IETs into passenger service from 16 Oct 2017 and subsequent performance issues

[whole diary]

[IndustryInsider]

Yes, longer term and it could, and probably will, run DOO^▸ (Driver-Only Operation (that is, trains which operate without carrying a guard)), as long as it’s crewed by an LTV^▸ (London [and] Thames Valley) driver and not HSS^▸ (High Speed Services).  Though the timetable recast might mean it doesn’t continue to run in its current form for too much longer anyway.

[mjones]

Whatever other concerns there may be, the performance of the IEP^▸ (Intercity Express Program / Project.) on electric power is impressive. I often catch the 1727 to Bristol from Reading and on many days recently it has arrived at 1722 to 1723. Getting off at Didcot it is often a few minutes early,. despite the switch over to diesel to keep the burghers of Steventon happy.  Looks promising for the future when electrification is complete.
 
 
 

[Timmer]

Whatever other concerns there may be, the performance of the IEP^▸ (Intercity Express Program / Project.) on electric power is impressive. I often catch the 1727 to Bristol from Reading and on many days recently it has arrived at 1722 to 1723. Getting off at Didcot it is often a few minutes early,. despite the switch over to diesel to keep the burghers of Steventon happy.  Looks promising for the future when electrification is complete.

I concur. It was a pleasure to travel on an IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train) this afternoon on electric after Swindon to London. We did slow down around Didcot but other than that it was great to experience a taste of what these new trains can do at speed.

[Thatcham Crossing]

it was great to experience a taste of what these new trains can do at speed

I was on one between Reading and Slough yesterday, and the people I was with (who are not rail geeks of any sort) remarked at how smooth, quiet and fast it was.

They didn't think the seats were too bad either  although it was only a 15 minute journey.

[grahame]

it was great to experience a taste of what these new trains can do at speed

I was on one between Reading and Slough yesterday, and the people I was with (who are not rail geeks of any sort) remarked at how smooth, quiet and fast it was.

They didn't think the seats were too bad either  although it was only a 15 minute journey.

On one headed electric out of Paddington ... took off like a rocket!

[Adelante_CCT]

All this praise....



But it doesn't have a buffet! 

[grahame]

All this praise....



But it doesn't have a buffet! 

Excellent!  I am headed home for dinner and would be in trouble if tempted by a buffet or restaurant ... 

[Dispatch Box]

it was great to experience a taste of what these new trains can do at speed

I was on one between Reading and Slough yesterday, and the people I was with (who are not rail geeks of any sort) remarked at how smooth, quiet and fast it was.

They didn't think the seats were too bad either  although it was only a 15 minute journey.

On one headed electric out of Paddington ... took off like a rocket!

Like a rabbit on speed.

[broadgage]

The performance under electric power is indeed welcome, but does not compensate for the regular short formations, the prohibition on buffets, the hard seats, and often the absence of reservations.

Make all the 9 car units into 10 car by adding a full sized hot buffet car.
Make some of the 5 car units into 10 car, as above.
Fit padded seats.
Get the reservation system to work.

And an old cynic like me might forgive the underfloor engines, especially if spreading of electrification means reduced use of those engines.

[phile]

The performance under electric power is indeed welcome, but does not compensate for the regular short formations, the prohibition on buffets, the hard seats, and often the absence of reservations.

Make all the 9 car units into 10 car by adding a full sized hot buffet car.
Make some of the 5 car units into 10 car, as above.
Fit padded seats.
Get the reservation system to work.

And an old cynic like me might forgive the underfloor engines, especially if spreading of electrification means reduced use of those engines.

You might like to add trains with multiple toilets out of action, sometimes the whole train.  Not very comfortable for long journeys.

[Timmer]

The performance under electric power is indeed welcome, but does not compensate for the regular short formations, the prohibition on buffets, the hard seats, and often the absence of reservations.

Ah yes short formations. The train we were due to be on was 5 vice 10 so decided to give it a miss when the decision was made to disclasify the first class in coach D to std and cram the first class passengers into the rear carriage E! It was almost full at Bath so dread to think what it was like as the journey progressed. The next train half an hour later was a 9 car IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train). Bar one other person we had the entire rear first class coach to ourselves all the way to London. What a contrast to the train half an hour earlier.

[broadgage]

The performance under electric power is indeed welcome, but does not compensate for the regular short formations, the prohibition on buffets, the hard seats, and often the absence of reservations.

Make all the 9 car units into 10 car by adding a full sized hot buffet car.
Make some of the 5 car units into 10 car, as above.
Fit padded seats.
Get the reservation system to work.

And an old cynic like me might forgive the underfloor engines, especially if spreading of electrification means reduced use of those engines.

You might like to add trains with multiple toilets out of action, sometimes the whole train.  Not very comfortable for long journeys.

Agree, my list was not intended to be exhaustive, and the lack of working toilets is a serious issue and does not seem to be improving.

[IndustryInsider]

Toilet reliability is indeed very poor.  Frustrating as it’s often simply a case of doing one of two simple resets to get them working again, nothing terminal like being full up or out of water, but then they trip out again.  The doors of the UAT toilets are particularly prone to failing and needing a reset. 

A shame as the toilets themselves (particularly the UAT ones) are very nice.  I expect it’s on the long list of niggles for Hitachi to sort out.

[TaplowGreen]

Lots of short formations stacking up, 5 instead of 9/10, mainly affecting London to Bristol/Wales services, really poor on what will probably be the busiest Christmas getaway day.

[patch38]

Yesterday I was on 1L36, boarding at KEM with an Advance 1st ticket and seat reservation. A 5-car unit was running the service instead of the usual 9-car. 1st was full and standing and, of course, the seat reservations weren't in place so I perched myself at the end of the carriage and prepared for an uncomfortable and expensive journey to London.

However...

At Swindon, 1L34 from Swansea was just pulling in on platform 3 as we waited at platform 1, and was scheduled to depart first. But I had an Advance ticket, only valid on the advertised service. I found the TM^‡(resolve) just to check. He walked me across to platform 3, found the Swansea TM, cleared it with him and pointed me to a virtually empty first class carriage on the (10-car) 1L34.

Moral of the story - the planning and the operation may be wanting but thank you to the dedicated human beings who work for GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway), especially those who take the time to go the extra mile for the passengers. Five gold stars and a peaceful Christmas to you all!