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

[whole diary]

[stuving]

I suspect finger trouble, especially when you spot the similarity of the unit numbers. Operation in passenger service is required up to 312 m (12 vehicles). Nothing says longer trains can't operate, but I'd be very surprised if the agreement with Hitachi allowed it. Non-passenger operations, including ECS^▸ (Empty Coaching Stock), and in an emergency no doubt recovery with passengers on board too, are required up to 624 m (24 vehicles).

[IndustryInsider]

I initially suspected finger trouble as well...and that may well be the case, but 802013 is booked to go empty from Taunton to Stoke Gifford on 5C25 at 20:29 but it has only been allocated on that train as far as Bristol Temple Meads, so if that's the case it'll be in the right place at the right time.

The train that forms 1Z39 is the 16:36 PAD^» (Paddington (London) - next trains)-TOT which should be a 10-car with the rear five detaching at Exeter, so if it's a 9-car instead (and 802113 is currently allocated to it) then you can probably expect some shuffling about of allocations later today.  I doubt we'll see a 14-car formation tonight.

All part of the fun of being a fleet controller!

[IndustryInsider]

All part of the fun of being a fleet controller!

And it looks like they've now corrected it with a 10-car (802008/022) on the 16:36 PAD^» (Paddington (London) - next trains)-TOT with 022 continuing on its own after Exeter (as booked) and then returning to Bristol with 802013 attaching there.  That's not booked - but is presumably a balancing move.

[GBM]

Interesting comment on today's shortforms.
From journeycheck
16:03 London Paddington to Exeter St Davids due 18:16
Facilities on the 16:03 London Paddington to Exeter St Davids due 18:16.
This is due to more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time.
Will be formed of 5 coaches instead of 10.
Further Information
Unfortunately more trains than expected required repair work during overnight inspections and therefore the following services will be short-formed today. This may have an impact if you've reserved seats on any of the services listed. For further advice please speak to the train manager when boarding the train. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause to your journey with us today.

Paddington to Bristol earlier was 10 reduced to 5 cars, but was full and standing!  Surprise!

Just checked and wondered if this ought to be posted in the "Problems with IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train)'s" section rather than here.

[IndustryInsider]

Especially interesting given that a 9-car is now allocated to it:

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:L64539/2022-02-27/detailed#allox_id=0

[GBM]

Not seen this before
Journeycheck
12:04 London Paddington to Truro due 16:25
12:04 London Paddington to Truro due 16:25 will be terminated at Plymouth.
It will no longer call at Liskeard, Bodmin Parkway, Lostwithiel, Par, St Austell and Truro.
This is due to a fault occurring when detaching a part of this train.

[GBM]

Did a trip up to London a month ago, and as we were approaching Plymouth (from Penzance in a 5 car IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train)) the Train Manager advised to hold tight as there will be quite a big surge when we couple to the unit in front.
He wasn't wrong - quite a bang!

[GBM]

And this from Journeycheck
13:43 Exeter St Davids to London Paddington due 16:14
Facilities on the 13:43 Exeter St Davids to London Paddington due 16:14.
This is due to a fault on this train.
Additional Facilities Information
The doors at the rear of coach B will be locked. Please use other doors.

[TonyK]

And this from Journeycheck
13:43 Exeter St Davids to London Paddington due 16:14
Facilities on the 13:43 Exeter St Davids to London Paddington due 16:14.
This is due to a fault on this train.
Additional Facilities Information
The doors at the rear of coach B will be locked. Please use other doors.

I shan't see that as a "bad" without more information. The door could be out of use for any number of reasons unrelated to the reliability of an IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train). In any case, a train with one door out of commission is better than no train at all.

[IndustryInsider]

I shan't see that as a "bad" without more information. The door could be out of use for any number of reasons unrelated to the reliability of an IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train). In any case, a train with one door out of commission is better than no train at all.

A major benefit of the IET fleet is that you can electrically lock a door out of use which then remains out of use but crucially can be opened in the event of an emergency with the egress handle - so they are not physically locked like most other trains.  It means a defective door is less likely to mean cancelling the train or locking a whole carriage out of use.

[TonyK]

I shan't see that as a "bad" without more information. The door could be out of use for any number of reasons unrelated to the reliability of an IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train). In any case, a train with one door out of commission is better than no train at all.

A major benefit of the IET fleet is that you can electrically lock a door out of use which then remains out of use but crucially can be opened in the event of an emergency with the egress handle - so they are not physically locked like most other trains.  It means a defective door is less likely to mean cancelling the train or locking a whole carriage out of use.

Then I shall see the Journeycheck note as a positive!