GWR Class 800

[swt_passenger]

Just had a good look at 800003+800001 at Bristol Parkway on 5X80. Up thread I asked a question about the proportion of table seating to airline in standard class. 800001 still has no seats, with test equipment in the second car from the rear. 800003 is fully fitted with seats, and there are 4 tables in the standard class driving vehicle and the composite vehicle, and 8 tables in the full length intermediate standard class coaches. So it looks like additional table seating compared to the current HST configuration, though not 50% as someone claimed. The first class looked similar to the current HST configuration.

The 8 tables in standard was being discussed earlier in this thread, but I was surprised to find it was as long ago as Dec 2015 that it came up.

About here onwards: http://www.railforums.co.uk/showpost.php?p=2389605&postcount=1655

 

[Bornin1980s]

Well, thank you wall. Yesterday, I discovered the footpath which leads directly to the most amazing view of the full site. Here's one of my many pictures, depicting unit 800009.

However, I noticed that they have planted a forest of baby trees around it. The view I got will not be possible for much longer. I wonder, did they plant those trees because they don't want the plant to be viewable to anyone, and don't want any pictures (I had no contact with them beforehand)? None of the men on the site came up to me, and don't intend to make money from the photographs, but the euphoria of seeing the plant was tempered by the sense that maybe I am committing a form of trespass by taking unwanted photographs.

 

[dosxuk]

However, I noticed that they have planted a forest of baby trees around it. The view I got will not be possible for much longer. I wonder, did they plant those trees because they don't want the plant to be viewable to anyone, and don't want any pictures (I had no contact with them beforehand)?

Trees are a good way of visually improving industrial buildings to local housing, and (probably more importantly), good at reducing noise. If they were concerned about photos, a fence would be quicker and more effective.

 

[Nean]

Trees are a good way of visually improving industrial buildings to local housing, and (probably more importantly), good at reducing noise. If they were concerned about photos, a fence would be quicker and more effective.

Also I don't know if this is the situation in this instance, however often when companies want to build large sites they will often try to at least have the appearance of offsetting the destruction of what used to be countryside, be it by planting trees or otherwise.

 

[Typhoon_93]

I used to get lots of grief from the security but as time has gone on it's not as bad, however if one of the lovely white IEP's get decorated by some local scum then things may change again..

 

[800001]

Well, thank you wall. Yesterday, I discovered the footpath which leads directly to the most amazing view of the full site. Here's one of my many pictures, depicting unit 800009.

However, I noticed that they have planted a forest of baby trees around it. The view I got will not be possible for much longer. I wonder, did they plant those trees because they don't want the plant to be viewable to anyone, and don't want any pictures (I had no contact with them beforehand)? None of the men on the site came up to me, and don't intend to make money from the photographs, but the euphoria of seeing the plant was tempered by the sense that maybe I am committing a form of trespass by taking unwanted photographs.

Where that picture is taken frrom is on an official public right of way, so as long as your camera is not stuck through or over the top of the fence then you are within your rights to take pictures.

 

[leomartin125]

Where that picture is taken frrom is on an official public right of way, so as long as your camera is not stuck through or over the top of the fence then you are within your rights to take pictures.

I might have a look into this footpath. I'm due to head up in June with the Institute of Rail Operators for a trip to the depot with a tour, if I get a place I'm very excited. A long way to go from Reading but will be worth the hotel stay and travel time I'm sure.

 

[800001]

I might have a look into this footpath. I'm due to head up in June with the Institute of Rail Operators for a trip to the depot with a tour, if I get a place I'm very excited. A long way to go from Reading but will be worth the hotel stay and travel time I'm sure.

I've been lucky to visit the factory twice now with work, very interesting place, never seems to be much activity inside, even though a couple of hundred people on shift, but then again a lot of activity is inside the coaches.

Hopefully I will also have a place on the IRO tour as well

 

[leomartin125]

i've been lucky to visit the factory twice now with work, very interesting place, never seems to be much activity inside, even though a couple of hundred people on shift, but then again a lot of activity is inside the coaches.

