Intercity Express Programme (IEP) - ongoing discussion

[whole diary]

[Adelante_CCT]

Yes, saw it on the flyover at Reading on the return leg, seemed quite quiet to me. Possibly be even quieter running on electric.

[IndustryInsider]

I popped over to Steventon to record it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGZhApVFnvM

Goes right up to 4K resolution with my new videocamera if you really want to see it it detail 

[trainer]

Goes right up to 4K resolution with my new videocamera if you really want to see it it detail 

I knew it was worth investing in a 4k telly!

[IndustryInsider]

Sadly I have no way of actually viewing it in 4K myself at the moment - looking forward to when I can though!

[Adelante_CCT]

Bit noisier than I thought it might be.

seemed quite quiet to me. Possibly be even quieter running on electric.

Went down to Tilehurst this morning (hoping to see the 387 but never mind) and saw a class 800 arrive:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICL22HL71i0

After about 5 minutes the pantograph went up and immediately accelerated away, sadly my video didn't focus well enough for me to show that part but was certainly a lot quieter than when running on diesel.

[trainbuff]

Not sure if this is the correct area for this post. It could equally go into Devon and Cornwall Railways or the Rumour Mill. If mods wish to move then please feel free

I heard some drivers speaking recently about the IEP^▸ (Intercity Express Program / Project.) not being able to get into Cornwall due to the length of vehicles (26m) and the profile of Saltash station. I did check that the AT300's are also described as 26m long so would encounter the same problem if this is true. Apparently Saltash station would have to be cut back significantly and the drivers said this was not practical. I googled Voyager coach length for comparison and these are 23m long.

The drivers talked of 2+4 HST^▸ (High Speed Train) sets stabled at Laira and Long Rock to work 'shuttles'

The above raises a few questions.

Is this true and do we know someone to confirm or deny whether this is a problem with the new trains?

If it is true then will this mean the end of through travel from Cornwall and might this be why there is a mooted Devon and Cornwall Franchise?

Look forward to anwers, thoughts and discussions.

[IndustryInsider]

Sounds like typical negative driver talk.  I hear it all the time 

There will be lots of modifications needed at many locations, just like there has been on the other routes like Bristol and Cardiff that the new trains will operate on that have already been completed, but I very much doubt that we'll be seeing the end to through trains and shuttle working, even if we know that short-formation HSTs^▸ (High Speed Train) will likely be operating in Cornwall for entirely different reasons.

[woody]

Not sure if this is the correct area for this post. It could equally go into Devon and Cornwall Railways or the Rumour Mill. If mods wish to move then please feel free

I heard some drivers speaking recently about the IEP^▸ (Intercity Express Program / Project.) not being able to get into Cornwall due to the length of vehicles (26m) and the profile of Saltash station. I did check that the AT300's are also described as 26m long so would encounter the same problem if this is true. Apparently Saltash station would have to be cut back significantly and the drivers said this was not practical. I googled Voyager coach length for comparison and these are 23m long.

The drivers talked of 2+4 HST^▸ (High Speed Train) sets stabled at Laira and Long Rock to work 'shuttles'

The above raises a few questions.

Is this true and do we know someone to confirm or deny whether this is a problem with the new trains?

If it is true then will this mean the end of through travel from Cornwall and might this be why there is a mooted Devon and Cornwall Franchise?

Look forward to anwers, thoughts and discussions.

Is that why the IEP overnight test runs have gone no further west than Plymouth so far or is there another reason.

[Noggin]

Not sure if this is the correct area for this post. It could equally go into Devon and Cornwall Railways or the Rumour Mill. If mods wish to move then please feel free

I heard some drivers speaking recently about the IEP^▸ (Intercity Express Program / Project.) not being able to get into Cornwall due to the length of vehicles (26m) and the profile of Saltash station. I did check that the AT300's are also described as 26m long so would encounter the same problem if this is true. Apparently Saltash station would have to be cut back significantly and the drivers said this was not practical. I googled Voyager coach length for comparison and these are 23m long.

The drivers talked of 2+4 HST^▸ (High Speed Train) sets stabled at Laira and Long Rock to work 'shuttles'

The above raises a few questions.

Is this true and do we know someone to confirm or deny whether this is a problem with the new trains?

If it is true then will this mean the end of through travel from Cornwall and might this be why there is a mooted Devon and Cornwall Franchise?

Look forward to anwers, thoughts and discussions.

Is that why the IEP overnight test runs have gone no further west than Plymouth so far or is there another reason.

AFAIK^▸ (as far as I know), the only reason that the IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train)'s have been as far west as Plymouth is so that their ability to start on the Devon Banks could be tested, as that was a core requirement of the contract, and it would appear that they passed with flying colours.

I don't think that the original order (placed by the DfT^» (Department for Transport - about)) were ever planned to go to Penzance, they were purely for Bristol/Cardiff/Swansea, although a condition of the original order was that the line to Penzance would be gauge cleared for them, as well as other diversionary routes including Reading to Waterloo.

It will be the newer 802's which were ordered by First Group that are intended to go to Penzance, so presumably until they start turning up, there will be no need for the clearance work to be completed and tested.

AFAIK the shorter "GTI" HST sets are planned for Cardiff to Penzance local services, but I haven't seen any suggestion that there was a problem with Saltash so far.

[Western Pathfinder]

HST^▸ (High Speed Train) GTI Ilike the idea of that very much maybe we could have a couple for the Severn express 

[Tim]

I heard some drivers speaking recently about the IEP^▸ (Intercity Express Program / Project.) not being able to get into Cornwall due to the length of vehicles (26m) and the profile of Saltash station. I did check that the AT300's are also described as 26m long so would encounter the same problem if this is true. Apparently Saltash station would have to be cut back significantly and the drivers said this was not practical. I googled Voyager coach length for comparison and these are 23m long.

I can believe that there may well be gauging issues at this location, but I'd be very surprised that they were not identified years ago and are on the list of things to sort out. 

[Bmblbzzz]

The IEPs^▸ (Intercity Express Program / Project.) are bullet trains and they are being built in Bristol. Apparently. (The text is a bit more accurate.)

http://www.bristol247.com/channel/news-comment/daily/transport/new-bullet-trains-to-be-built-in-bristol

[4064ReadingAbbey]

Not sure if this is the correct area for this post. It could equally go into Devon and Cornwall Railways or the Rumour Mill. If mods wish to move then please feel free

I heard some drivers speaking recently about the IEP^▸ (Intercity Express Program / Project.) not being able to get into Cornwall due to the length of vehicles (26m) and the profile of Saltash station. I did check that the AT300's are also described as 26m long so would encounter the same problem if this is true. Apparently Saltash station would have to be cut back significantly and the drivers said this was not practical. I googled Voyager coach length for comparison and these are 23m long.

From the published information the Class 80X trains, although the coach bodies are 26 m long, have the bogies at the same centres as the Mk 3 coach. This means that the through-over at the centre of the coach on curves will be the same as for the Mk 3. The longer ends outside the bogie pivot are noticeably tapered to stay in gauge.

The slightly different body profile of the Class 80X may make clearances a bit tight in places. It is these issues which have to be worked through.

[eightf48544]

Heard a rumour it's not even as far as Plymouth. Allegedly 26 m is a problem on the curves up Dainton if two pass each other.

It is also alleged they don't have the grunt to get up the bank as well.

[ChrisB]

Which is why GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) ordered the 802s....of which none are yet built.