File:700106 Dollands Moor to Three Bridges Thameslink Depot 6X66 (20128610206).jpg

Govia Thameslinks class 700 number 700106 arrives two days later than expected as the first one of the class 700 EMU drags. Rather than being delayed by migrant activity at Calais, this 2 day delay occurred at the German/French border and is in addition to the 2 year delay caused by the coalition governments spending review. Thameslink branding has already been applied and the seat covers were left on when this photo was taken. The 12 car unit was separated into three sections between wagons all hauled by GB Railfreights class 66 number 769 driven by <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/35437908@N04/19980409148/in/photostream/">Stephen Raine</a>. 700106 was built by Siemens in Krefeld, Germany. It was also photographed earlier on route in France at <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jobiwannn/19524121414">Staple</a> by Nicolas B (see comments below as well). Owned by and leased from Evershot Rail Group (Cross London Trains), the class 700 is approximately 25% lighter than the trains they are due to replace. Due to the weight saving they are said to reduce track wear and tear and are claimed to be up to 50% more energy efficient.

According to Realtime Trains the route and timings were; Dollands Moor (GBRf)............2320..........2240.......................40E Saltwood Junction.................2323...........2241........................42E Ashford International ...........2334 1/2....2256.......................38E Headcorn [HCN].....................2345 1/2....2307 1/2.................38E Paddock Wood ......................2356 1/2....2322 3/4................33E Tonbridge [TON]....................0002..........2330 3/4.................31E Sevenoaks [SEV] 3................0019...........2350 3/4................28E Otford Junction[XOT]............0024..........2357 3/4................26E Swanley [SAY] 1......................0035..........0012 1/4.................22E St Mary Cray Junction...........0041...........0018 1/2.................22E Bickley Junction[XLY]...........0043 1/2....0019 1/4.................24E Shortlands Junction..............0047 1/2....0024 1/4................23E Bellingham [BGM]..................0051...........0026 3/4...............24E Nunhead [NHD] 1...................0056..........0035 1/4................20E Crofton Road Junction.........0058..........0038 1/2.................19E Denmark Hill [DMK] 1.............0059..........0039.......................20E Voltaire Road Junction.........0103 1/2.....0043.......................20E Pouparts Junction..................0107............0113 1/4......................6L Clapham Junction 15.............0113 1/2......0116............................2L Balham [BAL] 1........................0122...........0121 3/4.....................RT Streatham Common 1............0128...........0126............................1E Windmill Bridge Junction.....0140...........0131 1/2......................8E East Croydon [ECR] 6............0142...........0133 1/4.....................8E Purley [PUR] 4.........................0147............0140...........................6E Stoats Nest Junction ............0149...........0141 3/4.....................7E Redhill [RDH]...........................0200 1/2....0150.........................10E Earlswood (Surrey) [ELD] 2...0202..........0151 1/2...................10E Gatwick Airport [GTW] 3......0207..........0158...........................8E