Class 387 coming to Thames Valley - ongoing discussion

[whole diary]

[eightf48544]

My view is that Maidenhead passengers will take to the 387s.

Faster, smother, quieter and cleaner.

The contrast between the 387 gliding out of Maidenhead (on Friday) with that lovely three phase sound and a Turbo on full throttle leaving another platform couldn't have been greater

[johoare]

I agree.. particularly whilst the trains are starting and ending at Maidenhead. The increased capacity is going to make such a huge difference to the overcrowding.. (I hope!)

[DidcotPunter]

There are limitations to the service that can be run, Kensal Green Feeder Station I understand has not been signed into use; this means all  electric (OLE^▸ (Overhead Line Equipment, more often "OHLE")) services out of Padd will have to rely on the original OOC^▸ (Old Oak Common (depot)) Feeder Station which is planned to be decommissioned when Kensal EIS^▸ (Enters Into Service) (EIS Enters Into Service)

Do we know when the commissioning (EIS) date for the Kensal Green feeder is?

When I went up to Paddington last week the feeder cables from the new Kensal Green station had been connected above the OLE on the mains and reliefs immediately west of the E&C flyover before Old Oak. I think this was done fairly recently. Presumably they need this to be commissioned before they can run a more intensive electric service to Maidenhead.

[Electric train]

There are limitations to the service that can be run, Kensal Green Feeder Station I understand has not been signed into use; this means all  electric (OLE^▸ (Overhead Line Equipment, more often "OHLE")) services out of Padd will have to rely on the original OOC^▸ (Old Oak Common (depot)) Feeder Station which is planned to be decommissioned when Kensal EIS^▸ (Enters Into Service) (EIS Enters Into Service)

Do we know when the commissioning (EIS) date for the Kensal Green feeder is?

When I went up to Paddington last week the feeder cables from the new Kensal Green station had been connected above the OLE on the mains and reliefs immediately west of the E&C flyover before Old Oak. I think this was done fairly recently. Presumably they need this to be commissioned before they can run a more intensive electric service to Maidenhead.

Believe there are some intertripping issues between NR^» (Network Rail - home page) and Grid when the did a short circuit test out on the NR infrastructure the Grid tripped; should not be difficult to resolve.

[IndustryInsider]

All three diagrams covered by 387s today.

[eightf48544]

3 diagrams? I thought one had to be Turbo as Network Rail were only allowing 2 units between Stockley and Maidenhead at any one time until Kensal Green is EIS^▸ (Enters Into Service).

[IndustryInsider]

I guess they wanted to be cautious but are now happy that three units west of Airport Junction are going to be ok.  They are restricted to power notch three (out of four) for the same reasons.

[Adelante_CCT]

three units west of.... 

[bobm]

Having travelled on the erstwhile 17:42 to Bourne End in the past and witnessed how crowded it was, it was a delight to see the eight car double 387 set roll into platform 5 yesterday evening to form the 17:42 to Maidenhead.   

Although I didn't travel on it, it did seem well - but not uncomfortably - loaded when it departed - probably attracting passengers from other services.  Suspect the air conditioning was very welcome too!

[eightf48544]

One thing to say for them they are quite! Hardly notice them passing the house.

[Adelante_CCT]

Is that quite quiet? 

[johoare]

I had my first journey on one of these today.. Firstly the 7.33 MAI^▸ (Maidenhead station) To PAD^» (Paddington (London) - next trains). 8 carriages starting from Maidenhead is almost a surreal experience whilst everyone adjusts their journey plans  to even out the really busy ones versus the quite empty EMUs^▸ (Electric Multiple Unit)..I reckon 1/10 of the seats were taken today I also got the 16.42 from PAD to MAI earlier and that was also quite empty.

[Chris from Nailsea]

Wow!  You mean you could even breathe in - as well as out? 

[IndustryInsider]

I had my first journey on one of these today.. Firstly the 7.33 MAI^▸ (Maidenhead station) To PAD^» (Paddington (London) - next trains). 8 carriages starting from Maidenhead is almost a surreal experience whilst everyone adjusts their journey plans  to even out the really busy ones versus the quite empty EMUs^▸ (Electric Multiple Unit)..I reckon 1/10 of the seats were taken today I also got the 16.42 from PAD to MAI earlier and that was also quite empty.

Of course, don't get too used to empty trains starting at Maidenhead as the majority will be coming from Didcot and Reading in just over six months.  Rather a contrast on what's been before though.

[Western Enterprise]

I just missed the 07.33 MAI^▸ (Maidenhead station) to PAD^» (Paddington (London) - next trains) and so was on the 07.42 this morning, on the same EMU^▸ (Electric Multiple Unit).
I thought the seats were quite hard and upright, perhaps with a few more bums on seats they may soften.... .
Wouldn't like to come in from Didcot on one though, my arms got numb on the hand-rests.
Acceleration and braking were good, despite having to crawl along following a stopper.
Trouble with the build quality though, one of the panels on the toilet was oscillating really badly and certainly didn't contribute to the passenger experience, making a heck of a noise for a new vehicle. How something like this left the works is puzzling, perhaps they weren't tested on the gwml and somewhere rather smoother.. 
W.E