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33
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All across the Great Western territory / Across the West / Re: IETs into passenger service from 16 Oct 2017 and subsequent performance issues
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on: July 31, 2019, 21:36:21
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Not called GU’s on other classes, as it not all in a combined ‘unit’ that is removed and fitted as one entity.
Is that two STOP button things on the lower front? Or is it a press both to start, and one other to stop? Not the least bit technikul but bus big buttons at the back wot drivers are never allowed to touch (Engineers only) have 2 BIG buttons to play with. One start, one stop. In the real world drivers are often asked to do things with those buttons, even when 'not qualified' and against Union guidance.......... Those red bits are the kind of plastic covers used to protect round things that have to be connected up when the GU is fitted. They might be pipes for something, but I suspect they are multipole electrical connectors. Incidentally, there are two on the other side. Oh, my excitement now killed. The thought of pressing big buttons is always a draw. Not so with the multiple connector thingy  Thank you for the information; very interesting As correctly identified, not buttons, but blanks. Incorrectly speculated as electrical connectors. They are quick release couplings for hydraulic oil and coolant. |
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35
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All across the Great Western territory / Across the West / Re: IETs into passenger service from 16 Oct 2017 and subsequent performance issues
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on: July 30, 2019, 23:42:56
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G U = Generation Units ?...
Actually WP I understand it as 'Generating Unit' (Engine to you and me). Yes, engine by any commonsense standards. However TPTB▸ don't like any mention of "engines" as that might give the impression that nasty polluting diesel fuel is involved. "Generating units" sounds more modern and might give a more positive impression that the power is electricity, or pixie dust, or positive thoughts, rather than nasty old fashioned engines. Also, references to "engines" might suggest that the new trains are DMUs▸ with underfloor engines. "DMU" is considered a negative term that critics might associate with shorter trains, less luggage space, and no buffet. These are the wonderous new purpose designed Intercity Express Trains. Any suggestions that they might actually be DMUs are to be discouraged, as are allegations that they wont have a buffet, or that they might be shorter, or not be able to accommodate holiday luggage, cycles, and surfboards. Some people might even consider them to be a DOWNGRADE. Or maybe, there is just no conspiracy and they are called GU’s, as that precisely what they are. If they weren’t slung under a train, they’d be called Gensets. Traditional DMU’s are powered by a traditional drive train of engine, gearbox, driveshaft (Cardan shaft) and final drive on the axle, whereas these, as voyagers, are diesel electrics, with the engine being purely the power for the generator. |
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37
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All across the Great Western territory / Across the West / Re: IETs into passenger service from 16 Oct 2017 and subsequent performance issues
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on: July 24, 2019, 20:25:05
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There are 6 units stopped for incidents beyond Hitachi control. 1x fatality checks. 1x animal strike repairs. 2x sidelight replacement (don’t you love school holidays) and 2x windscreen replacement. I’m afraid no matter how good the engineering and reliability, you cannot eliminate these incidents.
With the HSTs▸ , almost all of those sets could have been kept in service with a replacement Class 43 loco. If there were no spare locos, you could keep three sets in service! The sidelights would stop any DMU▸ . A fatality set (including HST) must be kept together until testing completed. If the animal strike was just the leading vehicle, then a power car change would sort it, but I guarantee that GWR▸ would not have had enough spare power cars to make up that many sets. |
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38
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All across the Great Western territory / Across the West / Re: IETs into passenger service from 16 Oct 2017 and subsequent performance issues
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on: July 24, 2019, 08:40:19
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Are there any 9-cars out today. I’ve heard they’ve discovered issues with the electrical overhead equipment which may be specific to the 9-car sets only.
We had a 9-car 802 on the 0629 from Swansea this morning, which is usually 5+5. Sounds like whatever's going on, the sets are just in unusual places. There are 6 units stopped for incidents beyond Hitachi control. 1x fatality checks. 1x animal strike repairs. 2x sidelight replacement (don’t you love school holidays) and 2x windscreen replacement. I’m afraid no matter how good the engineering and reliability, you cannot eliminate these incidents. |
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40
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All across the Great Western territory / Across the West / Re: Helping to keep trains on schedule when timetables tighten up in December 2019
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on: July 20, 2019, 23:20:10
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Yes that has certainly been an issue.
Sort of understandable when first starting out on a journey but there should be a routine that someone (train manager?) checks the screens and advises control if they are wrong.
I believe a system is being/has been rolled out that allows all TMs‡ to update formation information of their train as needed. Hopefully as this is more often utilised information will improve in quality. I reckon the trains should be able to report that kind of thing - formation, where they are, what's run out, as well as train system faults etc - all on their own. There is such a system. Hundreds of signals are available from every 80x and can be viewed if you have access, which GWR▸ control staff do. |
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42
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All across the Great Western territory / Across the West / Re: Seat Reservations turned on part way through journey
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on: July 05, 2019, 19:57:33
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The seat reservations are pulled down once the headcode is loaded, if the crew load the headcode very close to departure time, it maybe that the reservations don’t display immediately. If the signal is poor or interrupted and the SRS file doesn’t get pulled down, the TM‡ can try again and it if it does load then, this will be the reason for the display after departure. Paddington is probably the worst place, if crews are late, if there are late set swaps etc.
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43
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Journey by Journey / London to South Wales / Re: Two rail workers killed in collision with train, near Port Talbot - Wed 3 July 2019
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on: July 03, 2019, 22:05:58
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I was saddened to see the pixilated drone picture of the accident site and the premature BTP▸ comments about ear-defenders. At this stage information should be for HMRI▸ and the BTP families' liason officers.
Without speculating further, it appears that the IET▸ stopped in 6 car lengths - remarkable presence of mind by the shocked driver.
Ear-defenders may prompt reference to the Methley Junction accident of 1987 IIRR.
Two good men lost.
OTC
I have dealt with too many suicide aftermaths to have much sympathy for those that choose to end it that way, but to go to work and not come home, because of an accident, which will undoubtedly have been caused by an error or mistake on someone’s part, is truly tragic and will affect many people for a long time. Regarding the stopping in 6 car lengths, that would be remarkable given the speed the train was doing when the driver put the brake into emergency. Terrible day for the railway and it’s family of workers. |
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44
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All across the Great Western territory / Across the West / Re: IETs into passenger service from 16 Oct 2017 and subsequent performance issues
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on: July 01, 2019, 21:00:48
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Great Western, for whatever reason, stopped using class 180 (Adelante) some time back.
I think I would prefer them to what we have now.
Horrendously expensive to run, horrendously expensive to maintain and totally unreliable, GWR▸ spent an absolute fortune having a dedicated team and techs at Paddington to try and get them to see the days service out..... The amount of staff working on them at Old Oak was inordinately large compared with other fleets. They had issues that were never rectified, they had a hydrodynamic brake that was turned off because it made them overheat, the issues with that were never resolved. |
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