GWR Class 769 information. (Units no longer with GWR - Off Lease March 23)

[Master29]

The point of them was to provide a cheap way of decarbonising secondary routes with substantive electrification already in place (North downs), or the potential for quick electrification (Reading-Basingstoke).

The very thing it didn't achieve so totally moot.

 

[Benjwri]

What specific major issues would they be then?

That never enough are serviceable to cover all diagrams and the west suffers from constant short forms that cause major capacity issues.

 

[FGW_DID]

The end is nigh!

if all goes to plan over the weekend, the following moves on Monday 03/04 will see the remaining 4 GWR Class 769 depart Reading TCD to join the rest of the clan at Long Marston:

769943 & 769959

Realtime Trains | 5Q10 0818 Reading Traincare Depot to Long Marston | 03/04/2023

Real-time train running information for 5Q10 0818 departure from Reading Traincare Depot to Long Marston on 03/04/2023. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

769930 & 769949

Realtime Trains | 5Q11 1433 Reading Traincare Depot to Long Marston | 03/04/2023

Real-time train running information for 5Q11 1433 departure from Reading Traincare Depot to Long Marston on 03/04/2023. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[TransportHub]

The end is nigh!

if all goes to plan over the weekend, the following moves on Monday 03/04 will see the remaining 4 GWR Class 769 depart Reading TCD to join the rest of the clan at Long Marston:

769943 & 769959

Realtime Trains | 5Q10 0818 Reading Traincare Depot to Long Marston | 03/04/2023

Real-time train running information for 5Q10 0818 departure from Reading Traincare Depot to Long Marston on 03/04/2023. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

769930 & 769949

Realtime Trains | 5Q11 1433 Reading Traincare Depot to Long Marston | 03/04/2023

Real-time train running information for 5Q11 1433 departure from Reading Traincare Depot to Long Marston on 03/04/2023. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Any indication yet whether these will run or not?

 

[Snow1964]

So one unit will be 'dead' (in tow)? Does a single 769 have the power/tractive effort to achieve that?

Way back in about 1989 or 1990, I was at City Thameslink and a 319 arrived heading south, towing a brand new unit (which was in a different shade of NSE livery) think that must have been the delivery route to Selhurst. It happily pulled the new one with no shoes from a complete stop in platform up the bank to Blackfriars.

So definitely got the power to tow another in electric mode.

 

[FGW_DID]

Any indication yet whether these will run or not?

They’ve had their ‘fitness to run’ done & been formed up in their respective pairs so the moves ‘should‘ take place!

Place your bets!

 

[Class319&373]

The first pair returned to Reading depot, I'm not sure why. Do we know if the second pair will run, or will they all be rescheduled? I was hoping to catch both or at least the final move.

 

[tnxrail]

The first pair returned to Reading depot, I'm not sure why. Do we know if the second pair will run, or will they all be rescheduled? I was hoping to catch both or at least the final move.

I was too, unless theres an issue could they run all 4 together later?

 

[Class15]

The first pair returned to Reading depot, I'm not sure why. Do we know if the second pair will run, or will they all be rescheduled? I was hoping to catch both or at least the final move.

I was too, unless theres an issue could they run all 4 together later?

It’s running now, just passed Tilehurst!

 

[Class319&373]

I was too, unless theres an issue could they run all 4 together later?

It's now running again, it left via the Tilehurst end of the depot.

 

[FGW_DID]

The first pair returned to Reading depot, I'm not sure why. Do we know if the second pair will run, or will they all be rescheduled? I was hoping to catch both or at least the final move.

Issue(s) with 769959. 2nd pair should still run

I was too, unless theres an issue could they run all 4 together later?

No, 12 car max.

It's now running again, it left via the Tilehurst end of the depot.

769943 only. 769959 has been left behind and as 769943 was at the country end of the formation it was sent out at the Tilehurst end.

 

[Intercity110]

They’re the great waste of the 3rd generation Multiple units.

