"Lew 1" wrote in message
...
The 317s definitely dump on the track, as you'll see quite clearly at
King's Cross. Goodness knows why any retention tanks were removed if
they used to have them, although I guess there's the issue of emptying
them to deal with. Seems like a very backwards step, so I'd love to
know the real reason.

Possibly when they left the Thameslink route, the retention tanks weren't
thought to be required any more?

Strictly they weren't on the "Thameslink" route, since that did not exist
when the 317s came in. They were new for the Moorgate route (Bed-Pan
electrification) and never ran south of Farringdon - obviously, as the
overhead wires didn't go there. When the Snow Hill route re-opened, the
third rail was extended north to Farringdon (which was [1] the changeover
point) and the dual voltage 319s were brought in to run the new Thameslink
service. The 317s were re-deployed.

[1] and still is, I think. Did I dream it or was there some suggestion that
as part of TL2000 the wires would be extended to Blackfriars - on the
grounds that that was a better changeover station since trains tended to
stop there for a longer time anyway?

Regards

Jonathan