IS FCC FULL OF HOT AIR?
The Secret diary of heating conditions on FCC trains
27th Jan 2012
FCC Customer known as Simon posts on the FCC YOUR IDEAS forum (now closed):
"Turn down the heating at peak hours, Why are the heaters on full especially when the trains are full of passengers at
rush hour? Most people get on the train with their outdoor coats, and there is insufficient space to remove them. When the train becomes so packed that further passengers cannot get on, having the heaters on makes it extremely uncomfortable, and
possibly dangerous, for everyone in the carriage."
FCC Customer known as Simon posts on the FCC YOUR IDEAS forum (now closed):
"Turn down the heating at peak hours, Why are the heaters on full especially when the trains are full of passengers at
rush hour? Most people get on the train with their outdoor coats, and there is insufficient space to remove them. When the train becomes so packed that further passengers cannot get on, having the heaters on makes it extremely uncomfortable, and
possibly dangerous, for everyone in the carriage."
19th June 2012
FCC respond back (almost 5 months later!!!)
"Hi Simon, The heating actually works via thermostats, the driver has no way of turning the heat up or down, to an ambient temperature of 21 degrees.
The problem that we have is that the trains we have inherited and quite old, and the heating systems sometimes fail, if it’s boiling hot on the train it means a faulty thermostat, just report this and the train time and coach number this can be found above the internal doors. Each coach has it’s own thermostat which is why we need this information.
You can report any hot/cold trains to our customer relations team or via Twitter @Firstcc
If you have any ideas, please feel free to leave them on this site
FCC respond back (almost 5 months later!!!)
"Hi Simon, The heating actually works via thermostats, the driver has no way of turning the heat up or down, to an ambient temperature of 21 degrees.
The problem that we have is that the trains we have inherited and quite old, and the heating systems sometimes fail, if it’s boiling hot on the train it means a faulty thermostat, just report this and the train time and coach number this can be found above the internal doors. Each coach has it’s own thermostat which is why we need this information.
You can report any hot/cold trains to our customer relations team or via Twitter @Firstcc
If you have any ideas, please feel free to leave them on this site
Here is the original screenshot of the above posting. Click on image for direct link! If FCC has deleted the page please use this offline link |
13th April 2012
FCC inform staff.....
(click image for full text)
9th Jan 2013
1st April 2013
FCC updates its website with this message:
9th May 2013
25th May 2013
'Heating isolated for summer'
Twitter users post pics of below and question FCC claim that the heating is switched off underneath the train carriage
'Heating isolated for summer'
Twitter users post pics of below and question FCC claim that the heating is switched off underneath the train carriage
Isolator switches located inside the carriage
Former FCC employee reports:
In each coach there should be four low voltage temperature sensors fitted behind the plastic grills located in line with the windows. Each sensor reports the temperature to a high voltage controlled electronics box located in an exterior
metal box under the train (the box can be seen from the platform). The box features a number of complex relay switches.
Photograph showing thermostat cover located between the windows
A flick switch located inside the carriage itself (as seen in the photos) isolates the electronics located under the train for maintenance use.
According to sources the system started to fail years ago!!!! But FCC management took the easy route rather than resolve the problem they decided to use the flick switch.
Flicking 8 switches per train takes time hence why it takes such a long time to complete the task.
I hope this explains why your train is either Hot or cold.
30th May 2013
Many FCC customers complain of heating conditions on the trains
1st June 2013
5th June 2013
6th June 2013
11th June 2013
12th June 2013
14th June 2013
17th June 2013
20th June 2013
21st June 2013
24th June 2013
25th June 2013
26th June 2013
27th June 2013
3rd July 2013
21st August 2013
10th September 2013
20th September 2013
FCC Back track on its Heating Saga!
Caroline Lucas MP hosted a meeting in Brighton with FCC MD David Statham Caroline asks "Is there a more soul-destroying way to start a working day than shivering on an ice-cold train?" David said: “Our engineers are working to reset the thermostats of our older trains to help ensure that the heating is working correctly. This has to be carried out in our depots, so it does take a few weeks to do, but we are working through them as quickly as possible before the cold weather comes along. “Our newer Electrostar trains should have their heating working already as required.” firstcapitalconnect.co.uk |
22nd September 2013
26th September 2013
29th September 2013
2nd October 2013
8th October 2013
9th October 2013
10th October 2013
11th October 2013
tweet @firstcommuter