Class 80x problems

They had better hurry. This was reported today :

''57.305 leading 91.129, 91113, 91.126 and 91.102 on 0Q76 07:45 Doncaster Belmont - Newport Docks for scrap''.

<BJ>

 

And? There were 31 91s.
They were keeping 7 (or 10) sets, with a few spare 91s. So it'll be likely from that pool.
I doubt any of the others will be brought back into service due to the lack of upkeep.

 

OK, calm down.

After reading the latest Azuma update the rail companies may require as many locos and stock as they can get their hands on.

Out of curiosity today I enquired at Bath Spa station what the chances were of getting to Paddington and was advised that it was possible but connections were required at Swindon and Reading. The helpful guy added that the connections were not at all good and the trains were likely to be rammed. Not good. <BJ>

 

They may well. However, where the 91s are concerned a large proportion of the Mk4s have already been scrapped, while the 91 fleet were being run down so most were completely knackered at withdrawal.


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Exactly, many are not in good enough condition to use again.

 

If you're not in a hurry, GWR or SWR to Salisbury and Salisbury - Waterloo.
SWT/SWR used to sell bargain fares to and from Bath to undercut GWR, but that may have been stopped since South Western was taken on by First Group.


Cheers, Neil

 

Course these issues wouldn't have happened, on the ECML, if they'd used cousin Wernher's A4/V2s and teak carriages!

 

GWR state of play today 11/05/21. Emergency timetable in place.

Paddington – Swindon covered by class 387 hourly (12 car)
Reading – Newport covered by class 800 5 car sets and the only 2 sets in traffic at start-up.
Swindon – Bristol TM covered by XC Voyager 4 or 5 car sets (depending on time), and an HST 2+7 set XC04.
Reading – Newbury covered by class 387
Newbury – Bedwyn covered by class 165 turbo
Oxford – Worcester Shrub Hill covered by class 165/166 Turbo
Swindon – Cheltenham Spa covered by class 165/166 Turbo

Thanks to Justin "The Basingstoker" Foulger. <BJ>

 

The Railcam account on Twitter implies that an LSL 37 and Mk3s will be helping out. I can't tell if it's intended in jest or not: https://twitter.com/railcamlive/status/1391758915898052611

 

There have been photos of an LSL 37 plus ex-EML Mk3s. What I've seen claimed is that they will reform some HST sets at Laira.

To caveat, this is just what I have read and I have absolutely no idea how reliable the information is.

 

Already posted elsewhere but think this is an appropriate place for this.

 

Reports elsewhere seem to suggest that a mitigation system will allow most 80x for GWR and LNER to return to use later this week.

 

One upside of the 800 problems is the return to service of this beast. Best livery applied to an electric loco - ever.

 

What about Malachite Green, Sunshine lettering and horizontal yellow stripes?

 

Now that would look good on a 91...


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The number of 800 units in service on GWR today has been reduced to one (800.009). A 166 unit has replaced the planned Azuma 1L07 Newport - Reading service.

C2C units 387301, 387302, 387306 are to transfer from Wembley Yard to GWR. They are going on temporary hire to GWR to help boost their 387 fleet during the Class 800 issue. <BJ>

 

I hope its rather more successful than the 37's on the Cumbrian Coast were.....

 

A "mural" of Lancasters, Spitfires and Hurricanes trumps that any time IMO.