GWR Class 800

[spark001uk]

This has to be the first time a Class 800 has ever been on the South West Mainline! I wonder why this is running tonight...

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/K97571/2017/05/15/advanced

Interesting. Even better, on its way back to Reading it morphs into a cl.158!

 

[swt_passenger]

Would they possibly get used into Waterloo on the Reading-Waterloo route if Paddington was closed and GWR trains got diverted into Waterloo?

Although the document linked above refers to Waterloo as a 'non-core route', the normal quarterly NR enhancement plan updates use the more familiar term 'diversionary route' for Waterloo to Reading, and have done for ages.

That the GW diversionary routes include Reading to Waterloo (and also Castle Cary to Exeter via Yeovil Jn) has been fairly regularly mentioned in these forums.

 

[swt_passenger]

Interesting. Even better, on its way back to Reading it morphs into a cl.158!

Many stations along this route have near vertical platform faces (with little or no coping oversail), and there are already significant speed restrictions shown in the Sectional Appendix for HSTs and Mk 3 vehicles, so I expect progress through stations will be tortoise like whatever the theoretical timings are...

 

[Master29]

Interesting. Even better, on its way back to Reading it morphs into a cl.158!

It was in their design specs alongside electrical equipment non failure at Dawlish.

 

[leomartin125]

Reading the latest RAIL magazine, I read that apparently 800302 has been delivered to Doncaster Carr IEP Depot in GWR Green. It's a nine car IEP in GWR green, I'm very surprised this has gone unnoticed. Is anyone else aware of this delivery? I'm just surprised I haven't seen any pictures yet.

 

[Shadow Cat]

(Sorry if this has been answered before)

Will the 800's be running Oxford to Paddington when the service starts in July, or will they only be on the GWML Bristol to Paddington?

 

[221129]

(Sorry if this has been answered before)

Will the 800's be running Oxford to Paddington when the service starts in July, or will they only be on the GWML Bristol to Paddington?

IEPs don't enter service until at least October...

 

[Bornin1980s]

I don't know the western region. When will they start running through Exeter?

 

[Shadow Cat]

IEPs don't enter service until at least October...

Ah ok, Any idea on/around October time then?

 

[221129]

I don't know the western region. When will they start running through Exeter?

December 2018 I believe.

 

[221129]

Ah ok, Any idea on/around October time then?

I think they will be starting on Cardiff services initially according to GWR.

 

[Shadow Cat]

I think they will be starting on Cardiff services initially according to GWR.

Thanks

Only a few months to go

---------

Edit: Yep, sorry I got mixed up by something Rail Magazine posted, apologies

 

[221129]

Thanks

Only a few months to go

Here we go.

Services to Bristol, South Wales and the Cotswolds will benefit first

 

[swt_passenger]

And that also it may not be able to make it round the Saltash curve?

Here's insider Phillip Phlopp's previous rebuttal of the Saltash issue from a year ago:

http://www.railforums.co.uk/showpost.php?p=2555724&postcount=12

I'm sure there's plenty of wind up merchants on the railway, and IEP gauging failure seems to have been a popular subject over the last couple of years...

 

[D1009]

Many stations along this route have near vertical platform faces (with little or no coping oversail), and there are already significant speed restrictions shown in the Sectional Appendix for HSTs and Mk 3 vehicles, so I expect progress through stations will be tortoise like whatever the theoretical timings are...

Not sure I fully understand this post, do you mean the stuff supporting the platform is much nearer the track on this route?

 

[455driver]

It's nonsense because there's so much padding, so please, don't throw that as an excuse

And your experience of having to drive a train to the timetable is what exactly?

It might come as a surprise to you but most passengers (you know, those who actually pay to use the trains) couldnt give a stuff what it looks like, all they want is for the bloody thing to get them from A to B on time in reasonable comfort.

 

[455driver]

For those who are keeping score, RWW knows better than:

• The train designers
• The DfT
• The timetable planners
• Network rail operational staff
• The TOCs

Did I leave anyone off?

Yeah, you missed out us lazy drivers!

 

[jimm]

(Sorry if this has been answered before)

Will the 800's be running Oxford to Paddington when the service starts in July, or will they only be on the GWML Bristol to Paddington?

The first sets to enter service this autumn are expected to be deployed on Bristol-London services initially.

The 800s are set to start appearing on London-Oxford-Cotswold Line services in place of the Class 180s from the start of next year.

Over the rest of the year, as platform extension work in the Cotswolds and Worcestershire takes place to allow 2x5-car formations to call at the intermediate stops and nine-car Class 802s arrive, they will replace HSTs on this route.

 

[GW43125]

There's a path from the IEP depot to Ascot, then Ascot to Reading and back a few times tonight, before heading back to the IEPD in the morning. However, what else is in the IEPD as surely there's no point in sending an 80x to Ascot?

5X30 http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/K97571/2017/05/15/advanced
5X31 http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/K97572/2017/05/16/advanced
presumably 5X32 http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/K97573/2017/05/16/advanced

 

[swt_passenger]

Not sure I fully understand this post, do you mean the stuff supporting the platform is much nearer the track on this route?

Basically, yes. The structural support is often vertically under the edge of the platform and in some areas the brickwork below the coping slabs can be very slightly nearer the track than the top surface.

 

[swt_passenger]

There's a path from the IEP depot to Ascot, then Ascot to Reading and back a few times tonight, before heading back to the IEPD in the morning. However, what else is in the IEPD as surely there's no point in sending an 80x to Ascot?

Did you miss the stuff about Reading to Waterloo being a known diversionary route, a couple of pages ago?

 

[GW43125]

Did you miss the stuff about Reading to Waterloo being a known diversionary route, a couple of pages ago?

Clearly so.

 

[swt_passenger]

Clearly so.

I'd agree it's a surprise they are doing it already, given that previous posts have suggested there are main GWR routes they haven't been on yet.

 

[D1009]

I believe it's the first foray into third rail territory, I'm guessing to check for electrical interference issues?

 

[Mintona]

I passed one of these near Didcot this morning and I must disagree with the poster who said they looked functional but ugly. It looked a somewhat impressive beast in the early morning sunshine, very stylish.

 

[GW43125]

I passed one of these near Didcot this morning and I must disagree with the poster who said they looked functional but ugly. It looked a somewhat impressive beast in the early morning sunshine, very stylish.

I'm in the "functional but ugly" crowd too.

 

[superalbs]

I'm in the "functional but ugly" crowd too.

Me too actually.

In terms of my opinion of the train...not me as a person.

 

[leomartin125]

(Sorry if this has been answered before)

Will the 800's be running Oxford to Paddington when the service starts in July, or will they only be on the GWML Bristol to Paddington?

The first service, in Mid October, is apparently a Bristol train, with Cotswold services following shortly after as the 180's get returned from their lease.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Roger Ford's expectation for main line acceptance of IEPs (in March Modern Railways) was May 17 - ie tomorrow.
That all depends on issues from the Tilehurst-Didcot section being resolved.
Looks like the critical point in the testing is imminent.

 

[222ben]

Me too actually.

In terms of my opinion of the train...not me as a person.

I really like the 395/800/801 design. Swish and modern.