Progress on Avanti West Coast's 805/807s Hitachi AT300 sets

[Some guy]

What speed did the Glasgow run reach? Presumably no more than 110mph.
Did it run in both modes?
When will we see one off the wires in Chester/North Wales/Shrewsbury, which is of course what they were built for?
As I understand it about half of the bodyshells of this "British built" Avanti train will come from Kasado - I have no idea if that includes these first two.

It seems it ran at the full 125 especially between Crewe and Preston it made it in a dizzying 34 minutes on the Thursday

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

It seems it ran at the full 125 especially between Crewe and Preston it made it in a dizzying 34 minutes on the Thursday

I'm away at the moment to be able to check RTT, but 125mph I doubt unless specially permitted.
There aren't any EPS speeds between Acton Grange and Wigan, so it would be limited to 80/90 at various points on this section (Dallam, Winwick, Golborne, Wigan etc)
Back in the good old days (in the mid-1970s, newly electrified) I think class 87s could do that run in 34 minutes at a max 110mph (start-stop average of 90mph)..

 

[Elecman]

It would have to do it’s 10% over speed test at somepoint though

 

[hexagon789]

It would have to do it’s 10% over speed test at somepoint though

They usually do that overnight in a SPZ (Signal Protected Zone), they have with other 80x at least and IIRC the 397s.

 

[AJDesiro]

Seems to be paths in place for a test run from Oxley-Carstairs (& return) this week leaving Oxley at 20:56: https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:K03031/2023-02-13/detailed

 

[Mollman]

Article in the Daily Post about them
https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/new-north-wales-train-thats-26229622

New North Wales train that's 'turning heads' takes first test run​

Avanti West Coast’s new fleet of Hitachi trains will run on the West Coast Main Line

NEWS
By
Owen HughesBusiness correspondent

• 17:16, 13 FEB 2023
  
  The first of Avanti West Coast’s new fleet of Hitachi trains that will serve North Wales has made its inaugural test run on the West Coast Main Line. The class 805 bi-mode train, which can run under both electric and diesel power, undertook a 560-mile round trip from Alstom’s Oxley depot in Wolverhampton, from where the trains will be maintained, to Glasgow Central.
  
  The new Hitachi trains are set to replace the diesel-only Voyager trains later this year on routes from London to the Midlands, Chester, North Wales and the North-West, leading to a 61% cut in carbon emissions. Avanti said they would be “quieter and roomier”, with more reliable Wi-Fi, wireless charging for electric devices and a real-time customer information system. The train is part of a 23 train strong fleet investment of £350m.
  
  The first two trains will now be put through their paces over the coming months, running up to their full speed of 125mph, with a view to clocking up thousands of miles of fault-free running.
  
  Steve Whitewick, head of Fleet Transition at Avanti West Coast, said: “The new trains have certainly turned heads and the anticipation is building. It’s great to have the first two sets on the West Coast Main Line and we look forward to working with our partners to deliver a new fleet that will help deliver a step change in the travelling experience of our customers and colleagues.”
  Jim Brewin, chief director of UK and Ireland for Hitachi Rail said: “Seeing British-built Avanti West Coast trains running on the West Coast Main Line is a massive step towards their entry into passenger service.
  
  "Everyone at Hitachi's North-East factory is proud to see the next generation intercity trains leave the production line. The 700 strong factory workforce are keen to keep the new trains coming so we can help improve connectivity between the North West, Midlands and North Wales.”

 

[Bletchleyite]

As this is about 805s, moved here:

I understand it’s only the Class 810s that are specified for 125mph on diesel.

Specified or not, 802s are not limited to 100.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 20 Feb 2023 ==

Are 805s downrated or different engines?

 

[pokemonsuper9]

The 805s look to be 125mph diesels.
I don't know if they can get to their design 140mph in diesel mode (although if they can do that can they take the 43's record?)

 

[Watershed]

View attachment 129399
The 805s look to be 125mph diesels.
I don't know if they can get to their design 140mph in diesel mode (although if they can do that can they take the 43's record?)

I'm sure this has been said a million times, but that is a mere timing load, nothing more.

125mph is the limiting speed, not necessarily the achievable speed (in much the same way as a heavy class 6 freight may be unable to reach 60mph) and is the said across both diesel and electric 80x timing loads for the sake of consistency.

 

[hexagon789]

As this is about 805s, moved here:



Specified or not, 802s are not limited to 100.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 20 Feb 2023 ==

Are 805s downrated or different engines?

As mentioned upthread, the 805s have the same engines as the 810s, capable of producing 735kW (986bhp). They will however, as on the LNER Azumas, derate to 560kW (750bhp) normally. As diesel operations will normally only require up to 90mph running, it was decided the lower power setting was quite adequate.

