387 used instead of 800/802

[hanniballecter]

Have just boarded 1L76 1650 service at Cardiff Central bound for Paddington. It's advertised and almost always ran by an IET 800/802, but today it's being serviced by an eight car electrostar - 387153 and 387172 specifically.

Doesn't seem to be much difference in comfort and journey time thankfully haha.

Does anyone know what the reason for this 'replacement' could be? Almost all the other CDF - PAD and vice versa services today seem to be serviced by the usual IETs. Curious to know!

 

[hexagon789]

Have just boarded 1L76 1650 service at Cardiff Central bound for Paddington. It's advertised and almost always ran by an IET 800/802, but today it's being serviced by an eight car electrostar - 387153 and 387172 specifically.

Doesn't seem to be much difference in comfort and journey time thankfully haha.

Does anyone know what the reason for this 'replacement' could be? Almost all the other CDF - PAD and vice versa services today seem to be serviced by the usual IETs. Curious to know!

It seems to be a regular booking - was 387s on the last 3 occasions

 

[HamworthyGoods]

Have just boarded 1L76 1650 service at Cardiff Central bound for Paddington. It's advertised and almost always ran by an IET 800/802, but today it's being serviced by an eight car electrostar - 387153 and 387172 specifically.

Doesn't seem to be much difference in comfort and journey time thankfully haha.

Does anyone know what the reason for this 'replacement' could be? Almost all the other CDF - PAD and vice versa services today seem to be serviced by the usual IETs. Curious to know!

1L76, the 16.50 from Cardiff on Sundays is booked to be an 8 car 387. It’s not advertsised anywhere as a class 800/802.

If you look at the GWR timetable you will see it is booked Standard only accommodation which is the easiest way to identify South Wales services booked for 387s.

 

[StephenHunter]

The 387s are intended to operate to Cardiff to provide extra capacity on match days, I believe. This route knowledge would allow substitution for IETs as well.

 

[HamworthyGoods]

The 387s are intended to operate to Cardiff to provide extra capacity on match days, I believe. This route knowledge would allow substitution for IETs as well.

This one however is not a substitution, the train is question is booked to be an 8 car 387.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 19 Mar 2023 ==

It seems to be a regular booking - was 387s on the last 3 occasions

Indeed, booked formation.

 

[cactustwirly]

How come it's a booked 387 instead of a 80x?

 

[HamworthyGoods]

How come it's a booked 387 instead of a 80x?

Because 387s are booked on some services to Cardiff. This helps retain traction knowledge and allows IETs to be used on some other services.

 

[AlexNL]

Wouldn't that be a consequence of the Hitachi cracks saga and subsequent unit unavailability while the trains go through repairs?

 

[StephenHunter]

Wouldn't that be a consequence of the Hitachi cracks saga and subsequent unit unavailability while the trains go through repairs?

Planned before that. 387s were always intended for use to Cardiff to add capacity.

 

[Melancholia]

If you look at the GWR timetable you will see it is booked Standard only accommodation which is the easiest way to identify South Wales services booked for 387s.

I've just looked at the timetable, and it's not advertised as such. Could just be a timetable error, but according to it it's not advertised as Standard only accommodation.

The black square means "Bike reservations are compulsory. First Class accommodation, seat reservations, Wi-Fi and power points are available"

 

[HamworthyGoods]

I've just looked at the timetable, and it's not advertised as such. Could just be a timetable error, but according to it it's not advertised as Standard only accommodation.

The black square means "Bike reservations are compulsory. First Class accommodation, seat reservations, Wi-Fi and power points are available"

That sounds like an error in the printed timetable because if you look at the schedule in any downstream system (National Rail Enquiries etc) it shows as standard only. Maybe it was a late change in type of train when the timetable started:

 

[Sad Sprinter]

I've used this service. Wasn't particularly enjoyable and was about 20 mins slower I think. I don't like 387s, even going to Kings Lynn on them doesn't feel quite right.

 

[Dren Ahmeti]

I've used this service. Wasn't particularly enjoyable and was about 20 mins slower I think. I don't like 387s, even going to Kings Lynn on them doesn't feel quite right.

The 387s definitely do not lose 20 minutes.
They actually gain time in Wales, where their acceleration is better than the IETs vs line speed - 110mph vs 125mph is not a HUGE difference, costs a path and a half.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

I've used this service. Wasn't particularly enjoyable and was about 20 mins slower I think. I don't like 387s, even going to Kings Lynn on them doesn't feel quite right.

I really enjoyed it when I went from Cardiff to Reading on it in January. I had loads of luggage and purposely chose this service to avoid the thin doorways and narrow vestibules of the IET, and to be able to sit close to the large luggage racks.

 

[HamworthyGoods]

I really enjoyed it when I went from Cardiff to Reading on it in January. I had loads of luggage and purposely chose this service to avoid the thin doorways and narrow vestibules of the IET, and to be able to sit close to the large luggage racks.

The Carrier Bag Express…

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

The Carrier Bag Express…

Yes, I assume you saw the photos as that’s exactly what it became until I swapped the bags for cases

There are some benefits to this allocation, people! Take it from the horse’s mouth I’d have struggled far more on an IET.

 

[Mitchell Hurd]

I don't know if this is the right thread but the 07:00 from Swindon to London Paddington on Saturdays is booked for a 387!

 

[Wilts Wanderer]

I don't know if this is the right thread but the 07:00 from Swindon to London Paddington on Saturdays is booked for a 387!

