Class 387

[swt_passenger]

This GWR notice says that the stabling sidings aren't required until the second phase of operations "later in the summer".

I suggest 'later in the summer' is July 3rd. This is by reference to the dated alterations in the passenger timetable, and use of the stabling sidings is shown from then on realtimetrains.

Some of the intended DMU short workings from the west as far as Maidenhead also use the stabling sidings.

 

[leomartin125]

This GWR notice says that the stabling sidings aren't required until the second phase of operations "later in the summer".

Yeah, I was looking on RTT and it doesn't show any use of the 'Carriage Sidings' for all of next week. All the 387 reversing moves are via Maidenhead 291 Sig. Doesn't even look like the reversing siding between the UR and DR is in use either.

RTT links below:

Carriage Sidings: http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/sea...17/05/22/0000-2359?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt

Maidenhead Reversing Siding: http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/sea...17/05/22/0000-2359?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt

 

[spark001uk]

Yeah, I was looking on RTT and it doesn't show any use of the 'Carriage Sidings' for all of next week. All the 387 reversing moves are via Maidenhead 291 Sig. Doesn't even look like the reversing siding between the UR and DR is in use either.

Yes I noticed that too. I think it's because they're predominantly only in service in one direction during each peak, so for example the empties from ealing / padd are mostly dropping straight into 4.

I noted also that Monday's 3P93 empties down from ealing, to form 1P93 up, has been cancelled and replaced with a STP drag-in from Reading (3Z93).

 

[JN114]

Yes I noticed that too. I think it's because they're predominantly only in service in one direction during each peak, so for example the empties from ealing / padd are mostly dropping straight into 4.

I noted also that Monday's 3P93 empties down from ealing, to form 1P93 up, has been cancelled and replaced with a STP drag-in from Reading (3Z93).

There are no drags of units from Reading on Monday.

 

[spark001uk]

There are no drags of units from Reading on Monday.

OK. So what is the inserted STP 3Z93 (for 1P93) going to be Monday then, a turbo?

 

[leomartin125]

OK. So what is the inserted STP 3Z93 (for 1P93) going to be Monday then, a turbo?

It's timed as a Turbo, so yes, most likely. I was under the impression 1P93 would be a 387 from Monday, obviously must be having issues with one set and can't get it to Maidenhead on Monday. Either that or they are having trouble finding a driver to bring the ECS into Maidenhead.

 

[spark001uk]

OK, just wondered as 3Z93 does appear to have superseded 5P93 on Monday, and indeed is turbo timed.

All taken with the usual RTT pinch of salt of course.

 

[Siemens Staines]

Likewise there is a 5Z52 back to Reading Depot at the end of the day off 1N52 1842 Paddington - Maidenhead which suggests the whole 387 diagram will be a turbo on Monday. This is further supported by the fact that the between peaks ECSs 5P97 and 3N42 have been amended to be to/from Old Oak Common H.S.T.D instead of West Ealing Emu Sidings

 

[leomartin125]

Likewise there is a 5Z52 back to Reading Depot at the end of the day off 1N52 1842 Paddington - Maidenhead which suggests the whole 387 diagram will be a turbo on Monday. This is further supported by the fact that the between peaks ECSs 5P97 and 3N42 have been amended to be to/from Old Oak Common H.S.T.D instead of West Ealing Emu Sidings

Wow, a great start to the 387's at Maidenhead, they don't even show up! Feel sorry for the commuters this time, could have had an 8 car Electrostar, instead now have a 3 or maybe 5 car Turbo again!

 

[FGW_DID]

It's timed as a Turbo, so yes, most likely. I was under the impression 1P93 would be a 387 from Monday, obviously must be having issues with one set and can't get it to Maidenhead on Monday. Either that or they are having trouble finding a driver to bring the ECS into Maidenhead.

Wide of the mark there fella, lets just say not a TOC issue!

OK, just wondered as 3Z93 does appear to have superseded 5P93 on Monday, and indeed is turbo timed.

All taken with the usual RTT pinch of salt of course.

3Z93 etc will be Turbo operated!

 

[FGW_DID]

Wow, a great start to the 387's at Maidenhead, they don't even show up! Feel sorry for the commuters this time, could have had an 8 car Electrostar, instead now have a 3 or maybe 5 car Turbo again!

There will still be 387s at Maidenhead on Monday!

See my reply above

 

[swt_passenger]

Wow, a great start to the 387's at Maidenhead, they don't even show up!

One diagram being replaced by a turbo doesn't quite justify your main point. There will still be other 387s running?

 

[spark001uk]

Quick question - how come most of these peak services are operating only in one direction, and empties back each time? Wouldn't it be easier to put them to use in the other direction as well?

 

[wls1]

GWR twitter have said this:

Hi, some electric trains will be Turbos tomorrow because of an electricity supply issue. Network Rail are working to fix

Why would this cause them to be turbos?
https://twitter.com/GWRHelp/status/866259812874637313

 

[spark001uk]

...Why would this cause them to be turbos?
https://twitter.com/GWRHelp/status/866259812874637313

Well, I'm no expert, but I'd say it's because the electric units need electricity, which will likely be off while they're working on the issue?

