Class 345 in service (Crossrail Elizabeth Line)

[Basil Jet]

Apparently loads of enthusiasts knew in advance... us Usenauts seem to
be out of the loop!

[Someone Somewhere]

Post by Basil Jet
Apparently loads of enthusiasts knew in advance... us Usenauts seem to
be out of the loop!
http://youtu.be/aSts1YN3MPc

Maybe it was all over the Cambridge newsgroups?

[Roland Perry]

Post by Someone Somewhere

Post by Basil Jet
Apparently loads of enthusiasts knew in advance... us Usenauts seem
to be out of the loop!
http://youtu.be/aSts1YN3MPc

Maybe it was all over the Cambridge newsgroups?

No, but I did see something a couple of days ago online announcing this
"first service".

[Basil Jet]

Post by Roland Perry

Post by Someone Somewhere

Post by Basil Jet
Apparently loads of enthusiasts knew in advance... us Usenauts seem
to be out of the loop!
http://youtu.be/aSts1YN3MPc

Maybe it was all over the Cambridge newsgroups?

No, but I did see something a couple of days ago online announcing this
"first service".

I suppose you were too busy using news:uk.transport.london to discuss
Ely minicab licensing to forward the information there?

[s***@potato.field]

On Fri, 23 Jun 2017 12:29:42 +0100

Post by Basil Jet
Apparently loads of enthusiasts knew in advance... us Usenauts seem to
be out of the loop!
http://youtu.be/aSts1YN3MPc

I'd love to know what blind bastard designed the ugly front end. It looks
like a disfigured duck.

[Basil Jet]

Post by s***@potato.field
I'd love to know what blind bastard designed the ugly front end. It looks
like a disfigured duck.

Now you mention it...

Class 345...
Loading Image...

Orville The Duck...
Loading Image...

[Basil Jet]

Post by Basil Jet
http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/write/MediaUploads/test_train_arriving_at_Ilford_depot.jpg

Why does the orange line on the front curve upward? If it's supposed to
represent a safe distance from zap, shouldn't it curve downward if anything?

[Graeme Wall]

Post by Basil Jet

Post by Basil Jet
http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/write/MediaUploads/test_train_arriving_at_Ilford_depot.jpg

Why does the orange line on the front curve upward? If it's supposed to
represent a safe distance from zap, shouldn't it curve downward if anything?

So they can clean the windscreen?

[Anna Noyd-Dryver]

Post by Graeme Wall

Post by Basil Jet

Post by Basil Jet
http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/write/MediaUploads/test_train_arriving_at_Ilford_depot.jpg

Why does the orange line on the front curve upward? If it's supposed to
represent a safe distance from zap, shouldn't it curve downward if anything?

So they can clean the windscreen?

Wipers ;)


Anna Noyd-Dryver

[Richard J.]

Post by Basil Jet

Post by Basil Jet
http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/write/MediaUploads/test_train_arriving_at_Ilford_depot.jpg

Why does the orange line on the front curve upward? If it's supposed to
represent a safe distance from zap, shouldn't it curve downward if anything?

The line has to be visible by anyone standing at rail level. If the top of the curve at the front of the train is the highest safe level, and if that level was continued round to the side, it would be on the roof and probably not visible from rail level, hence the lower level at the sides. Some other stocks have an upward curve at the front, e.g. class 700, 158, 159.

Railway Group Standard GM/RT2111, Appendix D https://www.rssb.co.uk/rgs/standards/GMRT2111%20Iss%201.pdf

[h***@yahoo.co.uk]

Post by Basil Jet

Post by Basil Jet
http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/write/MediaUploads/test_train_arriving_at_Ilford_depot.jpg

Why does the orange line on the front curve upward? If it's supposed to
represent a safe distance from zap, shouldn't it curve downward if anything?

Rain deflectors?

[Recliner]

Post by Basil Jet

Post by Basil Jet
http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/write/MediaUploads/test_train_arriving_at_Ilford_depot.jpg

Why does the orange line on the front curve upward? If it's supposed to
represent a safe distance from zap, shouldn't it curve downward if anything?

Isn't it just decorative?

[Richard J.]

Post by Recliner

Post by Basil Jet

Post by Basil Jet
http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/write/MediaUploads/test_train_arriving_at_Ilford_depot.jpg

Why does the orange line on the front curve upward? If it's supposed to
represent a safe distance from zap, shouldn't it curve downward if anything?

