GWR Class 230 Information, Movements & Discussion.

[THC]

GWR do own a number of D stock units so there would be enough for the Thames Valley branches. However I agree in the future, new units with fast charging will be the thing.

I still harbour hope of seeing D stock conversions used on the Thames Valley branches, but then I would only be an occasional user. I'm sure the locals will demand better.

THC

 

[norbitonflyer]

Class 466 (or 456 if not scrapped) would be ideal for short BMUs. The D Stock is relatively young by comparison.

The D stock are 15 years older than the 466s.

Class 466-1993,
Class 456-1991,
D78-errm-1978

 

[Peter Sarf]

The D stock are 15 years older than the 466s.

Class 466-1993,
Class 456-1991,
D78-errm-1978

But the running gear on the D78s was replaced (late 1990s iirc).

 

[Invincible]

Adding fast charge to a 777 would be a game changer for extending the Merseyrail lines.

GWR do own a number of D stock units so there would be enough for the Thames Valley branches. However I agree in the future, new units with fast charging will be the thing.

Think the idea for 777s on Merseyrail was batteries will be trickle charged on the normal 3rd rail, so the charged batteries would power the trains over short sections of non electrified track.
So fast charging would not be needed.

 

[RichardAsh1981]

Think the idea for 777s on Merseyrail was batteries will be trickle charged on the normal 3rd rail, so the charged batteries would power the trains over short sections of non electrified track.
So fast charging would not be needed.

True for short runs off the 3rd rail. But the 777 battery won't take you very far and still have enough to come back (and margin and everything else). Adding fast charging at the terminal would double the battery range, at an intermediate point could triple it (two fast and one slow charge per round trip).

 

[Invincible]

True for short runs off the 3rd rail. But the 777 battery won't take you very far and still have enough to come back (and margin and everything else). Adding fast charging at the terminal would double the battery range, at an intermediate point could triple it (two fast and one slow charge per round trip).

The 777s had to sort out a lot of software issues to get the batteries working over just a mile of track. Not sure of Merseyrails next step?
From Imogen's Everything Electric Show video, GWR seem to be taking development of the software and mechanical side of the Ealing fast charge trial carefully, so it will work well and safely, so it can be used in more places.

 

[reddragon]

The D stock are 15 years older than the 466s.

Class 466-1993,
Class 456-1991,
D78-errm-1978

London Underground stock has always been ahead of its time and fully refurbished frequently, the D stock was 1982+ so younger than 1978.

Everything bar the shell was replaced, new bogies, electrics, floor & internals by LUL so the book age isn't the right measure.

 

[Invincible]

A new London ie tram bus now also has fast charge. 11 mins in

 

[stuu]

But the running gear on the D78s was replaced (late 1990s iirc).

Mid 2000s, finished in 2008

 

[Peter Sarf]

A new London ie tram bus now also has fast charge. 11 mins in

Well it shows an alternative way of achieving fast charge for trains.
And one would hope there would be redundancy in fast charging points.
I presume the bus depot with 4 chargers translates to Reading depot needing the capability to overnight charge one 230 for each Thames valley branch line.

EDIT
Finally back home to sort out my post in the wrong thread.
Started a new thread for this intriguing new electric bus.

 

[DavidGrain]

New video just released says that the class 230 could be running in public service on the Greenford line in two months.

 

[AndrewE]

New video just released says that the class 230 could be running in public service on the Greenford line in two months.

is that not the same video linked in post #570?

 

[DavidGrain]

is that not the same video linked in post #570?

Sorry, but when I posted it, it said it was uploaded to YouTube only a few hours before I posted it. So I did not go back to the previous day on this forum to check that it had not already been posted.

 

[THC]

230001 on a test run this afternoon at Castle Bar Park. Several techies with laptops seen onboard.

THC

 

[45669]

230001 on a test run this afternoon at Castle Bar Park. Several techies with laptops seen onboard.

THC

Thanks for the update.

 

[Chris125]

Has there been any progress on getting this into passenger service?

 

[12LDA28C]

Has there been any progress on getting this into passenger service?

