How to use trains, some helpful hints and the occasional quarrel. Options

[Andy Capp]

My first one is for Biker1: in practical terms, what does the train time tell you?

For example: the train time table states 07:24. What does that mean?

[Biker1]

Thought I would comment here as it is a railway thread!
This story is interesting and indeed "history making".
Class 800
Amusing though that it is referred to as a "high speed electric train" as it will travel no faster than the 40 year old HST's that it is to replace and that it is in fact being powered by diesel as the wiring of the Great Western route is way behind.
Also that the units to be built for the West of England route will be diesel as the wires are going no further west than Newbury.

[JeffG]

Also that the units to be built for the West of England route will be diesel as the wires are going no further west than Newbury.

I would have thought they would be dual-powered. using electricity as far as Newbury (or Reading if not stopping at Newbury). It doesn't make any sense otherwise.

[Biker1]

I would have thought they would be dual-powered. using electricity as far as Newbury (or Reading if not stopping at Newbury). It doesn't make any sense otherwise.

You are probably right (that is if they are designed to lower pantograph at speed).
However it is 53 miles from Paddington to Newbury compared with the 306 miles from Paddington to Penzance.
Unfortunately therefore most still on diesel.

[JeffG]

You are probably right (that is if they are designed to lower pantograph at speed)

I think you didn't quite get my drift there. That's why I said "as far as Newbury (or Reading if not stopping at Newbury)", i.e. changeover at the last stop before the wires run out. They presumably also need time to start the engines.

[gel]

I think you didn't quite get my drift there. That's why I said "as far as Newbury (or Reading if not stopping at Newbury)", i.e. changeover at the last stop before the wires run out. They presumably also need time to start the engines.

Assembled in the North East as shown on recent Michael Portillo TV prog:
http://press.hitachirail-eu.com/pressrelea...s-train-1686468