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

[whole diary]

[phile]

Over 60 short formed IETs^▸ (Intercity Express Train) today.
I presume that the coronavirus is a new excuse.

No reason is given on JourneyCheck.

There is likely to be a lot of presumption and riding rough over people's wants and needs in coming days as people and authorities struggle to cope with a new order and do there best - whether it be the best for the population's survival, the best for the planet and its resources, or the best for them and their people as we go through and come out of this. Conspiracy theories and real hardships will abound.    Discussion OPEN on this - but I'll move it to our "frequent posters" board if it takes off.

At a time at which the Government and all medical experts are imploring us to practice "social distancing", the list of services which GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) are shortforming today has reached 124 already.

…….make that 162 (with the generous assumption that GWR's Journeycheck is accurate)

A cynic may suggest that they are doing this for their own financial benefit, but I'm sure that's not the case, just a coincidence.

Possibly deliberate due to the low number of passengers.   Another example,  Cardiff to Portsmouths (curtailed Salisbury due landslide)  reduced from 5 to 3 Cars (166 only)

[SandTEngineer]

Apparently all Class 800 trains were stood down over the weekend of 16/17 May 2020, due to a special inspection being required following a cracked deflector shield being found on one unit.  This was a nationwide issue affecting all Class 800 users, not just GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway).

[IndustryInsider]

Yes, all needed to be inspected, though were not stood down for the whole weekend.  A couple of GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) shortages as a result (mostly on the Saturday, as was documented), but of course hardly anyone was travelling.

[Thatcham Crossing]

Is there any update as to whether the issues (with the DOO^▸ (Driver-Only Operation (that is, trains which operate without carrying a guard)) cameras) on the 5-car IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train) fleet has been resolved so that they can be used on the Bedwyn's without a TM^‡(resolve)?

I notice that during lockdown turbos have returned to the route, presumably so that a TM is not required, and maybe for other reasons?

[IndustryInsider]

No updates on the DOO^▸ (Driver-Only Operation (that is, trains which operate without carrying a guard)) cameras yet.  I’m starting to think they won’t bother given the limited number of trains it affects.

[nickswift99]

Surely it depends on how desperate GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) are to cascade the stock? Which right now, might be not very at all...

[TaplowGreen]

At last the service seems to be returning to normal! 🙂

05:52 Plymouth to London Paddington due 09:30
Facilities on the 05:52 Plymouth to London Paddington due 09:30.
This is due to a fault on this train.
Will be formed of 5 coaches instead of 9.

10:03 London Paddington to Penzance due 15:11
Facilities on the 10:03 London Paddington to Penzance due 15:11.
This is due to a fault on this train.
Will be formed of 5 coaches instead of 9.

16:20 Penzance to London Paddington due 21:44
Facilities on the 16:20 Penzance to London Paddington due 21:44.
This is due to a fault on this train.
Will be formed of 5 coaches instead of 9.

[IndustryInsider]

Opportunity to give the fleet a good clean was certainly taken during the first phase of the emergency timetable - virtually the whole fleet is in ‘as new’ condition externally.

[TaplowGreen]

Opportunity to give the fleet a good clean was certainly taken during the first phase of the emergency timetable - virtually the whole fleet is in ‘as new’ condition externally.

What about mechanically?

[IndustryInsider]

I don’t know any specifics there.  But I’ve not had anything more than minor problems with one for a long, long time.

[Incider]

I don’t know any specifics there.  But I’ve not had anything more than minor problems with one for a long, long time.

They’ve had some mods done and the 802’s have had a software update. 

[bobm]

An IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train) en route to Swansea came to a stand just west of Tilehurst this afternoon.

Looking at Open Train Times maps it looks like a train was brought alongside to evacuate the passengers after a couple of hours before the IET ran empty to Stoke Gifford. 

[BBM]

An IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train) en route to Swansea came to a stand just west of Tilehurst this afternoon.

Looking at Open Train Times maps it looks like a train was brought alongside to evacuate the passengers after a couple of hours before the IET ran empty to Stoke Gifford. 

From WNXX^▸ (Stored Unserviceable, Mainline Locos HQ All Classes) Forum:

1B21 15.48 Pad - Swansea stopped on DM near Pangbourne since 16.15. 1M58 16.15 Reading - Man Pic was behind it and returned to Reading for another try departed 56 late.

Suspected air leak, train terminated/will terminate Didcot, 802112 unit involved, 800321 will cover 1L34 1922 SWA^» (Swansea - next trains)-PAD^» (Paddington (London) - next trains).

[bobm]

Never reached Didcot in passenger service - ran ECS^▸ (Empty Coaching Stock) (5B21) from where it failed.

[southwest]

Apparently all Class 800 trains were stood down over the weekend of 16/17 May 2020, due to a special inspection being required following a cracked deflector shield being found on one unit.  This was a nationwide issue affecting all Class 800 users, not just GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway).

At least it happened during the quietest time in recent railway history, just imagine if this pandemic never happened it would have been quite embarrassing for Hitachi given these trains have only been in service for the maximum of 3 years.