One would assume that in line with the post above it's still being tested running ECS and this will be ongoing until the time is considered right for it to be tested in passenger service. As far as I know it hasn't run in normal passenger service yet.

 

[800301]

Has there been any progress on getting this into passenger service?

The first GWR driver course has started, but there is still a long way to go, it's around 40 drivers in total that will have to be trained on it

 

[TurboMan]

One would assume that in line with the post above it's still being tested running ECS and this will be ongoing until the time is considered right for it to be tested in passenger service. As far as I know it hasn't run in normal passenger service yet.

The only thing holding up the intro to passenger service is not yet having enough drivers trained.

The first GWR driver course has started, but there is still a long way to go, it's around 40 drivers in total that will have to be trained on it

The first course was actually last November. There was a pause in training over Christmas, but there are about a dozen drivers competent now.

 

[Chris125]

The first course was actually last November. There was a pause in training over Christmas, but there are about a dozen drivers competent now.

Excellent news.

 

[P156KWJ]

Next week marks a big milestone, as there will be six days of back-to-back running an intense service (still not in *passenger* service, for avoidance of doubt). Starting Sunday 26th and concluding on Friday 31st January.

This will be followed by some more in depth testing of the infrastructure in some of the following weeks.

 

[800301]

The only thing holding up the intro to passenger service is not yet having enough drivers trained.


The first course was actually last November. There was a pause in training over Christmas, but there are about a dozen drivers competent now.

I thought that one was only DI's and Leading drivers, I could be wrong, either way, it's happening now

 

[LUYMun]

Interesting to see a railtour has been posted on Branch Line Society’s website detailing a members-only trip on the Class 230 followed by a presentation at the nearby Drayton Green Hotel… https://www.branchline.uk/fixture.php

The Push and Pull - Thursday 3rd April 2025​

We are delighted to announce an unusual opportunity to be VIP guests during this testing phase to travel the Greenford branch aboard Class 230 230001. The 3-car D-Train is a prototype battery unit, converted from former London Underground D78 District Line stock. GWR, as part of their comprehensive testing and approvals process, are required to fully laden the unit and the most efficient way to do that is with Branch Line Society members!

Departing West Ealing P5 at 13:32, we will journey down the 2.5 mile branch line via Drayton Green to Greenford, arriving at 13.45. We then return to West Ealing, where the Class 230 will recharge on the FastCharge system, before a second run to Greenford and back, returning to West Ealing at 14.52.

This fixture is limited to a maximum of 150 participants. Members only. A standard rail orange high visibility vest with reflective stripes is required. As part of the booking process you will be asked to confirm if you have one or not.

After the trips, participants will be invited to join the GWR team at the nearby Drayton Court Hotel for a presentation with complimentary refreshments. There will be an opportunity to ask questions and meet with the experts. The event is expected to finish no later than 17:00.

All profits will be donated to Railway Children charity.


Fares: £10.00 Standard Class

 

[Chris125]

I guess that means no passenger use before april?

 

[Southern Dvr]

I guess that means no passenger use before april?

I’d imagine it would be entering passenger service from May timetable.

 

[DavidGrain]

Actually, it you read the details of the tour this is a test run with the train fully laden. To my mind that means that we are close to public service with this vehicle and this is just the final test.

 

[anthony263]

Actually, it you read the details of the tour this is a test run with the train fully laden. To my mind that means that we are close to public service with this vehicle and this is just the final test.

GWR supposed to be putting the 230 into public service from the may timetable change

 

[Dren Ahmeti]

Actually, it you read the details of the tour this is a test run with the train fully laden. To my mind that means that we are close to public service with this vehicle and this is just the final test.

Forum doesn’t like my phone photos in RAW, so you can have these awful screenshots!

Hello from 1Z02!

 

[Watto1990]

What did you all do?! How have you managed to get the entire Greenford branch binned off for the rest of today?!

 

[Dren Ahmeti]

What did you all do?! How have you managed to get the entire Greenford branch binned off for the rest of today?!

165125 decided to fail at Greenford.
Word was had, and we very nearly shunted via Greenford East Jct…