Class 180 Adelantes - discussions, including their return to FGW

[whole diary]

[IndustryInsider]

According to the MD we're still on target to get everything sorted in time for the Olympics.  A second Adelante diagram will be starting in early July, followed by the remaining units coming available by the end of July.  It's going to be a bit of a rush and getting enough crew trained will also not be easy, but we'll see!  Also, the first of the rebuilt Mk.3s is expected any day now with the rest following in time to extend all 2+7 HSTs^▸ (High Speed Train) also by the end of July.

[IndustryInsider]

After doing a bit of manoeuvring in Old Oak Common the last few days, 180108 had a shakedown test run to Worcester and back today.  Presumably that will be the unit rostered for the second diagram starting in the near future.

[Southern Stag]

I've had a look through some of the open access timetabling data websites and I reckon I've worked out the 4 180 diagrams, the first two I've attached below. Most surprising trains I've found are the couple of Oxford-London stopping services which appear to be going over to 180 operation.

[Southern Stag]

And here are the second two diagrams.

[Southern Stag]

After doing a bit of manoeuvring in Old Oak Common the last few days, 180108 had a shakedown test run to Worcester and back today.  Presumably that will be the unit rostered for the second diagram starting in the near future.

180108 was reported in service today on the 1120 London-Great Malvern so presumably a second diagram will be starting up soon.

[IndustryInsider]

Thanks for posting those diagrams, 'Southern Stag'.  They match up pretty well with what I've been told over the last few months - which did suggest that the 07:00 and 07:21 stoppers would be 180 operated (they are currently 3-car Turbo's).  They'll be busy, after their final calling point, but should just about cope.  Presumably they'll be shuffled around a little when (or if?) 2E95, 17:32 OXF^» (Oxford - next trains)-GMV starts back from Paddington later in the year.

I remain very concerned about 1P35, 08:26 WOF-PAD^» (Paddington (London) - next trains), though.  That's the train that is currently a 3-Car Turbo to Oxford and then attaches to a further 3-Cars.  It is pretty usual that virtually all seats in the part from Worcester are taken on its arrival at Oxford (standing passengers not uncommon during the school holidays), with the front three that start there loading reasonably well and then picking up more at Reading and a lot more at Slough so that as a 6-Car it is virtually full on arrival at Paddington.  It doesn't take a genius to work out that a 6-Car Turbo's worth of passengers into a 5-Car Adelante simply won't go! 

Unless the train is altered so that it omits the call at Slough and is set down only at Reading, I predict major problems!  Perhaps the answer would be a relief Turbo service running from Oxford just ahead of it calling at Reading, Slough and Paddington (and perhaps Maidenhead) around the 09:55 mark (with an easement on Network Card usage from Oxford)?

[Btline]

Thanks for posting those diagrams, 'Southern Stag'.  They match up pretty well with what I've been told over the last few months - which did suggest that the 07:00 and 07:21 stoppers would be 180 operated (they are currently 3-car Turbo's).  They'll be busy, after their final calling point, but should just about cope.  Presumably they'll be shuffled around a little when (or if?) 2E95, 17:32 OXF^» (Oxford - next trains)-GMV starts back from Paddington later in the year.

I remain very concerned about 1P35, 08:26 WOF-PAD^» (Paddington (London) - next trains), though.  That's the train that is currently a 3-Car Turbo to Oxford and then attaches to a further 3-Cars.  It is pretty usual that virtually all seats in the part from Worcester are taken on its arrival at Oxford (standing passengers not uncommon during the school holidays), with the front three that start there loading reasonably well and then picking up more at Reading and a lot more at Slough so that as a 6-Car it is virtually full on arrival at Paddington.  It doesn't take a genius to work out that a 6-Car Turbo's worth of passengers into a 5-Car Adelante simply won't go! 

Unless the train is altered so that it omits the call at Slough and is set down only at Reading, I predict major problems!  Perhaps the answer would be a relief Turbo service running from Oxford just ahead of it calling at Reading, Slough and Paddington (and perhaps Maidenhead) around the 09:55 mark (with an easement on Network Card usage from Oxford)?

I completely agree, I was shocked when I read that this train will be 180 operated. it is the first Off Peak train of the day for Cotswold passengers (due to sneaky timetabling by FGW^▸ (First Great Western) - yes I know 11am arrival is late for off peak!!) and it is normally RAMMED. It needs to be an HST^▸ (High Speed Train) and has always needed to be an HST.

[Southern Stag]

It's interesting that even though that is the 180 diagram that's already up and running, that the 08:26 WOF-PAD^» (Paddington (London) - next trains) is still being run by a Turbo for now.

Looks like the 17:32 OXF^» (Oxford - next trains)-GMV isn't going to be starting from Paddington yet, September timetables are pretty much confirmed now with reservations now open. Probably will have to December before it's changed now.

[Richard Fairhurst]

I completely agree, I was shocked when I read that this train will be 180 operated. it is the first Off Peak train of the day for Cotswold passengers (due to sneaky timetabling by FGW^▸ (First Great Western) - yes I know 11am arrival is late for off peak!!)

It's the first train on which Off-Peak Day tickets are valid (CDR^▸ (Off Peak Day Return [ticket type] (formerly 'Cheap Day'))), but Off-Peak tickets (SVR) are valid on the Cathedrals Express (6.30ish from Hereford) and later.

You can't really blame "sneaky timetabling by FGW" for this - it's been the case since Thames Trains days, at least. If you're going to have a go at any TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company) for extortionate Off-Peak gouging, try the buffoons at CrossCountry.

[Worcester_Passenger]

The fare condition for Cheap Day Returns from Worcester changed in 2003 January - before then they were valid on the Cathedrals Express (out of Worcester at 07:52 in those days, and taking just under two hours to Paddington).

[Btline]

The fare condition for Cheap Day Returns from Worcester changed in 2003 January - before then they were valid on the Cathedrals Express (out of Worcester at 07:52 in those days, and taking just under two hours to Paddington).

 

[EBrown]

FGW^▸ (First Great Western) have finally announced that 5 180s will have Wi-Fi and internet access!

[ChrisB]

Yes, it took them some time to make that public!

[IndustryInsider]

Much more Adelante work is diagrammed from next week.  I hope there's enough driver cover as the training/re-training programme is only about half way through!

[BerkshireBugsy]

Much more Adelante work is diagrammed from next week.  I hope there's enough driver cover as the training/re-training programme is only about half way through!

I noticed this (Friday) morning that an Adelante was pulling westbound out of Reading at about 610am. This is unusual - I am used to seeing a 180 come in for the Worcester service (0622?) but my train wasnt late..so is this another service that is using Adelantes?

Dave