Hopefully i will also have a place on the iro tour as well

Will wait and see. Is definitely a huge commitment, having to use Annual Leave to do the tour, pay for return train fares as well as a hotel when I'm up there, not easy when your paid an Apprentice wage sadly. Hopefully will all come together in the long run.

 

[Bornin1980s]

I used to get lots of grief from the security but as time has gone on it's not as bad, however if one of the lovely white IEP's get decorated by some local scum then things may change again..

What exactly did security object to?

Where that picture is taken frrom is on an official public right of way, so as long as your camera is not stuck through or over the top of the fence then you are within your rights to take pictures.

That might actually be a problem for me. More than once, I ventured slightly off the path, among the baby trees, and took detailed images by poking my lens between the fence bars, while keeping the camera body and myself on the right side of the fence. I think the photo I have uploaded was actually taken that way. Many of the others were on a film camera. I have yet to develop that film (at home), but I don't want to destroy it as it contains some irreplaceable family images.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Although I like the IEPs and agree that Intercity 125s are far too old and inefficient now (not sure about 91 and Mark 4 sets though - they're still great) I think First class has gone way downhill. Compare the tiny thin seats in the pictures of the IEPs with those lovely new seats of the current VTEC trains.

 

[800001]

What exactly did security object to?



That might actually be a problem for me. More than once, I ventured slightly off the path, among the baby trees, and took detailed images by poking my lens between the fence bars, while keeping the camera body and myself on the right side of the fence. I think the photo I have uploaded was actually taken that way. Many of the others were on a film camera. I have yet to develop that film (at home), but I don't want to destroy it as it contains some irreplaceable family images.

I take my pictures right next to the fence but holding camera high up, so camera is not over 'on there side', ive done thos nunerous times when Hitachi's own staff and security staff are walking literally the other side of the fence and often have conversations with them.

Like i said earlier, as long as camera doesnt go through fence or over the top of fence (there is motion sensor alarms) then you are perfectly fine.

With a good zoom lense you can get really good picture's from the bankside near the Bishop - Darlington line. Or at the back of factory where buffer stops are, good pictires of the sidings.

 

[jimm]

Just had a good look at 800003+800001 at Bristol Parkway on 5X80. Up thread I asked a question about the proportion of table seating to airline in standard class. 800001 still has no seats, with test equipment in the second car from the rear. 800003 is fully fitted with seats, and there are 4 tables in the standard class driving vehicle and the composite vehicle, and 8 tables in the full length intermediate standard class coaches. So it looks like additional table seating compared to the current HST configuration, though not 50% as someone claimed. The first class looked similar to the current HST configuration.

What do you mean by 'current HST configuration'? GWR has two types of set, high-density and low-density, and the Virgin East Coast sets have a different layout again.

Current GWR HST standard class coaches basically have two (high-density), four (low-density) or eight tables (the eight-table versions are the last batch of conversions from former buffet cars). So on GWR routes IETs most certainly mean more seats at tables in standard.

The Virgin coaches have six or eight tables, so on the ECML there won't be much of a difference in table seat provision.

 

[jopsuk]

don't forget when comparing HSTs to 80x that a GWR HST is 8 carriages, a VTEC is 9. Of course, as delivered, the western sets were 7 and the eastern 8

 

[leomartin125]

On another note, I wanted to ask, where is 800005? It was delivered with the Hitachi Red Bird Branding livery, and I haven't seen it since delivery? Is it just static at a Depot? Wonder why it hasn't been on a single test train since delivery?

 

[Tw99]

I saw a 9 car unit heading down to Stoke Gifford this morning. Also just saw on RTT that there is a Stoke Gifford to Newbury plus return path tonight for a 125mph DMU... Has a Class 800 been on the Newbury line before ?

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/K06335/2017/04/24/advanced

 

[leomartin125]

I saw a 9 car unit heading down to Stoke Gifford this morning. Also just saw on RTT that there is a Stoke Gifford to Newbury plus return path tonight for a 125mph DMU... Has a Class 800 been on the Newbury line before ?

