SwindonBert
Member
Was this a passenger train, or trial?Good to see electric services to Swindon today (albeit only in one direction - UP services expected next week). I'll try and get a photo today of a raised pan in the station if I can.
Was this a passenger train, or trial?Good to see electric services to Swindon today (albeit only in one direction - UP services expected next week). I'll try and get a photo today of a raised pan in the station if I can.
Not a trial, it’s the start of normal electric service, (apart from Steventon Bridge). Should be any 80x operated service. AFAICT.Was this a passenger train, or trial?
Not yet. Electric services onwards to Wootton Bassett and Bristol Parkway will come in January.So I wasn't imagining the pan dropping as I stepped off a westbound IET at Swindon tonight! I assume there is still no electric running west of the station?
Today is a big day for #Swindon as we officially launch electric services from London Paddington to Swindon.
Passengers will benefit from a new train fleet with @GWRHelp with more seats and better facilities.
♂️#TracksideToby has been down to the station to explain more.
It's difficult to see how they justify the claim of more seats and trains simply as a consequence of electric running a bit further out from London...Network Rail have officially launched electric operation to Swindon
https://twitter.com/networkrailwest/status/1057871330819883008?s=21
It is the same train fleet albeit running in electric mode rather than diesel. of course the HST's will eventually disappear completely. Are the 387's going to serve beyond Didcot to Swindon?
They'll still be kept as the 2+4 'Castle' units in the West Country.of course the HST's will eventually disappear completely
That’s been shot down in the rolling stock forum numerous times, usually by the very reliable Clarence Yard...I've also heard that GWR are now proposing to keep x8 full sets in reserve to cover for IET failures. Admittedly I've not seen anything official for that, only second-hand info.
Ah, fair enough - thanks for clarifying. There's plenty of 'fake news' on the railway grapevine!That’s been shot down in the rolling stock forum numerous times, usually by the very reliable Clarence Yard...
So to clarify...what is the plan for electric services to/from Swindon and beyond if any? Will there be an extension of London to Didcot stopping services? And if so, will that mean fewer IET's stopping at Swindon in the long term? Also when will the section towards Chippenham go live - or will that be only once the wiring to Thingley Jn is completed?
The 2015 stakeholder brief
Sure. Just thinking that’s about when it last got an airing...Quite frankly with all that's happened between then and now, I can imagine that's no longer worth the paper its written on!
The 2015 stakeholder brief mentioned “morning peak only” Swindon starters on Thames Valley services, from Dec 2018. I’ve never seen any subsequent official confirmation of if or when it might ever happen. However they are providing EMU stabling at Swindon.
Are the IETs now enjoying electric power from Swindon eastwards?No hold up per se, Network Rail just want to ensure everything runs smoothly in the down direction before allowing up trains to do the same. Up trains should be able to use the wires through the same section from the following week (Sunday 4th November).
Are the IETs now enjoying electric power from Swindon eastwards?
Edit: apart from the problematic bridge/level crossing in the Steventon area
It would appear not, word is that, electric running Swindon towards Causeway Crossing (Steventon) suspended UFN.
Hope it gets sorted before the Class 387's need to run to the new sidings at Swindon.
I assume trains are still running westwards on AC?It would appear not, word is that, electric running Swindon towards Causeway Crossing (Steventon) suspended UFN.
Don’t know why!
Hope it gets sorted before the Class 387's need to run to the new sidings at Swindon.
They'll be stabling at Swindon Cocklebury Sidings, becauseWhy would the 387s need to work to Swindon anyway?
Wha’s the reason for the suspension of passenger services running under electric traction?It would appear not, word is that, electric running Swindon towards Causeway Crossing (Steventon) suspended UFN.
Don’t know why!
It only applies to the eastbound services from Swindon to Steventon; AFAIK the westbounds are still running into Swindon with pans up.Wha’s the reason for the suspension of passenger services running under electric traction?