 

[sharpinf]

See there is a bridge issue between Didcot and Oxford now for the planned route to Long Marston* said to cause disruption for the rest of the day.

https://twitter.com/GWRHelp/status/1642830486539042816?t=ESWA0PmNTQLnM5YDUnMn3g&s=19

Due to urgent repairs to a bridge between Didcot Parkway and Oxford all lines are closed⚠️
Train services running through these stations may be cancelled, delayed or suspended between Didcot Parkway and Oxford

*Edit for spelling

 

[zwk500]

They’re the great waste of the 3rd generation Multiple units.

Great Waste? They're 30-35 Years old and were hammered day in, day out for most of that. We've had fair value out of them. It's a shame they plan didn't work to squeze a bit more out of them but you can't really call it a waste.

 

[Intercity110]

Great Waste? They're 30-35 Years old and were hammered day in, day out for most of that. We've had fair value out of them. It's a shame they plan didn't work to squeze a bit more out of them but you can't really call it a waste.

I meant the GWR 769s, not the 319s (as 319s they were one of BR’s succsess)

 

[FGW_DID]

See there is a bridge issue between Didcot and Oxford now for the planned route to Long Marsden said to cause disruption for the rest of the day.

https://twitter.com/GWRHelp/status/1642830486539042816?t=ESWA0PmNTQLnM5YDUnMn3g&s=19

*Long Marston

Nuneham Viaduct in-between Culham & Radley. Somebody upstairs is determined to keep the 769s at Reading!
At least we've managed to get one away!

 

[AM9]

I meant the GWR 769s, not the 319s (as 319s they were one of BR’s succsess)

The same for the 769s as well. It is a shame that the latter day unreliability of the 319s that formed to 769s didn't hold up well enough to allow the bimode experiment to run it's full term. Given that Porterbrook carried the technical risk, it was an experiment worth doing as there is a desperate need for a go-anywhere regional bimode.

 

[Wyrleybart]

Great Waste? They're 30-35 Years old and were hammered day in, day out for most of that. We've had fair value out of them. It's a shame they plan didn't work to squeze a bit more out of them but you can't really call it a waste.

Inclined to agree especially as the DfT seem hellbent on not sigining a new lease on the "nearly new" 379s. I suspect the 319s were one of those BR classes which were built for the job and did it really well - especially when you consider they switched voltage several times a day and thrashed up to 100mph every day.

 

[47444]

Has 769959 moved to Long Marston yet?

 

[FGW_DID]

Has 769959 moved to Long Marston yet?

No, still sat at Reading.

 

[Bob Price]

They have moved a load of HSTs out but also using the storage for 701's!

 

[47444]

No, still sat at Reading.

Thank you

 

[FGW_DID]

@47444
If you need it, if you go past the depot on the train 769959 is the one sat by itself on the blocks right at the very west end of the depot. 769930 & 949 are on a road together closer to the shed.

 

[47444]

@47444
If you need it, if you go past the depot on the train 769959 is the one sat by itself on the blocks right at the very west end of the depot. 769930 & 949 are on a road together closer to the shed.

Thank you

 

[FGW_DID]

Thought you’d heard the last of the GWR 769s?
The three remaining units at Reading are starting to be removed by road.

A colleagues photo from today:

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Thought you’d heard the last of the GWR 769s?
The three remaining units at Reading are starting to be removed by road.

A colleagues photo from today:
View attachment 136430

And visible is the brand new moquette that no passenger ever sat on. I can't help feeling very sad about the whole situation, even if I'm not the greatest fan of 319s.

 

[zwk500]

Thought you’d heard the last of the GWR 769s?
The three remaining units at Reading are starting to be removed by road.

Is this for long-term storage or a one-way ticket to Newport/Rotherham?

 

[Class15]

And visible is the brand new moquette that no passenger ever sat on. I can't help feeling very sad about the whole situation, even if I'm not the greatest fan of 319s.

I agree. A great waste.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

A 769/9 is to be used as the access shuttle for Rail Live next week so they're not completely dead yet.

( NB That'll be only for attendees of Rail Live and only those working in the industry can get access to the show ).

 

[Class15]

A 769/9 is to be used as the access shuttle for Rail Live next week so they're not completely dead yet.

( NB That'll be only for attendees of Rail Live and only those working in the industry can get access to the show ).

Interesting, thanks.

Doubt these will find new work but always possible!