GWR Class 800

[Quark999]

Even less of an excuse then

 

[samuelmorris]

Although I'm pleased to see an entry into service date (even if one relatively recently set) be achieved in practice, I do wonder if there really weren't any other units they could have deployed. First impressions count and there are quite a few units down there by now. A delay on the first service is almost a given these days, but leaking A/C blocking off a seating area is pretty poor IMO.

 

[dk1]

This will go down as one of the all time launch disasters. Will they never learn to keep it low profile?

 

[XCTurbostar]

This will go down as one of the all time launch disasters. Will they never learn to keep it low profile?

Agreed, this is very embarrassing for the industry.

 

[AlterEgo]

Agreed, this is very embarrassing for the industry.

I don't agree, and I was there.

There are teething problems whenever new trains come into service - that's the same in any industry with brand new hardware. I'm not surprised there were technical problems - what they really need to do is fix them quickly for routine passenger service.

 

[ValleyLines142]

Oh dear, not a good day for the first 800 into South Wales! 0955 (HST) and 1055 (IEP) from Cardiff both cancelled, expect the 1025 being now the first Off-Peak will be a busy one. Was going to hop on the 1055 to Newport, but I think I'll get the 1625 from Cardiff tomorrow (1L76).

 

[XCTurbostar]

I don't agree, and I was there.

There are teething problems whenever new trains come into service - that's the same in any industry with brand new hardware. I'm not surprised there were technical problems - what they really need to do is fix them quickly for routine passenger service.

Yes but there's a difference between teething problems and pressing a train into service with air con leaking all of the floor.

 

[AlterEgo]

Yes but there's a difference between teething problems and pressing a train into service with air con leaking all of the floor.

That’s a problem that’s plagued quite a lot of British trains. Pendolinos used to be terrible for it.

The alternative was to cancel the launch outright and I doubt that would have gone down much better here.

 

[Rob F]

Yes but there's a difference between teething problems and pressing a train into service with air con leaking all of the floor.

And it is not as if there hasn't been a lot of trial running before the entry into service. How long ago is it that the first train arrived in the UK?

This must be one of the most protracted fleet introductions ever and for this to happen on the first day of service IS embarrassing.

Rob

 

[HarleyDavidson]

If you are bringing or launching a new product (in this case train) into service, then you as the saying goes "pull out all of the stops" to ensure that the launch goes perfectly, no faults are found or present, so that the public will get the right impression of the train and it makes the company look good too.

This is embarrassing not only for GWR, but for Hitachi.

 

[TwistedMentat]

Embarrasing but if they're jumped on quickly no one will remember. Not even the people here.

If these issues keep happening as it enters mass service then people will remember. But right now with just a couple services a day? Meh. The public as a whole won't care.

 

[nottsnurse]

You've all got the wrong end of the stick here. Hitachi are trying to bring elements of Japanese culture to British rail travel.

There have been teething troubles with the on-board suikinkutsu but once these are addressed commuters will benefit from its relaxing sound.

 

[sprinterguy]

And it is not as if there hasn't been a lot of trial running before the entry into service. How long ago is it that the first train arrived in the UK?

This must be one of the most protracted fleet introductions ever and for this to happen on the first day of service IS embarrassing.

Rob

The first pre-series train arrived in the country on 11th March 2015: So two years, seven months ago. Though I've been doing some comparisons between the IEP and the original HST project for curiosity's sake and it took a similar amount of time for the prototype HST to enter regular service, and longer still before the production sets were launched (4 years 4 months from prototype 252001 being completed in June 1972 to 253001 entering service on 4th October 1976, though testing didn't start in earnest until January 1973).

 

[HarleyDavidson]

You've all got the wrong end of the stick here. Hitachi are trying to bring elements of Japanese culture to British rail travel.

There have been teething troubles with the on-board suikinkutsu but once these are addressed commuters will benefit from its relaxing sound.

I believe that the sound of running water is meant to be quite relaxing, but I don't think that the passengers want to be coated in it.

 

[nottsnurse]

Aren't introduction timescale comparisons between the HST and IEP a bit 'apples and oranges'?

When the HST was introduced it wasn't just the rolling stock which was new but the concept of routine high-speed rail travel too.

