ashford express launch

southcoasttrains · Post by **southcoasttrains** » Wed Nov 23, 2005 10:17 pm

Southern are using 2 car 171's on the Ashford Express, imagine using that in the rush hour in and out of Brigthon.

The Green Thumper was being fitted out with CDL, but it's no longer needed.

tango4262 · Post by **tango4262** » Fri Nov 25, 2005 10:18 am

were thumpers ever given the new southern livery

regards david

southcoasttrains · Post by **southcoasttrains** » Fri Nov 25, 2005 10:23 am

no, they remained in the Connex livery.

Th 202 is in Southern Green though.

tango4262 · Post by **tango4262** » Fri Nov 25, 2005 10:23 am

ok thanks

regards david

arabiandisco · Post by **arabiandisco** » Fri Nov 25, 2005 10:50 am

202 is in BR Green isn't it?

Elojikal · Post by **Elojikal** » Fri Nov 25, 2005 10:51 am

duncharris wrote:Ah but is it (a) less expensive because you're not going into London and (b) people don't like changing trains (I know we all know what we're doing and don't really mind so much but Joe Public doesn't really know where he's going or what he's doing!)

A) Well we're talking about cross country travelling here. It's the same argument as that of the Gatwick Express. You pay for what you get. I actually agree to some extent. But if you're carrying suitcases do you really want to be stuffed into a two car Turbostar full of students?

B) Joe Public will go where they are told to unfortuantly. However a change is still required at Ashford but Waterloo has the far better facilities. Ashford is little more than a glorified halt in a hamlet with delusions of grandeur called Ashford. Or should that be International Ashford as they seem very giddy at having an international connection.

arabiandisco wrote:I expect the point isn't to provide a fast Brighton - Ashford service (or it would be, well, quicker), more likey to provide more destinations for east coastway stations. The principle beneficiaries will likely by people from Bexhill, Eastbourne etc who want to get to Ashford.

The word "express" is overused these days. I mean, what's fast about a 'Virgin Megastore Express'? It's not fast, it's small.

I'm pretty sure it isn't. My main gripe is that this poxy little two car Turbostar service will likely be taking the existing path of a four car service. That'll be fun during the rush hour commutes and busy periods of the day when the train is full of students from local schools but more importantly all the Uni students.

Bexhill - Will benefit.
Eastbourne - Not so sure. Really they would have been better starting it from there.

Keep it away from Brighton basically.

southcoasttrains · Post by **southcoasttrains** » Fri Nov 25, 2005 9:30 pm

We do have alot of People from Eastbourne going to Rye, Ashford International, also heading for the ports at Folkestone, Dover and the University at Canterbury. Few go via Ashford to Maidstone.

I've head rumours that it's going to be 3 coaches or 2 units put together. Although it connects with Eurostar services the only downfall is that its still one train an hour in each direction and it only about 6 or 7 minutes faster than the current service.

Lewes - Brighton will still get 4 service an hour stopping at the intermediates but the Turbostar wont stop.

I'm not sure what platform it will use at Brighton, theres a Seaford service which will leave 3 minutes after it arrives which is bound to be platform 8, 7 has a Watford Junction service which stays there for nearly good hour.

I hope train planning have worked something good out.

danny3 · Post by **danny3** » Fri Nov 25, 2005 10:41 pm

southcoasttrains wrote:We do have alot of People from Eastbourne going to Rye, Ashford International, also heading for the ports at Folkestone, Dover and the University at Canterbury.

There are two Universities at Canterbury

. University of Kent, and Canterbury Christ Church University

Elojikal · Post by **Elojikal** » Fri Nov 25, 2005 10:44 pm

I'd be suprised if they can get away with a non-stopping Turbostar fitting in between the existing paths as Brighton to Lewes is two aspect signalling with the signals space some distance apart. By my reckoning it takes around 5 minutes for a signal to clear after being passed.

What time does the service depart Brighton? Most likely if it's before the Watford Junction service then it will end up sharing Platform 7 but then that service already frequently shares it's platform with either a BX service or the Virgin XC if that's running a bit late.

southcoasttrains · Post by **southcoasttrains** » Fri Nov 25, 2005 11:11 pm

Arrives Brighton: 20 past
Leaves Brighton: 34 past

Elojikal · Post by **Elojikal** » Sat Nov 26, 2005 12:21 am

It'll probably share either Platform 7 then or Platform 3 if it's not occupied by a BX working.

southcoasttrains · Post by **southcoasttrains** » Sat Nov 26, 2005 6:12 am

It could go on the top end of Platform 3

Elojikal · Post by **Elojikal** » Sun Dec 04, 2005 9:58 pm

southcoasttrains wrote:It could go on the top end of Platform 3

Yeah, sometimes they stick a Coastway East service in the top end of 3 so that's what I thought. The problem with that is the lazy/stressed (delete as appropriate) signallers often go sticking 12-car BXs in 3 especially if they're doing any reforming. That of course causes a pileup of West Coastways in Platform 1.

Elojikal · Post by **Elojikal** » Tue Dec 06, 2005 1:43 pm

I saw on the poster at Brighton last night that the Hamlet Express service is replacing the 24 minutes past to Hastings. I'm not sure if that's wise as at the weekend well people go on day trips to Eastbourne or Hastings or people in Glynde, Betwick and Polegate head in to Eastbourne those trains can start to fill up. But let's wait and see...

metromuppet · Post by **metromuppet** » Tue Dec 06, 2005 2:47 pm

After looking into this (its amazing what you can do when you work on the railway, even for anouther company), i can conferm that the booked platform for the Ashfords at Brighton will be platform 7. Our VXC will use the top end of 3, although this is subject to change, but is the initial idea so far. I am awaiting confermation on this, and as soon as i hear i will post it here.

The current 24 mins past of Brighton, will leave at 23 minutes past and terminate into platform 5 at Lewes, which will provide passengers from London Road and the rest of the stations to Lewes with a connection onwards to Ashford. It followes the same stopping pattern as the current 24 of Brighton so it seems stupid to run 2 trains within a few minutes of each other, so it makes scence to this.