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/K06335/2017/04/24/advanced

That would be 800101, which are made the mistake of thinking was operating the test runs between Paddington and Royal Oak Sdgs and Reading West Jct yesterday, it wasn't. That was 800001 and 800002. IEP's have been on the Newbury line before yes, not uncommon to see testing on the B&H. They have gone right through to Taunton and Exeter St Davids on that line in fact so definitely not new.

 

[D1009]

Looks to have been quite a bit of activity yesterday and during the night. I observed 800003 on its own working 5X82 2251 Stoke Gifford to Newbury.

 

[Mag_seven]

800001 and 800002 viewed doing OLE tests between Didcot and Reading today.

 

[DidcotDickie]

800001 and 800002 viewed doing OLE tests between Didcot and Reading today.

A series of IEP runs between Reading and Wantage Road/Swindon are scheduled for Tues 25th to Thurs 27th this week.

 

[spw24]

A series of IEP runs between Reading and Wantage Road/Swindon are scheduled for Tues 25th to Thurs 27th this week.

yes 800001 & 800002 seen in Swindon on this at 14.50 this afternoon.

 

[Graeme]

Noted 800009, 800011 (Set T11), 800012 (Set T12) and 8...... ? (IEP 037-1, Set T37, units included 821001 and 822001) outside the Newton Aycliffe plant this morning.

They have handy little A4 sheets of paper stuck onto the middle windows of each unit to aid identification.

No hassle from the security bods on what was now my second visit to the site.

 

[Bornin1980s]

Well, I decided to keep all the photos and develop my black and white film. I have now scanned all but the last two images. The attached image was taken through the fence bars, near the buffer stops (though I don't know what use buffer stops are to trains like that), and shows a train having its doors tested.

I met a dog walker on the path. He asked me why some of the trains (but apparently not all) have blanked out windows at one end. I told him it was for the kitchen area on Great Western sets, but does anyone here know more about the blanked out windows?

He also said that the prototype trains are not in white, as I had perceived them from photographs, but actually grey. Might white have been better?

 

[Chris125]

800001 and 800002 viewed doing OLE tests between Didcot and Reading today.

Were they using the OLE between Airport Jcn and Maidenhead as part of this? It seems they had their pantographs up past Acton Mainline.

 

[800001]

Well, I decided to keep all the photos and develop my black and white film. I have now scanned all but the last two images. The attached image was taken through the fence bars, near the buffer stops (though I don't know what use buffer stops are to trains like that), and shows a train having its doors tested.

I met a dog walker on the path. He asked me why some of the trains (but apparently not all) have blanked out windows at one end. I told him it was for the kitchen area on Great Western sets, but does anyone here know more about the blanked out windows?

He also said that the prototype trains are not in white, as I had perceived them from photographs, but actually grey. Might white have been better?

The blanked out windows are as you said, they are where the kitchen area is. On both sides of the carriage there is all the kitchen equipment.

 

[800001]

Noted 800009, 800011 (Set T11), 800012 (Set T12) and 8...... ? (IEP 037-1, Set T37, units included 821001 and 822001) outside the Newton Aycliffe plant this morning.

They have handy little A4 sheets of paper stuck onto the middle windows of each unit to aid identification.

No hassle from the security bods on what was now my second visit to the site.

Also outside in the yard is 800010 which is the other 5 car set.

 

[Nippy]

Were they using the OLE between Airport Jcn and Maidenhead as part of this? It seems they had their pantographs up past Acton Mainline.

No, there has been a block to electric traction on since 16:30 yesterday.

 

[swt_passenger]

The attached image was taken through the fence bars, near the buffer stops (though I don't know what use buffer stops are to trains like that)...

The sacrificial bodywork will be smashed out the way as the train comes into first contact with the buffers, and the hidden main structural members will then come into play.

 

[irish_rail]

Anyone albe to confirm 800001 002 derailed at North Pole this morning?

 

[FGW_DID]

Anyone albe to confirm 800001 002 derailed at North Pole this morning?

I don't have access to the Control Log but I did hear mutterings this morning about an 800 off the road at NP