Someone asked GWR on Twitter whether they’d be running to Oxford/Didcot, to which the response was they’d start on the Reading - Gatwick route, then wider rollout begins. They didn’t seem to confirm or deny usage to Oxford/Didcot.
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GWR Class 769 information. (Units no longer with GWR - Off Lease March 23)
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Use to Oxford / Didcot has been ruled out by informed contributors to this forum more closely involved in the roll out than the GWR twitter team. Indeed they also confirmed that the North Downs isn't getting them first.
The Oxford / Didcot Turbo diagrams are completely split from the diagrams for 769 routes from the May timetable change. If there was any expectation of use around Oxford, there might still be some linking of workings.
spark001uk
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I see RTT is showing north downs workings as diesel loco with load 769 tonnes. It may well have been like it a while, just haven't noticed. Assume this is a pointer to their intended imminent use, before the world went to sheet?
I think it’s been a year or so now, whenever the timetable was recast in preparation for 3 trains per hour.
They’re timed as 769s so that they don’t have to re-rewrite the timetable when they’re introduced. As said, it’s been over a year if I recall; I’d be surprised if we saw any in passenger service before the autumn based on training/testing to be done still. And even then I’m still under the impression that they’ll be on Basingstokes first; as it allows more drivers to get handling time on them then the top link(s) -only North Downs.
cactustwirly
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I'd have thought the first place they'd be introduced would be Maidenhead to Bourne End.
As it's peaks only issues can be resolved before full daytime service
As it's peaks only issues can be resolved before full daytime service
Siemens Staines
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There is also a Basingstoke peaks only diagram which has the advantage of having Reading TCD at one end of the route, should a problem occur requiring the unit to be swapped
The introduction schedule in the Direct Award, reproduced in message 444, had four units entering service on the same date, 28 September 2020, which sounds like three diagrams and one spare. One possibility would be three Basingstoke diagrams in the first change but clearly there could be other options. What differs about this and other fleet introductions is that a lot of the diagrams start and finish at Reading rather than being outberthed overnight, particularly now the links to Oxford workings have been broken.
and took place today - a pristine 769946 went out for a spin for ac testing with lots of Colas, GWR and Porterbrook staff around. Advised that it has moved on diesel in the depot. Seating has green upholstery but layout looks unchanged. The dc pick up shoes are non-retractable and were being checked at Didcot.
5Q10 running from Reading Depot – Didcot – Maidenhead – Reading Depot.
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/K03950/2021-03-29/detailed
Mainly GWR grey moquette with green moquette on the upper section of the seat like 150202/150216, which have the same 'Ashbourne' seating. 'Clarence Yard' indicated upthread (or maybe in a different thread / forum) that some of the 3+2 seating was to be restored to ensure appropriate weight distribution but does seem likely that the layout is similar to that when they operated for Thameslink. There were some interior views in the video released back in August.
trainmania100
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brad465
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I don't know what the plan is on buffers but they look rather trivial in that shot, and also of a length/composition unfavourable for coupling units together (unless there are no plans to do this in service).
221101 Voyager
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Very funny!
spark001uk
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2/10 for effort. The buffers aren't even straight.!
I couldn't see any signs of the Air Cooling setup from the photos online today though, unless it is to be added later?
Hahaha, that's a great meme!
A bit difficult to see, but the pods are on there. They’re closer to the centre of the roof and smaller as opposed to the ones used on the Turbos
father_jack
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Diesel do this time.
Realtime Trains - 583P 1133 Reading Traincare Depot to Reading Traincare Depot
Realtime Trains provides live realtime running information for the Great British railway network using open data.
www.realtimetrains.co.uk
5Q10 - Plan is for 769946 again today. 769930 the backup unit.
samuelmorris
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Some GWR test footage (not my video)
Still looking decidedly slow on diesel mode in my opinion!
Still looking decidedly slow on diesel mode in my opinion!
Fincra5
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I wouldn't take too much from the speed out of the loop platform! It's 25mph max, what's the rush...
samuelmorris
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That's fair. I'll disregard this example then.
devon_metro
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Only sounded like 1 engine was running too
Yes single engined
3973EXL
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any idea please if expected to be running on diesel or ac electric or both at different times since this a longer outing?
(Informed) suggestions elsewhere that it isn't running as two out of three of the units are broken (and the other unit can't go out for testing without a unit on standby to rescue it).
The longer trip last week was meant to involve some diesel running but it was reported to have struggled to do as much as expected.
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