Forum topic: New trains - next week?

It looks as if we may be waiting some time for new trains to be running on the line; there is apparently a blind spot from the driver's cab preventing them from viewing the whole platform. Govia and the unions aren't in agreement on a workaround solution until new signalling is introduced on the line (which is unlikely to be for at least a couple of years). In the meantime, the current trains are barely being maintained, as they were supposed to be out of service by now.

The company is a complete shambles. Error after error after error.

Sources were that story from the Mail that you mentioned - risky I know – but also the rail forum too, which seems a more reliable source of information.

If you want to blame any one then its down to Railtrack when the units were ordered it was with the understanding that the signalling between Drayton park and Moorgate would be modernised to in cab signalling so line side signals would not be necessary , but as usual Railtrack failed to deliver the old right and left hand scenario , drivers have to observe starting signals at stations are clear for them to proceed, as the 717s are a fixed 6 car formation and slightly longer the driver has to stop right at the end on the platform so can no longer see the signal, its like stopping at traffic light with signal post by your passenger door, the drivers reps have suggested either having a second person in the cab between Drayton Park and Moorgate assist in signal observation or a repeater signal be placed in such a place so the driver can see it, but as usual, as its not managements idea so reluctant to adopt it, their idea was to stop the train a coach length short and selective close the doors on the last coach so if you are in it you have move forward to get out at these stations, to me it another Grayling cock up as the GTR is not privatised it is owned by the MoT as all revenue goes to them, GTR are only paid to manage it and their ability to so it is debatable.

Thanks. Sounds like it is the infrastructure owner's fault then - and your note perhaps explains why the signalling in the tunnels seems to fail consistently. Just one correction - Railtrack ceased operating in 2010 - the infrastructure owner is Network Rail.