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First Class 380 car on test

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First Class 380 car on test 20/11/2009 at 07:27 #275
BarryM
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2158 posts
Railway Gazette has news on Scotrail new 380 class Emu

http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/10/first-class-380-car-on-test.html

BarrM

Barry, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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First Class 380 car on test 20/11/2009 at 07:27 #4237
BarryM
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2158 posts
Railway Gazette has news on Scotrail new 380 class Emu

http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/10/first-class-380-car-on-test.html

BarrM

Barry, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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First Class 380 car on test 24/11/2009 at 17:39 #4482
UKTrainMan
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1803 posts
It's a shame they couldn't do something similar to the Class 458s and at least hide the extendable gangway. Not only is it a bit of an eye-sore but it's also a danger as well, as the driver of a Southeastern Class 375 along with the RAIB worked out when a track worker was struck by a Class 375 on/near Grosvenor Bridge (just outside of London Victoria). I would wonder what the drivers vision is like out of the forward-facing cab window with the gangway connection in your line of vision.
Any views and / or opinions expressed by myself are from me personally and do not represent those of any company I either work for or am a consultant for.
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First Class 380 car on test 24/11/2009 at 17:47 #4483
nroberts
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227 posts
Pardon my ignorance, but surely that horrible looking thing (the extendable gangway) is retractable. If not I see no point in having the thing, it would be so much easier to make the front (almost) flat and avoid the view impairment to the drive.

Additionally I can't quite imagine the gangway (as per the photo at the railway gazette site) is very aerodynamic.

Regards,

NR

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First Class 380 car on test 24/11/2009 at 17:58 #4485
nroberts
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227 posts
Oh, I'm relieved. The thingamajig is retractible.

See

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Rail_Class_380
http://www.scotrail.co.uk/newtrains
http://www.scot-rail.co.uk/page/Class+380

and
http://www.therailwaycentre.com/Picture%20of%20the%20Day%20index/Old_POD_November2009.html (halfway down check for Nov 18th) - this one with the gangway extended

Much relieved,

NR

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First Class 380 car on test 24/11/2009 at 19:15 #4494
Quizman
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276 posts
UKTrainMan said:
It's a shame they couldn't do something similar to the Class 458s and at least hide the extendable gangway
The 458 gangway scenario was a fiasco, necessitated a cramped small cab to accommodate, hardly ever used because it 'was a bugger and time comsuming thing to do', then it was deemed non Rail Vehicle Accessibility Compliant' so had to stay shut and then when the 458's were brought back into service the gangway could only be joined or separated at the depot, very useful! Are they still used on WLOO - RDG services has haven't been that way for some time?

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First Class 380 car on test 24/11/2009 at 20:34 #4500
UKTrainMan
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Quizman said:
UKTrainMan said:
It's a shame they couldn't do something similar to the Class 458s and at least hide the extendable gangway
The 458 gangway scenario was a fiasco, necessitated a cramped small cab to accommodate, hardly ever used because it 'was a bugger and time comsuming thing to do', then it was deemed non Rail Vehicle Accessibility Compliant' so had to stay shut and then when the 458's were brought back into service the gangway could only be joined or separated at the depot, very useful! Are they still used on WLOO - RDG services has haven't been that way for some time?
Yes, the Class 458s are still used on the London Waterloo to Reading diagrams, almost always is a Class 458 as far as I know and they are normally in 8-car formation (2 4-car units coupled up). I still remember first time I looked at the Class 458 cab (link: http://www.therailwaycentre.com/Pages%20EMU/Recognition%20EMU/IllusEMU_458.html - scroll down to bottom of page) and the cab is awfully cramped.

Despite their downfalls I do rather like travelling on-board the Class 458s as they're comfortable enough plus the Reading service is semi-fast Mondays to Fridays calling Clapham Junction, Richmond, Twickenham and Feltham (Travelcard boundary station). Who knows, despite their looks I may end up liking these Class 380s as well, although I don't know when I'll get to 'bash' one, what with me being a Londoner!

Any views and / or opinions expressed by myself are from me personally and do not represent those of any company I either work for or am a consultant for.
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