South West Train Updates ~ Fleet, Services, Stations.

HERE FOLLOWS AN ARTICLE FROM THE GB RAIL SCENE.....

In the near future, as stated, Class 707s will enter service with South West Trains. With no toilets, but WiFi, 2+1 and 2+2 style seating and 275 seats per unit these are definitely suitable for the suburban/metro routes to/from Windsor (as well as many more destinations). More details of these units here.

Author Liam added: "The Class 707 units are to integrate state of the art technology and will be lighter and more energy efficient than any of South West Trains' existing fleet. These units will also significantly increase space for passengers and improve on-board facilities, air-conditioned carriages featuring wide gangways, improved passenger information systems, free wi-fi and one power socket per seat pair. There will be no tables on seat backs or in facing bays, and toilets will not be fitted." Full UK Stock Plans are Here.

Tim Shoveller, Managing Director, Stagecoach Rail, said: "Since 1996 we have added more than 100 extra train services and 500 extra and vastly improved carriages for journeys to and from Britain’s busiest station, London Waterloo, but we know we need to do even more to provide more capacity and better facilities for our passengers."

Malcolm Brown, Chief Executive Officer for Angel Trains, said: “As London’s population continues to grow, so do the travelling needs of passengers moving to, from and within the capital. Angel Trains is committed to investment in London’s rail network and providing value to customers. We are delighted to procure and lease a new fleet of 30 Siemens-built Class 707s, offering increased capacity, air-conditioning, easier passenger access and on-board Wi-Fi.”

However, during August 2017 SWT need to temporarily close platforms 1-8 for 23 days so works can take place to enable 10-carriage trains to run on the suburban network. During this period platforms 20-24 will be temporarily re-opened to maximise the number of trains which can be operated. There will be significant disruption to passenger services during this period.

South West Trains Timeline:
  • April 2016. Waterloo International is closed for all train services including in times of disruption and becomes a dedicated construction site.
  • February 2017. Platform 20 handed back to Network Rail and train services reinstated.
  • June/July 2017. Platforms 21-24 handed back and works to prepare the former International Terminal for temporary use during August 2017.
  • Summer 2017. Ten weekends during the summer will see platforms closed at London Waterloo and services changed.
  • August 2017. 23 day closure of platforms 1-8 (Monday 7 August to Bank Holiday Monday 28 August inclusive) to extend Platforms 1-4 for 10-carriage trains. This will mean Platforms 1-8 and Waterloo South Sidings will be closed throughout. Platforms 20-24 to be temporarily used by passenger services during this period.
  • Aug 2017 – Dec 2018. After the former International Terminal has been in temporary use it will be closed to passengers again to allow the remaining station construction to take place.
  • December 2017. Timetable is changed and 10-carriage services start running from Platforms 1-4 on the suburban network during the morning and evening peak periods .
  • December 2018. Platforms 21-24 open and incorporated into December 2018 timetable with additional train services being provided. 
Thank You. ^H
Regards:

Our Popular Posts....

07/02/17: Recent Goings On

Image
Harry Here, Summarising Some Of The Interesting Fleet News Between Oct 2016 and Spring 2017...... 10/2016: 142073 heads to  Doncaster for overhaul , as all ArrivaTrainsWales are going into the new livery gradually. 27/01/2017: 37423 and an extra DRS MK2 arrive at Norwich from  Derby, for Short Set usage.  Meanwhile, 68021 and 68016 arrive to take over duty's on the 68 Hauled Anglia Short Set, because 68025 and 68005 both need exams.  01/17: Virgin East coast finish the overhaul of all 45 trains! 
Read More....

Abellio Greater Anglia to Abellio East Anglia

Image
As Many Of You Are Aware, The AGA Franchise Renews This October For Services In East Anglia, Including To Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and Cambridgeshire. Abellio Continue The Franchise, But Renamed East Anglia Ltd.  Greater Anglia, as it was at first, began in February 2012 - operating the short term tender which was due to expire in July 2014. However, the Government later extended this franchise, and it then became the rebranded Abellio Greater Anglia.
Read More....

Reminder: Stock + Service Changes, Abellio East Anglia.

IN SUMMARY: - Free Wi-Fi on Many Trains and also an  improved WiFi service at stations .  - Additional seats on trains across the network, by increasing train lengths and capacity.  - CET toilets, so waste isn't flushed onto tracks. This is already on MK3s.  - Increasing train punctuality and performance. - Entire fleet replacement (stated below), so other units are displaced or withdrawn. - Norwich to Cambridge trains extended to Stansted, and Sudbury branch lines running to Colchester. - Lowestoft connections to London Liverpool Street reinstated, using the electro-diesel units, four times per day. - Trains half hourly to Great Yarmouth, plus later connections to Sheringham and Lowestoft.
Read More....

Exclusive ~ VirginTrains ~ Penguilino & Claus 91

Image
To get into the Xmas spirit, Virgin Trains have unveiled East Coast  82209 & 91128  and Virgin West Coast revealed Pendolino 390013 in their Winter-style livery, as designed by Madeleine Deakin (aged 11) and Amber Maxfield (age 9) whom won a competition earlier this season.  The units were unveiled at London Kings Cross this morning and will remain in the livery until January. Claus 91, as it's been named, operates on the East Coast mainline between Kings Cross and Scotland via Penguinborough, whilst the Penguilino can be found on Virgin Trains West Coast services between London Euston and The North (North Pole) via Ho Ho Crewe.
Read More....

SOUTH - Last Day of Class 458/0 Operations

Image
©Liam Jenkins Good Evening, Liam here, offering you a post regarding the last day of South West Trains Class 458/0 service. Enjoy! On Sunday 8th November 2015, South West Trains operated the last day of Class 458/0s on the units' final day of operations. These units are to be sent to Doncaster Works, where they will be refurbished with the Gatwick Express Class 460s into a new Class 458/5 class.
Read More....

Special - Rebuilding the 1960's Class 73's.

Image
It's Friday, and today's post is a special! Not as I'm here (Andy)... Class 73's were built in the 1960's and generally used in the Southern region. In 2013, it was announced that GB Railfreight would initially be re-building 5 Class 73's to make them Class 73/9's. The complete re stripping and rebuilding has taken place at Brush Traction in Loughborough.  The Class 73/9's first started testing in late 2014 (73 961 - 965) as there had been some issues, however they were all resolved pretty soon. The 73/9's are intended to work infrastructure trains (test trains under Network Rail) and also to be used on Rail Head Treatment Trains. As a result of the rebuild, it has given the Class 73/9's up to 25 years more in service, and more 73/9's are to be released over the coming months which should see them introduced on to the Serco Sleeper eventually!
Read More....

Peter Skuce Reports (6A)

Image
Chiltern 168. (C) P Skuce. Peter. Part A is for the Chiltern Line Modernisation. Part B will lead from this. During the 1960s British Railways built forty one, 4 carriage Class 115 DMU trains for the London Marylebone – Aylesbury Chiltern Line. One trailer carriage had entirely Standard Class accommodation with 106 seats, whilst the other trailer carriage was a composite, featuring First Class cabins with seating to the 2+2 layout and Standard Class with two toilets. They were powered by Leyland Albion engines, with mechanical transmission and their maximum speed was 70 mph. A new maintenance depot was built at Aylesbury to accommodate the trains.
Read More....