Stadler despite hearing a lot of good things about the Stadler - I wasn't keen on the that higher seating position they had on the Stanstead Express units though the seats very comfortable. Personally, I'd still prefer a 317 myself Personally, I think Southeastern should look at introducing platform humps instead which would introduce level boarding without being tied into a particular train model especially when platform heights vary between stations - it's shown it works at the Underground and National Rail stations that have platform humps. The 317s were great trains, always good when the former Stansted Express ones turned up on the Enfield Town/Cheshunt circuit in the peaks I used to go for the declassified first class area if one turned up!
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Post by MetrolineGA1511 on May 25, 2024 5:30:56 GMT
Recently I actually used the Stanstead Express for the first time in nearly two decades and I managed to have the two different classes across the two trips and I preferred the Aventra to the Stadler despite hearing a lot of good things about the Stadler - I wasn't keen on the that higher seating position they had on the Stanstead Express units though the seats very comfortable. Personally, I'd still prefer a 317 myself Personally, I think Southeastern should look at introducing platform humps instead which would introduce level boarding without being tied into a particular train model especially when platform heights vary between stations - it's shown it works at the Underground and National Rail stations that have platform humps. The 317s were great trains, always good when the former Stansted Express ones turned up on the Enfield Town/Cheshunt circuit in the peaks They were my favourite electric trains too.
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Post by buspete on May 26, 2024 23:11:54 GMT
If I was a betting man, I would have thought Southeastern would go for more 707s makes sense to standardise with only 2 fleets.
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Post by MetrolineGA1511 on Jun 1, 2024 7:37:53 GMT
If I was a betting man, I would have thought Southeastern would go for more 707s makes sense to standardise with only 2 fleets. Admittedly the 707s have been inherited from South Western Railway. So, maybe they prefer to select their own choice of trains for new builds.
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Post by someone on Jun 2, 2024 13:49:07 GMT
If I was a betting man, I would have thought Southeastern would go for more 707s makes sense to standardise with only 2 fleets. There aren't that many 707s left, and certainly not enough to replace the Networkers. I'm hoping they get a worthy replacement like Class 730-style trains that are suitable for both commuter and regional journeys.
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Post by thekbq14 on Jun 2, 2024 14:50:52 GMT
If I was a betting man, I would have thought Southeastern would go for more 707s makes sense to standardise with only 2 fleets. There aren't that many 707s left, and certainly not enough to replace the Networkers. I'm hoping they get a worthy replacement like Class 730-style trains that are suitable for both commuter and regional journeys. Yep there's only two left which will get transferred to SE whenever there's an upturn in the amount of 701s introduced on SWR. I think what buspete was referring to was the new trains will be similar to the 707s being based of the Siemens Desiro Cities, to me which will make the most sense to standardise their fleet, and as others have said an overhaul refurbishment of the class 376s which haven't even had a lick of paint to them since they were introduced around 20 years ago.
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Post by buspete on Jun 5, 2024 1:00:02 GMT
That’s exactly what I mean and would be great if the Desiro Cities replaced the 376s.
The 376s define cattle class and are the worst train built anywhere, sure if Southeastern offloaded these trains they could be refurbished and leased to another TOC.
It’s about time Southeastern got a grip and got air conditioning through its fleet.
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Post by PGAT on Jul 5, 2024 20:35:23 GMT
I don't know if this has been mentioned yet but the Southeastern timetable website says Victoria-Orpington will be 4tph and the Cannon Street rounder via Sidcup will be all day from December
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Post by greenboy on Jul 5, 2024 22:27:00 GMT
I don't know if this has been mentioned yet but the Southeastern timetable website says Victoria-Orpington will be 4tph and the Cannon Street rounder via Sidcup will be all day from December It's about time 4tph was restored on the Victoria-Orpington service.
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Post by vjaska on Jul 6, 2024 0:20:35 GMT
I don't know if this has been mentioned yet but the Southeastern timetable website says Victoria-Orpington will be 4tph and the Cannon Street rounder via Sidcup will be all day from December Is it me or is the timetable page contradicting itself? Under the "times have changed as of 2nd June" heading, they say what you mentioned: "We will also increase off-peak and evening stopping services between Victoria and Orpington via Herne Hill to provide trains every 15 minutes – enabling a ‘turn up and go’ Metro timetable." But when you click on the section further down the page regarding the June timetable summary and in particular when you click on "7. Bromley South, Orpington and Sevenoaks via Herne Hill or Catford", you get this: "Trains have been better spaced and run every 15 minutes in both directions from stations between Brixton and Petts Wood during the busiest times in the morning and evening (between the hours of 0535 until 1020 from Orpington to Victoria and 1427 until 2057 from Victoria to Orpington). During quieter times of the day and evening, trains run every 30 minutes." That seems to mimic that the current arrangement of every 15 minutes peak only and other times, every 30 minutes unless I'm missing something?
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Post by PGAT on Jul 6, 2024 9:35:53 GMT
I don't know if this has been mentioned yet but the Southeastern timetable website says Victoria-Orpington will be 4tph and the Cannon Street rounder via Sidcup will be all day from December Is it me or is the timetable page contradicting itself? Under the "times have changed as of 2nd June" heading, they say what you mentioned: "We will also increase off-peak and evening stopping services between Victoria and Orpington via Herne Hill to provide trains every 15 minutes – enabling a ‘turn up and go’ Metro timetable." But when you click on the section further down the page regarding the June timetable summary and in particular when you click on "7. Bromley South, Orpington and Sevenoaks via Herne Hill or Catford", you get this: "Trains have been better spaced and run every 15 minutes in both directions from stations between Brixton and Petts Wood during the busiest times in the morning and evening (between the hours of 0535 until 1020 from Orpington to Victoria and 1427 until 2057 from Victoria to Orpington). During quieter times of the day and evening, trains run every 30 minutes." That seems to mimic that the current arrangement of every 15 minutes peak only and other times, every 30 minutes unless I'm missing something? It’s poorly worded but I think the June timetable added more shoulder peak services as well as evening out the service to be closer to every 15 minutes, while next time it will be 15 minutes all day
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Post by buspete on Jul 7, 2024 21:37:03 GMT
I wouldn’t think there would be any benefit by changing at Brixton for the Victoria Line? Where you can just stay on the train and change at Victoria.
But Brixton is a big area, with excellent bus connection, but also has an average National Rail service. I said on here before but money should be spent on Brixton and build 4 extra platforms so that London Overground and South Eastern Dartford trains can make an additional stop. Catching a train a short distance between Lewisham/Peckham Rye and Brixton would be very beneficial.
So with a Labour Government now and a Labour Mayor this might get some traction.
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Post by southlondon413 on Jul 7, 2024 22:27:05 GMT
I wouldn’t think there would be any benefit by changing at Brixton for the Victoria Line? Where you can just stay on the train and change at Victoria. But Brixton is a big area, with excellent bus connection, but also has an average National Rail service. I said on here before but money should be spent on Brixton and build 4 extra platforms so that London Overground and South Eastern Dartford trains can make an additional stop. Catching a train a short distance between Lewisham/Peckham Rye and Brixton would be very beneficial. So with a Labour Government now and a Labour Mayor this might get some traction. It probably won’t, several senior Labour politicians have already stated London is unlikely to receive additional funding.
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