pdeaves
Established Member
It appears that the aircon problem was not anything to do with lots of warm bodies on the train but was something on depot. The train was released from depot in a non-perfect condition with the fault already apparent.
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GWR Class 800
- Thread starter SpacePhoenix
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It appears that the aircon problem was not anything to do with lots of warm bodies on the train but was something on depot. The train was released from depot in a non-perfect condition with the fault already apparent.
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Bletchleyite
Veteran Member
Is it me or has the PIS got a Japanese accent?
Bornin1980s
Member
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- 4 Apr 2017
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- 637
Might these trains have worked better if they used only Japanese systems, rather than European?
class387
Established Member
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- 9 Oct 2015
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- 1,544
Are they running today?
Yes they are back up and running today -
1C03 07.00 Pad-Bristol formed off of 5C03 ex North Pole:
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/P05046/2017/10/20/advanced
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/C20071/2017/10/20/advanced
1A03 06.00 Bristol-Pad formed off of 5A03 ex Stoke Gifford:
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/P05040/2017/10/20/advanced
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/C29065/2017/10/20/advanced
urpert
Member
Currently on 1L51 which is 2x800. They seem solid, well built and quiet to me, if un-exciting. Particularly impressed with the leg and shoulder room, even in the seats next to a window pillar.
urpert
Member
PS: sitting in the composite at 125mph (ie above the engine) and there’s no excessive noise or vibration, though it did sound briefly like a modern DMU when starting to move. It’s nothing like being on a 22x, anyway.
urpert
Member
PPS the low-profile heater box is also very impressive to somebody who has had to adjust to travelling on 700s...
Details have been made public; I do not know which sets have been affected but they have concluded that the wheel-sets can be replaced as part of the maintenance program. On the other hand, the scope of the problem has expanded again today with falsely certified materials having been distributed even after the Kobe became aware of the problem:
http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/ea...involved-in-kobe-steel-data-fabrication-issue
Are the Class 800 wheelsets (manufactured in the UK) affected though?
Just an on-the-record statement from Hitachi to the BBC about trains for the UK, which I have already posted, which suggests they have not found anything amiss.
Unless and until you can find a story clearly linking problems with Kobe Steel-supplied material to any Hitachi train for the UK, be that 800s, 802s, 385s or 395s, could you give a rest?
Unless and until you can find a story clearly linking problems with Kobe Steel-supplied material to any Hitachi train for the UK, be that 800s, 802s, 385s or 395s, could you give a rest?
Why?
Maybe you could find one that clearly refutes the link? The statement via the BBC doesn't.
Temple Meads
Established Member
I had my first IET trips on Wednesday - 800005/006 from Bristol Parkway to Cardiff and then later the same pair from Newport to Bristol Parkway after doing 67015 on the WAG Express from Cardiff 
So, to first impressions: the vestibule and gangway do seem to feel a bit cramped, circulating space in the saloons was okay though! I like the interior ambiance and colour scheme - some people have called it too sterile but it seems modern and fairly classy to me. The seats and carpets seem to show dirt and debris easily though. The 'traffic light' seat reservation system and transparent luggage rack are nice touches.
Talking of seats, they did feel very firm upon sitting down but they were supportive, and I didn't have any aches or pains after my 45 minute journey, probably need a longer trip to see if they remain comfortable, but I think they will. Not a fan of the seat fabric, far too coarse for my liking, seat back tables were stiff to operate but they should loosen up with use, they also have a slide out part to support laptops. I bet most people would struggle to find the power sockets if they didn't know where they are, there is a (small) sticker about them underneath the window though.
Legroom is fantastic and for me it's easily the best thing about the trains, non-priority airline seating on trains is usually short on legroom for me, on the IET I can stretch out on any seat.
Some people have commented that the lighting is too bright - to be honest if you're used to the GWR HST trailers then I'd say it's actually an improvement as the light is diffused.
Even on diesel they seem very quiet inside and out, I noticed a few clunks and rattles from components under the floor, but nothing intrusive. Wind noise when another train passes is negligible, likewise in the Severn Tunnel. The braking performance feels impressive, a couple of times almost too impressive and I felt myself lurching forward, but I'm guessing this is due to drivers still getting used to them?
Not sure if I like the catering arrangements, the trolley was blocking the aisle (a common problem on trains with trolleys IME), preventing both passengers and the guard from walking down the train. I wonder if a buffet in what is the composite coach would have been a better option, yes it would take up considerable space, but so does the kitchen in the First Class driving car... It was going to be a compromise either way of course!
Personally I never use on train catering so I suppose no catering and extra seating would suit me, but I have absolutely no wish to see catering crews out of work and some passengers will view catering as a 'must have' so that's a non-starter.
The recorded announcements on the PIS are unobtrusive but have a very long pause between messages on approach to stations.
My overall impression is of a stylish, solid, well built train that has a few small flaws and a couple of major ones, but (leaving aside the procurement) they stand a good chance of them being viewed as a success - but it might take some time to reach that, especially given the teething issues.
But they will hardly be the first trains to have a difficult introduction!
