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Post by A60stock on Feb 27, 2017 21:52:35 GMT
Was using the northern city line earlier, alighted from the victoria line at Highbury to cross over to catch a Hertford north train. On crossing over, the contrast between the Victoria line and the northern city line is astonishing, it is as if you are walking back in time.
The platforms have not been updated since forever, not even a yellow line! When the 313 pulled up, you can really tell they are starting to show their age, not helped by the fact that Great Northern dont seem to be looking after them very well (at least from a passenger perspective). Also, why haven't these been re-livered, as the FCC livery is starting to wear off, and i'm surprised these have been left until last. I know replacement is due soon but some thought and care could be taken. Im not sure how the 313s are performing in terms of reliability but perhaps some inspiration could be taken from the 313s which southern use, which are in far better condition.
On the other hand, i sort of like the fact the line is probably one of few examples i can think off which have not got any touch of modern day element to them, both old platforms and trains, some real character, probably wont last forever anyway.
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rincew1nd
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Post by rincew1nd on Feb 27, 2017 21:57:11 GMT
I thought they were being replaced as part of a cascade following the introduction of the new 'things' on the Thameslink core.
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Post by domh245 on Feb 27, 2017 22:07:33 GMT
Not as a cascade, but a new order of Desiro City derivatives which will be entering service in 2018. As much as it'd be nice for thought and care to be a thing that the TOC were worried about, that carries a cost with it which so long as the train is able to go out and do a day's work, is an unnecessary cost.
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rincew1nd
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Post by rincew1nd on Feb 27, 2017 22:18:15 GMT
I had in mind that the ElectroStars were going down there in the meantime though? Only a thought, happy to be proven wrong!
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Post by norbitonflyer on Feb 27, 2017 22:24:43 GMT
I had in mind that the ElectroStars were going down there in the meantime though? I'm not sure they'd fit! There's a reason the 313s have flat roofs - and the 717s are not just 6-car versions of the 700s.
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Post by domh245 on Feb 27, 2017 22:47:19 GMT
I had in mind that the ElectroStars were going down there in the meantime though? Only a thought, happy to be proven wrong! You might be thinking about the class 387s that have already gone over from Thameslink, but they've been replacing class 321s and 317s instead of 313s.
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Post by snoggle on Feb 27, 2017 22:53:58 GMT
On the other hand, i sort of like the fact the line is probably one of few examples i can think off which have not got any touch of modern day element to them, both old platforms and trains, some real character, probably wont last forever anyway. It won't remain like that forever so if people like "ye olde Networke Southeaste" style stations and a palpable "it might still be the early 1980s" feel to their railways then go and take a look. The trains are definitely going to be replaced within 18-24 months and I wonder if that will also mean, if any sort of blockade is needed, that the stations may get tidied up and repainted at the same time. It was one of the bits of BR that I used fairly regularly when I arrived in London as my Poly was at Moorgate so it was a convenient and quick way to reach the Vic Line. Also helped me avoid the KX fire on the day of my graduation ceremony (yes both on the same day) - one of those strange quirks of fate when you decide to go home via one route rather than another.
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rincew1nd
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Post by rincew1nd on Feb 27, 2017 22:59:57 GMT
I had in mind that the ElectroStars were going down there in the meantime though? I'm not sure they'd fit! There's a reason the 313s have flat roofs - and the 717s are not just 6-car versions of the 700s. I'd clocked the addition of the cab emergency gangway exit, so assumed there were numerous alterations. I had in mind that the ElectroStars were going down there in the meantime though? Only a thought, happy to be proven wrong! You might be thinking about the class 387s that have already gone over from Thameslink, but they've been replacing class 321s and 317s instead of 313s. Ahhh yes, I knew there was some kind of cascading going on down there! Thanks for the correction.
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Post by spsmiler on Feb 28, 2017 0:46:59 GMT
The last time I was there Highbury & Islington still has signs on the GN&C platforms which refer to the North London Line as the North London Link!
I did not realise that the new trains would be something other than shorter 6 carriage variants of the trains on the Thameslink service.
Simon
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Post by ducatisti on Feb 28, 2017 12:57:17 GMT
As a user of them into KX, I think the reliability may be starting to go south a bit - cancelled train yesterday, delays a few days ago caused by one sitting down across the depot points and I saw other trains being delayed by the same cause one other day recently. (either that or the depot kettle is broken and they don't want to admit it ) I'm another liker of the line. Have you noticed the peace and quiet when you go from Vic to NCL? a much lower frequency of automated announcements. Agree re the colours - is it the only place the NSE flashes still are? (are they still at Waterloo W&C platforms?). It's also extremely convenient for a lot of places. I started using it when my job moved from Camden to Moorgate. I went from taking the underground overground to the (as it were) overground underground.
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Post by A60stock on Feb 28, 2017 13:07:36 GMT
any reason they are not at least being relivered?
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Post by littlejohn on Feb 28, 2017 14:27:00 GMT
Money?