Isn't it just decorative?

No, it's a warning line to indicate the upper limit of safe working under a live overhead wire. You see them on any train that operates under the wires. See the link I provided earlier.

[r***@cix.compulink.co.uk]

http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/write/MediaUploads/test_train_arriving_
at_Ilford_depot.jpg

Post by Richard J.

Post by Recliner

Post by Basil Jet
Why does the orange line on the front curve upward? If it's supposed to
represent a safe distance from zap, shouldn't it curve downward if anything?

Isn't it just decorative?

No, it's a warning line to indicate the upper limit of safe working
under a live overhead wire. You see them on any train that operates
under the wires. See the link I provided earlier.

As far as I can see, you see them on any train whether it operates under the
wires or not.

[Anna Noyd-Dryver]

Post by Basil Jet

Post by Basil Jet
http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/write/MediaUploads/test_train_arriving_at_Ilford_depot.jpg

Why does the orange line on the front curve upward? If it's supposed to
represent a safe distance from zap, shouldn't it curve downward if anything?

It doesn't generally cross any glass though. It will usually follow the
edge of windscreens. The Class 37 is possibly the most ridiculous example.
<https://goo.gl/images/pNKdMz>


Anna Noyd-Dryver

[Martin Coffee]

Post by Basil Jet

Post by s***@potato.field
I'd love to know what blind bastard designed the ugly front end. It looks
like a disfigured duck.

Now you mention it...
Class 345...
https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41nrN9gwvyL.jpg
Orville The Duck...
http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/write/MediaUploads/test_train_arriving_at_Ilford_depot.jpg

I see the resemblance. That's the nickname sorted out.

[Recliner]

Post by Basil Jet
Apparently loads of enthusiasts knew in advance... us Usenauts seem to
be out of the loop!
http://youtu.be/aSts1YN3MPc

I see that, as expected, the seats are described as harder than in the old
trains they're replacing, and they seem to be mainly longitudinal, as with
other TfL trains; the early pictures of the interior usually featured the
few transverse seats. At least the aircon works.

[Michael R N Dolbear]

Post by Basil Jet
Apparently loads of enthusiasts knew in advance... us Usenauts seem to

be out of the loop!

Post by Basil Jet
http://youtu.be/aSts1YN3MPc

http://diamondgeezer.blogspot.co.uk/2017/06/345.html

Train 1 had been scheduled to run four weeks ago, then three weeks ago, and
was finally bumped into late June due to operational issues. Its precise
timing was a secret, with invitations sent out to company employees, media
types and the occasional VIP, in the hope that no People Who Like Trains
would appear at Liverpool Street and get in the way. What happened instead,
which was rather nice, is that a completely random selection of everyday
passengers turned up expecting to board the usual service, and got treated
to Crossrail's inaugural run instead.

[h***@yahoo.co.uk]

Post by Basil Jet
Apparently loads of enthusiasts knew in advance... us Usenauts seem to
be out of the loop!
http://youtu.be/aSts1YN3MPc

Can we thus assume that Phase I of Crossrail service has started, with
the first 345 wheels turning in anger?

[Recliner]

Post by h***@yahoo.co.uk

Post by Basil Jet
Apparently loads of enthusiasts knew in advance... us Usenauts seem to
be out of the loop!
http://youtu.be/aSts1YN3MPc

Can we thus assume that Phase I of Crossrail service has started, with
the first 345 wheels turning in anger?

Well, sort of. They're not using the Elizabeth line branding yet, as the
current route is no different to what it was before the new trains were
introduced, though there's been lots of trackwork. You could have done
exactly the same trip long ago.

And, this isn't even the first Crossrail track to be used: the Stockley
Flyover has that claim to fame.
<http://www.crossrail.co.uk/news/articles/major-milestone-reached-in-the-construction-of-stockley-flyover>

So Heathrow Connect's use of the Stockley Flyover from the end of 2014
could be said to be the first phase of Crossrail to have been brought into
use.

And the 345s aren't even phase 2; the Acton diveunder probably gets that
award:
https://www.ianvisits.co.uk/blog/2015/12/06/a-look-at-crossrails-critical-acton-dive-under/

So this latest development might be best described as the third phase of
Crossrail to come into use (unless I've missed out any others!).

