Hitachi 800 Class testing

[RichB]

Just seen one of the new Hitachi 800 class trains (is it technically a multiple unit I suppose as it looked like 2 x 5 car units?) pass through Maidenhead heading for Paddington. So they've started testing them on the Western mainline now... Can't find much news about them on the internet other than Hitachi press releases. I wonder if there's much chat on the rail forums?

[Nickyboy]

I'm intrigued how replacing the 8 car HST's with 5 car 800's will increase the capacity they keep raving about

[ralphrj]

Nickyboy said:

I'm intrigued how replacing the 8 car HST's with 5 car 800's will increase the capacity they keep raving about

Perhaps they will be doubled up to form a 10 car set?

Over half of the ones on the ECML will be 9 car sets.

[RichB]

Not being funny but I thought that's what I said. A train made up of 2 x 5 car units.

[Boatbuoy]

What you are seeing is the pre-production units I believe. The western region will be served with 5 car Class 800 units, 9 car class 801 units, and a mixture of 5 & 9 car class 802 units:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Rail_Class_8...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Rail_Class_8...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Rail_Class_8...

Edited by Boatbuoy on Monday 18th July 10:06

[Yertis]

From Wikipedia:

"In June 2016, Great Western Railway announced that its IEP trains would be known as Intercity Express Trains."

Good idea, does what it says on the tin, etc.


What's going to happen to the 125s?

[RichB]

Yertis said:

What's going to happen to the 125s?

Scrapped I imagine. I don't if they're the sort of thing that gets preserved? maybe one set?

[Europa1]

RichB said:

Yertis said:

What's going to happen to the 125s?

Scrapped I imagine. I don't if they're the sort of thing that gets preserved? maybe one set?

Hopefully a set preserved by the NRM.

[outnumbered]

The HSTs get cascaded to other parts of the network, and there's also talk now of using them in shorter formations for routes in Wales/West Country. Think they are likely to go on for some years yet...

[Talksteer]

Europa1 said:

RichB said:

Yertis said:

What's going to happen to the 125s?

Scrapped I imagine. I don't if they're the sort of thing that gets preserved? maybe one set?

Hopefully a set preserved by the NRM.

Plenty of groups will preserve them, they were the blue riband mainline diesel for 30 years plenty of rail enthusiasts will want to own one.

http://www.preserved-diesels.co.uk/engines/index.h...

I suspect that probably around 20-40 engines will get saved

[RichB]

Talksteer said:

Plenty of groups will preserve them, they were the blue riband mainline diesel for 30 years plenty of rail enthusiasts will want to own one.

It's a pity none of the Blue Pullmans were preserved, that would have been an attractive idea.

[RemyMartin]

Gwr hsts are going to Scotland last time I heard. No chance they will scrap them.

[RemyMartin]

There is also the issue of the West Country. There will be no electrics down to Penzance for a while and I don't think they have enough bi mode trains (even though they ordered more)

[rs1952]

RemyMartin said:

Gwr hsts are going to Scotland last time I heard. No chance they will scrap them.

That's what I heard as well

[RichB]

RemyMartin said:

There is also the issue of the West Country. There will be no electrics down to Penzance for a while and I don't think they have enough bi mode trains (even though they ordered more)

According to those wiki links (and I don't know, which is why this thread is of interest to me) the 802 Class is intended for lines west of Bristol, equipped with more powerful diesel engines for the steeper gradients on the routes in the West Country.

[gazapc]

As mentioned above the HSTs will be cascaded to Scotland and to carry on on the un -wired bits of the network particularly in the south West.

They have recently been testing them in shorter 4/5 car formations to increase acceleration and decrease dwell times.

They will likely have to have the mk3 carriages overhauled and retrofitted with power doors to be disabled access compliant.

There is a shortage of stock so I doubt they will be scrapped.

The longer 9 car IET trains will operate the trunk routes like Paddington-Bristol. Doubled up 5 car units will operate say to exeter/Plymouth with a single unit them carrying onto Penzance.

[BrotherMouzone]

Got on one of these today at Reading.

Nice enough but does anyone feel the interior lights are too bright?

[Junior Bianno]

On the HST subject, they should be here next year. Should be a big improvement over what is currently being run. Power doors, new interiors, new toilets, etc. Can't wait to see them up here

Edited by Junior Bianno on Monday 18th December 22:49

[Nine-Eighty-Six]

The HSTs still look bloody awesome, don't they?

Haven't really aged at all - hard to believe they're over 40 years old now.

[Yertis]

Nine-Eighty-Six said:

The HSTs still look bloody awesome, don't they?

Haven't really aged at all - hard to believe they're over 40 years old now.

Yes they do. A design classic to rank alongside Concorde and the E-type, IMO. I think the most elegant diesel electric, or diesel or electric for that matter, locomotives/trains ever built.