GWR Class 387s Paddington to Bristol Parkway from Monday 24th May

[Melancholia]

Not sure if this has been posted elsewhere, but from Monday 24th May, Class 387s will be running from Paddington to Bristol Parkway in place of IETs, due to the ongoing problems with the IET availability.

I don't know whether it'll be a 4 car, 8 or a 12. Somebody in the know might post below.

The diagram is as follows (and links to RTT):

- 3U44 0508 Reading Train Care Depot - London Paddington 0550 [ECS]
- 9U44 0712 London Paddington - Bristol Parkway 0837
- 9L43 1019 Bristol Parkway - London Paddington 1142
- 9U54 1212 London Paddington - Bristol Parkway 1336
- 5Z54 1349 Bristol Parkway - Swindon 1414 [ECS]
- 5Z53 1432 Swindon - Bristol Parkway 1457 [ECS]
- 9L53 1510 Bristol Parkway - London Paddington 1643
- 9U66 1712 London Paddington - Bristol Parkway 1836
- 5Z66 1904 Bristol Parkway - Reading Train Care Depot 2007 [ECS]

 

[StephenHunter]

3 of the c2c 387s have come over to assist GWR too.

 

[JN114]

They will be 8 car sets (GWR /1s), sets freed up as @StephenHunter says by the temporary loan of 387/3 sets from c2c for Newbury services

 

[31160]

Will this be extended through to Cardiff eventually i wonder,could release the IETs that still work to go south west

 

[StephenHunter]

The original idea was to use them for additional services to Cardiff when needed, say for rugby, but the 110mph capability of the 387s isn't fast enough for IET replacement long term.

The IETs will return as they are fixed.

 

[cactustwirly]

The original idea was to use them for additional services to Cardiff when needed, say for rugby, but the 110mph capability of the 387s isn't fast enough for IET replacement long term.

The IETs will return as they are fixed.

The route from Wooten Bassett to Cardiff is 110mph max isn't it?
So it's only Paddington to Swindon where it's a problem

 

[JonathanH]

The route from Wooten Bassett to Cardiff is 110mph max isn't it?
So it's only Paddington to Swindon where it's a problem

No, about 15 miles or so of 125mph line via Badminton.

 

[Wychwood93]

Probably give the 1019 from Parkway a try tomorrow.

 

[Horizon22]

Crewed with Paddington drivers, guards on at Didcot.

The fact that they're class 9 somewhat surprises me! 'U' is the normal headcode for anything to Bristol Parkway or Stoke Gifford however.

 

[JN114]

Crewed with Paddington drivers, guards on at Didcot.

The fact that they're class 9 somewhat surprises me! 'U' is the normal headcode for anything to Bristol Parkway or Stoke Gifford however.

Being Electric-Only the signallers have to be careful in the Bristol Parkway area if there’s any disruption.

Just a risk-mitigation measure.

Also helps NR identify they’re talking to the right controller at GWR, if there’s a need to; as these are (as with all 387-operated trains) managed by LTV division not High Speed

 

[Horizon22]

Being Electric-Only the signallers have to be careful in the Bristol Parkway area if there’s any disruption.

Just a risk-mitigation measure.

True, although the Swindon services weren't run as 9's just 1Zxx. But as you say, better safe than sorry just odd to see. Especially from Paddington which already has 9xxx TfL services - hopefully the signaller doesn't get confused and put them on the Relief Lines!

 

[JN114]

True, although the Swindon services weren't run as 9's just 1Zxx. But as you say, better safe than sorry just odd to see. Especially from Paddington which already has 9xxx TfL services - hopefully the signaller doesn't get confused and put them on the Relief Lines!

Swindon doesn’t really have any problem places you can’t send an electric-only train, save the Kemble Line. The pitfalls at Parkway are somewhat more subtle.

TfL don’t (yet) use 9Uxx or 9Lxx on our side of the sewer so should be ok at the London end.

 

[Horizon22]

Swindon doesn’t really have any problem places you can’t send an electric-only train, save the Kemble Line. The pitfalls at Parkway are somewhat more subtle.

TfL don’t (yet) use 9Uxx or 9Lxx on our side of the sewer so should be ok at the London end.

9Uxx running into the tunnels on trial running but I imagine that will be hard to confuse!

 

[PG]

Why the early afternoon ECS return trip between Parkway and Swindon?

 

[Melancholia]

387152 + 165 will be doing the runs today

 

[Horizon22]

Why the early afternoon ECS return trip between Parkway and Swindon?

More than likely platform capacity.

 

[Melancholia]

387145 + 156 on those today

 

[rg177]

387145 + 387156 once again doing the honours today.

 

[JN114]

It’s likely to be that pair all week

 

[OliverH68]

Anyone know if these will be running next week too or is it just this week only?

 

[swt_passenger]

Anyone know if these will be running next week too or is it just this week only?

They’re in real-time trains next week. I expect as they’re short term planned they’ll only show the next week, but they’ll almost certainly be around for a good while yet.

 

[Kite159]

Anyone know if these will be running next week too or is it just this week only?

Seems they are running on the bank holiday this coming Monday which might make things cheaper.

 

[OliverH68]

They’re in real-time trains next week. I expect as they’re short term planned they’ll only show the next week, but they’ll almost certainly be around for a good while yet.

Ah brilliant - they weren't there when I checked yesterday morning

 

[66789]

Due to a points issue at Wootton Bassett Junction one of the 387 runs ended up going through the Goods Loop today. Possibly the first train to go through on the OLE.

 

[JN114]

After consulting with colleagues, Apart from possibly a test train while it was being commissioned; we’re confident now that today’s 9L53 was indeed the first electric train to use Wootton Bassett Goods Loop...

Of note the same train ran fast from Didcot Parkway to Paddington, recording an impressive start to stop time recorded by yours truly of 35m 28s, despite a 20mph ESR at Ruscombe; an average of 89.8mph.

 

[ABB125]

Due to a points issue at Wootton Bassett Junction one of the 387 runs ended up going through the Goods Loop today. Possibly the first train to go through on the OLE.

View attachment 97099

Was the driver a BLS member?

 

[Wychwood93]

After consulting with colleagues, Apart from possibly a test train while it was being commissioned; we’re confident now that today’s 9L53 was indeed the first electric train to use Wootton Bassett Goods Loop...

Of note the same train ran fast from Didcot Parkway to Paddington, recording an impressive start to stop time recorded by yours truly of 35m 28s, despite a 20mph ESR at Ruscombe; an average of 89.8mph.

RTT indicates a departure of 16.21 1/4 from Didcot for a Paddington arrival of 17.06 1/2 - the 9L53 today? - more of a 45m time. I took the 9L43 10.19 from Bristol Parkway on Monday - the Ruscombe TSR a pain, a couple of 8xx powered services ahead of us, good speeds, up to 112, when things got going. RT from Didcot, 1 minute late from Reading and 8 late into PAD. Up to 113 earlier, but the 387s do give a rough ride on poorer sections - I was over a bogie, which makes a marginal (?) difference. Will give them another go.

 

[father_jack]

Aside, worries have been mentioned that this could be DOO through the back door.....

 

[JN114]

RTT indicates a departure of 16.21 1/4 from Didcot for a Paddington arrival of 17.06 1/2 - the 9L53 today? - more of a 45m time.

Not here it doesn’t? https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:V43481/2021-05-27

 

[HST274]

Ye looks like a 1636 3/4 departure and a 1712 1/4 arrival into PAD. That would make it 35 1/2 minutes but could be wrong