[Roland Perry]

In message
<235757213.519939614.640987.recliner.ng-***@news.eternal-septe
mber.org>, at 19:54:35 on Fri, 23 Jun 2017, Recliner

Post by Recliner

Post by h***@yahoo.co.uk
Can we thus assume that Phase I of Crossrail service has started, with
the first 345 wheels turning in anger?

Well, sort of. They're not using the Elizabeth line branding yet, as the
current route is no different to what it was before the new trains were
introduced, though there's been lots of trackwork. You could have done
exactly the same trip long ago.
And, this isn't even the first Crossrail track to be used: the Stockley
Flyover has that claim to fame.
<http://www.crossrail.co.uk/news/articles/major-milestone-reached-in-the-construction-of-stockley-flyover>
So Heathrow Connect's use of the Stockley Flyover from the end of 2014
could be said to be the first phase of Crossrail to have been brought into
use.
And the 345s aren't even phase 2; the Acton diveunder probably gets that
https://www.ianvisits.co.uk/blog/2015/12/06/a-look-at-crossrails-critical-acton-dive-under/
So this latest development might be best described as the third phase of
Crossrail to come into use (unless I've missed out any others!).

They've been doing trackwork south of Shenfield station, and it's
possible that some new movements, which that permits, are in service.
But I've not been on site.

[r***@cix.compulink.co.uk]

Post by Roland Perry
In message
mber.org>, at 19:54:35 on Fri, 23 Jun 2017, Recliner

Post by Recliner

Post by h***@yahoo.co.uk
Can we thus assume that Phase I of Crossrail service has started, with
the first 345 wheels turning in anger?

Well, sort of. They're not using the Elizabeth line branding yet, as the
current route is no different to what it was before the new trains were
introduced, though there's been lots of trackwork. You could have done
exactly the same trip long ago.
And, this isn't even the first Crossrail track to be used: the Stockley
Flyover has that claim to fame.

<http://www.crossrail.co.uk/news/articles/major-milestone-reached-in-the-con

struction-of-stockley-flyover>

Post by Roland Perry

Post by Recliner
So Heathrow Connect's use of the Stockley Flyover from the end of 2014
could be said to be the first phase of Crossrail to have been brought
into use.
And the 345s aren't even phase 2; the Acton diveunder probably gets that

https://www.ianvisits.co.uk/blog/2015/12/06/a-look-at-crossrails-critical-ac

ton-dive-under/

Post by Roland Perry

Post by Recliner
So this latest development might be best described as the third phase of
Crossrail to come into use (unless I've missed out any others!).

They've been doing trackwork south of Shenfield station, and it's
possible that some new movements, which that permits, are in service.
But I've not been on site.

I saw a report that the Shenfield track work had been completed recently.
There's also been track work elsewhere on the Liverpool St electric lines
and OHL renewals. What I saw at Ilford looked well overdue, with catenary
that looked to date back to 1949.

[h***@yahoo.co.uk]

Post by Recliner

Post by h***@yahoo.co.uk

Post by Basil Jet
Apparently loads of enthusiasts knew in advance... us Usenauts seem to
be out of the loop!
http://youtu.be/aSts1YN3MPc

Can we thus assume that Phase I of Crossrail service has started, with
the first 345 wheels turning in anger?

Well, sort of. They're not using the Elizabeth line branding yet, as the
current route is no different to what it was before the new trains were
introduced, though there's been lots of trackwork. You could have done
exactly the same trip long ago.
And, this isn't even the first Crossrail track to be used: the Stockley
Flyover has that claim to fame.
<http://www.crossrail.co.uk/news/articles/major-milestone-reached-in-the-construction-of-stockley-flyover>
So Heathrow Connect's use of the Stockley Flyover from the end of 2014
could be said to be the first phase of Crossrail to have been brought into
use.
And the 345s aren't even phase 2; the Acton diveunder probably gets that
https://www.ianvisits.co.uk/blog/2015/12/06/a-look-at-crossrails-critical-acton-dive-under/
So this latest development might be best described as the third phase of
Crossrail to come into use (unless I've missed out any others!).

When does the 345 run?

[John Leach]

Harder seats, fewer seats per carriage, mostly longitudinal seating, lots of straps for hanging on while crammed in standing like cattle, no toilets. I will not enjoy riding these much.
Looks like a variation of a London Overground train.

Only plus point the windows are larger than the Overground.

John