Progress on Avanti West Coast's 805/807s Hitachi AT300 sets

[DaveyJones]

It will be so a 5 car 805 can substitute for an 807 if needed.

Similar to how messy LNER 9 cars are

It also means its compatible with Pendolino. J&K are always First Class on there too

 

[Statto]

The 530 Birmingham to Holyead terminating at Llandudno Jn to regain its path from Holyhead.

Not surprising given it's 85 minutes late, & that's supposed to form 1A26, 08.53 Holyhead to Euston, even terminating & starting at Bangor will be cutting it fine, given that would have a 5 minute turn around if it's not delayed even further.

 

[31160]

Today's 1D80 (0530 New St-Holyhead) doesn't appear to have left Birmingham yet*.
The ECS from Oxley (805 004/011) arrived at New St 43 late.

* left 67 late. I can see that one being spun at Bangor or earlier.

The first up 805 service (0648 Holyhead-Euston) left on time with 805 001 (will double up at Chester).
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/se.../0000-2359?stp=WVSC&show=all&order=wtt&toc=VT

Do you know the reason for the delay, was it traction related or something else

 

[peter166]

Do you know the reason for the delay, was it traction related or something else

RTT This service is partially cancelled​

This service was cancelled between Llandudno Junction and Holyhead due to a problem with the doors (M7).

 

[Railperf]

RTT This service is partially cancelled​

This service was cancelled between Llandudno Junction and Holyhead due to a problem with the doors (M7).

Starting from Llandudno Junction to Euston on booked path.

"This service was cancelled between Holyhead and Llandudno Junction due to late arrival of an inbound service (YI).. No mention of door issues.

 

[800001]

RTT This service is partially cancelled​

This service was cancelled between Llandudno Junction and Holyhead due to a problem with the doors (M7).

Most likely a door defect on depot which required fixing before departure.

 

[baker_06]

Do you know the reason for the delay, was it traction related or something else

Doors on the rear set wouldn't release. Back set had to be locked out of use.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Do you know the reason for the delay, was it traction related or something else

It's hard to tell. Once a path is lost for whatever reason, life gets difficult.
The pair were 24 late off Oxley, 67 from Birmingham, 84 at Crewe and much the same until terminated at Llandudno Jn (LLJ).
RTT isn't showing a time for the return from there*.

* left LLJ 26 down.

1A14 (0648 Holyhead-Euston) arrived 6 late, losing just 3 minutes south of Crewe.

 

[voyagerdude220]

Doors on the rear set wouldn't release. Back set had to be locked out of use.

Avanti's "Journey Check" page confirms the return working is formed of 5 carriages instead of 10, presumably front set locked out of use.

 

[RexMundi]

Yes, 221110.

I should have waved

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Doors on the rear set wouldn't release. Back set had to be locked out of use.

Why would you run a locked-out set for several hundred miles?
Wouldn't you work it back to Oxley as soon as possible?

 

[800001]

Most likely have a Hitachi travelling fitter attempting to rectify the issue.

Most common issue is when coupling the TMS (train management system) does not recognise that the other set is coupled, when set arrives at Euston they may do a uncouple and recouple or a full computer reboot to rectify it.

Better to run 2 short forms than cancel a whole diagram

 

[craigybagel]

Not surprising given it's 85 minutes late, & that's supposed to form 1A26, 08.53 Holyhead to Euston, even terminating & starting at Bangor will be cutting it fine, given that would have a 5 minute turn around if it's not delayed even further.

Very difficult to terminate at Bangor with 2 sets and no gangways. You need to shunt into the tunnel to change direction. That's probably part of the reason why they chose Llandudno Junction instead.

 

[Railperf]

It's hard to tell. Once a path is lost for whatever reason, life gets difficult.
The pair were 24 late off Oxley, 67 from Birmingham, 84 at Crewe and much the same until terminated at Llandudno Jn (LLJ).
RTT isn't showing a time for the return from there*.

* left LLJ 26 down.

1A14 (0648 Holyhead-Euston) arrived 6 late, losing just 3 minutes south of Crewe.

