Transport for Wales 769's

[St. Paddy]

There’s a picture on Richard Clinnick’s Twitter feed of 769007 just arrived at Wabtec Doncaster from Castle Donnington and still in Thameslink livery. Presumably for exhaust mods prior to delivery to Cardiff

 

[Geoff DC]

Link to Richard Clinnick’s Twitter feed https://twitter.com/Richard_rail

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

The first three are 769002, 769008 and 769006, delivered on 14/3/19, 15/5/19 and 4/12/19 respectively

That first one has been sitting around for a year then?
Somebody will be paying for that.

 

[Bob Price]

Porterbrook. TfW aren't paying until they are in service apparently.

 

[krus_aragon]

Porterbrook. TfW aren't paying until they are in service apparently.

As well as Porterbrook providing extra 153s in lieu of the late entry into service. (I'm not sure if they're gratis.)

 

[Cardiff123]

As well as Porterbrook providing extra 153s in lieu of the late entry into service. (I'm not sure if they're gratis.)

Quite rightly, TfW aren't paying for the 'extra' GA or EMT 153s either

 

[RichT54]

How significant a part of Porterbrook's business is the 769 programme? The ongoing problems with the late delivery of these trains must be costing them a fair bit of money. Could it be enough to affect the company's viability?

 

[Dai Corner]

How significant a part of Porterbrook's business is the 769 programme? The ongoing problems with the late delivery of these trains must be costing them a fair bit of money. Could it be enough to affect the company's viability?

They have about 5000 rail vehicles altogether. The 769s are a very small part of their business.

https://www.porterbrook.co.uk/products-and-services/rolling-stock

 

[RichT54]

They have about 5000 rail vehicles altogether. The 769s are a very small part of their business.

https://www.porterbrook.co.uk/products-and-services/rolling-stock

Thanks for putting it in perspective.

 

[Caaardiff]

Anyone got any info on if these will leave Canton this week? Any paths in RTT? It's only 10 weeks until the May TT change!

TfW better get the PRM dispensation extension applications in for the Pacers

Isn't the dispensation until end of June/July anyway?

 

[Cardiff123]

Isn't the dispensation until end of June/July anyway?

Yes it is but I'm assuming that due to the glacial pace of progress being made in getting the 769s into service that the will Pacer PRM dispensations will have to be extended until the end of this year.
Realistically, we won't see 9 x 769s all in daily passenger service by May/June will we!

 

[Rhydgaled]

Realistically, we won't see 9 x 769s all in daily passenger service by May/June will we!

It's not looking that way is it, although with nothing to go on other than the reports on here the 769/0s don't seem all that far off. So; one or two passenger diagrams in May/June?

 

[Optom1]

Can a 769 be rescued by anything other than another 769?Daytime trials could be a concern,as well as the odd service on a scheduled train.The whole service would grind to a halt if one failed and Pacers/150’s could not could not couple up.

 

[Speed43125]

Can a 769 be rescued by anything other than another 769?Daytime trials could be a concern,as well as the odd service on a scheduled train.The whole service would grind to a halt if one failed and Pacers/150’s could not could not couple up.

They do not have mechanical couplers compatible with the 15x and turbostars, no.

 

[Cardiff123]

They do not have mechanical couplers compatible with the 15x and turbostars, no.

I'm sure I've read somewhere that TfW have been testing coupling up 769s together in Canton sidings to rescue each other

 

[Optom1]

That was on post 332

 

[Bob Price]

Paths in for test runs next week
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/V55576/2020-03-16/detailed
Could actually happen this time.

 

[Philip Roberts]

Paths in for test runs next week
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/V55576/2020-03-16/detailed
Could actually happen this time.

I'm told these are the planned 769 test runs (008b apparently)

 

[anthony263]

If they come out to play this time

 

[Roger B]

I'm told these are the planned 769 test runs (008b apparently)

Are these test runs distinct from fault-free running (FFR) mileage accumulation runs? It would be good to understand the current position re FFR - which units have completed it, which are ongoing and those to start. As for these testing runs - what's being tested: platform dwell times, clearances, recovery procedures, signal sighting (although I can't see that being a problem from a 769 cab), or what?

 

[anthony263]

Theres a video on the railways in south wales Facebook group showing 769002 and 769008 running in multiple arounds Canton depot

 

[Philip Roberts]

https://twitter.com/foxy_michael/status/1238237116036984833?s=09

 

[Pete_uk]

Why do the 3rd and 4th carriage look different?

 

[PHILIPE]

37025 ran light from Canton to Rhymney this afternoon prior to acting as a Thunderbird for the 769.

 

[krus_aragon]

37025 ran light from Canton to Rhymney this afternoon prior to acting as a Thunderbird for the 769.

I know they'll have worked on coupling and recovery techniques while in the depot, but a silly little voice in my head suggests they may be thinking: "if it breaks down, we'll give it a shove, and it can roll all the way back down to Canton" .

 

[Cardiff123]

Surely this means 769 runs to Rhymney from next week are definitely going ahead? The same diversions were in place during the 37+ Mk2 training runs

https://twitter.com/tfwrail/status/1238510124093845504?s=19

⚠️ Service Changes Monday 16 - Friday 20 March 2020 ⚠️

Throughout next week, the below services will be amended and diverted around the City Line. These services will not call at Llandaff, Cathays and Cardiff Queen Street https://t.co/ZalUeQeEvv

 

[Bob Price]

Not sure how this works. Once past Queens street they go nowhere near the Cathay's and Llandaff line. The times do match however.

 

[Dai Corner]

Not sure how this works. Once past Queens street they go nowhere near the Cathay's and Llandaff line. The times do match however.

But to get to from Canton to Queen Street they need to go through Central (in the paths the diverted trains would have taken?)

TfW Twitter have been asked to confirm the 769 test runs start next week. They 'think so'.

 

[Bob Price]

Just saw that, get how that works now. Will watch out on the webcam for the up run and try and get to Aber at lunchtime for a photo or two. Will post if I do.

 

[PHILIPE]

Surely this means 769 runs to Rhymney from next week are definitely going ahead? The same diversions were in place during the 37+ Mk2 training runs

https://twitter.com/tfwrail/status/1238510124093845504?s=19

Just left Canton