I find the inverter noise on 319s (and by extension 769s) to be possibly the nicest sound on the railway, it sounds like a violin playing to me and sounds relaxing.
At full power, I'm inclined to agree. Not sure I'd liken the sound to a violin, I don't know what I'd compare it to though. On a related note, I swear down the 323s with Northern sound more alive than the WMR ones do. I nearly did a round trip yesterday to Hadfield, both for the nostalgia and for the 323 noise!
Cant get better than that, verdict from a driver, case provenI've just driven it to Southport. 450. Absolutely flying on diesel mode this morning. Superb unit.
Cant get better than that, verdict from a driver, case proven
Exactly, and it's not clear exactly what case is even up for investigation here … if it's about performance, then that is exactly not proven by one person's opinion, it's proven by a large sufficiently large set of experimental measurements …Also, in science, you do not prove or disprove anything. You either uphold or reject the null hypothesis e.g converting Class 319s into 769s will not work (as the null hypothesis), or converting Class 319s into 769s will work as intended (as the hypothesis).
Based on my very small sample on Friday (2x 769 and 1× 150 runs) the 150 still produced the quicker start to stop times, west of Bolton.
Have seen comments re 769s should be better on starting than a 150, but my experience here (and from a couple of trips to Rhymney) is that there is a 5 - 10 sec delay before full power is applied on a 769, whereas 150 can take full power from the off, subject to rail conditions. All runs timed so far were in dry rail conditions.
On thing that was noticeable was later braking with 769 450 especially westbound to Burscough Bridge.
The 769 has disc brakes so should be capable of better deceleration, but may be more prone to adhesion issues so drivers may brake more cautiously on wet/leafy rails.Based on my very small sample on Friday (2x 769 and 1× 150 runs) the 150 still produced the quicker start to stop times, west of Bolton.
Have seen comments re 769s should be better on starting than a 150, but my experience here (and from a couple of trips to Rhymney) is that there is a 5 - 10 sec delay before full power is applied on a 769, whereas 150 can take full power from the off, subject to rail conditions. All runs timed so far were in dry rail conditions.
On thing that was noticeable was later braking with 769 450 especially westbound to Burscough Bridge.
No but it has been agreed that they will get them.Do these have cab air-conditioning now?
I drove 456 the other day, it was the complete opposite unfortunatelyCant get better than that, verdict from a driver, case proven
How much variation is there between such a small fleet. Are they all running different (worse) software versions?I drove 456 the other day, it was the complete opposite unfortunately
I drove 456 the other day, it was the complete opposite unfortunately
Nice videos! The two on today seem to be behaving well.
Nice videos! The two on today seem to be behaving well.
One on a stalybridge diagram tooI wouldn't call only two in service "good" by any means.
Three is borderline good, but two is adequate on a good day.
If this was the case, I don’t believe the issues with them would be so persistent.According to the regional director update today, Brush, and Porterbrook are involved in getting the remaining units back into service before the weekend.
Currently there is possibly 4 variations of electrical cubicles on the 769/4 fleet alone. End to end on the same unit could’ve been assembled or harnessed differently. Just one example of them not really being “baselined”Can be the diference between wheel sets and motors the fleet is all at a std baseline on the flex side
There has been 3 or 4 stabled at Allerton since Friday ready for service, so not entirely sure what decision has been made not to run them.I wouldn't call only two in service "good" by any means.
Three is borderline good, but two is adequate on a good day.
This is good to hear. Hopefully Brush / Northern will bring the rest of the fleet in line.I've just driven it to Southport. 450. Absolutely flying on diesel mode this morning. Superb unit.
