GWR Intercity Express Train (IEP) initial diagrams & allocations

[Kite159]

Not the best of starts!.

But hey at least things can only get better

(I will keep an eye on this thread over the course of the day to decide if it is worth heading to Reading later for a quick trip to Didcot)

 

[spark001uk]

If it has to be an unbranded replacement, will they use it?

 

[tgrb]

All in all I'd tend to agree with alterego on first impressions - smooth ride, seems roomey.

Seats in first are firm but comfortable- I personally quite liked the leather in the HSTs, I don't think I'll be having a snooze in these new ones though.

Lighting in first is almost clinical, are there other settings?

I was at a window/table seat which had perfect alignment and a great view - not the same for all though!!

There seemed to be a slight improvement on the coffee too

 

[pdeaves]

I personally didn't mind the lighting. I noticed that it shone upwards and was reflected downwards, giving a gentler illumination than might have been the case.

 

[50031]

I am also going to keep monitoring. Hoping to go on a trip around teatime. Surely there must be a spare pair to take up the cancelled diagram later if the offending 800 is out of service for the day?

 

[800001]

I am also going to keep monitoring. Hoping to go on a trip around teatime. Surely there must be a spare pair to take up the cancelled diagram later if the offending 800 is out of service for the day?

My understanding was they needed 7 sets for launch, 4 for service, 3 spare.

 

[ainsworth74]

Any idea if their looking at dropping another set into service at some point?

 

[spark001uk]

Any idea if their looking at dropping another set into service at some point?

Well according to journeycheck 1B12 and the same stock 1L51 back are both showing cancelled. Apparently it's due to trouble with its brakes on the outward journey and a problem with power collection eqpt on its way back!

Guess that answers my question then, they won't use any of the grey ones.

 

[ainsworth74]

Hmm that's a shame. Still, at least one set is still going for now! Just at Chippenham it seems.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Yes and it is going very well - I am on it.

 

[Nippy]

Me too!

 

[50031]

Please don't give it the Kiss of Death Peter!

 

[hotel_mode]

Is it busy? At Reading and might hang around for a short trip to Paddington.

 

[Tw99]

No Electric thru Pangbourne until January. Still only live from Maidenhead

The Didcot to Scours Lane section has been live for much longer than the Maidenhead to Airport Junction section though...

 

[FGW_Lad]

What is the top speed whilst on diesel mode? I know it is 125mph on electric but have heard conflicting views regarding if it runs at 100mph, 115 according to Wikipedia whilst others have mentioned it can run full speed on diesel?

 

[50031]

The Didcot to Scours Lane section has been live for much longer than the Maidenhead to Airport Junction section though...

Yes as the test section, but January is when they go electric with new timetable once work completes on Scours Lane-Maidenhead to plug the gap

 

[pdeaves]

What is the top speed whilst on diesel mode?

Theoretically 125mph. However, the first westbound 800 today only reached 110mph between Didcot and Swindon (the bit I was on) despite being a couple of minutes late leaving Didcot. I don't know whether the train couldn't manage any faster or whether the driver didn't even attempt any faster.

 

[PudseyBearHST]

Did anyone keep the IEP leaflet they were handing out on the train?

And did anyone else get interviewed by Japanese Media?

 

[AlterEgo]

Did anyone keep the IEP leaflet they were handing out on the train?

And did anyone else get interviewed by Japanese Media?

Were those the guys that were hanging about at Reading? I saw some Japanese guys with expensive cameras in suits on the platform as I passed this morning.

 

[FGW_Lad]

Theoretically 125mph. However, the first westbound 800 today only reached 110mph between Didcot and Swindon (the bit I was on) despite being a couple of minutes late leaving Didcot. I don't know whether the train couldn't manage any faster or whether the driver didn't even attempt any faster.

Great thanks for the info. What were your first impressions of the train? I am hoping to try and travel on it between Paddington and Reading later this week!

 

[spark001uk]

Pan up on 1A11! As caught by shadow on track.
Smooth too, and no stoppage on this set!

 

[imagination]

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20171016/k10011179471000.html?utm_int=news_contents_news-main_005

The news story on NHK (roughly the Japanese equivalent to the BBC). Since people mentioned it. In Japanese, of course.

 

[pdeaves]

What were you first impressions of the train?

I personally found it a pleasant, smooth ride. If you listen for the engine you can hear it but, at this stage of newness at least, it seems well insulated, far more than a Voyager et al. From the public ambiance view point, I think it will be seen as a good train.

 

[47802]

I personally found it a pleasant, smooth ride. If you listen for the engine you can hear it but, at this stage of newness at least, it seems well insulated, far more than a Voyager et al. From the public ambiance view point, I think it will be seen as a good train.

Sounds good my main comment of course without having the opportunity to travel on one as yet would be the lack of window for the seats next to the sliding doors, and Hitachi insistence on using them especially given they will be replacing some trains which have had plug doors for years.

I assume that they are running on full power rather than de-rated power given the amount of Diesel working?

 

[swt_passenger]

After the last couple of pages of posts I guess it's probably too late to ask that discussions about the train overall quality, seats, etc be done in the "Class 800" thread in the rolling stock forum, and this one left as it originally was, to discuss the actual introductory diagramming?

 

[D1009]

Can anyone confirm that the 1345 Padd to Swansea is in fact an HST?

 

[JonathanH]

Can anyone confirm that the 1345 Padd to Swansea is in fact an HST?

Definitely reported as a HST (43002+43126) elsewhere. The other pair progressing well through South Wales.

 

[Beebman]

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20171016/k10011179471000.html?utm_int=news_contents_news-main_005

The news story on NHK (roughly the Japanese equivalent to the BBC). Since people mentioned it. In Japanese, of course.

English language version from NHK World:

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20171016_30/

 

[Sean Emmett]

Max 121 down Dauntsey on 07.00 ex PAD and 118 at Wantage Rd on 09.30 ex BRI.

Am posting details of running on Railway Performance Society website (news section) as we go. Now in Swansea ready for 15.29 back to PAD. Will copy and paste commentary here later, prob tomo.

Good initial accelerations on diesel but the virtual HST soon catches up and then its no contest.

 

[50031]

Max 121 down Dauntsey on 07.00 ex PAD and 118 at Wantage Rd on 09.30 ex BRI.

Am posting details of running on Railway Performance Society website (news section) as we go. Now in Swansea ready for 15.29 back to PAD. Will copy and paste commentary here later, prob tomo.

Good initial accelerations on diesel but the virtual HST soon catches up and then its no contest.

I'm joining at Bristol Parkway as far as Swindon or Reading