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Author Topic: Improved services on mainline routes? Yes, I think so.  (Read 3232 times)
BerkshireBugsy
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« on: February 09, 2018, 10:08:35 »

At the moment I would regard myself as customer of the services between Newbury/Didcot and Paddington about twice a week but I do feel with the introduction of the class 800s and the Elektra units that service has increased significantly. Obviously the services on the Kennet branch are still the old HSTs (High Speed Train) and 16x

So - am I the only one who thinks the quality of the service has improved?
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IndustryInsider
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« Reply #1 on: February 09, 2018, 10:15:38 »

Still a long way to go in my opinion, but there are signs the new timetable is settling down a little now.  Some routes (mainly obviously the North Cotswold Line) are still nowhere near up-to-scratch, but last week saw the best PPM(resolve) charter results over the week for the franchise since last August IIRC (if I recall/remember/read correctly).
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To view my GWML (Great Western Main Line) Electrification cab video 'before and after' video comparison, as well as other videos of the new layout at Reading and 'before and after' comparisons of the Cotswold Line Redoubling scheme, see: http://www.dailymotion.com/user/IndustryInsider/
Thatcham Crossing
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« Reply #2 on: February 09, 2018, 10:56:48 »

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Obviously the services on the Kennet branch are still the old HSTs (High Speed Train) and 16x

Indeed they are, but I heard on BBC» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) Berks this morning that the first of the "souped-up" Class 800's (the extra ones that GWR (Great Western Railway) ordered themselves for W of England services) is due out of the factory in Italy today. As far as the 387's, I think there are only a couple left to be delivered (and those in service seem to regularly run into stations a few minutes early as they are quicker than the diesels to whose timetable they are currently running).

There also seems to have been a lot of progress on the B&H (Berks and Hants - railway line from Reading to Taunton via Westbury) OHLE in recent weeks, and I expect with the forthcoming (week-long) blockades we will see wires going up and the OHLE through the stations.

I read elsewhere that the wires to Newbury are due to be energised in September, with a view to electric/hybrid services from January.

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ChrisB
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« Reply #3 on: February 09, 2018, 11:01:23 »

802002 & 802003 were handed over in Italy yesterday - Richard Clinnick has posted photos on Twitter
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stuving
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« Reply #4 on: February 09, 2018, 11:20:01 »

Indeed they are, but I heard on BBC» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) Berks this morning that the first of the "souped-up" Class 800's (the extra ones that GWR (Great Western Railway) ordered themselves for W of England services) is due out of the factory in Italy today. As far as the 387's, I think there are only a couple left to be delivered (and those in service seem to regularly run into stations a few minutes early as they are quicker than the diesels to whose timetable they are currently running).

They are not actually the first 802s - 80200 and 80201 were assembled in Japan and delivered for testing last year (see Rail Magazine) from June 2017:
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The five-car Class 802 is the first of 36 trains to be delivered, and is one of three pre-series trains due from the Far East. Hitachi is building the first three trains in Kasado, Japan (two five-car trains and one nine-car train), with the remaining 33 being built by Hitachi Rail Italy in Pistoia (RAIL 828).

I'm not sure whether they've been around GW (Great Western) land testing; you'd need to look hard to tell.
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ChrisB
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« Reply #5 on: February 09, 2018, 11:25:51 »

I asked that question earlier this week & I think the answer was that they haven't - just been tested elsewhere (Dalby test track?)
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paul7575
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« Reply #6 on: February 09, 2018, 11:32:26 »

802001 in Paddington here:

https://farm5.static.flickr.com/4332/36175034940_d3d2a43386_b.jpg

Here the pair are reported at Grove, back in November:

http://www.hondawanderer.com/802001_802002_Grove_2017.htm

Paul
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didcotdean
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« Reply #7 on: February 09, 2018, 12:14:57 »

The 802s are supposed to begin to enter passenger service in July, so still some testing period to go.
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ChrisB
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« Reply #8 on: February 09, 2018, 13:24:17 »

Yes, I confirmed this earlier in the week directly with GWR (Great Western Railway) management.
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Thatcham Crossing
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« Reply #9 on: February 09, 2018, 14:03:06 »

Wondering if the Bedwyn's will move to IET (Intercity Express Train)'s in advance of the juice switch-on to Newbury, as they could obviously operate west of Reading in diesel mode?

I also understand that the turn-back siding at Bedwyn needs to be extended, and am not sure what the timeframe is for that?
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