Thameslink Programme - Update

[Flying Pig]

Things are beginning to stir at last. A Southern class 377 is now based at Bedford for teaching traction to FCC drivers from Bedford, Blackfriars and Brighton depots. It can be seen running around the LMR during the week.

Conversely class 319 traction is being taught at Cricklewood to Top Link SouthEastern drivers from Orpington & Victoria depots. Those drivers are also learning the road from Blackfriars to Bedford.

A single 319 unit can be seen on Southeastern metals teaching FCC drivers from Bedford & Blackfriars depots the Catford Loop route(s). In the morning it runs from Blackfriars via Swanley to Sevenoaks, then returns to Blackfriars via Orpington & Herne Hill. In the afternoon it makes the same journey in the opposite direction.

On the infrastructure side a new facing crossover has been installed immediately south of Elephant & Castle on the Holborn Slow lines, but is not in use yet.

Also the 12 car Turnback Sidings adjacent to platform 4 at Herne Hill were electrified last weekend and are now operational.