Transport for Wales 769's

[py_megapixel]

Indeed. In essence they're an EMU with a generator added - very similar to a 769 really.

Except built for that from the start rather than having it shoehorned in several decades later once nobody else wants them as pure EMUS.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Except built for that from the start rather than having it shoehorned in several decades later once nobody else wants them as pure EMUS.

Certainly built that way if you order one, but I do recall that when the FLIRT came into being it was initially an EMU and the generator module idea came later - the DMU was at the time the GTW (Gelenktriebwagen = articulated multiple unit, no funny name! ), an older but similar-looking design. So it's a sort of bolt-on.

 

[tornado]

How are the passenger cabin noise levels on the 769s compared to the 150s? I would happily trade a few minutes slower on the timetable for a quieter ride. The "throbbing" of the 150s engine heard from inside is not particuarly pleasent.

 

[Bletchleyite]

How are the passenger cabin noise levels on the 769s compared to the 150s? I would happily trade a few minutes slower on the timetable for a quieter ride. The "throbbing" of the 150s engine heard from inside is not particuarly pleasent.

The engines are only under the driving coaches, so if you want to avoid the racket sit in one of the other two. Sit in the pantograph coach if you enjoy the calming hum from that (I find that hum resonates nicely with the motors and is a very relaxing sound), or if you prefer track noise and otherwise silence the other one.

 

[samuelmorris]

The engines are only under the driving coaches, so if you want to avoid the racket sit in one of the other two. Sit in the pantograph coach if you enjoy the calming hum from that (I find that hum resonates nicely with the motors and is a very relaxing sound), or if you prefer track noise and otherwise silence the other one.

I don't think you'll be getting the transformer hum when on diesel power!

 

[Domh245]

I don't think you'll be getting the transformer hum when on diesel power!

You still get the 'buzz'/hum from the rest of the traction equipment, as would have been the case on third rail

 

[samuelmorris]

You still get the 'buzz'/hum from the rest of the traction equipment, as would have been the case on third rail

Yeah I don't think that's what Bletchleyite is referring to though.

 

[Bletchleyite]

You still get the 'buzz'/hum from the rest of the traction equipment, as would have been the case on third rail

Yeah, the sound I'm talking about is from some other element of the electronics, not from the transformer (which is a fairly coarse buzz). You still get it when on third rail (and on the 769s). It sounds to me like a violin playing, it's just a really nice, relaxing sound. You only seem to get it on 319s, not on e.g. 321s.

On this YouTube video:

...you hear the low transformer buzz first (not present on diesel or third rail) but then the other sound I'm talking about starts shortly after.

You can also hear it on this video which is taken in the transformer car of a 769:

 

[samuelmorris]

Yeah, the sound I'm talking about is from some other element of the electronics, not from the transformer (which is a fairly coarse buzz). You still get it when on third rail (and on the 769s). It sounds to me like a violin playing, it's just a really nice, relaxing sound. You only seem to get it on 319s, not on e.g. 321s.

I assume you mean the 300Hz PWM drive controlling the motors. PWM isn't used on 321s as they're thyristor driven since they're already fed from an AC source.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I assume you mean the 300Hz PWM drive controlling the motors. PWM isn't used on 321s as they're thyristor driven since they're already fed from an AC source.

Having just Googled for a 300Hz test tone, yes, that.

 

[samuelmorris]

Yeah you'll still get that. It is undeniably a less irritating noise than more modern higher frequency drive systems. The LU 92 stock is similar, but at about 340Hz.

 

[py_megapixel]

You can also hear it on this video which is taken in the transformer car of a 769:

I also note from that video - TrainFX at its finest...
"Welcome aboard this service for Transport for Wales"

 

[samuelmorris]

TrainFX configuration (or lack thereof) at its finest :P

Don't blame the system if nobody's bothered to configure it!

 

[Bletchleyite]

TrainFX configuration (or lack thereof) at its finest :P

Don't blame the system if nobody's bothered to configure it!

To be fair, whether properly configured or not it's cheap garbage. That said, to fit to a unit like this (or a 230) which only has a limited lifespan it is probably the right choice. If you fit premium kit you'll end up close to the cost of brand new units in the first place.

 

[Bikeman78]

Yeah, the sound I'm talking about is from some other element of the electronics, not from the transformer (which is a fairly coarse buzz). You still get it when on third rail (and on the 769s). It sounds to me like a violin playing, it's just a really nice, relaxing sound. You only seem to get it on 319s, not on e.g. 321s.

On this YouTube video:

...you hear the low transformer buzz first (not present on diesel or third rail) but then the other sound I'm talking about starts shortly after.

You can also hear it on this video which is taken in the transformer car of a 769:

That's the chopper control equipment. The Belgian 1975 stock has it too (the four car units with noses).

 

[Domh245]

Similar (the same?) equipment is also used on the 456s of similar vintage

 

[py_megapixel]

TrainFX configuration (or lack thereof) at its finest :P

Don't blame the system if nobody's bothered to configure it!

I'm assuming what's happened here is that whoever is responsible for doing the configuration when the system was installed has realised it would be helpful for "Transport for Wales" to be able to appear on the external displays, and therefore programmed it in as a destination code, without realising that this produces nonsense on the internal ones!

However I agree with @Bletchleyite that no matter how it's configured, the hardware itself is rubbish, and the software is at best unreliable.

 

[samuelmorris]

I don't know the system but I assumed that was what they'd programmed by default, when no destination has been entered.

 

[Greybeard33]

...or if you prefer track noise and otherwise silence the other one.

No, in the intermediate trailer you get the intermittent chugging of the brake compressor. Impossible to get away from machinery on a 769 I'm afraid!

 

[Optom1]

769/4 on the 11.32 Cardiff-Rumney driving training /test train today.The usual Rumney -Penarth 769 had a pair of 150’s

 

[Buzz68]

I'm assuming these are 769 training runs today between Rhymney and Ystrad Mynach and reverse in the down loop. 5F01/2/3/4
Screen shot of 5F01 passing 5P01 769003 37 late off Canton

 

[Robert Ap Ioan]

769003 appears to have failed at Pengam this morning.

 

[anthony263]

769003 limped to ystrad Mynach. 769006 sent to rescue it

 

[Bob Price]

769452 out on test

 

[158srule]

769003 limped to ystrad Mynach. 769006 sent to rescue it

769003 returned to Canton under its own power. 769s are not permitted to couple as of yet - it won’t be long but at the moment if one sits down the only method of recovery is using a CL.37 and adapter coupler.

 

[Buzz68]

769x 5Z41 retuning to Canton after capping run to Rhymney but sat at Platform 8. Sat there since 0830 now.

769452 out on test

Nice video Bob

 

[6Gtraincrew]

Unless I'm mistaken, 007 doing it's first passenger carrying runs today

 

[Bob Price]

Wondering why they don't put more than one unit out. Is it trained drivers? I would have thought the opportunity to get some 153's and 150's off the Rhymneys would have been beneficial to TfW.

 

[158srule]

Unless I'm mistaken, 007 doing it's first passenger carrying runs today

Yep first run in passenger service today for 007.

 

[PHILIPE]

Wondering why they don't put more than one unit out. Is it trained drivers? I would have thought the opportunity to get some 153's and 150's off the Rhymneys would have been beneficial to TfW.

Can't recall where I heard or saw it but there was mention of a second one out from 15th so wait and see. One step at a time