Some - but a lot of the cross-bristol services which are planned to divide used to sit at Bristol TM for a while to fit into a standard path one side of Bristol or t’other, so on ordinary journeys you probably won’t notice. The “headline” journeys to which the time savings refer likely won’t have splits/joins as they’ll likely be peak hour trains.
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GWR Class 800
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Some - but a lot of the cross-bristol services which are planned to divide used to sit at Bristol TM for a while to fit into a standard path one side of Bristol or t’other, so on ordinary journeys you probably won’t notice. The “headline” journeys to which the time savings refer likely won’t have splits/joins as they’ll likely be peak hour trains.
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fflint
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Can I ask those who have traveled on the 800 series trains if the doors are narrow and or restrictive to someone getting on with say suitcases? I saw some video yesterday of them and it looked to me that the doors wern't as wide as the HST's.
Bletchleyite
Veteran Member
I didn't notice them being. Indeed, the only real problem I had with the units was the seats. Rip them out and put IC3000s in and you'd have a very good train. Other than that it was a bit nondescript (and some surprisingly poor build quality for a Japanese product; you'd think 2000s Adtranz/Bombardier had been in on it) but perfectly capable of doing the job.
If you're lugging a suitcase the size of a small family car then you'll struggle but for a more normal size large suitcase it should be fine.
This is, of course, in your opinion. I like the existing seats thank you very much. Installing IC3000s would be downgrade. In my opinion
Could you expand on that please?
BananaRepublic
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Do bear in mind that most of the on-board systems, components, sub assemblies, seats and interiors in the 800 series, are made by UK and other EU based manufacturers.
Apart from the initial Japanese built pre-series batch, they've been assembled and fitted out at Newton Aycliffe and despite the Japanese reputation for good quality control, let's not forget they're being assembled by a relatively inexperienced workforce.
UK suppliers
Other European suppliers
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Bletchleyite
Veteran Member
The thing I found most noticeable was poor panel fit - things like screws offset from where they should be where it had obviously been belted into place and held there while someone put the screw in.
What is the plan for the PAD to TAU/WSM services? Note that HSTs have been kept or put back on various of the peak Bristol-Somerset commuter services, which seems sensible given that the single 5 car sets aren't big enough for the demand?
Will these get the 9 car sets, or will both 5 car halves run on to give an extra TPH?
ScottDarg
Member
First(?) IET run into Glasgow Central this evening:
5X71 17:30 Doncaster IEP Depot - Glasgow Central: http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/K97202/2018/01/26/advanced
5X72 23:05 Glasgow Central - Doncaster IEP Depot: http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/K97203/2018/01/26/advanced
EDIT: 5X71 showing cancelled, thanks to Mag_Seven for pointing that out.
EDIT 2: Ignore the above, back on.
5X71 17:30 Doncaster IEP Depot - Glasgow Central: http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/K97202/2018/01/26/advanced
5X72 23:05 Glasgow Central - Doncaster IEP Depot: http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/K97203/2018/01/26/advanced
EDIT: 5X71 showing cancelled, thanks to Mag_Seven for pointing that out.
EDIT 2: Ignore the above, back on.
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Must look out for that next time I'm on one.
RTT shows 5X71 as cancelled.
ScottDarg
Member
Thanks for pointing that out, must've been canned just after I posted.
(I do wish they would make their minds up!)
dp21
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Apologies if this has been covered further up but does anyone know when to expect the first VTEC 80x to appear? I appreciate the GWR units are being used to do some of the approvals but as they are set to enter service in December I'd expect to see some doing some fault free running in a few months.
There's currently 9 Virgin 80x's in the country, The 10th is currently on a ship from Japan and the 11th and 12th are ready in Japan waiting to be shipped. The last we heard, Driver training is supposed to start around May so I'd imagine you'll see more of them running around in the next few months!
I had that test run pass me on the "racetrack" last night. They really need to sort out the lights on them, They point straight into the cab and blind you currently, Not good.
Typhoon_93
Member
I assume the “9 80x’s in the country” are a mix of complete pre series sets and shells awaiting assembly at Aycliffe.
Only 4 complete sets I know of are:-
800101, 801101, 801102, 801201.
jyte
Member
Another 800 question:
From people's experience of the 800s, does the food trolley manage to make it through the set when it's busy?
From people's experience of the 800s, does the food trolley manage to make it through the set when it's busy?
dp21
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Thanks guys!
Goldfish62
Established Member
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Nope.
I am wondering if anyone knows when the 802`s are due to start running to the west country? I heard from a GWR steward they were starting this summer and I also read June this year. I was originally under the impression they were due to enter service from Jan 19 with a new timetable set up, unless they`ll be working like the 800`s on an HST timetable until then.
I don't think the outside doors are a problem but the vestibules between cars are much narrower. Getting bulky luggage between cars looks tricky and getting between cars when it is full and standing looks harder than on a HST.
jyte
Member
Poop. That's a major gripe of mine with XC voyagers...
Though if the train is that busy would you be able to fight your way to the buffet anyway (obviously not been an option on XC for quite a while but was and is for a little longer on GWR)?
fflint
Member
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- 16 Apr 2012
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Thanks to all who answered my question.
Goldfish62
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I have been told June.
They will be phased into service to replace HSTs in the same way as is happening with the 800s - hedged around with the need to have enough trained staff available to make it do-able - which GWR still haven't quite managed when it comes to the Cotswold Line since the start of this year.
I gather this route is still going to be a problem for some weeks to come - a delayed start to training Oxford-based drivers on IETs seems to be a particular issue, hence the current cancellations, terminating short and stock swaps if Worcester can't provide a crew.
I gather this route is still going to be a problem for some weeks to come - a delayed start to training Oxford-based drivers on IETs seems to be a particular issue, hence the current cancellations, terminating short and stock swaps if Worcester can't provide a crew.
irish_rail
Established Member
End of July the 5.53 Plymouth to padd should be the first service. Provided sufficient drivers trained which is looking unlikely at present.....
20:34 train from Bristol temple meads formed of 10 coaches 5 were taken off or left out of service the train arrived 20ish mins late we got on found our seats lovely trains smooth and comfortable we got to hayes and harlington area and the emergency brake was applied then the train manager spoke to us saying we have an issue with the brakes so we’re gonna have to go back to Paddington at low speed so we proceeded on the slow line at 30mph while HST’s were overtaking us we eventually arrive Paddington 50 mins late
jyte
Member
Fair point, but I would counter that it's easier for a human to make its way passed other humans than a human pushing a large box on wheels trying the same feat.
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