Class 313s: what happens next?

Route training is already occurring on the Southern around Brighton using 313s.

Hazaar! Looks like 4tph (yes, four) might just happen on the Chester branch and I can resume getting the 'Underground' to work!

Me too; am fed up of the infernal combustion engine. I have asked for a transfer, but the nearest I could get to The Combine is Twing.

The ex LO 508s were returned to Eastleigh from Warrington. Apparently the leasing company thought that Merseyrail would want them, but they didn't. The ex South Eastern 508s are still all stored in various spots on the South Eastern network and move around regularly, but I've seen no mention at all of them moving north.

The 313s moving to Southern are not linked in anyway to the 508s on South Eastern being spare. The Southern 313s are replacing the 3-car class 377 units used on the Coastway services and these 377s are going to the London area to strengthen trains. The 508s became spare when Southern took over the Redhill - Tonbridge route from South Eastern a few years ago.

They were doing some driver training Up as far as Haywards Heath on Thursday.

That's a shame. The 508s realy need to go up North, I hate seeing good trains sitting around doing nothing. It was the same with the 442s, but thats another topic....

I don't know why the 313s aren't going to be used on the inner London services?

I think they are to be mainly used on the Brighton to Seaford service which isn't too long but I don't suppose regular users will be greatly impressed !

There was certainly at least one this afternoon, but the entire service was up the wall at the time. I saw one head west through Brondesbury out of service while I was waiting for an eastbound train, and I'm pretty sure it was the same one that went past eastbound a little later when I was waiting at Gospel Oak for the next GOBLIN. Anyone know if this was just because of the service problem (trains out of position maybe?) or routine?

(As an aside, I was stuck at Gospel Oak because the GOBLIN service pulled out of the platform just as the late-running NLL service opened its doors to let passengers out - I know there are timetables to be kept, but a minute's delay to allow interchange surely would have done more good than harm?)

How close to completion are the platform extensions at Willesden Junction High Level, allowing 4 car units? Once they are available, the 4 car units can also be used on the West London line trains.

Certainly, from what I saw yesterday, there is still some fairly substantial and heavy work to be done. There didn't seem to be an awful lot of people working either.....

Elsewhere, all DC Lines diagrams appeared to be covered by 378226-231 yesterday and I was not aware of any problems, having visited at various times through the day. Two 313s were in evidence on WLL/NLL services. I should imagine there will have to be a bit of serious thinking about timing for the conversion of more 378/0s to 4-car as a shortage of 3-cars could be a bit embarrassing until the platform extensions are complete.

As reported elsewhere, 378208/210 were returned to Willesden on Tuesday evening. Does this mean no testing at Ashford is required for these conversions?

Once 378211 and 378216 return from Derby no further 378/0 will be converted until the platform lengthening is completed.

Im sorry but how are newly refurbished trains "stinking cattle trucks"? typical sensationalist rubbish as usual.

The problem with the 313's is that they're beige.