Yes the schedule from Stafford to Euston represents a good 110mph non-stop run free of any TSR's / slowing for late trains. It seems rare to get a clear run into Euston platforms even if you are on schedule at Camden. So to leave Stafford 5 min late and collect close to 2 min time loss on the way to Euston suggests either some unplanned slowings due to TSR's late running trains or maybe a signaller slow to clear a route

 

[usefulcommbadg]

Here's an interesting one for the rollout of these trains: I have two tickets booked on 1R14 STA>EUS tomorrow. I bought the tickets months ago and so have reservations in coach P (which only exists on the 2x 805 configuration). At some point AWC have changed their rollout plans and now 1R14 is going to continue to be a 2x221 service. I reached out Avanti as I obviously can't sit in a seat in a carriage that doesn't exist, and they've had a look into it today and discovered that there's been an issue when mapping the reservations from 805 back to 221s so I don't have a reservation for that service anymore, and there aren't any other reservable seats available. So I've now got to hope that this hasn't affected lots of others and I'm able to grab an unreserved seat at Stafford.

Can't fault the Customer Service team as they've been really helpful but also something you'd think someone would have thought "Okay we're changing this service back to a 221, lets check if anyone booked seats on the 805 version?" - at least that's my thought as a customer.

 

[Energy]

Can't fault the Customer Service team as they've been really helpful but also something you'd think someone would have thought "Okay we're changing this service back to a 221, lets check if anyone booked seats on the 805 version?" - at least that's my thought as a customer.

I thought they didn't take reservations on the 805 services in case they needed to go back to 221s. Oh well...

 

[Adam Williams]

I suspect the seat reservation system is turned-off the 805s at present until the Voyagers have gone and AWC is certain it will be an 805.
My wife journeyed back from Euston tonight on the 1901, which I assume was booked as an 805 as the website showed the seating plan for a new unit when she booked her ticket, but in the event it was a 221{with no seat reservations}

I thought they didn't take reservations on the 805 services in case they needed to go back to 221s. Oh well...

I did wonder this, but when I checked the data in RARS for my service yesterday it was consistent with an 805 and I was given a seat in coach J.

I suspect there has been a problem with the "re-accommodation" process as they call it, which is the procedure when set swap happens and you already have folks with booked seats.

 

[voyagerdude220]

Here's an interesting one for the rollout of these trains: I have two tickets booked on 1R14 STA>EUS tomorrow. I bought the tickets months ago and so have reservations in coach P (which only exists on the 2x 805 configuration). At some point AWC have changed their rollout plans and now 1R14 is going to continue to be a 2x221 service. I reached out Avanti as I obviously can't sit in a seat in a carriage that doesn't exist, and they've had a look into it today and discovered that there's been an issue when mapping the reservations from 805 back to 221s so I don't have a reservation for that service anymore, and there aren't any other reservable seats available. So I've now got to hope that this hasn't affected lots of others and I'm able to grab an unreserved seat at Stafford.

Can't fault the Customer Service team as they've been really helpful but also something you'd think someone would have thought "Okay we're changing this service back to a 221, lets check if anyone booked seats on the 805 version?" - at least that's my thought as a customer.

I'm not certain, but aren't coaches C and J unreserved on 10 car Super Voyagers?

 

[D1537]

I'm on 9G26 (1416 Euston-Brum) with 805001/009. Reservations are going well, I'm looking forward to someone diving into my seat at Hanslope. Ditto the Harrow to Tile Hill passenger next to me.

 

[Railperf]

I'm on 9G26 (1416 Euston-Brum) with 805001/009. Reservations are going well, I'm looking forward to someone diving into my seat at Hanslope. Ditto the Harrow to Tile Hill passenger next to me.

On left hand side of train (facing north) the system displays 'reservations are unavailable' but on the right hand side of the train - the traffic light system (white or red lights) seems to be partially working - on the front set at least.
Definitely a less lively ride and quieter than the 350's at 110mph.
These would be good for a London to Glasgow relief service stopping at all major Avanti stations along Trent Valley at a cheaper price than the fast Pendolino's. At 110mph - so far - I haven't had the GU hanging underneath banging against the train underframe yet.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 3 Jun 2024 ==

Interesting regulation. 1410 Euston to BHM ( Pendolino with first stop Coventry) was late departing Euston at appx 1416 - 6 min late -and has been stuck behind the 'Evero' until Rugby where it finally got past - now running 20 min late. Going to be a tight turnaround for that service. But now the Evero is being delayed by the Pendolino at Coventry.