So, to first impressions: the vestibule and gangway do seem to feel a bit cramped, circulating space in the saloons was okay though! I like the interior ambiance and colour scheme - some people have called it too sterile but it seems modern and fairly classy to me. The seats and carpets seem to show dirt and debris easily though. The 'traffic light' seat reservation system and transparent luggage rack are nice touches.
Talking of seats, they did feel very firm upon sitting down but they were supportive, and I didn't have any aches or pains after my 45 minute journey, probably need a longer trip to see if they remain comfortable, but I think they will. Not a fan of the seat fabric, far too coarse for my liking, seat back tables were stiff to operate but they should loosen up with use, they also have a slide out part to support laptops. I bet most people would struggle to find the power sockets if they didn't know where they are, there is a (small) sticker about them underneath the window though.
Legroom is fantastic and for me it's easily the best thing about the trains, non-priority airline seating on trains is usually short on legroom for me, on the IET I can stretch out on any seat.
Some people have commented that the lighting is too bright - to be honest if you're used to the GWR HST trailers then I'd say it's actually an improvement as the light is diffused.
Even on diesel they seem very quiet inside and out, I noticed a few clunks and rattles from components under the floor, but nothing intrusive. Wind noise when another train passes is negligible, likewise in the Severn Tunnel. The braking performance feels impressive, a couple of times almost too impressive and I felt myself lurching forward, but I'm guessing this is due to drivers still getting used to them?
Not sure if I like the catering arrangements, the trolley was blocking the aisle (a common problem on trains with trolleys IME), preventing both passengers and the guard from walking down the train. I wonder if a buffet in what is the composite coach would have been a better option, yes it would take up considerable space, but so does the kitchen in the First Class driving car... It was going to be a compromise either way of course!
Personally I never use on train catering so I suppose no catering and extra seating would suit me, but I have absolutely no wish to see catering crews out of work and some passengers will view catering as a 'must have' so that's a non-starter.
The recorded announcements on the PIS are unobtrusive but have a very long pause between messages on approach to stations.
My overall impression is of a stylish, solid, well built train that has a few small flaws and a couple of major ones, but (leaving aside the procurement) they stand a good chance of them being viewed as a success - but it might take some time to reach that, especially given the teething issues.
But they will hardly be the first trains to have a difficult introduction!
Why? Perhaps the 'nudge, nudge, there must be something wrong' nature of your posts when you haven't actually produced a single link to anything to justify that in relation to Class 800s.
Oh, and the laughable claim that Hitachi would not have informed the UK rail safety authority of what it knew about the situation and any potential implications for its new trains, just at the end stage of the process of signing off those trains for passenger service.
This thread is about 800s, not Shinkansen. If you want to talk about those, there's a sub-forum for international transport.
I'm not the person playing the 'nudge, nudge' game here - it's up to Olaf to prove there is some point to all that, not up to me to prove the opposite.
159
Member
Is there a way to tell if an 800 will be running a certain service at a certain time on a certain day? How does one obtain diagrams?
See this thread https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/gwr-intercity-express-train-iep-initial-diagrams.153431/
There are various posts with weekday and weekend workings scattered through the thread
Has the contractual agreement (between DfT and Hitachi) been reached yet to operate the Class 800s at full power (700kW/engine like the 802s as opposed to 560kW) ? I notice one or two reports of them running at 125mph on the level on diesel, although several other reports suggest that the maximum on diesel is typically about 110mph? Can anyone clarify the current situation please. Are the units currently in passenger service "uprated" or not ?
AlexNL
Established Member
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- 19 Dec 2014
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- 1,691
That has been mentioned before in this thread, it is my understanding that the engine management software parameters have been changed so that the engines can be used without restrictions on their power output.
Clarence Yard
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- 18 Dec 2014
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- 2,973
They are set at 700kW but the acceleration is governed at the contractual rate.
As has been said a few times - yes extensive trials were done at a large variety of engine power settings to ascertain a power level that allowed them to match HST timings even on Diesel.
I haven’t gotten the stopwatch out on any since they’ve entered passenger service - but when I was assisting with Platform Validation back in May we got up to 122 on Diesel (read off the Speedo in the rear cab - not GPS) between Bathampton and Thingley. I don’t know how the power settings were set on that day compared to how they are in service; but can’t be that far adrift.
theblackwatch
Established Member
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- 15 Feb 2006
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- 10,794
Does the uprating of the engines mean that they will need a different maintenance regime to that originally planned?
TT-ONR-NRN
Veteran Member
She’s welsh - and it infuriates me every time I hear her say “Lenndon Pahdingten” instead of London Paddington.
She also sounds physically angry when giving the door closing warning - I do prefer sickly Faye.
Um after reading a report from Friday that 800s are temporarily withdrawn due to issues on the news are they going to be ok for Monday???!!! I’m travelling on one for the first time then!!!!
LNW-GW Joint
Veteran Member
Yes, and it's more expensive (more intensive use, higher maintenance, shorter life).
The DfT has agreed to fund the difference (and the conversion of GW electric sets to bi-mode).
It's not clear yet how that extra cost will be passed on to the TOC.
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