Domestic Trains start to use Waterloo International Platforms

[whole diary]

[ChrisB]

First test train - a 5car 485, I think - in & out of Platform 20 this morning.

RealTime Trains has it thus

[paul7575]

It was apparently just a normal in service 455 diverted into P20 as it's been declared available for public use.  Testing and train crew familiarity runs using various stock has been going on for some months, and is still planned, looking ahead in realtime trains; but there doesn't seem to be any regular passenger services in the short term.

Photo from Paul Bigland here:  http://paulbigland.zenfolio.com/p368327642/h39272067#h39272067

The 458/5s are are not yet in passenger service, I wouldn't expect them to be accepted for a few weeks yet.  With the second only arriving this week I'd expect they've still got multiple working to test, and mileage accumulation etc etc.

Paul

[ChrisB]

Yes, it was Paul Bigland's tweets that alerted me.

There are some photos of the 458/5s in his photo set too

[Brucey]

Regular use of this platform is much needed.  There is often a queue for platforms during the peaks (mainly built into the timetable, so journey times may reduce).

The design of Waterloo's tracks also means that one simple problem can put four platforms out of use immediately and over half the station whilst it is being repaired.