 

[Meerkat]

It’s a shame that they are changing power in Crewe platforms rather than after pulling away/before arrival and not polluting the station.
If K is reservable are there platform indications of where it is or will there be people wandering Uni and down between J and L, wondering if their reserved seat doesn’t exist?

 

[usefulcommbadg]

I'm not certain, but aren't coaches C and J unreserved on 10 car Super Voyagers?

They are indeed! However if this has happened to more than just my two tickets I'm hoping that I don't have to battle people in the same situation who've boarded at Blackpool, Preston, Wigan, Warrington, or Crewe by the time it arrives in Stafford

 

[D1537]

On left hand side of train (facing north) the system displays 'reservations are unavailable' but on the right hand side of the train - the traffic light system (white or red lights) seems to be partially working - on the front set at least.
Definitely a less lively ride and quieter than the 350's at 110mph.
These would be good for a London to Glasgow relief service stopping at all major Avanti stations along Trent Valley at a cheaper price than the fast Pendolino's. At 110mph - so far - I haven't had the GU hanging underneath banging against the train underframe yet.

Yes, I thought the ride was good as well. I used the toilet and thought it was quite a bit more clattery over the bogies (it was in Kilsby Tunnel as well) but all in all I was impressed.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Yes, I thought the ride was good as well. I used the toilet and thought it was quite a bit more clattery over the bogies (it was in Kilsby Tunnel as well) but all in all I was impressed.

I've generally found them to have a similar feel to 350s in terms of ride - it will be interesting to compare them directly.

 

[Railperf]

1621 from Birmingham is delayed by longish stops and traffic issues. No issues with the traction. Maybe drivers still getting used to them as brakes seemed to release twice attempting to depart station with no power and quick reapplication of brake. Third time took power as brakes released.

This is the best IET interior so far - seats still very firm but better window bay alignment even if there are fewer table bays Vs other IETs. Announcements clearer and louder but echoey. Still lacks decent journey information screens compared to Trenitalia - Italy Frecciarossa.
The interior is lighter and more airy due to larger windows and feels less cramped than a Pendolino. I'm tempted to say this is Avanti's best train and the Voyagers despite being faster cannot depart soon enough on this evidence.

 

[hexagon789]

1621 from Birmingham is delayed by longish stops and traffic issues. No issues with the traction. Maybe drivers still getting used to them as brakes seemed to release twice attempting to depart station with no power and quick reapplication of brake. Third time took power as brakes released.

Perhaps not applying quite enough power to overcome the holding brake, thus getting it to release?

 

[RealTrains07]

Is it just me or does the livery on some 805s have first class placed at the wrong end of the train?

 

[Forty29]

I was watching a YouTube video of an 805 arriving and departing BNS. It was painfully slow in both instances so yes could be driver's still being cautious.

 

[AJDesiro]

I was watching a YouTube video of an 805 arriving and departing BNS. It was painfully slow in both instances so yes could be driver's still being cautious.

Assuming you meant Birmingham New Street, and not Barnes, there is a 10mph speed limit on the platforms.

 

[Taunton]

Some of the 805s in service today also were clearly incomplete, 805001 has logos missing on the livery and 805009 hasn't got blanked out doors to the kitchen area or to first class.

Both are very minor details sure but it does hint that some 805s were rushed into service compared to others

Hopefully however it shows an approach where this sort of thing is seen not to matter. As opposed to the common practice elsewhere where, once replacement trains are even anticipated, their predecessors start to be withdrawn, maintenance is given up, rolling stock shortages begin - and then the new deliveries are inevitably delayed, more predecessors are withdrawn, all the time new stock is sat in sidings.

It does seem to be the new world that an entire new fleet can now be built and be in sidings somewhere, before the first one is used in sensible service.