Class 387 coming to Thames Valley - ongoing discussion

[whole diary]

[lordgoata]

So would I, 42.9 and 42.8 have been reached in the past two days. So much so our fire alarm went off Monday as the heat detectors in the pitch of the roof were activated. These have now been changed for higher temperature ones so fingers crossed it won't happen again. (Although being forced to evacuate outside was at least refreshing for a moment)


I should point out I work in a factory, not in a nice 'air conditioned office' nor on a stuffy turbo 

Stuff that!

Both the rear 4 carriages on the 17:48 and 18:19 from Paddington (18:09/18:39 off Maidenhead) go straight to Reading Depot and not back to Paddington

Ah, thanks for that. I still think its daft with the amount of time it takes, but hey-ho what do I know!

[ITGuy]

The 0733 from Maidenhead was 12 carriages this morning. Almost made up for the late arrival at Maidenhead. Late arrival at Paddington is the norm.

[IndustryInsider]

It is annoying when GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) are running 8 carriage consists but STILL refuse to open the doors of the rear most due to short platforms - even then the platforms at Hayes are no longer 'short.'

As of next Monday the ASDO^▸ (Automatic Selective Door Operation) (Automatic Selective Door Opening) system is being updated so, finally, all doors on 8-car trains will be opened at Burnham, Hayes & Harlington, Southall, West Ealing and Acton Main Line.

Better operationally as well as reducing the number of annoying announcements on train about where you are and where you need to be to get off.

[bobm]

Ignoring the fact this thread probably needs moving as 387s now operate to Didcot and Newbury.... they also reach Swindon (although not in service).

Since the new year up to four trains have been stabled overnight at Cocklebury sidings to the east of Swindon station.

The evenings are (just) light enough now to see them arrive at the station before going into the sidings.





So obviously drivers have the route knowledge to reach Swindon.  I wonder if any of these will ever operate in service from Swindon?

[Thatcham Crossing]

8-cars noted operating some raceday specials at Newbury yesterday.

[grahame]

So obviously drivers have the route knowledge to reach Swindon.  I wonder if any of these will ever operate in service from Swindon?

The draft timetable I have from December 2019 appears to include a morning starter from Swindon to London 

[Gordon the Blue Engine]

It is annoying when GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) are running 8 carriage consists but STILL refuse to open the doors of the rear most due to short platforms - even then the platforms at Hayes are no longer 'short.'

As of next Monday the ASDO^▸ (Automatic Selective Door Operation) (Automatic Selective Door Opening) system is being updated so, finally, all doors on 8-car trains will be opened at Burnham, Hayes & Harlington, Southall, West Ealing and Acton Main Line.

Better operationally as well as reducing the number of annoying announcements on train about where you are and where you need to be to get off.

On an 8 car 387 from Reading to Pangbourne this afternoon, but rather surprisingly the platform extension on the DR is not yet in use, although it was finished and all temporary barriers removed weeks ago.  Stop Board is still in old position (which Driver stopped at) and short platform announcements made on the approach.  Are we still waiting for ASDO updates west of Reading?

[IndustryInsider]

Are we still waiting for ASDO^▸ (Automatic Selective Door Operation) updates west of Reading?

I believe so.  Last week, the extensions at Goring and Tilehurst had still to be finished, so it will wait until all four are ready.

[Gordon the Blue Engine]

Tilehurst must be nearly there - it looks physically finished.

This morning 2P32 1003 Didcot – Padd, which is normally a 8 car 387, was a 6 car Turbo (including a 166 with first class).  I think at least 1 similar 387 diagram (well 387 until last week) was being covered by a Turbo yesterday.

Probably on Bedwyns until last week, and now being used to release 387’s for Heathrow Express modifications?

[IndustryInsider]

Tilehurst must be nearly there - it looks physically finished.

The main line platforms at both Goring and Tilehurst looked to need work doing to finish them off last time I checked, so it will have to wait until all extensions are complete.

[eightonedee]

Noticed this morning, and still present this evening on my first day back at work after holiday - 3 or 4 Electrostars at the eastern end of the Reading depot sidings in new Heathrow Express colours (silver with grey and mauve/purple swirly stripes, as far as I could see rushing past).

Still no sign of the 769s.......

[Gordon the Blue Engine]

I saw 2 sets of HEX-liveried 387's at the east end of Reading depot this morning, 387 130 and 387 140.  They look very smart in their new livery, and looking though the windows you can see there have been mods inside.

Also noticed 4 or 5 319's, which seems more than you need for depot staff familiarisation and driver training.  Given the non-appearance of any 769's and the apparent shortage of 387's, with turbos and 4 car 387's taking over what were previously 8 car services, I wonder if 319's may be pressed into service soon.

[bobm]

Far from a perfect photo - against the sun and a dirty IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train - replacement for HSTs (manufactured by Hitachi in Kobe, Japan)) window - but for the record...

[onthecushions]

Is there a good reason why 1R06, the 1757 Paddington to Reading is/was still a turbo, today Thursday 20 June?

My wife was not impressed with my  praise of electrification, as we passed countless new EMU^▸ (Electric Multiple Unit)'s both Crossrail and 387's, quietly vegetating in sidings along the way of our cramped noisy unit.

OTC

[grahame]

Is there a good reason why 1R06, the 1757 Paddington to Reading is/was still a turbo, today Thursday 20 June?

Lot of old stuff around today

7 a.m. Old dog, new angle


7 p.m. 2nd oldest dmu on GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway)?