Creation of class 230 DEMUs from ex-LU D78s by Vivarail

[43096]

The Vivarail paths on the Cotswold Line have been appearing in the timetable for several months for three or four days a week. On the odd occasion, 230001 has actually put in an appearance, but most of the time they simply have not been used. Whether today will be any different remains to be seen. Nothing ran yesterday

And it appears they have not run.

 

[Bletchleyite]

in the grand scheme of things - no. Generally: yes.

I don't mind it, it's a fairly average Home Counties town, a bit like Aylesbury, Leighton Buzzard or Northampton, nothing amazing but not that bad either. Quite nice down by the river. I have no reason to move there but wouldn't overly object to doing so if it became necessary.

 

[duffield]

... Quite nice down by the river. ...

Was about to say this. There's a pub with a balcony overlooking the river.

 

[causton]

Not read every single post on this but the three 230s will be named, and some of the names mentioned in this thread are (potentially) contenders... there are a few for each train so not sure what will be chosen for each one but you're not that far off!

 

[hooverboy]

Yes, there's a Wetherspoons named after Ronnie Barker in Oxford, The Four Candles!

A topical person with Bedford connections is Alastair Cook who was a student at Bedford School fora few years, his cricket career took off there

ok I'll bite

Tim Foster(olympic rowing gold medallist), used to go to Bedford Modern school

 

[adrock1976]

I don't mind it, it's a fairly average Home Counties town, a bit like Aylesbury, Leighton Buzzard or Northampton, nothing amazing but not that bad either. Quite nice down by the river. I have no reason to move there but wouldn't overly object to doing so if it became necessary.

With you having made reference to Leighton Buzzard, possibly the most famous people from there is the 1980s band Kajagoogoo, who named themselves after the first sound a newly born baby makes. They had a big Number 1 in 1983 with "Too Shy", and not really anything as big as that afterwards.

Back to the main topic, have test runs in Wales been confirmed yet?

 

[krus_aragon]

Back to the main topic, have test runs in Wales been confirmed yet?

No, but we're a fair way off that yet. At the franchise announcement in June, introduction of the 230s was scheduled for Q2/3 of 2019. What is known is that the first unit will be introduced on the Conwy Valley, which is operated by a single diagram (no other trains south of Llandudno Jn to get in the way of in the event of a breakdown).

 

[Bod]

Bedford is fine, it's the people that spoil it.

Quite frankly this new tat is not worthy of being named as junk, garbage and crate should suffice but if you must have names for them how about Sooty, Sweep and Soo or George, Bungle and Zippy or Hewie, Lewie and Dewie?

 

[krus_aragon]

STP paths have appeared and been cancelled for what I assume is class 230 testing along the Marston Vale for the next few months. Looks like 5 return trips per day. Street word is the trains are due "imminently" and will arrive by road to Blethcley depot shortly.

I don' suppse anything's moved yet? As it happens I'll be in Bletchley on Monday morning.

 

[DarloRich]

I don' suppse anything's moved yet? As it happens I'll be in Bletchley on Monday morning.

Not as far as I am aware

 

[DarloRich]

I don' suppse anything's moved yet? As it happens I'll be in Bletchley on Monday morning.

Word on the street is that the new trains are now due on Wednesday. There was a failure on final test last week. A fuel leak was suggested.

 

[Chris125]

230003 has been spotted on a test run:

https://twitter.com/Clinnick1/status/1041627588437917696

https://twitter.com/Vivarail/status/1041638857144451072

 

[DarloRich]

230003 has been spotted on a test run:

https://twitter.com/Clinnick1/status/1041627588437917696

https://twitter.com/Vivarail/status/1041638857144451072

IT LIVES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[MatthewRead]

IT LIVES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hooray

 

[Bletchleyite]

Are they getting aircon? If not only one opening window won’t be enough.

 

[Chris125]

Are they getting aircon? If not only one opening window won’t be enough.

No air-con, but they do have forced ventilation. That arrangement sufficed on the District for over 30 years so I'd be surprised if it proved a significant issue on Bedford-Bletchley.

 

[DarloRich]

No air-con, but they do have forced ventilation. That arrangement sufficed on the District for over 30 years so I'd be surprised if it proved a significant issue on Bedford-Bletchley.

air con has been suggested as coming as standard

 

[LowLevel]

No matter how they tart it up in such a short formation it still looks like a flying shed on rails

 

[DarloRich]

No matter how they tart it up in such a short formation it still looks like a flying shed on rails

considering the dogbox SMELLS like a toilet shed on wheels this will be an improvement

 

[HLE]

That’s the air freshener!

 

[Chris125]

air con has been suggested as coming as standard

Wasn't that for future orders, beginning with the welsh fleet? I can't find anything suggesting the LNW fleet will have it.

 

[jimm]

air con has been suggested as coming as standard

Vivarail have always said that anyone taking the trains could have whatever door arrangements and interior specification they wanted, so I'm not sure that beyond the basic engineering work to add the diesel generator set and update the cabs that there will be any such thing as a 'standard' version of the 230.

PS: This morning's path for a 230 run from Long Marston to Moreton-in-Marsh, Evesham and back to Long Marston has been cancelled.

 

[DarloRich]

Path in place for new secondhand former underground chugs to arrive at Bletchley this evening: http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/O39575/2018/09/18/advanced

 

[Cjjb98d]

I wonder if they’ll make the trip without breaking down?

Path in place for new secondhand former underground chugs to arrive at Bletchley this evening: http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/O39575/2018/09/18/advanced

 

[Bletchleyite]

Pathed as Class 14x (Pacer) DMU

(giggles)

 

[northwichcat]

Path in place for new secondhand former underground chugs to arrive at Bletchley this evening: http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/O39575/2018/09/18/advanced

Doesn't look like it's moving.

 

[DarloRich]

Doesn't look like it's moving.

nope - although the preceding working left LM 80+ minutes late

 

[northwichcat]

nope - although the preceding working left LM 80+ minutes late

That was also an earlier working shown as a 'test' for a '74mph 14x' which is shown as having been cancelled.

 

[DarloRich]

That was also an earlier working shown as a 'test' for a '74mph 14x' which is shown as having been cancelled.

set off 50 late

 

[Bletchleyite]

That was also an earlier working shown as a 'test' for a '74mph 14x' which is shown as having been cancelled.

Was the path itself perhaps a test, i.e. there was never an intention of operating a train under it?