Porterbrook Cl.769 'Flex' trains from 319s, initially for Northern

[krus_aragon]

So the choice appears to be:
Growl of the Diesel Generator - Whine of the Electric Motors - Thumping of the air compressor - Growl of the Diesel Generator

I can't believe I am saying it, but this might just make the Compressor car the most enjoyable to sit in.

Don't forget the whinge of the sceptics here!

 

[mushroomchow]

So the choice appears to be:
Growl of the Diesel Generator - Whine of the Electric Motors - Thumping of the air compressor - Growl of the Diesel Generator

I can't believe I am saying it, but this might just make the Compressor car the most enjoyable to sit in.

I like to call it the Dubstep car.

 

[AM9]

Don't forget the whinge of the sceptics here!

Surely it's that whine of the sceptics, - the whinge is from those waiting for non-London-cast-off new trains!

 

[Bletchleyite]

So the choice appears to be:
Growl of the Diesel Generator - Whine of the Electric Motors - Thumping of the air compressor - Growl of the Diesel Generator

I can't believe I am saying it, but this might just make the Compressor car the most enjoyable to sit in.

I dunno, I find the sound of a classic DC traction motor quite pleasant compared with modern electronic sounds.

 

[keith1879]

I dunno, I find the sound of a classic DC traction motor quite pleasant compared with modern electronic sounds.

Hear hear! The noise of a 319 on the Hazel Grove route is a pleasant reminder of 303/304s in days gone by.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Hear hear! The noise of a 319 on the Hazel Grove route is a pleasant reminder of 303/304s in days gone by.

Even better on 25kV because the transformer hum seems to harmonise nicely with the motor sound.

 

[Kite159]

But how fast does it gain speed when running on diesel?

 

[AM9]

But how fast does it gain speed when running on diesel?

I doubt if on day 2 they are opening the throttle for a standing start competition.

 

[YorkshireBear]

I see the blame game has begun, with DfT blaming TfW for the lack of trains, but who was the big champion of the conversion of 319s to 769 bi modes?
If TfW are waiting for the 769s to start running Halton Curve services, this time next year they'll still be waiting. A 6 month delay will very quickly turn into 12 months.

TfT have had a long time to plan for this and have failed to do so. Piggybacking on an unproven English project was their only option because they left it too late.

 

[krus_aragon]

TfT have had a long time to plan for this and have failed to do so. Piggybacking on an unproven English project was their only option because they left it too late.

To play devil's advocate, not too long ago they were expecting to co-fund heavy rail electrification of the South Wales Valleys with Westminster and run cascaded 313s on them (then buy new stock on the back of the sparks effect). We all know that the timetable on that slipped so far that it eventually snapped. Perhaps they held on to that plan for too long. Either way, the 769 backup plan hasn't worked as smoothly as hoped for.

 

[mushroomchow]

But how fast does it gain speed when running on diesel?

Considering testing generally starts from Swithland Yard, from my rough observation it looked to be doing about 25-30mph by Kinchley Lane cutting. I can't claim to be an expert on acceleration, but that's within about half a mile - is that any good?

I'd be surprised if that wasn't full throttle given the racket it was making. It looked like an acceleration test.

 

[js1000]

Don't forget the whinge of the sceptics here!

It's not in passenger service yet! That's the acid test.

 

[YorkshireBear]

To play devil's advocate, not too long ago they were expecting to co-fund heavy rail electrification of the South Wales Valleys with Westminster and run cascaded 313s on them (then buy new stock on the back of the sparks effect). We all know that the timetable on that slipped so far that it eventually snapped. Perhaps they held on to that plan for too long. Either way, the 769 backup plan hasn't worked as smoothly as hoped for.

Well played and valid point.

Just proves what I was trying to get at more though... You cannot pin the blame at one single person. It is part of a worrying trend of industry wide failures!

 

[507021]

Hear hear! The noise of a 319 on the Hazel Grove route is a pleasant reminder of 303/304s in days gone by.

Agreed, I quite like the noise the 319s make.

 

[a_c_skinner]

Hooray. Nothing more.

 

[jonesy3001]

Shame there is'n't a video so we can hear the diesel engines

 

[61653 HTAFC]

God this is going to deeply upset those that seemed to have staked a large part of their self worth on it never working in any way shape or form!

Don't confuse frustration with how long the things are taking with a belief that it'll never work or an opinion that it shouldn't be the solution.

The main problem is that an awful lot of eggs were placed in this basket, so the delays (or just an over-ambitious schedule) are now causing problems in both the North and in the South Wales valleys. If it is a success in spite of the delays, then great.

 

[anamyd]

I like to call it the Dubstep car.

I take it you're referring to the noise of Skrillex rubbish etc, as opposed to actual, real, decent dubstep with good drum patterns, good basslines and good chords with the occasional subtle wobble...?

 

[Class 170101]

Shame there is'n't a video so we can hear the diesel engines

I've asked on twitter but I guess no one has found one yet?

 

[anamyd]

I've asked on twitter but I guess no one has found one yet?

Aren't they just MAN artic lorry engines...? So the sound is probably similar

 

[Class 170101]

Aren't they just MAN artic lorry engines...? So the sound is probably similar

Just wanted to see the train in action.

 

[anthony263]

Rail magazine has a photo if the 769 actually running on the gcr

 

[thealexweb]

Rail magazine has a photo if the 769 actually running on the gcr

Here it is:

https://www.facebook.com/paul.biggs.7798/posts/10213648806877339

 

[Bletchleyite]

It lives!

 

[MikePJ]

New story and workshop pictures on Rail Engineer today.

 

[pemma]

Notice the gaffe tape on the front of the unit!

 

[MikePJ]

New story and workshop pictures on Rail Engineer today.

One thing in that article that answers one of my questions from some months ago: the "tri-mode" (AC, DC, diesel) versions are confirmed as having additional contactors to connect and disconnect the shoegear, and in fact have an additional DC "shoegear bus" that's separate from the train's original DC bus.

 

[LowLevel]

Notice the gaffe tape on the front of the unit!

It's because it's still numbered as a 319 which it no longer is. The vehicle numbers on the bodysides are still present.

 

[pemma]

It's because it's still numbered as a 319 which it no longer is. The vehicle numbers on the bodysides are still present.

I guessed that but it confirms the 769 number they applied to one of the 319s for the rail show was just there for show.

 

[CapitalStar378]

The article, dated 14/9, says that the Welsh 769s are due to be delivered between Aug & Oct 2018 which is interesting. Then again, it also says that Abellio Wales & Borders and the WG ordered them so think they're a bit confused generally!