Please do expand on this statementCurrently there is possibly 4 variations of electrical cubicles on the 769/4 fleet alone. End to end on the same unit could’ve been assembled or harnessed differently. Just one example of them not really being “baselined”
Number | Ex No. | Livery | TOC | Depot/Location | Current State |
769002 | 319002 | TfW | TfW | Cardiff Canton | In Service |
769003 | 319003 | TfW | TfW | Cardiff Canton | In Service |
769006 | 319006 | TfW | TfW | Cardiff Canton | In Service |
769007 | 319007 | TfW | TfW | Cardiff Canton | In Service |
769008 | 319008 | TfW | TfW | Cardiff Canton | In Service |
769421 | 319421 | TfW | TfW | Cardiff Canton | In Service |
769424 | 319424 | Northern | Northern | Allerton | In Service |
769426 | 319426 | Ex TL White & Blue Doors | TfW | Loughborough Works | Converted - undergoing further maintenance to receive driving car 77340 back into the formation |
769431 | 319431 | Northern | Northern | Allerton | In Service |
769434 | 319434 | Northern | Northern | Allerton | In Service |
769442 | 319442 | Northern | Northern | Allerton | In Service |
769445 | 319445 | TfW | TfW | Cardiff Canton | In Service |
769448 | 319448 | Northern | Northern | Allerton | In Service |
769450 | 319450 | Northern | Northern | Allerton | In Service |
769452 | 319452 | TfW | TfW | Cardiff Canton | In Service |
769456 | 319456 | Northern | Northern | Allerton | In Service |
769458 | 319458 | Northern | Northern | Allerton | In Service |
769501 | 319010 | Orion Dark & Light Blue | ROG | Eastleigh Works | Conversion to 769 complete - internal work ongoing |
769502 | 319009 | Orion Dark & Light Blue | ROG | Loughborough Works | Internal mod work complete - moved to Loughborough for bi-mode conversion work |
769503 | ROG | Conversion work yet to start | |||
769504 | ROG | Conversion work yet to start | |||
769505 | ROG | Conversion work yet to start | |||
769506 | ROG | Conversion work yet to start | |||
769507 | ROG | Conversion work yet to start | |||
769508 | ROG | Conversion work yet to start | |||
769509 | ROG | Conversion work yet to start | |||
769510 | ROG | Conversion work yet to start | |||
769922 | 319422 | Ex TL White & Blue Doors | GWR | Wolverton Works | Conversion work yet to start |
769923 | 319423 | GWR Green | GWR | Wolverton Works | Conversion work yet to start |
769925 | 319425 | GWR Green | GWR | Nemesis Rail, Burton | Conversion complete - stored, awaiting testing |
769927 | 319427 | Ex TL White & Blue Doors | GWR | Loughborough Works | Undergoing conversion |
769928 | 319428 | GWR Green | GWR | Nemesis Rail, Burton | Converted - awaiting testing |
769930 | 319430 | GWR Green | GWR | Reading Traincare | Undergoing mainline testing |
769932 | 319432 | GWR Green | GWR | Nemesis Rail, Burton | Converted - awaiting testing |
769935 | 319435 | Ex TL White & Blue Doors | GWR | Long Marston | Conversion work yet to start |
769936 | 319436 | GWR Green | GWR | Nemesis Rail, Burton | Converted - awaiting testing |
769937 | 319437 | GWR Green | GWR | Wolverton Works | Converted - awaiting testing |
769938 | 319438 | Ex TL White & Blue Doors | GWR | Nemesis Rail, Burton | Converted - awaiting testing |
769939 | 319439 | GWR Green | GWR | Nemesis Rail, Burton | Converted - awaiting testing |
769940 | 319440 | Ex TL White & Blue Doors | GWR | Wolverton Works | Undergoing conversion |
769943 | 319443 | GWR Green | GWR | Reading Traincare | Undergoing testing |
769944 | 319444 | GWR Green | GWR | Nemesis Rail, Burton | Converted - stored, awaiting testing |
769946 | 319446 | GWR Green | GWR | Reading Traincare | Undergoing testing |
769947 | 319447 | Ex TL White & Blue Doors | GWR | Wolverton Works | Conversion work yet to start |
769949 | 319449 | GWR Green | GWR | Nemesis Rail, Burton | Conversion complete - stored, awaiting testing |
769959 | 319459 | GWR Green | GWR | Nemesis Rail, Burton | Conversion complete - stored, awaiting testing |