Intercity Express Programme (IEP) - ongoing discussion

[whole diary]

[patch38]

Detail from Realtime Trains

[ChrisB]

So would it have had a GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) pilot?

[paul7575]

So would it have had a GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) pilot?

I think GBRf are responsible to Hitachi while testing - they'll use drivers with both route and traction knowledge surely?

Paul

[Thatcham Crossing]

Great to see, but a strange route to come down to Reading and back up to Acton en-route to Old Dalby. No doubt there was a good reason.

Looked like it was shifting along under diesel power too :-)

[ChrisB]

GBRf with IEP^▸ (Intercity Express Program / Project. This will offer more capacity on routes, save money, give a consistent and safe service and meet customer requirements. Intended to replace HSTs.) traction knowledge?

[IndustryInsider]

Yes, GBRf are the only staff that sign them at the moment IIRC^▸ ('if I recall/remember/read correctly').

[Electric train]

GBRf with IEP^▸ (Intercity Express Program / Project. This will offer more capacity on routes, save money, give a consistent and safe service and meet customer requirements. Intended to replace HSTs.) traction knowledge?

GBRf do a lot of the empty passenger stock movements for TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company) where the moves are off of the routes normally signed by the TOC drivers; for example GTR Thameslink move 319 via the West and North London Lines from the Southern routes to Hornsey for wheel turning.  The class 700 are being test driven by GBRf

Great to see, but a strange route to come down to Reading and back up to Acton en-route to Old Dalby. No doubt there was a good reason.

Looked like it was shifting along under diesel power too :-)

Was possibly a pre test run in readiness for Septembers 25kV running between Didcot and Reading (Tilehurst)

The only way it could run through Twyford currently was under its own diesel power, the 5 bi car modes are capable of 110 mph

[eightf48544]

The problem coming from North Pole is that it is facing Padd and therefore has to reverse to get to Acton and reverse to get to Acton Wells.

This can no longer be done in Acton Yard as there is now no connection from the Relief Lines in the Down Direction into the East End of Acton Yard.

It could have run via Grennford East and West Ealing to be facing up to Acton Wells but that would reverse the train.

Otherwise it could have reversed at Southall Slough Reading but again that would reverse the train.

Looking at the Reading times it looks as if it reversed round the Triangle. So as to have the Padd end facing Padd.

[paul7575]

Looking at the Reading times it looks as if it reversed round the Triangle. So as to have the Padd end facing Padd.

I don't think it necessarily did.  It spent 45 mins west of Reading, in the UPL (up passenger loop), having run via Reading West Junction, which is where the west curve meets the reliefs alongside the depot.   To use the triangle it would have had to appear at Reading West Station via Oxford Rd Junction.

Paul

[eightf48544]

Maybe they wanted to give it a run!

[Electric train]

The problem coming from North Pole is that it is facing Padd and therefore has to reverse to get to Acton and reverse to get to Acton Wells.

North Pole still has its back door escape route onto the West London Line, so it could work that route and enter the GWML^▸ (Great Western Main Line) via the Popular's and Acton Yard

[ChrisB]

Seems its now got even further west....where's this?

[chrisr_75]

As is fairly clearly marked on the wall of the car park, Bristol Parkway 

[ChrisB]

A bit of a giveaway!

[chrisr_75]

A bit of a giveaway!

Yep! More effort next time please!