 

[hotel_mode]

First impressions are good.

The engine is much less obtrusive than Voyagers and legroom ample in airline seats.

Quite impressive acceleration on diesel from Reading. 110 between Twyford and Maidenhead. Engines shut off now but probably not noticeable to those not in the know.

Speed dropped off to 100 around Maidenhead but 125 by just past Taplow!

 

[Nippy]

Will it switch to electric in a few miles though? I quite like it, I'm in Coach H.

 

[sprinterguy]

Aren't introduction timescale comparisons between the HST and IEP a bit 'apples and oranges'?

It possibly is. I'm certainly not using the comparison as a practical yardstick, but it does highlight the fact that, in some ways at least, the launch of the class 800 is not necessarily "one of the most protracted fleet introductions ever". And with the new generation of rolling stock coming in to replace the HSTs it does make me think back to how they did things last time round. Plus the 800s aren't without their innovative features themselves, namely that bi-mode capability, and are no doubt vastly more electronically complex to boot.

 

[hotel_mode]

Wonder if anyone got a shot with Tornado and British Pullman at Old Oak?

The PA is completely inaudible when done by a staff member rather than the train.

 

[SpacePhoenix]

Plus the videos of seats roped off because the air con was leaking. They were floods - probably the first time anyone bothered testing the train with “super crush load” and the AC is going nuts because of all the extra warm bodies.

Going swimmingly, quite literally.

Video from South Today's Facebook page showing the leak from the air con

Just a little leak then

 

[WelshBluebird]

Slightly different question than the recent posts - where is the power socket in standard class? Always liked the fact that it was in the middle of the seats on the HST's, no having to lean over the person sat at the window seat to plug something in if you are in the aisle seat!

 

[AlterEgo]

Slightly different question than the recent posts - where is the power socket in standard class? Always liked the fact that it was in the middle of the seats on the HST's, no having to lean over the person sat at the window seat to plug something in if you are in the aisle seat!

It's under the seat. The guard even made an announcement to that effect this morning (assume he got a lot of questions from confused passengers!).

 

[gallafent]

Slightly different question than the recent posts - where is the power socket in standard class? Always liked the fact that it was in the middle of the seats on the HST's, no having to lean over the person sat at the window seat to plug something in if you are in the aisle seat!

In between the seats, on “your” seat, rather than the seat in front (i.e. below the middle armrest). So again no need to wind cables round a fellow passenger's legs, unless you want to and they consent

 

[hotel_mode]

Seat reservations working on this journey.

Much much better than older systems. Green amber and red lights visible down the coach.

Oh. They've gone off now!

 

[SWT_USER]

Got to give full marks to First for this launch. A seamless transition between old and new. Late, broken air con and train faults.

Am I right in saying there were paper reservation slips on the seats too rather than electronic?

 

[XCTurbostar]

Got to give full marks to First for this launch. A seamless transition between old and new. Late, broken air con and train faults.

Am I right in saying there were paper reservation slips on the seats too rather than electronic?

Sounds great!

 

[Marklund]

Fault delays new high-speed train's first journey from Bristol to London


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-41633356

Oops.

 

[Swanage98]

Currently on 1211 from Reading going to Swindon. No seat reservations, sockets between seats are a god send, seats a bit firm for me, very airy carriage ambience, engine noise not to bad. Some seats no alligned with Windows, lip on table seat a bit annoying, ride quality brilliant. Not too bad overall

 

[Bletchleyite]

That lime green truly is manky, isn't it?

Are there any Saturday/Sunday diagrams yet? I fancy a go.

 

[Phil G]

I was on the 8:17 from Chippenham to Bath - first westbound service which is my daily commute. Train was a couple of minutes late at Chippenham. As there were 2 units this meant 3 first class carriages from the 10 and it was full of GWR staff clearly getting used to having passengers on board for the first time. The 10 car just fit the platform at Chippenham, took quite a while to get passengers on the train. I sat in the 9th car I think. The engine noise was very quiet, quite a nice interior and seats very firm but comfortable. Acceleration very quick out of station. Worst bit was that the rear 3 cars didn't fit the platform at Bath so had to queue for 5 mins to get off by walking through the train. Have to take up a new position on the platform tomorrow!