Class 387

[Mag_seven]

Test runs have been taking place on the Reading - Didcot section I believe. Although where exactly was it in the yard, and is any of it even electrified? Sorry haven't been over there lately so not sure.

It was in one of the DBC roads (that parallel the line from the station going round to Oxford) which is not wired. I'm surprised they are running these test trains from Didcot (with the need to diesel haul from the sidings to get under the wires) rather than from Reading Depot?

 

[KT530]

387153, 387157 & 387158 were doing 12-car testing runs Reading TCD - Didcot Platform 5 today.

The one parked in the sidings is not connected to this. Quite a few are expected to be parked there between now and January

 

[Marklund]

Saw there was a pair on the West London Line going northbound yesterday.

 

[spark001uk]

Saw there was a pair on the West London Line going northbound yesterday.

Yes I've seen a few there too, they do DC testing on that route, to/from Brighton or Three Bridges.

 

[03_179]

The usually on Wed/Thur/Fri doing 5B89 Bletchley TMD to Bletchley TMD via Brighton.

 

[Marklund]

Yes I've seen a few there too, they do DC testing on that route, to/from Brighton or Three Bridges.

Ahh, thanks. I’ve never noticed previously.
Was surprised to see them on DC.

 

[spark001uk]

Ahh, thanks. I’ve never noticed previously.
Was surprised to see them on DC.

Yes, although GWR will only use them on AC, they still have every feature tested before they go to the operator and into service, after the shoes are removed.

 

[wls1]

387 303 and 387305 are running around as an 8 car set yesterday and today, not sure why 301 is broken tho.

 

[12CSVT]

387 303 and 387305 are running around as an 8 car set yesterday and today, not sure why 301 is broken tho.

Given the fact that all six 387/3s are scheduled to be in service every Monday to Friday, that leaves no leeway for failures.

Had it not been for the absurdities of privatisation, it would have made sense to have one of the currently under-utilised GWR 387s on loan to cover such eventualities.

 

[SWT_USER]

Are 387's still unable to stop at Hanwell after dark? I've noticed they have been during daylight hours but seems to be the Oxford stoppers during the evening peak.

Ridiculous that this situation has gone on for so long.

 

[wls1]

As far as im aware their not able to do stuff to hanwell station as its a listed building or something.

 

[JN114]

Are 387's still unable to stop at Hanwell after dark? I've noticed they have been during daylight hours but seems to be the Oxford stoppers during the evening peak.

Ridiculous that this situation has gone on for so long.

Correct. Consent to replace lighting was refused; so Crossrail are now doing it under the powers in their T&W act. Suggestion is it’ll be the New Year sometime.

 

[SWT_USER]

Correct. Consent to replace lighting was refused; so Crossrail are now doing it under the powers in their T&W act. Suggestion is it’ll be the New Year sometime.

Thanks. Refused by the local council do you mean? I can see why the residents wouldn't want brighter lights shining in to their gardens.

 

[JN114]

Thanks. Refused by the local council do you mean? I can see why the residents wouldn't want brighter lights shining in to their gardens.

Pass on the specifics. I was originally of the understanding the restriction was to be lifted in October; but upon enquiringly about it the other day when we first had a need to call 387s in at Hanwell in darkness was told that the plan had fallen through due to planning issues and Crossrail were now doing it under Crossrail powers.

 

[SWT_USER]

Pass on the specifics. I was originally of the understanding the restriction was to be lifted in October; but upon enquiringly about it the other day when we first had a need to call 387s in at Hanwell in darkness was told that the plan had fallen through due to planning issues and Crossrail were now doing it under Crossrail powers.

Thanks for the response. At the latest it'll be done before Crossrail starts I suppose!

 

[hassaanhc]

At Hanwell a lot of the lampposts are not working, and they've had to install temporary fluorescent tubes on the fencing to ensure some sort of lighting is there. It must be really hard for the drivers to dispatch in the dark, probably quite lucky that Hanwell isn't as busy as the adjacent stations (actually, east of Reading the dispatch equipment pretty much everywhere other than the Up Relief platforms is quite crap). Having said that, they have started installing new speakers and the CCTV cameras for Class 345 DOO.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Do the 387s still have Faye Dicker’s voice on the GWR sets or have they been replaced by Janine.

Spoke to her last night on social media, she is very pleasant.

 

[KT530]

Still Faye.

Much better than the others in use. Faye’s voice is quite calm, laid back and relaxing.

Not that many people listen these days, most in a world of their own with earphones in. Doors in coaches 6/7 catch a lot out.

 

[spark001uk]

Just out of curiosity, has anyone ever thought of putting lamps on the train sides to illuminate dull platforms? Or would it just not be worth it for the miniscule amount of stations it would be of use with?

 

[3973EXL]

Old Dalby to Reading today - 66416 387156

 

[traji00]

387168+387169 just left Clapham Junction platform 17. Are these on test?

 

[spark001uk]

387168+387169 just left Clapham Junction platform 17. Are these on test?

Correct. That's the usual Bletchley - Brighton - Bletchley run.

 

[Thatcham Xing]

On a trip to London today I counted 8 387's in the sidings at Maidenhead and at least 7 parked at West Ealing.

More parked-up than about the 3 or 4 8-car sets I saw in service.

Guess they will have plenty of trains available for the January service introductions!

 

[spark001uk]

On a trip to London today I counted 8 387's in the sidings and Maidenhead and at least 7 parked at West Ealing.

More parked-up than about the 3 or 4 8-car sets I saw in service.

Guess they will have plenty of trains available for the January service introductions!

Most of those you saw parked up are brought into use for peak services.

 

[swt_passenger]

On a trip to London today I counted 8 387's in the sidings at Maidenhead and at least 7 parked at West Ealing.

More parked-up than about the 3 or 4 8-car sets I saw in service.

Guess they will have plenty of trains available for the January service introductions!

There's every possibility that the full fleet of 45 will be available by January. Initially they won't be heavily utilised, as the numbers must allow for services on additional routes such as Newbury, Oxford, Henley, Windsor in due course.

 

[JonathanH]

There's every possibility that the full fleet of 45 will be available by January. Initially they won't be heavily utilised, as the numbers must allow for services on additional routes such as Newbury, Oxford, Henley, Windsor in due course.

Some of the 387s are effectively currently covering future 'Crossrail' services to be worked by 345s. Those are the ones which are freed up for Newbury and other destinations in the future.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Must admit they are very nice, having tried one yesterday (as I mentioned on the 800 thread). The colour scheme is pleasant (no lime green!) and the contoured version of the ironing board cushion much better than the flat version GTR use.

Higher passenger comfort than the Class 800 to me. Absolutely excellent for a suburban/regional express EMU.

 

[reddragon]

I have had my first long ride on a 387 today and agree that they are a huge step up overall from the Turbo.

The seats are OK up to half an hour but then bum-numbness does start to settle in!

 

[Bletchleyite]

I may be an oddity, but I don't get a numb bum riding a Southern unit all the way from Bletchley to East Croydon (about 2 hours), and those use the harder flat cushions.

 

[reddragon]

I tweeted GWR and asked them if softer cushions were available for long journeys. They said no plans . . .