IETs into passenger service from 16 Oct 2017 and subsequent performance issues

[whole diary]

[stuving]

I've never felt the need for a blind on a train window. It's an extra item to cause niggling faults and disagreements between passengers. Dare say it'll come in useful at some times though.

They have got a lot more important recently, due to the overwhelming importance to most people of being able to read the little screen they are peering intently at ... much more important that seeing out of the window.

[stuving]

Re: this issue of low-speed acceleration:

The acceleration limit in the IEP^▸ (Intercity Express Program / Project.) final spec. isn't just a fixed limit (of 0.75 m/s²), but above 45 km/hr it's a power limit. So if the limit implemented is 0.7 m/s² (to be below the required maximum) that applies from starting up to the threshold (or "knee") velocity, then does not above.

Lifting that fixed limit would mean a threshold at a lower velocity, so it would only have a limited effect. It would also call for greater adhesion; 0.7 m/s² already implies about 12%.

To show the effect of raising the acceleration at low speeds, where it is not set by the overall power, I've got out an old model train* to play with. I looked at both diesel and electric power, and with an acceleration limit of 0.7 m/s² or 1.0 m/s² (which is not obtainable), and let the train run from a stand and accelerate continuously on the level. The speed reached and time taken are noted at two distances: 250 m (about the length of a 5-car IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train)) and 8 km (5 miles). The change in these, with very high vs standard acceleration, is also shown.

electric	time s	change	speed km/hr	change
at 250 m	26.9	-3.5	65.1	+3.2
as 8 km	213	-4.7	198	+0.2
diesel
at 250 m	27.9	-2.5	57.5	+0.9
as 8 km	249	-2.9	166	+0.06

A number of points can be noted:

• The absolute numbers can't be trusted; they are based on a number of guessed parameters. But the differences won't be far out.
• By 250 m, the speed is already high enough for the power-limited acceleration to be below the fixed limit.
• The change in time to 250 m is small.
• The change in time from 250m m to 8 km is even smaller.
• The change in speed at 250 m is also small.
• the change in speed at 8 km is much less, almost negligible.
• The difference in performance with full electric power is quite noticeable even by 250 m, but far more so at 8 km.

* No, not the kind the guys on RMweb make. On second thoughts, I bet someone on there has got a much better dynamic model than mine!

[bobm]

I've never felt the need for a blind on a train window. It's an extra item to cause niggling faults and disagreements between passengers. Dare say it'll come in useful at some times though.

When I travelled last week on an IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train) almost all the blinds on the downside in my coach were lowered half way... so I sat on the upside.   

[Bmblbzzz]

I've never felt the need for a blind on a train window. It's an extra item to cause niggling faults and disagreements between passengers. Dare say it'll come in useful at some times though.

They have got a lot more important recently, due to the overwhelming importance to most people of being able to read the little screen they are peering intently at ... much more important that seeing out of the window.

Of course, silly me!

I've never felt the need for a blind on a train window. It's an extra item to cause niggling faults and disagreements between passengers. Dare say it'll come in useful at some times though.

When I travelled last week on an IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train) almost all the blinds on the downside in my coach were lowered half way... so I sat on the upside.  

Downside, upside... Is this a new TV drama about life on an Edwardian country railway? 

[Thatcham Crossing]

Watched an IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train) pulling into PAD^» (Paddington (London) - next trains) at about 1300 today, pantographs definitely down on both 5 car sets.

[4064ReadingAbbey]

Watched an IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train) pulling into PAD^» (Paddington (London) - next trains) at about 1300 today, pantographs definitely down on both 5 car sets.

Which platforms? AIUI^▸ (as I understand it) platforms 1 and 2 will be energised during the Christmas blockade.

[Adelante_CCT]

I'm guessing 1L51, which appears to have used Platform 10

[Thatcham Crossing]

I'm guessing 1L51, which appears to have used Platform 10

Yep, that was it.

[Surrey 455]

Watched an IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train) pulling into PAD^» (Paddington (London) - next trains) at about 1300 today, pantographs definitely down on both 5 car sets.

Which platforms? AIUI^▸ (as I understand it) platforms 1 and 2 will be energised during the Christmas blockade.

Eh? I thought all platforms at Paddington were electrified when Heathrow Express started many years ago.

[Adelante_CCT]

Which platforms? AIUI^▸ (as I understand it) platforms 1 and 2 will be energised during the Christmas blockade.

Eh? I thought all platforms at Paddington were electrified when Heathrow Express started many years ago.

I'm sure someone more knowledgeable can explain further, however I'm sure I have read elsewhere a class 387 has used P1 / P2 in the past

[IndustryInsider]

Which platforms? AIUI^▸ (as I understand it) platforms 1 and 2 will be energised during the Christmas blockade.

Eh? I thought all platforms at Paddington were electrified when Heathrow Express started many years ago.

I'm sure someone more knowledgeable can explain further, however I'm sure I have read elsewhere a class 387 has used P1 / P2 in the past

1, 2, (11?), 12, 13 and 14 were not electrified as part of the original HEx scheme.  12 was done a few years ago, 13 now doesn’t exist and 14 was energised early this year.  1/2 are scheduled for Christmas - 1 has wired installed, but 2 has still got wires to be added.  The footbridge above 1/2 had to be altered so it was a bigger job than you might imagine.

[JayMac]

From The Daily Swansea:

Great Western Railway to ban the Welsh from nice new trains

Great Western Railway have decided to go one step further from having no bilingualism on their services and will just ban all Welsh people from getting on their shiny new trains.

The company operate a number of services, including the Swansea to London Paddington route.

GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) spokesperson Pete Bowen said: “We opted against including Welsh language on our service because we used up our Government subsidy on a lavish launch party for Westminster ministers.

“After that we got to thinking, I mean, would you leave someone from Neath rummage around your wife’s new jewellery box? Or have someone from Penlan walk around your new cream carpet with their muddy, horse s**t drenched Nike Airs?

“There’s been some concerns around a drop in revenue, but we wouldn’t have been in business this long without succession planning. The long and short of it is that we’ll recoup the shortfall from the taxpayer.”

continues with fruitier language...

 

[Rob on the hill]

1L51 10.55 Cardiff - Paddington reported on Facebook as being a 5 coach train (instead of 10).

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/C29277/2017/11/07/advanced

Also cancelled between Cardiff and Newport:

This service was cancelled between Cardiff Central and Newport (South Wales) due to a problem with the doors (M7).

[stuving]

And the same for the 13:45 PAD^» (Paddington (London) - next trains)-SWA^» (Swansea - next trains), and also the 17:29 back - Journeycheck says:

Facilities on the 13:45 London Paddington to Swansea due 16:43.
This is due to more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time.
Will be formed of 5 coaches instead of 10.

[grahame]

And the same for the 13:45 PAD^» (Paddington (London) - next trains)-SWA^» (Swansea - next trains), and also the 17:29 back - Journeycheck says:

Facilities on the 13:45 London Paddington to Swansea due 16:43.
This is due to more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time.
Will be formed of 5 coaches instead of 10.

At least it wasn't an HST^▸ (High Speed Train) that needed repair - that would have resulted in 0 carriages



Arrived late into Swansea (17:07) ... Fishguard Harbour train held to make the connection. Return at 17:29 "delayed" ... I happen to be travelling home from Swansea, hope the connection at Swindon onto the last TransWilts doesn't fail.