Recent content by Optom1

Eight769(Diesel/25kv) are scheduled to be being used on Southport -AlderleyEdge/StaleybrideJnc services.Northern Trains class numbers for each service can be seen on Realtimes,and seem to show availability on average of about 50%.On average Canton seems to produce three units a day.If TfW can...

The start from Dingle road is a bit unique on a1/50.I assume the initian 50 metres is taken very gently so as not to damage the motors,but my time of1 min 34 secs to Penarth was enough to keep the schedule. As an aside ,in the old days if a restart could not bemade due to a slipping clutch, run...

Agreed Ken Skates has moved on.My concern is that with the unreliable 4 car 769’s being replacedby 2 car150’s,often in the evening peak hours,is there a plan to reduce overcrowding until the Sdadler’s appear in several years time?If there is a plan at what level are decisions being made?Four...

Ken Skates (Transport secretary for Wales)proudly told the media that we had wonderful new trains onthe Rumney valley linethat would reduce overcrowding ,it hasn’t happened yet.

Caught007 to Penarth (arrival4.25)On the the return journey,16.07 the driver was bemoaning a failed 769 as he only had a standing room only two car150 that did not have an air- conditionrd cab. A statement from Mr Skates would be welcome.

Looking at the 67 on the front of the769 in Canton yesterday made me ask the question of how much reduncy has been built into these units.Like an Airbus it has two completely separate power units,and I expect my airbus to get me home on one engine.As passenger numbers increase and train...

5 in Canton sidings @17.00 today,including one with a 67 attatched to the front.Only passed one on the14.07 ex Penarth

Bailed out of the 9.40 at Lisvane,and drove to Llandaf,does anyone know if there were bustitutions for those unfortunate not to have a car nearby?

Another bonus for people living near the railway is the relative lack of noise and the distint lack of diesel fumes compared to the lingering smell of the 150/pacers

Managed to time several runs with 150/769 today,between Queen St and Lisvane.Sustained balancing speed for both classes on the1/80 gradient(around about where the railway crosses the Eastern Avenue A48) was53-54 mph.Running times were pretty similar about eight and three quarter minutes.Driver...

Busy day today 007/008 on service trains,and445/452 on”Zs” all within an hour of each other at Lisvane. 2R15/5Z47/2P16/5Z49

The ruling gradient from Cardiff to Just South of Caerphillytunnel is 1/80,then 1/122 to Caerphilly.

769/4 on the 11.32 Cardiff-Rumney driving training /test train today.The usual Rumney -Penarth 769 had a pair of 150’s

It shoud easily be possible for 769’s to achieve 90 + in the future, as the incredibly heavy class 40’s (2000hp) achievied 85 mph on the level at Thirsk with ten coach loads.When 769’s eventually start running from Oxford we shall see

As the top speed of a 769 is 100 mph,maybe mid range performance is better,Covid prevents on train analysis.