387s to Cardiff diagramming

[nw1]

Just wondered about a couple of things regarding the above:

a) are the full diagrams available anywhere? Do they interwork with any other 387 routes e.g. Didcot, Newbury?

b) they have a max speed of 110mph. Given the IETs have a max speed of 125mph, do 387-operated services have longer time allowances? Or are all services on the route restricted to 110mph, irrespective of stock?

Thanks.

 

[JonathanH]

The booked Cardiff workings for 387s have a slightly longer running time.

For example, the weekday 1B04 0712 London Paddington to Cardiff Central which is a pair of 387s departs at 12 minutes past the hour, whereas the later IET trains generally leave at 18 or 48 minutes past the hour.

Realtime Trains | 1B04 0712 London Paddington to Cardiff Central | 05/08/2024

Real-time train running information for 1B04 0712 departure from London Paddington to Cardiff Central on 05/08/2024. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

RTT allows you to 'trace' the diagram. On arrival at Paddington, this pair goes empty to Reading depot.

There is an extra one today working 1106 to Cardiff, instead of the usual 1116 IET departure.

Realtime Trains | 1B12 1116 London Paddington to Cardiff Central | 05/08/2024

Real-time train running information for 1B12 1116 departure from London Paddington to Cardiff Central on 05/08/2024. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[nw1]

The booked Cardiff workings for 387s have a slightly longer running time.

For example, the weekday 1B04 0712 London Paddington to Cardiff Central which is a pair of 387s departs at 12 minutes past the hour, whereas the later IET trains generally leave at 18 or 48 minutes past the hour.

Realtime Trains | 1B04 0712 London Paddington to Cardiff Central | 05/08/2024

Real-time train running information for 1B04 0712 departure from London Paddington to Cardiff Central on 05/08/2024. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

RTT allows you to 'trace' the diagram. On arrival at Paddington, this pair goes empty to Reading depot.

There is an extra one today working 1106 to Cardiff, instead of the usual 1116 IET departure.

Realtime Trains | 1B12 1116 London Paddington to Cardiff Central | 05/08/2024

Real-time train running information for 1B12 1116 departure from London Paddington to Cardiff Central on 05/08/2024. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

OK - thanks for the info.

 

[JN114]

The “standard” weekday diagram is as follows:-

3B04 WEAL-PAD
1B04 PAD-CDF
1L13 CDF-PAD
5R13 PAD-RTCD

The weekends are probably too fluid to state a typical diagram.

WEAL - West Ealing LMD
PAD - London Paddington
CDF - Cardiff Central
RTCD - Reading Traincare Depot

 

[Envoy]

Avoid at all costs as the seats on these trains are like ironing boards = even worse than those on the IET’s.

 

[dk1]

Avoid at all costs as the seats on these trains are like ironing boards = even worse than those on the IET’s.

A change is as good as a rest as they say. Sometimes it’s nice to do something different and from stations farther east you’re not on it too long.

 

[stadler]

Avoid at all costs as the seats on these trains are like ironing boards = even worse than those on the IET’s.

I suppose it is personal preference but i actually much prefer the 387s to the IETs. Last time i visited Cardiff i specifically waited for an Electrostar to travel on as there was one running on the next train. Yes the seats the 387s are not the best but i find them comfortable enough (maybe i am just used to them from travelling on them so much) and not that different to the IETs. Other than the seats i find the 387s are overall much nicer trains to travel on than the IETs. The ride quality feels better and smoother and the interior seems nicer and more spacious.

 

[800001]

Avoid at all costs as the seats on these trains are like ironing boards = even worse than those on the IET’s.

Never had an issue with a 387, and have done one Paddington to Cardiff. Actually prefer these to the IET seats.

 

[Royston Vasey]

I could manage a couple of hours on a 387 quite happily, personally (Kings Lynn says hi!)

My question is over service differentiation. Is it advertised any differently in timetables, booking process or departure boards other than standard class tickets only being sold? Is there a trolley service? Are more or lower cost advances available to reflect the theoretically reduced comfort?

 

[stadler]

I could manage a couple of hours on a 387 quite happily, personally (Kings Lynn says hi!)

My question is over service differentiation. Is it advertised any differently in timetables, booking process or departure boards other than standard class tickets only being sold? Is there a trolley service? Are more or lower cost advances available to reflect the theoretically reduced comfort?

Yes the timetables that GWR publish do clearly state which trains are a Class 387 on this route:

Monday to Friday:
• 07:12 London Paddington - Cardiff Central 09:08
• 09:50 Cardiff Central - London Paddington 11:45

Saturday:
• 12:13 London Paddington - Cardiff Central 14:18
• 14:42 Cardiff Central - London Paddington 16:44

Sunday:
~~~~ No Services ~~~~

It is shown in the timetable by an electric symbol (sort of the same symbol you see on station signs warning you of overhead wires) and the key denotes what this symbol means.



This is the timetable webpage:

Check Train Times and Timetables | Great Western Railway

Check train times for routes across the South West and GWR network. Find current timetables or create your own personal timetable online.

www.gwr.com

This is the specific timetable:

https://www.gwr.com/-/media/gwr-sc-website/files/plan-journey/timetables/2024/Train-times-2-June-to-14-December/CL-train-times-2-June-to-14-December-2024.pdf

Although it is worth mentioning that hardly any passenger will know what "IET Train" or "Electrostar Train" means. This is terminology that only really staff and enthusiasts will understand. So although the timetable tells you i imagine this is pretty meaningless to most of the passengers. But the timetables mentions the lack of first class and catering as these symbols are not shown for the Class 387 worked services so at least passengers can know in advance that these are not available.

 

[800301]

There are of course for reasons I’m unaware of some STP diagrams for 387 substitutions every now and then, these normally end up as a separate diagram due to the fact it takes around 8 more mins for the 387 journey which the LTP diagrams don’t have the flexibility for, the diagrams are normally out a week or a few days before hand, it does make you wonder where these 387’s are that they manage to pluck out of thin air, even more so when it’s now becoming more of a regular occurrence that sets are short formed 4v8 of 8v12 due to ‘more trains than usual needing repairs’

I have driven a round trip in a 387 to Cardiff and other than the wind noise at high speed and in the tunnels, it’s not a terrible journey although I know a few drivers that aren’t the biggest fan of doing it

 

[nw1]

The “standard” weekday diagram is as follows:-

3B04 WEAL-PAD
1B04 PAD-CDF
1L13 CDF-PAD
5R13 PAD-RTCD

The weekends are probably too fluid to state a typical diagram.

WEAL - West Ealing LMD
PAD - London Paddington
CDF - Cardiff Central
RTCD - Reading Traincare Depot

Ah ok - thanks. Had an idea there were a couple of diagrams but doesn't look like it.

Interesting the M-F working does not then go out again in the evening peak (not necessarily to Cardiff, but to Newbury/Didcot etc).

 

[JonathanH]

Interesting the M-F working does not then go out again in the evening peak (not necessarily to Cardiff, but to Newbury/Didcot etc).

Today, one of the units (387158) off the Cardiff turn comes back out of Reading Traincare Depot for this https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:G43836/2024-08-07/detailed#allox_id=1 which strengthens an 8 coach evening peak Didcot working to 12 coaches.

On Monday, the Cardiff units came back out on https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:G43680/2024-08-05/detailed#allox_id=0 (5P65 1657 Reading Traincare Depot to Reading)

 

[Parallel]

At GWR stations, for Class 387 services to Cardiff, it is announced and listed on the CIS screens that first class accommodation and catering facilities are not available on the train.