Thameslink

[r-g-b]

image hosted on flickr


I'd say it looks better than the render but only beacuse the render looks like it was done by fischer price (my fist render) It is poor, but huge improvement on the current situation.

I've often thourgth a roof would nice, standing in the rain at 7:30 but I guess that would asking to much.

image hosted on flickr

[delores]

Originally Posted by Leeds No.1

What's wrong with it?

What's right with it?

[Leeds No.1]

Well it's electric and clean- so it's already doing better than most trains in the UK.

[ill tonkso]

The 377's are fantastic trains, I always catch them on the Portsmouth-Brighton line and I love them.

[mackenzieblu]

Originally Posted by ill tonkso

The 377's are fantastic trains, I always catch them on the Portsmouth-Brighton line and I love them.

Not on their first day working for FCC, 377207 looked really bad as it blocked the core for 25mins (not the first time a 377/2 done this but the first time with passangers onboard). Add the door problems. Tho I think this was a good teething problems sorter!

[dronkula]

Hey - isn't this the weekend when they close the Moorgate branch for good?

[r-g-b]

yes it closes 22nd March. Which is tommorow.

[Dothog]

Last evening actually.

http://londonreconnections.blogspot....-moorgate.html

[mackenzieblu]

Neither 501 or 504 was out in passanger service today. However 377501 was on test today. I managed to get an image of the unit southbound at Blackfriars and a video of it running fast through St Pancras International.

Ive also been told that the first 377/5 in passanger service will be 377504 and its coming into service tomorrow, 24th March 2009 running like this

0210 Bedford - St Pancras International
0358 St Pancras International - Bedford
0540 Bedford - Brighton
0816 Brighton - Bedford
1410 Bedford - Brighton
1709 Brighton - London Bridge
1842 London Bridge - Brighton
2007 Brighton - Bedford

[mackenzieblu]

I finally managed to catch up with 377501 when it was in passanger service today. Ive uploaded the images to my flickr which you can view here. I got to get some images of the cab, seating and few of the unit sat at Brighton after running a fast FCC service before returning on a slow FCC service back to Bedford. 377501 will spend the night away from Thameslink metal's at Ashford tonight.

[johnb78]

Good work Mr Blu!

[mackenzieblu]

Originally Posted by johnb78

Good work Mr Blu!

Cheers, was a huge piece of luck. As I was finishing I happened to check the next Brighton and it was 501 so I jumped on the whole way and finally got to have a proper look around the unit at Brighton. As I was still in uniform I managed to get the cab pics. The ride was really enjoyable and smooth. I was sorry to get off at Blackfriars on the way back tho. The 319s just dont come close.

[r-g-b]

The second section of the bridge is now in place at West Hampsted, the third has arrived on a flat bed truck and the platform extensions for 2 and 3 have started.

I've only got my camera phone, which is rubbish so no pics.

[Damarr]

I'm about to move to Herne Hill and I was hoping some Thameslink pros could answer some questions for me.

Will the no trains through central London from 22:30-04:30 Mon-Fri and all of most weekends really continue until late 2011/early 2012?

What will the service frequencies be like from Herne Hill after full cross-London service is resumed? Will there be any improvements to the schedule before then?

Cheers

[Tubeman]

Originally Posted by Damarr

I'm about to move to Herne Hill and I was hoping some Thameslink pros could answer some questions for me.

Will the no trains through central London from 22:30-04:30 Mon-Fri and all of most weekends really continue until late 2011/early 2012?

What will the service frequencies be like from Herne Hill after full cross-London service is resumed? Will there be any improvements to the schedule before then?

Cheers

I wouldn't hold much hope: Herne Hill is on the Wimbledon Loop and is not a priority for Thameslink. I doubt it'll ever see much of an increase in frequency or longer hours.

[mackenzieblu]

Originally Posted by Damarr

I'm about to move to Herne Hill and I was hoping some Thameslink pros could answer some questions for me.

Will the no trains through central London from 22:30-04:30 Mon-Fri and all of most weekends really continue until late 2011/early 2012?

What will the service frequencies be like from Herne Hill after full cross-London service is resumed? Will there be any improvements to the schedule before then?

Cheers

VBasically they have to replace all the signalling, track and cabling along the whole Core which they have started from Dec 08 until the period you stated. Thats quite abi to do plus testing of the signalling hence the long period.

Note the early fruits of this is the ability for all FCC services to terminate in St Pancras International Low Level. This has multiple benefits including Oyster usage and freeing up St Pancras High level.

As for Herne Hill, well there may be additional service come 2012. Once KO1 is finished (rebuilt Blackfriars and Farringdon with all platforms expect Kentish Town able to take 12 car trains) work will step up at London Bridge meaning that FCC services will stop calling there for around two and a half years. this means that services will likely be calling at Elephant & Castle (for Northern Line connections) and maybe Herne Hill.

Other than this the only likely benefit Herne Hill customers will get is new trains introduced across the whole FCC Network. And once KO1 is completed its planned for most if not all of the loop services to terminate at Blackfriars new bays. This could be offset for awhile if the diverted Bedford-Brighton call at Herne Hill en route.

[ChrisH]

From my window at work I can see into Blackfriars station. The three bay platforms have had their track removed, both in the station and all the way across the bridge. The two Thameslink tracks have had new tracks put in. I can't visualise how the Thameslink tracks are going to be swapped to the east side of the station - surely this will mean some major demolition and tunneling between Blackfriars and City Thameslink?

[sotonsi]

no - the tracks will just skew over more (by two tracks) from where they enter Blackfriars, and Blackfriars' platforms moved further south (and will curve a bit) to deal with this (hence fully crossing the River). The new terminating platforms will partially use the old bridge supports. The station will move south west.

[ChrisH]

OK. That makes sense, thanks.

[CroydonDave]

Will Thameslink appear on the tube map?