 

[wls1]

Well, I'm no expert, but I'd say it's because the electric units need electricity, which will likely be off while they're working on the issue?

But then they only said that these ones will be turbos:

0733 MAI-PAD
0842 MAI-PAD
1642 PAD-MAI
1842 PAD-MAI

The rest are still going to be 387s

 

[spark001uk]

But then they only said that these ones will be turbos:

0733 MAI-PAD
0842 MAI-PAD
1642 PAD-MAI
1842 PAD-MAI

The rest are still going to be 387s

Could just be the times they're planning on having the power off?

 

[hassaanhc]

Could just be the times they're planning on having the power off?

There will still be other EMUs running at the same time. My guess for the possible reason is probably a limited power supply resulting in a restriction on how many 387 units are allowed on the new section.

 

[Nippy]

The power supply isn't ready. We did tests with 2x8 cars last week, power just about coped.

 

[Thatcham Xing]

We did tests with 2x8 cars last week, power just about coped

It's a bit late in the day to be finding that out isn't it?

 

[JN114]

It's a bit late in the day to be finding that out isn't it?

Units can only be tested when infrastructure available to test them on.

 

[spark001uk]

Yes but wasn't the installation designed with enough overhead in the supply requirements? (if you'll pardon the pun).

And the infrastructure has been available for a lot more than a week hasn't it?

 

[Clarence Yard]

Yes but wasn't the installation designed with enough overhead in the supply requirements? (if you'll pardon the pun).

And the infrastructure has been available for a lot more than a week hasn't it?

Designed, yes. Power available from designed new location, no.

There was a last minute realisation from NR that they might be in trouble powering from existing source and a request went in to GWR to prove it or otherwise.

You couldn't make it up.

 

[jyte]

Designed, yes. Power available from designed new location, no.

There was a last minute realisation from NR that they might be in trouble powering from existing source and a request went in to GWR to prove it or otherwise.

You couldn't make it up.

I'm presuming (/hoping) there's some substation that hasn't been installed yet and that once that's put in this problem will go away.

Are they trying to power the whole of Stockley-Maidenhead from the Stockley end?

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Designed, yes. Power available from designed new location, no.
There was a last minute realisation from NR that they might be in trouble powering from existing source and a request went in to GWR to prove it or otherwise.
You couldn't make it up.

Doesn't sound something that will be fixed overnight...
Just as well we haven't got IEPs running up and down as well.

 

[JN114]

Now that others have taken the cat out the bag I suppose I can confirm a little more....

At the request of Network Rail test runs were conducted on Wednesday last week to look at the resilience of the power supply when a "full" electric service was running. The data drawn from those tests have caused concern that the older power infrastructure the Stockley - Maidenhead section is presently piggy-backing on is not capable of supporting the timetabled service. Initial projections indicated power delivered from Hayes Feeder would be sufficient for the initial timetabled service; unfortunately in practice that hasn't been the case.

Apparently the difference between a 4 car and 8 car is negligible; and thus NR have placed the following restrictions on electric operation West of Stockley until further notice:

Only Class 387 traction to operate on AC power in the section between Stockley and Maidenhead.
Only 2 sets (of any length) to be in the section between Stockley and Maidenhead at any time.
Class 387 traction not to exceed power notch 3 while in the section between Stockley and Maidenhead.

(Unrelated to Power- Class 387 traction PROHIBITED from calling at Iver Platforms 1 or 2 except for emergency evacuation purposes.)

From tomorrow until the improved power supply is completed (estimated mid-June) - one of the three 8 car 387 circuits that operate west of Stockley will be formed of Turbo traction. Length will be whatever Reading TCD can spare up to a Maximum of 5 cars. The trains that will be Turbo traction are those identified up thread. The thunderbird 57 will be on hot standby to rescue unit(s) if there are power issues.

Data from full in-service running will be continually reviewed; and if there is a possibility of re-introducing the third circuit as electric traction then that opportunity will be taken. Don't expect it in the first few days though.

 

[Roast Veg]

Don't suppose they could rig up a 387 to that 57 and still keep timings...

 

[JN114]

Don't suppose they could rig up a 387 to that 57 and still keep timings...

I know you're tongue-in-cheek; but no. There'd be no power for on-train lighting; doors and so on. The 57 is capable of directly coupling to; and operating the brakes on the 387(s). Ot isn't really capable of manipulating anything else!

 

[chemphys]

First morning of the new timetable not going well. 6:56 stopping service from Maidenhead cancelled at Taplow due to a problem with the doors.

 

[Steve14]

07.51 from Slough, a non stop service to paddington was ran by a 387. Impressive as the platform was covered with people waiting and it accommodated everyone!

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/P04508/2017/05/22/advanced