IEP launch glitches
Mechanical faults and delays rain on Great Western Railway’s parade at launch of Hitachi Rail Europe‘s IEP trains.
GREAT Western Railway’s Intercity Express Programme train launch on October 16 suffered early teething troubles, with mechanical faults, delays and one pair of trains taken out of service.
The operator had aimed for the 0600 Bristol Temple Meads-London Paddington to be the first train, but this target was threatened by a fault with the Train Management System relating to couplings.
Indeed, with 40 minutes to go a High Speed Train was readied to cover the duties (ironically, the HSTs are being replaced by the IEP trains). In the end, 26 minutes later than planned, 800006 led 800005 away from Bristol Temple Meads.
However, two coaches from 800006 then suffered HVAC (heating, ventilation and airconditioning) failures. Water leaked onto passengers, and temperatures rose in Coach K, where Secretary of State for Transport Chris Grayling was travelling.
Having switched to electric power at Maidenhead, the train came to a stand at Taplow following problems raising the pantograph, and then went forward under diesel power. When it arrived at Paddington, the two ‘800s’ were removed from traffic. GWR told RAIL that Agility Trains would not be paid for that day (the contract stipulates Agility is paid when IEP is available).
Hitachi Rail Europe built the trains, with all four in traffic assembled at Newton Aycliffe in County Durham.
“The Bristol to London service experienced a few technical challenges, for which we apologise to passengers for any inconvenience caused,” said an HRE spokesman.
“We are of course disappointed with an issue with this train’s air-conditioning and water ingress in one of the carriages. We are investigating this as a matter of priority and will restore the train back into passenger service once fully rectified.
“Having already completed 5,000 miles of fault-free running, the first British-built Hitachi train from Paddington to Bristol departed on time at 0700. It arrived at its destination smoothly and promptly, offering passengers more seats, space and fast WiFi. More new trains will follow until the full fleet of 57 is in service next year.”
Meanwhile, the other pair of Class 800s in traffic on the first day (800008/009) departed London Paddington at 0700 on time, bound for Bristol Temple Meads. They arrived at Reading four minutes early, but their return was slightly delayed, which GWR attributed to dispatching. They operated on electric power on the section from London Paddington to Maidenhead.
GWR Managing Director Mark Hopwood said: “Today, we at GWR are once again making history, as we launch the first new Intercity Express Train in a generation - and continue to transform rail services across the region.”
Secretary of State for Transport Chris Grayling, said: “I am delighted to see the first of the new fleet of Intercity Express Trains come into service to give Great Western passengers faster, more comfortable trains and better journeys.
“The rollout of these new trains on the Great Western Main Line and the East Coast line shows our commitment to putting passengers at the heart of everything that we do.”
HRE Managing Director Karen Boswell said: “Nine years of hard work has gone into making today happen, from creating a new factory and workforce, to establishing modern maintenance facilities from Swansea to London. We’ve delivered pioneering 21st century trains for passengers to enjoy and sparked a
manufacturing renaissance in the North East.
“I am, however, very sorry and disappointed that today’s first passenger train from Bristol encountered technical issues, causing a delay to the service and an air-conditioning issue which resulted in water entering the carriage rather than being discharged externally.
“This was not to a standard that Hitachi expects and is known for. We can and will do better. Our depot teams are, as a matter of
priority, investigating the root causes of today’s technical issues, and we will ensure that these are corrected as quickly as possible.”
Network Rail’s Western Route Managing Director Mark Langman said: “This is another major step forward in the biggest ever transformation on the Great Western Main Line.
“It has been a real team effort as Network Rail and GWR staff worked tirelessly to get to this stage. It is an example of track and train working together for the benefit of the passenger, and really does herald an exciting time for the railway.
“The hard work does not stop here, as there is still much more to do all across the route. However, that means there are more exciting days to come with more services in Devon and Cornwall, electrification to Cardiff and Chippenham, and the introduction of new Electrostar services between Didcot and London Paddington.”
Agility Trains Chief Executive Martin Garrett said: “We are delighted to see the Hitachi-built IEP trains entering service with GWR. This represents the first step in Agility’s multi-billion-pound investment in new fleets for the Great Western and East Coast Main Lines.”
West of England Mayor Tim Bowles said: “More trains, more seats and quicker journeys is fantastic news, and will make a big difference to our residents and businesses. This supports our work to get the region moving, investing in key routes and looking at how we can get people out of their cars and using alternative modes of transport. The new Hitachi Rail regional maintenance centre in Stoke Gifford is also providing great new employment opportunities for our residents.”
IEP offers between 14% and 24% additional capacity compared with an HST, depending on the internal configuration of the older trains. There is also increased legroom and luggage space, and more tables.
GWR plans to introduce a new timetable once Network Rail’s Great Western Electrification Programme has been competed in early 2019. That will enable GWR to add 40% more seats to the network.
The IEPs will replace HSTs on expresses from London Paddington. The trains were ordered in 2009, with the deal confirmed in 2012.