 

[pokemonsuper9]

Looks like they'll be out for overnight runs again Tuesday Night - Friday Morning
5Q32 1638 Oxley Car. M.D. to Glasgow Central
5Q33 2202 Glasgow Central to Oxley Car. M.D.

 

[Bigchris]

Out of interest I passed the bodyshell of 864009 (for 805009) heading west on a lowloader on the M180 earlier today. They travel covered in white tarpaulin but there was a label stuck to the back end with the coach number written on it!

 

[pokemonsuper9]

there was a label stuck to the back end with the coach number written on it!

Probably to make sure that it's put onto the tracks in the right order, and to allow the tarp to stay on for as long as reasonable (keep the new clean trains clean)

 

[AJDesiro]

Does anyone know what the purpose of the current tests are? Have they reached the stage of mileage accumulation already, or are they just testing software and ensuring they're gauge cleared?

 

[Duncan-231192]

There is absolutely no consistency to this idea at all. Why would Manchester to Scotland via Preston services be under LNER, but Northern cross-pennine services under XC?

I didn't say that Manchester to Scotland via Preston should come under LNER. I said it should go to LMS or LNWR depending on which name was chosen. I would never suggest that LNER should operated a primarily WCML route.

 

[800001]

807002, one of the 7 car sets, was observed outside at Hitachi Newton Aycliffe on 21/02/23, seen below in the attached YouTube video:-

 

[TrainTrackJack]

50007 taking one or both 805s (havnt been made aware of which) back to Old Dalby tomorrow - booked 11:39 off Oxley, path isn't up yet.

 

[800001]

50007 taking one or both 805s (havnt been made aware of which) back to Old Dalby tomorrow - booked 11:39 off Oxley, path isn't up yet.

Taking one from what I have heard

 

[william.martin]

50007 taking one or both 805s (havnt been made aware of which) back to Old Dalby tomorrow - booked 11:39 off Oxley, path isn't up yet.

Ooh, an interesting working for an SVR based loco.

 

[pokemonsuper9]

50007 taking one or both 805s (havnt been made aware of which) back to Old Dalby tomorrow - booked 11:39 off Oxley, path isn't up yet.

any idea why?

 

[Halish Railway]

50007 taking one or both 805s (havnt been made aware of which) back to Old Dalby tomorrow - booked 11:39 off Oxley, path isn't up yet.

I take it this is the path for the loco to Oxley (VSTP 0Z50 0730 Kidderminster S.V.R. to Oxley Car. M.D.). https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:38966/2023-03-02/detailed

 

[800001]

805002 numbered outside today at Hitachi Merchant Park along with 807002.

805002 looks 95% complete, still things to be fitted eg external body side cameras.

 

[Snow1964]

Todays Regulatory announcement about Avanti West Coast contains following statement

New Hitachi trains are set to replace our Voyager trains from 2023, leading to a 61% cut in carbon emissions. Quieter and roomier, with more reliable Wi-Fi, wireless charging for electrical devices and a real-time customer information system, the new 23-strong fleet is the result of a £350m investment in sustainable travel

As Financial Regulatory statements are checked for accuracy, (so always better than Press office statements) it appears to be confirmation that trains (multiple) will be replacing voyagers before end of 2023

West Coast Partnership Contract Extension

 

[Bletchleyite]

Todays Regulatory announcement about Avanti West Coast contains following statement


As Financial Regulatory statements are checked for accuracy, (so always better than Press office statements) it appears to be confirmation that trains (multiple) will be replacing voyagers before end of 2023

West Coast Partnership Contract Extension

It says "from 2023". One set running one service before the end of the year would seem to comply.

 

[DJH1971]

It says "from 2023". One set running one service before the end of the year would seem to comply.

I think they could be in service quicker than other new trains as it is effectively a version of a train already in service with GWR, LNER and TPE.

 

[contrex]

807002, one of the 7 car sets, was observed outside at Hitachi Newton Aycliffe on 21/02/23, seen below in the attached YouTube video:-

I like that road-railer thing hitched to one end. Is there anywhere I can read about it?

 

[Bletchleyite]

I think they could be in service quicker than other new trains as it is effectively a version of a train already in service with GWR, LNER and TPE.

I agree it'll be easier, but one service this year complies!

Hopefully sooner, I think I'm going to rather like them.

 

[800001]

I like that road-railer thing hitched to one end. Is there anywhere I can read about it?

Diesel Range - Zephir

zephir.eu

 

[DJH1971]

Any more units set to come on board yet?

 

[800001]

Any more units set to come on board yet?

805002 and 807002 have been seen outside undergoing static testing at Newton Aycliffe.