Class 799 mainline trials

[Northerngirl]

It looks like the class 799 is back in service again, around Birmingham. Any ideas what they are testing as I though it had been scraped

 

[Royston Vasey]

"Clag!!"

Good to see. It will have its place in the future mix.

 

[507021]

It looks like the class 799 is back in service again, around Birmingham. Any ideas what they are testing as I though it had been scraped

It was the initial unit (799001) which was scrapped.

 

[norbitonflyer]

"Clag!!"

That's not clag, it's steam. A familiar sight at Kidderminster, but not usually on the Network Rail tracks!

It does look odd coming out of a 319 though!

 

[Bletchleyite]

Doesn't look great for the driver there - faffing about with his coat while starting moving! No great danger but not a fantastic image to portray.

 

[Bletchleyite]

The man with the coat isn't the driver.

The man with the hi-vis isn't, but the other one (on the right) is faffing with his jacket after starting moving. Not the most dangerous thing in the world but really not a good look when he could have ensured he was ready and comfortable to drive before releasing the brake.

 

[507021]

The man with the hi-vis isn't, but the other one (on the right) is faffing with his jacket after starting moving.

So he was, I only noticed that after watching the video again. Note to self: watch the video again before replying.

 

[Royston Vasey]

That's not clag, it's steam. A familiar sight at Kidderminster, but not usually on the Network Rail tracks!

It does look odd coming out of a 319 though!

I was joking - I’ve been involved with the fuel cell industry on and off for nearly 20 years in various capacities. I am very familiar with fuel cell chemistry, shall we say!

More visible exhaust than a 769 on diesel!

 

[Northerngirl]

It was the initial unit (799001) which was scrapped.

Ahh, that clears up the confusion

 

[richa2002]

Doesn't look great for the driver there - faffing about with his coat while starting moving! No great danger but not a fantastic image to portray.

Truly in awe of this armchair-ity. Do people have no limit?

 

[Suraggu]

Doesn't look great for the driver there - faffing about with his coat while starting moving! No great danger but not a fantastic image to portray.

Genuinely baffled by this. A driver taking off his coat whilst departing isn't a great look for a business? Have we hit that level of madness now?

 

[Fincra5]

Nice to see it working.

All they need to do is work at getting the kit under the train or in the roof!

 

[66701GBRF]

The man with the hi-vis isn't, but the other one (on the right) is faffing with his jacket after starting moving. Not the most dangerous thing in the world but really not a good look when he could have ensured he was ready and comfortable to drive before releasing the brake.

Seriously? The mind boggles with this place sometimes. There is no rule against taking your jacket off, or indeed putting one on, when in motion.

 

[fgwrich]

Nice to see it working.

All they need to do is work at getting the kit under the train or in the roof!

Indeed. Still one of the more unique experiences I’ve had though, travelling in swivel chairs in a mobile boardroom through the Worcestershire countryside.

 

[D365]

Indeed. Still one of the more unique experiences I’ve had though, travelling in swivel chairs in a mobile boardroom through the Worcestershire countryside.

Glad to see you’ve had the pleasure. I’ve only had the ’static’ experience.

 

[anthony263]

Indeed. Still one of the more unique experiences I’ve had though, travelling in swivel chairs in a mobile boardroom through the Worcestershire countryside.

Whats it like travelling on

 

[Fincra5]

Indeed. Still one of the more unique experiences I’ve had though, travelling in swivel chairs in a mobile boardroom through the Worcestershire countryside.

Could do with it as a Mobile Training Centre

 

[Northerngirl]

Indeed. Still one of the more unique experiences I’ve had though, travelling in swivel chairs in a mobile boardroom through the Worcestershire countryside.

Never thought I'd see a 319 looking so fresh and modern, I wish northern would use seat fabric like that

 

[778]

That's not clag, it's steam. A familiar sight at Kidderminster, but not usually on the Network Rail tracks!

It does look odd coming out of a 319 though!

The SVR are converting an 08 to run on hydrogen.

 

[fgwrich]

Whats it like travelling on

Unusual to say the least but an enjoyable journey. As a unit it still makes all the sounds of a 319, in the passenger saloon it still feels like a 319 but refurbished to a high standard. In the boardroom, like no other boardroom I’ve been in before. Normally I’d advocate the removal of the opening windows for such a coach but given the heat we had last summer, they were a welcome feature!

 

[Invincible]

Nice to see it working.

All they need to do is work at getting the kit under the train or in the roof!

From a press release 3 years ago they aim to do this

UK’s First Hydrogen Train takes to the Mainline · Porterbrook

www.porterbrook.co.uk

There are mixed reviews from Germany on Hydrogen trains for various reasons (see the speculation thread), but they are continuing with presumably German Government support and offering passengers vouchers for delays.

The 799 from the press release say Porterbrook and Birmingham University are putting over a million pounds into it.So presume some students are involved with the project, does not say if the UK Government are investing in it. The 2 other UK hydrogen/battery train projects seemed to have stopped.Alstom and Eversholts plan to make 10 new hydrogen/battery Aventras have not progressed.

 

[Alfie1014]

Surprised how noisy the hydrogen gubbins (technical term) is!

 

[DM352]

The space taken by the hydrogen coach reminds me of the engine space needed by the 4 car 210.

It will be interesting to see how this progresses vs the battery approach with other classes.

 

[Northerngirl]

Was the tri mode iet supposed to be hydrogen or battery. Given its ridiculously high floors, they could definitely fit the equipment under there

 

[Bletchleyite]

Truly in awe of this armchair-ity. Do people have no limit?

Genuinely baffled by this. A driver taking off his coat whilst departing isn't a great look for a business? Have we hit that level of madness now?

Seriously? The mind boggles with this place sometimes. There is no rule against taking your jacket off, or indeed putting one on, when in motion.

You are in a stationary vehicle you are about to drive.

Do you:

1. Ensure everything is in order before releasing the brake and moving off?

Or

2. Move off in a hurry before deciding to stand up and take your jacket off?

Which of those is the safer option seems obvious to me. It might not break a rule, but it's definitely not a good look. Comparable I suppose to car drivers who get halfway down the road before belting up - you should do it before releasing the handbrake.