GWR Class 769 information. (Units no longer with GWR - Off Lease March 23)

[spark001uk]

5Q74 dep 1048

Realtime Trains - 510P 1034 Wolverton Centre Sidings to Reading Traincare Depot

57310 + 769925

 

[3973EXL]

STP 12/10

Q Path not used
Realtime Trains - FRGT 1034 Wolverton Centre Sidings to Reading Traincare Depot

Realtime Trains - FRGT 1133 Reading Traincare Depot to Eastleigh Arlington (Zg) 5Q11 769938
Realtime Trains - FRGT 1353 Eastleigh Arlington (Zg) to Reading Traincare Depot Caped

STP 17/11

Realtime Trains - FRGT 0848 Eastleigh Arlington (Zg) to Reading Traincare Depot Caped

STP 18/11

Q Path not used
Realtime Trains - FRGT 1034 Wolverton Centre Sidings to Reading Traincare Depot

STP 19/11

Realtime Trains - FRGT 0848 Eastleigh Arlington (Zg) to Reading Traincare Depot Ran 769946?

STP 26/11
Q Path not used
Realtime Trains - FRGT 1034 Wolverton Centre Sidings to Reading Traincare Depot

Realtime Trains - FRGT 1024 Reading Traincare Depot to Eastleigh Arlington (Zg) 5Q11 dep 1040 769925
Realtime Trains - FRGT 1251 Eastleigh Arlington (Zg) to Reading Traincare Depot 5Q12 dep RT 769928

 

[Lineside SE]

Hi please may someone confirm what 769 is currently at Reading?

769930 did the test training runs over the Surrey Hills from Reading on the 11th October if thats any help.

 

[Class360/1]

769930 did the test training runs over the Surrey Hills from Reading on the 11th October if thats any help.

Thank you very much!

 

[MatthewRead]

Do we know when these will be entering service?

 

[JonathanH]

Do we know when these will be entering service?

No. Not in the public domain or it would have been posted. The fact that they are still only going out three days a week, if that, might suggest that it isn't imminent.

 

[fgwrich]

No. Not in the public domain or it would have been posted. The fact that they are still only going out three days a week, if that, might suggest that it isn't imminent.

Adding to this, I don't believe all members of the fleet have received their ADSO fitment yet. Though it is progressing, slowly, with units cycling through Eastleigh Works.

 

[JonathanH]

Adding to this, I don't believe all members of the fleet have received their ADSO fitment yet. Though it is progressing, slowly, with units cycling through Eastleigh Works.

Would that, of itself, matter? It isn't as if the whole fleet would go into service on day one - the two introduction schedules in the public domain have both been over the course of a nine or ten month period. There are still units that haven't been to Reading, let alone Eastleigh for the ASDO work.

Far more critical would seem to be that there has been no obvious uptick in training runs. The three-weekly trips to Gatwick (Maidenhead and Didcot last Wednesday) are still going in the timetable on a STP basis each week which doesn't give the (external) appearance of a squadron training plan.

 

[Wyrleybart]

Would that, of itself, matter? It isn't as if the whole fleet would go into service on day one - the two introduction schedules in the public domain have both been over the course of a nine or ten month period. There are still units that haven't been to Reading, let alone Eastleigh for the ASDO work.

Far more critical would seem to be that there has been no obvious uptick in training runs. The three-weekly trips to Gatwick (Maidenhead and Didcot last Wednesday) are still going in the timetable on a STP basis each week which doesn't give the (external) appearance of a squadron training plan.

I imagine the crew will need training on the ASDO equipment, so the training units and their "T Bird" rescuers need to be ASDO equipped.

Hadn't realised the extra link in the conversion chain. So they were parked at Long Maraton, hauled to Wolverton for the general overhaul, then hauled to Loughborough for the diesels, then hauled back to Wolverton, then to Eastleigh, then back to Reading.

 

[JonathanH]

then to Eastleigh, then back to Reading.

The Eastleigh moves have come after they have been delivered to Reading.

 

[3973EXL]

Usual STP Q Path - 03/12
5Q74
Realtime Trains - FRGT 1034 Wolverton Centre Sidings to Reading Traincare Depot

0J70 57312 arrived Wolverton
Realtime Trains - 032T 0827 Wembley H.S. to Wolverton Centre Sidings

 

[FenMan]

Usual STP Q Path - 03/12

Realtime Trains - FRGT 1034 Wolverton Centre Sidings to Reading Traincare Depot

Is there any sign of crew training commencing? The two or three times a week running various units up and down the North Downs Line says GWR are being extremely careful, given the well-documented problems elsewhere. Fair enough, so the cascade plan for the Turbos is where exactly?

