Class 387

[FGW_DID]

I've noticed a few STP movements involving various loops on the GWML, including a movement from Willesden TMD to Hayes & Harlington Loop later tonight... anybody know what these are? Numerous involve trips to or from Reading TCD?

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/sea...17/04/08/0000-2359?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt

Overnight 387 test runs tonight.

57 light engine OOC to Reading TCD, pick up 387142/145.

Overnight runs with the 8 car over the Hayes & Harlington to Maidenhead section.

Consist returns to Reading on Sunday morning.

 

[Melancholia]

Looks like a Class 387 is going to be put through its paces on the new overhead wires east of Maidenhead in the early hours tomorrow. Series of paths from and to Southall or Hayes & Harlington now in the system.

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/sea...000-2359?stp=WVS&show=non-passenger&order=wtt

The only time I'd wish for an early shift, instead of a day off...

Hopefully some pictures will come out of the tests.

 

[FGW_DID]

There was also 387 test runs last night (well very early hours of this morning) between Reading TCD & Didcot with a 12 car formation, 387145, 137 & 142 at various speeds from 40mph - 110mph.
Not in work today but I think everything went well as far as the 387s were concerned. Not seen or heard anything to the contrary.

 

[leomartin125]

Then what the heck was this?

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/R00507/2017/04/08/advanced

 

[FGW_DID]

Then what the heck was this?

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/R00507/2017/04/08/advanced

3Q suggests a NR test train but can't see anything on any loco lists that match. Only other thing I can think of is an OTP haul from Plasser.

 

[spark001uk]

Then what the heck was this?

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/R00507/2017/04/08/advanced

A bit of digging on RTT shows these as probably all related:

3Q57 Willesden TMD - H&H loop
0Q60 H&H loop - W.Ealing loop
5Z58 H&H loop - Airport Jn.
5Z59 Airport Jn. - W.Ealing loop
3Q60 W.Ealing loop - Willesden TMD

It looks like a loco hauled cl.313 (NR's 313121?) to H&H, loco detaches and goes to W.Ealing loop, then unit does a couple of test runs on the catenary, then LH back to Willesden.

313121 is the ERTMS/ETCS test unit. Isn't ETCS what's going in on the stretch of crossrail between Pad & Heathrow? Seem to remember reading something about it recently.

I say looks like, because RTT isn't always gospel. But it sounds plausible in this instance.

 

[Roast Veg]

Even if the ERTMS isn't fitted, it could be a proving run for the 313's compatibility with series 1 OLE?

 

[spark001uk]

Even if the ERTMS isn't fitted, it could be a proving run for the 313's compatibility with series 1 OLE?

It ran between Airport jn and W.Ealing, that's the old OLE.

 

[jimm]

Looks to have been a two-hour delay to the start of the 387 trial runs this morning, until 3.20, with a couple of the round trips dropped as a result but they still fitted in five out-and-back runs between Hayes & Harlington or Southall and Maidenhead.

 

[jyte]

Looks to have been a two-hour delay to the start of the 387 trial runs this morning, until 3.20, with a couple of the round trips dropped as a result but they still fitted in five out-and-back runs between Hayes & Harlington or Southall and Maidenhead.

Any pics?

 

[Chris125]

Looks to have been a two-hour delay to the start of the 387 trial runs this morning, until 3.20, with a couple of the round trips dropped as a result but they still fitted in five out-and-back runs between Hayes & Harlington or Southall and Maidenhead.

Both Mains and Reliefs?

 

[spark001uk]

Both Mains and Reliefs?

RTT reported all 4 lines passed at Slough, and all 4 used at Maidenhead.

 

[spark001uk]

Meant to say, saw an 8/387 with pans up in Wembley yard on Thurs. Didn't get a great look at the numbers, but looked like 148 & 149? Bound for Reading TCD at some point I guess?

 

[leomartin125]

Meant to say, saw an 8/387 with pans up in Wembley yard on Thurs. Didn't get a great look at the numbers, but looked like 148 & 149? Bound for Reading TCD at some point I guess?

If it was in Wembley, it would be heading up to Crewe on mileage accumulation and testing the pantographs. Shouldn't be too long before it gets delivered. All deliveries start from Bletchley TMD.

 

[Class455]

387 210 is now back at Gatwick Express. Saw it today at Purley Oaks. I also saw 387 124 at Selhurst, which indicates it is about to move to Great Northern

 

[aleggatta]

387 210 is now back at Gatwick Express. Saw it today at Purley Oaks. I also saw 387 124 at Selhurst, which indicates it is about to move to Great Northern

Would guess it's going under the wire on test after having some problems discovered in the pan well on exam

 

[FGW_DID]

Meant to say, saw an 8/387 with pans up in Wembley yard on Thurs. Didn't get a great look at the numbers, but looked like 148 & 149? Bound for Reading TCD at some point I guess?

