Class 315 retirement plans

[rtt1928]

Jan 24, 2021 16:05:14 GMT goldenarrow said:

Jan 24, 2021 15:44:07 GMT rtt1928 said:

Could the 315's work in multiple with the 313's working the lines on the South Coast once they are withdrawn from TfL Rail, but to stop this going into RIPAS territory, is there anything to be gained from this, even if it was theoretically possible.

Class 315 are 25kv AC overhead only so would not be able to traverse the 3rd rail network powered as they are. Aside from common component salvaging, there is little to be gained from the 315's post-TFL Rail bearing in mind age, cost of modifications and the relative cheapness in procuring new Electric Multiple Units at present..

Thank you for answering my question goldenarrow. I appreciate it.

[superteacher]

Despite Tuesday being the last day that 315’s are booked to operate (cover only now), there are two trains out today.

[spsmiler]

I do not know the unit's number but one Class 315 train is being preserved - see tweet here

[Chris M]

Unfortunately for fans of Class 315s it's not secure yet. All that has been agreed is that Eversholt Rail will sell a Class 315 to the preservation society if the latter can raise the money. The last I heard (earlier this week) they had not reached the target.

[spsmiler]

Jul 29, 2021 16:30:01 GMT Chris M said:

Unfortunately for fans of Class 315s it's not secure yet. All that has been agreed is that Eversholt Rail will sell a Class 315 to the preservation society if the latter can raise the money. The last I heard (earlier this week) they had not reached the target.

Oh dear, I did not know that part of the story.

Is the amount needed and the date by which it must be paid in the public domain?

[rincew1nd]

They claim to have an agreement in principle and also to have somewhere to store it, as with all such endeavours though the proof of the pudding is in the eating.

Preserving historic vehicles takes deep pockets, making them available to the public takes even moreso.

[Chris M]

Jul 29, 2021 18:31:34 GMT spsmiler said:

Is the amount needed and the date by which it must be paid in the public domain?

I don't know the amount or date, nor whether either are in the public domain but the news post on their website quoted in part below suggests that the answer to the latter question is probably no.

The committee are delighted to be able to confirm that, we have recently reached an agreement in principle with Eversholt Rail to secure for preservation a Class 315, once one becomes available. Due to legal reasons no further details can be released at this time.

[capitalomnibus]

Jul 29, 2021 13:06:24 GMT superteacher said:

Despite Tuesday being the last day that 315’s are booked to operate (cover only now), there are two trains out today.

There seems to be a few 315's still in service, I did not realise that the end was now in sight.

[spsmiler]

When trains were new... smarting at having failed to record any sounds of the Class 306 trains that these replaced I bought a battery powered cassette tape player and on my way home from work recorded the sound of these trains (and an all-stations slam-door train). Little did I know that a few years later I would get myself a camcorder which gave me both sound and vision!

[cudsn15]

I believe Super 8 cine film was very much a thing back then for both sound & vision ;-)

[spsmiler]

Jul 31, 2021 21:04:32 GMT cudsn15 said:

I believe Super 8 cine film was very much a thing back then for both sound & vision ;-)

Yes, and Standard 8 before it. Three minute reels of film which often 'ran out' at the wrong moment (just as the train arrived!) The camera we had was silent.

[capitalomnibus]

Saw a 315 in service today after 4pm going to Shenfield.

[superteacher]

Are the 315’s still going?

[silenthunter]

15 still in service on Trainlogger and I believe most are still operating in some form.

[capitalomnibus]

Oct 4, 2021 20:34:32 GMT superteacher said:

Are the 315’s still going?

Yes I got on one twice last week. I also saw one on a Saturday week before in service as well.

[jimbo]

"3.18 Following the completion of the platform extension works at Liverpool Street mainline station and the introduction of the nine-car Class 345 Full Length Unit trains between Liverpool Street and Shenfield in May 2021, there are now six in operation alongside seven-car Reduced Length Units (RLU) and Class 315 ‘legacy’ trains. Replacement of the remaining RLUs and the Class 315 trains will commence in November 2021." (Elizabeth Line Committee - 30 September 2021 p.23/76)

[joshua]

Have all the Class 315 been withdrawn and if so when was there last day?

[silenthunter]

No, still hanging on. Just a few diagrams left though and less than ten units.

[joshua]

Apr 11, 2022 18:50:30 GMT silenthunter said:

No, still hanging on. Just a few diagrams left though and less than ten units.

When will they be retired?

[silenthunter]

Unclear. My personal guess is at the next timetable change - Saturday 14 May - along with Southern's 455s. There is a reasonable chance the central core opens the following day.

[MoreToJack]

6 units, of which one pair is usually out each peak. All bar one of the 345s are now with MTR, so it won't be long before they're gone, but there's no official date as yet.

[spsmiler]

I saw a Class 315 at Liverpool Street yesterday, it did not have any operator branding on its side.

I assume that this is because the service is now called Elizabeth line and TfL do not want these trains associated with this service!

edit to add (for the benefit of future historians reading this message): This was on Tuesday 24th May 2022, the day that the new build portion of the Elizabeth line opened and the TfL rail service was rebranded.

[Chris M]

Indeed, I had a ride on it and while there is no operator branding on the outside it does have updated Elizabeth line maps inside and the platform screens do describe it as an Elizabeth line service.

I understand that the Elizabeth line currently two 315s in their fleet with one running a scheduled peak diagram and the other as a spare to cover for any failed unit.

[capitalomnibus]

May 25, 2022 15:53:55 GMT Chris M said:

Indeed, I had a ride on it and while there is no operator branding on the outside it does have updated Elizabeth line maps inside and the platform screens do describe it as an Elizabeth line service.

I understand that the Elizabeth line currently two 315s in their fleet with one running a scheduled peak diagram and the other as a spare to cover for any failed unit.

I went on it and cannot remember it saying "Elizabeth line service". It says this is a service to Shenfield. The same goes for the class 345 where I am sure it previously said TfL rail service. I definately remember the 315's saying that.

[MoreToJack]

Indeed, neither stock is currently saying 'Elizabeth line' inside - I doubt the 315s ever well. Chris M was, I think, referring to the car line diagrams and platform describers, both of which are now branded 'Elizabeth line' for class 315 units.

[silenthunter]

Tickets for 26 November farewell tour go on sale on Monday via the Branch Line Society.

[stapler]

I saw one at approx 0825 on an "up" at Harold Wood on the 11th. Couldn't get the number.

[sawb]

Oct 14, 2022 14:53:10 GMT silenthunter said:

Tickets for 26 November farewell tour go on sale on Monday via the Branch Line Society.

For the benefit of those unfamiliar with the Branch Line Society website, this is the link you'll need: www.branchline.uk/fixture.php

[silenthunter]

Oct 16, 2022 15:36:16 GMT sawb said:

Oct 14, 2022 14:53:10 GMT silenthunter said:

Tickets for 26 November farewell tour go on sale on Monday via the Branch Line Society.

For the benefit of those unfamiliar with the Branch Line Society website, this is the link you'll need: www.branchline.uk/fixture.php

The link goes to an error page.

[sawb]

That's strange, tested the link several times prior to posting and worked every time.