East-West Rail (EWR) countdown to entry into service

[Gagravarr]

Today marked the first time that a Class 196 traversed EWR with two return trips from Bletchley to Bicester Village being made by 196012.

Just spied a 196 in Oxford by the Rewley Road swing bridge (just to the north of the station), so they've made it a little further today!

 

[12LDA28C]

Just spied a 196 in Oxford by the Rewley Road swing bridge (just to the north of the station), so they've made it a little further today!

Indeed. Also planned to Oxford tomorrow and Friday.

 

[Sun Chariot]

Which operator normally drives the "Hastings" railtour set? I wonder whether they'll simply take on a pilot crew with EWR knowledge, for 5-April's tour to Milton Keynes via Oxford and EWR.

https://www.hastingsdiesels.co.uk/railtours/#eastwest

 

[DarloRich]

Thanks for the heads up 12LDA28C. I was able to see one at Fenny Stratford just now

always the way - miles away when something interesting happens at your local station!

 

[Mag_seven]

Which operator normally drives the "Hastings" railtour set?

It's normally GBRf I believe.

 

[12LDA28C]

Class 196 testing and driver training / handling has been ongoing since Tuesday with the three units currently at Bletchley (196008/011/012) all having seen use. Here's 196011 at a foggy Winslow yesterday (Friday 29th February)

 

[AJDesiro]

Thanks for the heads up 12LDA28C. I was able to see one at Fenny Stratford just now - I wonder when we'll see them in Chiltern livery?

We may never, they’re being subleased from WMT. Of course it’s possible that it does happen, it seems like it could end up being a bit of a trade for those 4 172/1s Chiltern surrendered a few years back.

 

[12LDA28C]

We may never, they’re being subleased from WMT. Of course it’s possible that it does happen, it seems like it could end up being a bit of a trade for those 4 172/1s Chiltern surrendered a few years back.

Subleased for several years, surely? It wouldn't be a good look to keep trains running on EWR in another operator's livery, it would confuse passengers for a start.

 

[RPM]

Subleased for several years, surely? It wouldn't be a good look to keep trains running on EWR in another operator's livery, it would confuse passengers for a start.

I suspect it is more likely to be a bespoke EWR livery rather than Chiltern livery though.

 

[Liam L]

Subleased for several years, surely? It wouldn't be a good look to keep trains running on EWR in another operator's livery, it would confuse passengers for a start.

I don't think there plans for them to be put into new colours if they only planned to subleased. I think the most will be done is Chiltern logos / EWR branding being applied.

 

[12LDA28C]

I don't think there plans for them to be put into new colours if they only planned to subleased. I think the most will be done is Chiltern logos / EWR branding being applied.

That's your opinion, I disagree.

 

[Sun Chariot]

Class 196 testing and driver training / handling has been ongoing since Tuesday with the three units currently at Bletchley (196008/011/012) all having seen use. Here's 196011 at a foggy Winslow yesterday (Friday 29th February)

View attachment 175568

196008 doing the honours again today. 165012 yesterday. I guess the same 196 will continue with this week's paths.

 

[12LDA28C]

196008 doing the honours again today. 165012 yesterday. I guess the same 196 will continue with this week's paths.

No, there are two separate trains operating each day, providing they can be resourced. The 165 is engaged on route-learning trips and starts the day coming ECS from Banbury to Oxford. The 196 is for traction training and driver familiarisation and starts and ends each day at Bletchley. The 196s are rotated throughout the week, which is why 196008/011/012 all saw use last week.

 

[Sun Chariot]

No, there are two separate trains operating each day, providing they can be resourced. The 165 is engaged on route-learning trips and starts the day coming ECS from Banbury to Oxford. The 196 is for traction training and driver familiarisation and starts and ends each day at Bletchley. The 196s are rotated throughout the week, which is why 196008/011/012 all saw use last week.

Oh that's nteresting. As both sets of paths are using 5Fxx, I had assumed yesterday's 5F91 to 5F97 was just a mirror of today's 5F72 to 5F77.
I really must get back that way, when time and weather are on my side.

 

[BlueLeanie]

How're the 196s comparing to the 165s for acceleration and timing?

I think the 165/0 has a max speed of 75mph, and the 196s have a max speed of 100mph. At present the 165s seem to be generally capable of arriving ahead of timetable. Could we see the timings narrowed in future with a 196 timetabled service?

 

[12LDA28C]

How're the 196s comparing to the 165s for acceleration and timing?

I think the 165/0 has a max speed of 75mph, and the 196s have a max speed of 100mph. At present the 165s seem to be generally capable of arriving ahead of timetable. Could we see the timings narrowed in future with a 196 timetabled service?

Clearly the 196s are more modern units with a top speed of 100mph (when in the correct operating mode) so will greatly outperform a Class 165. As has been previously discussed, the full EWR timings that have already appeared in RTT reflect what the passenger timetable will be when trains start running. The 165s that are used on EWR currently are only being used for route learning and most of the time they do not stop at intermediate stations so it's not surprising they arrive ahead of timetable.

 

[FGW_DID]

This coming Sunday (16/03) the GWR Night Riviera stock is running ECS between Reading TCD & London Euston (and back) via the East-West route.

