Class 345 Testing and Introduction

I doubt it, as there will be services terminating from the other direction "downstairs".

Are the 9-car 345s in passenger service yet on the Heathrow services?

Its probably worth noting again that there is still something of an unbalance between the number of services needed from the east and the number of services needed going to the west. Shenfield could probably fill out an entire central London corridor by itself especially at peak times; when you add in Abbey Wood (even more so if it goes further east) there isn't enough capacity through the central section (as I understand it) for everything. Compared to the west which for the foreseeable future has far more sedate requirements. I think snoggle or possibly @100and30 related on London Reconnections how there was a plan long ago for some eastbound-westbound NR terminators at Slough, but that through running to Reading negated the need for these.

One wonders how frequently the Paddington terminators will in future be used as a starting point for crayoning.

I think (correct me if I'm wrong!) this term refers to the practice of proposing a new line / route, but carries the connotation that the proposal is naive or ill-thought-out. It's as if you just drew a line in crayon across the Tube map, without seriously considering the benefits and costs (theoretical and practical).

See this article from LR.

At least a dozen 345's parked up at OOC today, was going to take a photo but got distracted when I realized that sitting in a car under the raised pantograph gives that same hum that was ubiquitous with BR era EMU's. 9 car markers have been have been unmasked at all stations where platform extension works are complete.

Had some time before my GWR train so had a look around at the state of Hayes & Harlington. The bay is in my opinion is not quite long enough to theoretically berth a 9 car 345, but since there is no evidence of the stop marker moving, it seems they are waiting for the buffers to be set back further along the rails which I don't think were there pre-easter works as there is evidence of fresh flash butt welding. I don't know whether there are specific tolerances for dead ended platforms and weather that may also be a factor. The rails stop just shy of the path leading to the temporary side entrance, perhaps another preventative factor for moving those buffers back.

Nine car stop marker on platform 4, anyone else thinks it bears resemblance to an LU count out board?




Taken standing parallel to the buffers at the end of bay platform 5.



Not quite as spacious up front.




Btw, for the next seven weeks TFL Rail's weekend service will be provided solely by class 360's with Acton Mainline losing it's weekend service altogether as a consequence. I would wager to suggest that perhaps "end state" software testing is now being ramped up?

Yes, it was a 345. TfL Rail got forced onto the Main lines after Stratford, not coming back onto the Electrics until just before Romford.

I believe from looking at the live trains map that I was on the first TfL Rail train to use platform 1 at Maryland, Forest Gate and Manor Park yesterday evening, I saw a train in platform 3 at all of the above (which I assume was yours at Forest Gate) and it was clear that the passengers on that trains weren't getting much info, many of which attempted a run across the narrow temporary footbridge at Forest Gate however they all just got bottlenecked on the way up.

The worst part was that once again the air conditioning was not on (at least in my carriage) meaning another ridiculously hot journey home on what ended being about a 45 minute journey instead of the usual 15. Does the train operator control air con or is it automatic on these? Also am I the only person who thinks that even when it is on the system doesn't remove heat very effectively, you can feel the cold air coming out yet somehow the train still feels rather hot when busy.

I now discover that I have been changed £8 and £5.50 for incomplete journeys

All I did was touch in at 17:06 (Liverpool Street) and touch out at Gidea Park (19:16)

I though there was a 2 1/2 hour journey limitation time on the network !!??

I was sure there had been a discussion on the forum where TfL had extended the travel time to 2 1/2 hours (150 minutes)... perhaps I dreamt it

I can understand why you wouldn't want to spend a great deal of time in Kenton, to the extent the system thinks it is one journey! 

9-car 345 027 spotted running through Stratford tonight on test.

I personally have not seen ANY 345 sets working out of Paddington with the full 9 car compliment ...only the early examples of the 7 car sets between padd and Harlington. Is this likely to change? Also is there a proposed date for the 717xxx Moorgate service introduction anyone? thanks

Presently TFL Rail 345's heading in/out of Paddington rub shoulders with the H&C and Circle till Royal Oak. However, this will cease to be in Dec 2019 when services out West are integrated fully with all other services and run through the core via portals that dive under before Royal Oak (LU). TFL Rail & Elizabeth line 345's do sort of run adjacent to the Central line at Stratford albeit briefly. There's also a brief run in with the Central line out west just before the approach to Ealing Broadway and the bridge carrying the DIstrict and Piccadilly lines at Hanger Lane Junction.

You mentioned Moorgate for the 717's for which Moorgate to Old Street parallels the route of the Northern line but I don't think have track formations on the same levels as their respective platforms are at differing heights. The Northern City Line (NCL) does have parallel track formation at Finsbury Park for cross platform interchange with the Victoria line.

Admin comment

Can we stick to the thread topic please and not get distracted by other stock on other railways.