GWR 800/802 coupled together

[nctd2306]

Afternoon all, the only existing thread on this I found has been locked but I wanted to bring up this service today:

Realtime Trains | 1C72 0803 London Paddington to Penzance | 16/03/2026

Real-time train running information for 1C72 0803 departure from London Paddington to Penzance on 16/03/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

I know that for a while, GWR did run 800s and 802 in multiple in revenue service but then stopped, so my question is, is this likely to be correct or an incorrect allocation in the data feed? If correct, does this mean that 800/0s and 802/0s can be used as a common pool again on the Great Western?

 

[FGW_DID]

Afternoon all, the only existing thread on this I found has been locked but I wanted to bring up this service today:

Realtime Trains | 1C72 0803 London Paddington to Penzance | 16/03/2026

Real-time train running information for 1C72 0803 departure from London Paddington to Penzance on 16/03/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

I know that for a while, GWR did run 800s and 802 in multiple in revenue service but then stopped, so my question is, is this likely to be correct or an incorrect allocation in the data feed? If correct, does this mean that 800/0s and 802/0s can be used as a common pool again on the Great Western?

RTT is correct but no it would appear not, the sets were split at Exeter SD. The 802 went on to work a Cardiff service and the 10 car formation was basically reinstated later with an other 800.

 

[brad465]

Here's another example of an 800 and 802 coupled together tonight (800023+802006). I'm guessing one unit is locked out and isn't needed for capacity on this service at this hour anyway:

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:G15381/2026-07-14/detailed#allox_id=0

 

[CR165022]

I don't think it's correct, because it would mean 802006 was in both Oxford and Exeter at the same time!

 

[driverd]

Is there a reason for this at GWR? I once had a Durham coast diversion with LNER that was an 800+801, quite impressed the 800 was able to effectively push/drag the 801 over that distance. Given the tendency to steer away from compatibility between units on the contemporary railway, I was quite impressed this was possible.

 

[800301]

Is there a reason for this at GWR? I once had a Durham coast diversion with LNER that was an 800+801, quite impressed the 800 was able to effectively push/drag the 801 over that distance. Given the tendency to steer away from compatibility between units on the contemporary railway, I was quite impressed this was possible.

An 800 and 802 can work together, just in service working is not permitted yet.

If the 802 is leading everything works as normal

If the 800 is leading you lose the ability to view CCTV in the 802 vehicle including for PAU/call for aid/pan cam

We regularly drive them coupled in ECS movements which is permitted

 

[Deepgreen]

An 800 and 802 can work together, just in service working is not permitted yet.

If the 802 is leading everything works as normal

If the 800 is leading you lose the ability to view CCTV in the 802 vehicle including for PAU/call for aid/pan cam

We regularly drive them coupled in ECS movements which is permitted

Heaven forbid that slightly different units of the same basic design could work together properly! The railway really has lost its way in this regard, painting itself into a corner of inflexibility. Unfortunately, GBR will make little difference to this issue given the lifespans of stock.