Heathrow Express GWR Contract

[pdeaves]

Apparently there isn't enough depot space for them, but there is for old decrepit 769s...

769s, whether decrepit or not, (will) have the ability to go to places that 379s can't, like Oxford.

 

[swt_passenger]

769s, whether decrepit or not, (will) have the ability to go to places that 379s can't, like Oxford.

And of course, as explained time and again, the long term purpose of the 769s is the North Downs, rather than vice 387s which is temporary.

 

[JN114]

And of course, as explained time and again, the long term purpose of the 769s is the North Downs, rather than vice 387s which is temporary.

The long AND short term use of the 769s is North Downs (plus other Reading area workings) - the 387s will be covered by the Turbos released by 769s - this achieves the previously stated aim of keeping 769s on services worked solely by Reading drivers; and keeps them off the mainline where they’d need SDO to operate from the shorter platforms.

 

[paulravuslante]

Saw a former colleague at Hex today who had some internal notices to say that the transfer of services to GWR operation has now been postponed until 1st November 2018.
Forgot to ask the reason. Another former colleague mentioned something about ORR unhappy at the safety case? Not sure how much of a bearing they would have on this?

 

[JN114]

Saw a former colleague at Hex today who had some internal notices to say that the transfer of services to GWR operation has now been postponed until 1st November 2018.
Forgot to ask the reason. Another former colleague mentioned something about ORR unhappy at the safety case? Not sure how much of a bearing they would have on this?

A very similar-sounding notice has gone out to GWR staff as well; cites issues getting DfT approval for the transfer; but doesn’t go into the specifics. 1st November is indeed the date being worked to; staff will now be TUPEd over in phases.

 

[3141]

Perhaps the 379s are already taken on for somewhere else.

As that comes from a very well-informed poster, can we assume that such a deal has been made?

 

[swt_passenger]

As that comes from a very well-informed poster, can we assume that such a deal has been made?

Dunno. I should have had a question mark there...

 

[matt_world2004]

It might be an issue withe requirement that any successor franchise to gwr take over the heathrow express concession

 

[pdeaves]

It might be an issue withe requirement that any successor franchise to gwr take over the heathrow express concession

I understand that there will be no issue with future franchises. The transfer delay is over safety documentation.

 

[cb00]

I find it surprising that a company like GWR has been awarded anything. I've lost count of the number of trains I've missed due to a lack of available train crew.

 

[Agent_Squash]

I find it surprising that a company like GWR has been awarded anything. I've lost count of the number of trains I've missed due to a lack of available train crew.

If you read the thread, you’d understand that it’s being awarded to the holder of the GW franchise as a management contract. It gets the HS2 out of building a new depot for HEx, basically.

 

[paulravuslante]

I find it surprising that a company like GWR has been awarded anything. I've lost count of the number of trains I've missed due to a lack of available train crew.

Also the GW franchise just keeps getting extended.

 

[mic505]

Are there plans to introduce 319's (in original mode) on Reading-Paddington stopping services from December 2018, prior to 769
conversion from the May 2019 timetable change, in order to release refurbished 387's for Heathrow Express? Hence the 319's are
electric and can accelerate slightly quicker than the Turbos. This is a back up plan and to cover for delays to the Flex conversion, similar to what Northern are currently doing lol.

 

[swt_passenger]

Are there plans to introduce 319's (in original mode) on Reading-Paddington stopping services from December 2018...

Nothing official. Much Speculation has occurred in previous threads, but that’s all it’s ever been AFAICS.

 

[cactustwirly]

Are there plans to introduce 319's (in original mode) on Reading-Paddington stopping services from December 2018, prior to 769
conversion from the May 2019 timetable change, in order to release refurbished 387's for Heathrow Express? Hence the 319's are
electric and can accelerate slightly quicker than the Turbos. This is a back up plan and to cover for delays to the Flex conversion, similar to what Northern are currently doing lol.

No because you would have to train up 3 depots worth of train crew!
They already sign 165s anyway, they are going to be on the reliefs anyway so acceleration doesn't matter.
The 769s will only use a handful of Reading based crew

 

[pdeaves]

Two things:

1. I have seen suggestions that the transfer target is now 1 November.
2. Does anyone have any knowledge on whether GWR will take over station operation, or whether that will remain with the Heathrow company?

Thanks!

 

[JN114]

Two things:

1. I have seen suggestions that the transfer target is now 1 November.
2. Does anyone have any knowledge on whether GWR will take over station operation, or whether that will remain with the Heathrow company?

Thanks!

1. That is the plan
2. At Paddington yes, Heathrow will continue to be worked under the current arrangement - HX/HAL providing customer service/booking office staff; and the Trains will DOO self-dispatch.

 

[paulravuslante]

GWR operating HEX services from today. Airport stations now run by HAL. Sales staff / ticket checkers provided by HEX.

 

[Bletchleyite]

GWR operating HEX services from today. Airport stations now run by HAL. Sales staff / ticket checkers provided by HEX.

Using 387s?

 

[JN114]

Using 387s?

No, 332s.

 

[cactustwirly]

Using 387s?

332s, the 387s aren't available yet

 

[Bletchleyite]

Ah OK, so I guess no visible difference yet.

 

[pdeaves]

Ah OK, so I guess no visible difference yet.

Only visible difference I saw is that many staff are in GWR uniforms. There may have been changes to announcements to "GWR Heathrow Express service", but I may have imagined that. I didn't tune in until too late and wasn't in Paddington very long to wait for another announcement.

 

[paulravuslante]

Only visible difference I saw is that many staff are in GWR uniforms. There may have been changes to announcements to "GWR Heathrow Express service", but I may have imagined that. I didn't tune in until too late and wasn't in Paddington very long to wait for another announcement.

Yes Paddington dispatchers and gateline staff have been TUPed to GWR along with drivers. Were the ticket gates in use yet?

 

[Chris125]

Have all the management, maintenance staff etc transferred to GWR too?

 

[JN114]

Have all the management, maintenance staff etc transferred to GWR too?

No.

Drivers, Paddington Platform staff and certain “HQ” functions.

 

[paulravuslante]

No.

Drivers, Paddington Platform staff and certain “HQ” functions.

Just remembered driver managers (competence) have also transferred.

 

[paulravuslante]

Have all the management, maintenance staff etc transferred to GWR too?

Train maintenance staff continue to be employed by Siemens.

 

[CptCharlee]

Will train livery be changed or will it remain separate?

 

[JN114]

Will train livery be changed or will it remain separate?

No branding changes planned for the 332s.

The HEx-dedicated 387s will likely get some form of GWR/HEx hybrid branding - exactly what that will entail is yet to be revealed.