 

[DownFast]

Is there any sign of crew training commencing? The two or three times a week running various units up and down the North Downs Line says GWR are being extremely careful, given the well-documented problems elsewhere. Fair enough, so the cascade plan for the Turbos is where exactly?

Commencement of driver training is subject to ongoing discussions with ASLEF DDC on acceptance of the units. These discussions have been lengthy but are heading in the right direction.

 

[3973EXL]

Usual STP Q Path - 03/12
5Q74
Realtime Trains - FRGT 1034 Wolverton Centre Sidings to Reading Traincare Depot

0J70 57312 arrived Wolverton
Realtime Trains - 032T 0827 Wembley H.S. to Wolverton Centre Sidings

Q path just been called - 1025

5Q74 dep 1047 57312 769949


STP Q Path 08/12
5Q74 called 0914 - dep 1029 57312 769932
Realtime Trains - FRGT 1034 Wolverton Centre Sidings to Reading Traincare Depot

Realtime Trains - 044F 0729 Wembley H.S. to Wolverton Centre Sidings arrived 0840.


STP Q Path 10/12 not used

Realtime Trains - FRGT 1034 Wolverton Centre Sidings to Reading Traincare Depot

 

[XCTurbostar]

Hi all,
Can we just update generally where we are with the GWR 769s? Are we expecting them in service soon and are they being tested daily etc?
Thanks,

 

[berneyarms]

Hi all,
Can we just update generally where we are with the GWR 769s? Are we expecting them in service soon and are they being tested daily etc?
Thanks,

9 sets delivered to GWR, 10 are still to be handed over.

 

[XCTurbostar]

9 sets delivered to GWR, 10 are still to be handed over.

Many thanks, are we into the driver training phase yet? Can you seem on runs from Reading?

 

[Caaardiff]

Do GWR have any backup if these never make it into service?
TfW ordered theirs as a stop gap until the new fleet arrives for the Rhymney line(756's). It now seems the 231's which have already started testing will run in place of the 769's until the 756's arrive, as they are looking to get shot of them asap, or at least reduce their usage dramatically due to reliability issues.

 

[FGW_DID]

Hi all,
Can we just update generally where we are with the GWR 769s? Are we expecting them in service soon and are they being tested daily etc?
Thanks,

Many thanks, are we into the driver training phase yet? Can you seem on runs from Reading?

The Mileage Accumulation (MA) runs are Monday, Wednesday & Friday. They normal path is depart Reading TCD at 0915 to Gatwick, returning to Reading TCD at 1524. These runs may also start and/or finish at Oxford Carriage Sidings. There can also be ad-hoc paths for moves between Reading/Oxford and Arlington at Eastleigh.

Initially the MA was undertaken by COLAS drivers but recently they have been used to train Managers (competency managers etc). The initial driver course started either last week or its starting this week.

 

[JonathanH]

Do GWR have any backup if these never make it into service?

There is already a backup in place (eg the 16 3-car 165s). These are earmarked for services in the Bristol area but have been operating the services intended for the 769s over the last three years.

 

[DownFast]

Many thanks, are we into the driver training phase yet? Can you seem on runs from Reading?

First question: Not yet. Training of driver standards managers and driver learning managers (driver trainers) has begun, with about 6 or so people competent, but training of drivers can only begin once agreement has been reached with ASLEF on acceptance of the units and that hasn't happened yet. The first driver course was due to start today but has been postponed.

Second question: Yes. But reliability has been problematic (e.g. one unit failed at Guildford last week, and the rescue train had problems too at Wokingham).

 

[Bob Price]

Reliability on the Welsh valleys has been bad. They seem to work well on electric but the diesel elements are a problem. TfW can't wait to get rid of theirs and are possibly putting the 231's up the Rhymney until their Tri modes are delivered. Introducing new trains in the north will also free up 153's and 150's. Don't be surprised if they don't have a long life with GWR.