As are the following
0813 Paddington-Bristol Parkway
1024 Bristol Parkway-Paddington
1213 Paddington-Cardiff Central
1441 Cardiff Central-Paddington
1513 Paddington-Bristol Parkway
1728 Bristol Parkway-Paddington
2013 Paddington-Swindon

The eagle eyed might spot that this involves two separate 8-car diagrams, as the 1513 ex Padd comes ECS off West Ealing CS and the 1441 ex-Cardiff forms a short working to Reading for fleet cycling purposes.

 

[nw1]

As are the following
0813 Paddington-Bristol Parkway
1024 Bristol Parkway-Paddington
1213 Paddington-Cardiff Central
1441 Cardiff Central-Paddington
1513 Paddington-Bristol Parkway
1728 Bristol Parkway-Paddington
2013 Paddington-Swindon

The eagle eyed might spot that this involves two separate 8-car diagrams, as the 1513 ex Padd comes ECS off West Ealing CS and the 1441 ex-Cardiff forms a short working to Reading for fleet cycling purposes.

Completely random question, do any 387 diagrams (such as these) include both "InterCity" services and Didcot/Newbury services on the same day? e.g. would that 1513 have done any Thames Valley local services earlier in the day?

 

[JonathanH]

Completely random question, do any 387 diagrams (such as these) include both "InterCity" services and Didcot/Newbury services on the same day? e.g. would that 1513 have done any Thames Valley local services earlier in the day?

On weekdays, the units that go to Cardiff on the 0712 from Paddington later work a peak Thames Valley local working, after a stay at West Ealing, which can be seen by looking at the RTT allocations.

 

[Wilts Wanderer]

Completely random question, do any 387 diagrams (such as these) include both "InterCity" services and Didcot/Newbury services on the same day? e.g. would that 1513 have done any Thames Valley local services earlier in the day?

On Saturdays not currently, but there will be an element of inter-working from the May timetable change as a result of the relief line recast and optimisation of Paddington station working, which is of course intimately conjoined with the pathing/flighting of services.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

On Saturdays not currently, but there will be an element of inter-working from the May timetable change as a result of the relief line recast and optimisation of Paddington station working, which is of course intimately conjoined with the pathing/flighting of services.

Will this result in an increase in 387 services to Cardiff?

 

[nw1]

On weekdays, the units that go to Cardiff on the 0712 from Paddington later work a peak Thames Valley local working, after a stay at West Ealing, which can be seen by looking at the RTT allocations.

Ah ok, thanks.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 17 Apr 2023 ==

On Saturdays not currently, but there will be an element of inter-working from the May timetable change as a result of the relief line recast and optimisation of Paddington station working, which is of course intimately conjoined with the pathing/flighting of services.

OK thanks. Yes, May is when the Didcot services go on the main line, which is bound to have some effect.

 

[RJ]

I've used this service. Wasn't particularly enjoyable and was about 20 mins slower I think. I don't like 387s, even going to Kings Lynn on them doesn't feel quite right.

I travelled from Cardiff Central on the 0950 to Paddington then on to Downham Market a couple of months ago which wasn’t the nicest of journeys on these trains. Asides from the hard seats, the ride quality is well inferior to the IETs at high speeds. Might be fine for short bursts on commuter runs but they are not really ideal to sit on for two hours on intercity routes. There was also no catering - I think it’s fair for people to feel short changed on an intercity priced ticket if one of these turns up vice IET.

Ever since that experience I plan my journeys to take trains that start west of Cardiff as I don’t want to draw the short stick with a 387 again.

There’s also the issue of the fragility of the infrastructure on this part of the network - I travel on the route several times a week and flooding, signalling problems and OHLE problems trash the service on a regular basis. At least the IETs have the flexibility to use diversionary routes at short notice. Although there are many reason why trains get delayed I have to say the 387 did keep to the times.

As for Kings Lynn, those are the allocated trains and you’re not paying intercity prices so I don’t actually mind them on that route - just have to brace yourself for the ride north of Ely and ensure you stay seated

 

[D7666]

As for Kings Lynn, those are the allocated trains and you’re not paying intercity prices so I don’t actually mind them on that route - just have to brace yourself for the ride north of Ely and ensure you stay seated

Digressing
from WR 387s to ER you'll be looking forward to the 700s workings then. And yes they are on some fast 'cruisers' especially on Saturdays.
End of digression.

 

[RJ]

Digressing
from WR 387s to ER you'll be looking forward to the 700s workings then. And yes they are on some fast 'cruisers' especially on Saturdays.
End of digression.

That will cause a stir! People on that route love their tables, get on a train from King’s Cross after the morning peak and you’ll find those familiar with the journey have gotten to the train as soon as it is called to snag all the tables all the way to the front. Can’t fit them all in the declassified compartment of a 700!

 

[ValleyLines142]

Ever since that experience I plan my journeys to take trains that start west of Cardiff as I don’t want to draw the short stick with a 387 again.

Its only the 0950 from Cardiff that's booked for a pair of 387s. All other services, including ones that start at Cardiff, are IET booked.

 

[Wilts Wanderer]

Will this result in an increase in 387 services to Cardiff?

Not that I am aware of, no.

 

[AdamWW]

That sounds like an error in the printed timetable because if you look at the schedule in any downstream system (National Rail Enquiries etc) it shows as standard only. Maybe it was a late change in type of train when the timetable started:

Does anyone know why GWR sell seat reservations (standard class only) on 387 services from Cardiff?

There doesn't seem to be any system for indicating seat numbers or even coach letters.

 

[Benjwri]

Does anyone know why GWR sell seat reservations (standard class only) on 387 services from Cardiff?

There doesn't seem to be any system for indicating seat numbers or even coach letters.

They don’t, the reservations on this service are just counted place reservations, which exist for advance tickets.