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Post by melikepie on Feb 28, 2017 18:37:40 GMT
any reason they are not at least being relivered? Personally I wouldn't want to see any trains covered in liver
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Post by whistlekiller2000 on Feb 28, 2017 19:24:40 GMT
any reason they are not at least being relivered? Personally I wouldn't want to see any trains covered in liver You've been offally quiet lately MLP......
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Post by superteacher on Feb 28, 2017 19:34:53 GMT
Good grief guys! (That rhymes with beef . . )
Anyway back on topic! (Yes, that's me too. . .)
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metman
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Post by metman on Mar 1, 2017 10:16:34 GMT
I Love the gN&city line and I love the trains! Still miss them on London overground.
The line as got real character and I try and use the line and trains whenever I can.
The traction motors sound great reverberating round the tunnels!
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rincew1nd
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Post by rincew1nd on Mar 1, 2017 13:07:53 GMT
The traction motors sound great reverberating round the tunnels! Just like the northbound climb from Moorfields on MerseyRail's Northern Line on a 507 or 508.
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metman
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Post by metman on Mar 2, 2017 18:19:59 GMT
Yes and they are for the chop too sadly! 😟
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roythebus
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Post by roythebus on Mar 23, 2017 8:54:31 GMT
My son is the engineer-in-charge with GVT for looking after the "heritage" former BR fleet of electric trains covering the 313/455/442 (now all gone) and similar fleets on the GVT franchise.
The 313s are life-expred. I had a ride on one last year from Potters Bar to Moorgate and from a preservationist point of view noted things like the window rubbers are badly perished. rubber has a service life of about 20 years, this has lasted nearly 40 years, so not done too bad. The technology is outdated, not a bad thing as it's probably more reliable than electronic junk in my view, but no spares available these days.
I've also used the 313s from Portsmouth to Brighton, they still give a firm quick ride, but not pleasant for a long journey like that. But then the seats in any modern stock lacks the comfort of the older seats. It's difficult to imagine that I worked at Kings Cross when the 313s were introduced in 1977 and worked on them as a secondman during the change over from loco-hauled suburban trains to these brand-new units!
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Chris M
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Post by Chris M on Mar 23, 2017 12:34:30 GMT
GVT presumably being "GoVia Thameslink".
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Post by christopher125 on Mar 24, 2017 2:47:44 GMT
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towerman
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Post by towerman on Mar 24, 2017 16:51:19 GMT
Are the 313s cascading to another TOC or are they being scrapped?
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Post by rincew1nd on Mar 25, 2017 0:37:53 GMT
I was wondering what the Glyn Valley Tramway had to do with things!
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Post by A60stock on Mar 25, 2017 14:13:31 GMT
My son is the engineer-in-charge with GVT for looking after the "heritage" former BR fleet of electric trains covering the 313/455/442 (now all gone) and similar fleets on the GVT franchise. The 313s and 455 are classed as heritage? Would you also say that the 455s (I presume you mean the southern ones) are life expired? Also on another note, the 313s on Southern are in far superior condition to the ones on the Great Northern by the looks of it? The Southern ones dont look aged at all where as the GN ones look terrible!
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Post by spsmiler on Mar 25, 2017 20:19:54 GMT
The 313's a just a few years younger than the Bakerloo Line 1972 tube stock trains, yet few people refer to the latter as being 'heritage'.
Simon
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Post by A60stock on Mar 27, 2017 17:24:15 GMT
are there any plans to refurbish the station platforms on this section of the line?
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Dom K
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Post by Dom K on Mar 27, 2017 18:05:02 GMT
are there any plans to refurbish the station platforms on this section of the line? I will delete your duplicates including your explanation, assuming you're ok with that
That said every member can delete their own post by clicking the cog and choosing delete post
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Post by Red Dragon on Mar 27, 2017 18:28:58 GMT
are there any plans to refurbish the station platforms on this section of the line? I hope so; the stations are rather dingy. Then again, I would hope that one station (maybe Essex Rd as it is more lightly used) could be preserved in a genuine NSE state, and kept in good condition (I know the two are incongruous ). And I would also hope that some of the signage (North London Link anyone) could be kept and sold on to enthusiasts.
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Post by alholmes on Mar 28, 2017 18:39:19 GMT
I recall travelling on a Class 313 from Hitchin to Moorgate in June 1977. It was an excursion train advertised through the local paper, for people going to London for the Queen's Silver Jubilee celebrations, and was also the first electric passenger service from Hitchin - the first 312s between Royston & Kings Cross didn't start till September 1977.
So it's nearly 40 years since that excursion - I think calling it a railtour is stretching things - but now the electrified network is much larger so how could we convince GTR to operate a farewell tour next year, and how far up the ECML could it go?
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rincew1nd
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Post by rincew1nd on Mar 28, 2017 18:42:59 GMT
...how far up the ECML could it go? It could go meet it's Scottish cousins. However I think I'd rather make a journey of that length in a MkIV carriage!
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