I’ve tried to be fair and balanced, but even I’ve got to question how WMR can get gangway cab units of the same family into service quicker than SWR. If it was software then surely the 730s wouldn’t have entered service, WMR have managed to get cabs that a probably significantly less ergonomic into traffic. It leads me to the conclusion (and I have no insider knowledge on this) that DCO / DOO is probably causing the issues, whether that’s because SWR ASLEF reps are dragging their heels, or because the station lighting is causing issues.
There were various night time testing trips for years using these units with an army of people with PTI measuring equipment, light measuring devices etc, so these issues should not have come as a surprise.
Hypothetically speaking, I wonder if SWR reverted to driver open, guard close these units could magically enter service.
The fact I don’t know of a single “front line” Wimbledon that has even been told of driver training starting (plus the fact SWR drivers on here also haven’t been told of training dates) is concerning.