 

[43102EMR]

Reliability on the Welsh valleys has been bad. They seem to work well on electric but the diesel elements are a problem. TfW can't wait to get rid of theirs and are possibly putting the 231's up the Rhymney until their Tri modes are delivered. Introducing new trains in the north will also free up 153's and 150's. Don't be surprised if they don't have a long life with GWR.

With the 365s being scrapped and the 319s having their life extended as 769s, it absolutely boggles the mind. At this rate, it would’ve been faster and better to order brand new bi/tri-modes…

 

[JonathanH]

With the 365s being scrapped and the 319s having their life extended as 769s, it absolutely boggles the mind. At this rate, it would’ve been faster and better to order brand new bi/tri-modes…

...or just stick with the current 165s. I'd imagine the money wasn't on the table for brand new vehicles. The planned 769 operation isn't on highly remunerative routes.

There was a proposed frequency increase on those routes but that is now cancelled. In hindsight, in the light of the events since March 2020, it would seem that GWR wouldn't have bothered but it seemed a reasonable idea at the time. As you say, the mind boggles as to why the programme hasn't been cancelled given where we are now, the expected need for savings and service reductions from May 2022, and with a training programme that could yet be culled without lots of effort having been expended.

This isn't intended to belittle the efforts of GWR and its staff to do the best by these units over the last year but sometimes a line just has to be drawn and what seems like a good idea stopped before it becomes a liability.

 

[AM9]

With the 365s being scrapped and the 319s having their life extended as 769s, it absolutely boggles the mind. At this rate, it would’ve been faster and better to order brand new bi/tri-modes…

My feeling as well, but they didn't and went and ordered diesel only trains from CAF and locked at least three areas into running CO2 generators under wires for at least 30 years. At least the 769s will be able to run as electrics where OLE* is available.

* and 3rd rail for GWR.

 

[fgwrich]

...or just stick with the current 165s. I'd imagine the money wasn't on the table for brand new vehicles. The planned 769 operation isn't on highly remunerative routes.

There was a proposed frequency increase on those routes but that is now cancelled. In hindsight, in the light of the events since March 2020, it would seem that GWR wouldn't have bothered but it seemed a reasonable idea at the time. As you say, the mind boggles as to why the programme hasn't been cancelled given where we are now, the expected need for savings and service reductions from May 2022, and with a training programme that could yet be culled without lots of effort having been expended.

This isn't intended to belittle the efforts of GWR and its staff to do the best by these units over the last year but sometimes a line just has to be drawn and what seems like a good idea stopped before it becomes a liability.

To be frank, after the Northern debacle, I’m surprised GWR chose to stick with theirs. Considering Porterbrook aimed this as a cheaper and quicker alternative to purchasing a new build unit, nearly 6 years on from the first order (Northern) we are no nearer to getting the GW units into service. This whole business really has proven that, you need to build and test a prototype design, before you allow orders to be placed on it.

 

[43102EMR]

To be frank, after the Northern debacle, I’m surprised GWR chose to stick with theirs. Considering Porterbrook aimed this as a cheaper and quicker alternative to purchasing a new build unit, nearly 6 years on from the first order (Northern) we are no nearer to getting the GW units into service. This whole business really has proven that, you need to build and test a prototype design, before you allow orders to be placed on it.

I’d say the Aventras are just as good an example of this…

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

They'd be better sticking batteries under these as the NDL is ideal with its multiple sections of 3rd rail to both power the units and recharge the batteries.

 

[XCTurbostar]

The Mileage Accumulation (MA) runs are Monday, Wednesday & Friday. They normal path is depart Reading TCD at 0915 to Gatwick, returning to Reading TCD at 1524. These runs may also start and/or finish at Oxford Carriage Sidings. There can also be ad-hoc paths for moves between Reading/Oxford and Arlington at Eastleigh.

Initially the MA was undertaken by COLAS drivers but recently they have been used to train Managers (competency managers etc). The initial driver course started either last week or its starting this week.

Many thanks for the info about Mileage Accumulation, it doesn't look like there are any planned movements this week.

 

[JonathanH]

Many thanks for the info about Mileage Accumulation, it doesn't look like there are any planned movements this week.

Today's trips were scheduled to run from Oxford but didn't run in practice.

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/se...-13/1100-1600?stp=S&show=all&order=wtt&toc=ZZ

Same in for Wednesday then earlier on Friday.
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/se...-17/1000-1600?stp=S&show=all&order=wtt&toc=GW

Obviously, no guarantee they run.