If it was in Wembley, it would be heading up to Crewe on mileage accumulation and testing the pantographs. Shouldn't be too long before it gets delivered. All deliveries start from Bletchley TMD.

387143 & 387146 are due to be delivered to Reading TCD tomorrow (ROG Class 37 in charge):

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/K96299/2017/04/19/advanced

ROG 37 back to Derby:

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/R73114/2017/04/19/advanced

 

[spark001uk]

Took train from Reading to pad earlier, about lunchtime-ish, and 57310 was in Hanwell loop with 8/387 (nos not known), couldn't see anything on RTT tho, other than a cancelled TCD to W.Ealing. Last minute change?

Also noticed a few minutes later there was 8/387 in the west end siding of NP, 140+144.

 

[FGW_DID]

Took train from Reading to pad earlier, about lunchtime-ish, and 57310 was in Hanwell loop with 8/387 (nos not known), couldn't see anything on RTT tho, other than a cancelled TCD to W.Ealing. Last minute change?

Also noticed a few minutes later there was 8/387 in the west end siding of NP, 140+144.

No swap today between West Ealing LMD & Reading TCD but;

57310 ran l/e as 0R87 Old Oak Common-Reading TCD

Picked up 387135 & 387138 then ran as 5Z88 Reading TCD - West Ealing (basically in the same path as the cancelled 5G87)

 

[spark001uk]

No swap today between West Ealing LMD & Reading TCD but...

Ah OK, thanks. How about 140/144 at NP, was there no space at Ealing at the time, or are they there for another reason?

 

[FGW_DID]

Ah OK, thanks. How about 140/144 at NP, was there no space at Ealing at the time, or are they there for another reason?

More than likely space restrictions at West Ealing. By my reckoning there are already 7x 387 at WE (capacity 8).

 

[leomartin125]

More than likely space restrictions at West Ealing. By my reckoning there are already 7x 387 at WE (capacity 8).

Will GWR use the Crossrail Sidings at Maidenhead at all? Or is that extra space that will be wasted until 2019? It's all wired and complete, and the wires are live too so I don't see why not to use that area. At least then the 387's aren't trapped at Reading.

 

[FGW_DID]

Will GWR use the Crossrail Sidings at Maidenhead at all? Or is that extra space that will be wasted until 2019? It's all wired and complete, and the wires are live too so I don't see why not to use that area. At least then the 387's aren't trapped at Reading.

I believe it may have been discussed, we'll have to wait and see, it would definitely make sense.
If it were to happen though, the 387s would still have to return to Reading for scheduled exam work.
Has the Maidenhead sidings got CET facilities or is it literally just stabling space?

 

[swt_passenger]

Will GWR use the Crossrail Sidings at Maidenhead at all? Or is that extra space that will be wasted until 2019? It's all wired and complete, and the wires are live too so I don't see why not to use that area. At least then the 387's aren't trapped at Reading.

We discussed it a few days ago in the GWML electrification thread. GWR trains are shown to be using the turn back siding and the stabling sidings according to Realtimetrains for dates in July: http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/P04661/2017/07/05/advanced

 

[coppercapped]

I believe it may have been discussed, we'll have to wait and see, it would definitely make sense.
If it were to happen though, the 387s would still have to return to Reading for scheduled exam work.
Has the Maidenhead sidings got CET facilities or is it literally just stabling space?

The Crossrail trains don't have toilets...

 

[leomartin125]

The Crossrail trains don't have toilets...

And for that reason, the sidings at Maidenhead are simply carriage sidings. Nothing more.

 

[spark001uk]

So the crossrail units will be solely maintained at Ilford then I guess?

 

[swt_passenger]

So the crossrail units will be solely maintained at Ilford then I guess?

Their main depot will be at Old Oak Common eventually. Initial Liverpool St - Shenfield batch will run from Ilford.

 

[D365]

Ilford will be their secondary depot. Something akin to Hornsey on Thameslink.

Might also see the Class 387s pop up there from time to time, seeing as it is (and will continue to be) a Bombardier facility.

 

[spark001uk]

Saw 57310 arriving with units 137 and 139 yesterday afternoon at W.Ealing sidings. Not sure which two went to Reading in the morning though?
I noticed 140 / 144 were still at NP also.