Realtime Trains | 5Z80 1106 Reading Traincare Depot to London Euston | 16/03/2025

Real-time train running information for 5Z80 1106 departure from Reading Traincare Depot to London Euston on 16/03/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Realtime Trains | 5Z83 1523 London Euston to Reading Traincare Depot | 16/03/2025

Real-time train running information for 5Z83 1523 departure from London Euston to Reading Traincare Depot on 16/03/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[sqwizz]

This coming Sunday (16/03) the GWR Night Riviera stock is running ECS between Reading TCD & London Euston (and back) via the East-West route.

This is why I'm watching the thread! Thanks for the info.

 

[newtownmgr]

196’s are governed to 90mph at present. Been told it’s unlikely to change as not required for EWR i believe. Also believe they will stay in West Mids livery as they are painted not vinyled. Suspect they may receive EWR Branding over the West Mids at some point. Not sure how long the lease has left to run as it was signed some time ago.

To be honest its about time EWR/Chiltern tendered for new units, as losing these units is already impacting west mids due to reliability issues and potential impact on future service expansion

 

[12LDA28C]

196’s are governed to 90mph at present. Been told it’s unlikely to change as not required for EWR i believe.

This is not correct. They are required to be capable of 100mph for EWR and indeed they have already been running at 100mph during testing. It's the DfT who decide what traction is used on EWR, Chiltern don't have a say in it.

 

[newtownmgr]

This is not correct. They are required to be capable of 100mph for EWR and indeed they have already been running at 100mph during testing. It's the DfT who decide what traction is used on EWR, Chiltern don't have a say in it.

Well obviously I was given incorrect info.

Regardless of who decides what traction is used I hope they get their act together and order units so WMT can have the 196’s back.

 

[Sun Chariot]

This coming Sunday (16/03) the GWR Night Riviera stock is running ECS between Reading TCD & London Euston (and back) via the East-West route.

Realtime Trains | 5Z80 1106 Reading Traincare Depot to London Euston | 16/03/2025

Real-time train running information for 5Z80 1106 departure from Reading Traincare Depot to London Euston on 16/03/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Realtime Trains | 5Z83 1523 London Euston to Reading Traincare Depot | 16/03/2025

Real-time train running information for 5Z83 1523 departure from London Euston to Reading Traincare Depot on 16/03/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Interesting "round the houses" route for Reading TrainCare to/from Euston. Does any reader know the rationale for it?
I presume it isn't a precursor for route learning or gauging.

 

[The Planner]

Interesting "round the houses" route for Reading TrainCare to/from Euston. Does any reader know the rationale for it?
I presume it isn't a precursor for route learning or gauging.

It will be. Running to MK and down to Euston for OOC blocks is being looked at.

 

[Sun Chariot]

It will be. Running to MK and down to Euston for OOC blocks is being looked at.

Excellent, thanks. Selfishly, that'll open up the possibility of getting a photo in the future; I can't get to the line this time (and, besides, the weather forecast looks un-photogenic!)

 

[Peter Sarf]

Well obviously I was given incorrect info.

Regardless of who decides what traction is used I hope they get their act together and order units so WMT can have the 196’s back.

The six 196s were always meant for EWR I believe. WMT should have enough 196s for the diagrams they operate - relistically it could be argued it might be a bit tight but in reality I think 196 availability might not be good enough yet ?.

 

[Liam L]

The six 196s were always meant for EWR I believe. WMT should have enough 196s for the diagrams they operate - relistically it could be argued it might be a bit tight but in reality I think 196 availability might not be good enough yet ?.

Should be atleast 4 spare units, only two 196/0 are diagramed currently (another 2 when the camp hill finally opens). Not sure how many 196/1 diagrams there are

 

[Peter Sarf]

Should be atleast 4 spare units, only two 196/0 are diagramed currently (another 2 when the camp hill finally opens). Not sure how many 196/1 diagrams there are

Currently, there are 11 diagrams for the 14 four car 196/1s and there are 4 diagrams for the 6 two car 196/0s (with a further six for EWR).

Two of the 2car 196/0s work Nuneaton to/from Leamington Spa.
Two of the 2car 196/0s work together on Tyseley-Shrewsbuury-Tyseley (I suspect that will become a single 4car diagram eventually or is already just a backup for one of the 11 4car diagrams).

 

[Sun Chariot]

This pic is when I walked it in 2017.

Whereabouts was that shot? I walked parts of Swanbourne and Verney Junction early in 2020 - the singled bullhead rail was very much in existence. Swanbourne old LNWR station was demolished one month after my visit.

 

[duffield]

Whereabouts was that shot? I walked parts of Swanbourne and Verney Junction early in 2020 - the singled bullhead rail was very much in existence. Swanbourne old LNWR station was demolished one month after my visit.

I remember looking a the satellite views before the reconstruction started and you could see sections of missing track a few miles west of the then end of the line at Swanbourne (allegedly stolen by metal thieves). And looking at some 2020 images today, between Salden Lane and Swan's Way (about 4 miles west of Bletchley) there's an area that very much looks like it's been partly dismantled, and not professionally by NR (odd bits of rail left with gaps, one side or the other missing). Unless that actually was some sort of preliminary ground surveying where they cut bits out. But 2018 looks like some big chunks missing too, but more overgrown in parts.

 

[sqwizz]

Whereabouts was that shot? I walked parts of Swanbourne and Verney Junction early in 2020 - the singled bullhead rail was very much in existence. Swanbourne old LNWR station was demolished one month after my visit.

Halfway between the 2 Whaddon Roads, just west of Newton Longville. Here's another pic from the same day a bit further east that did still have rails (and a pic of the same bridge from this week) (btw, I *am* still behind the fence on that second one!)