UNITS

First ‘769/9’ sets should enter traffic during summer timetable period. GWR INITIAL FLEX DIAGRAMS

GWR aims for 2021 ‘Flex’ introduction.

GREAT Western Railway is hoping to put the first of its tri-mode ‘Flex’ units into service on the North Downs line during the currency of the summer 2021 (May to December) timetable.

A total of 19 Class 319s have been, or are in the process of being, converted to Class 769/9 configuration, able to operate on 25kV AC overhead, 750V DC third-rail, and diesel.

Initially, the first passenger diagram will undertake a simple early morning Reading to Redhill return.

This will enable the set to be used on driver training for the rest of the day if required.

A second working will be added at a later date, this being the reintroduction of a suspended Reading to Gatwick Airport return.

Both these diagrams will be

Monday to Friday only and no dates have been set for their introduction.

A wider rollout will take place once sufficient crews have been trained on the units. This will enable three-car Class 165s to be released for use in the Bristol area.

Diagram 1:

2O27/04.57 Reading-Redhill 2V49/06.43 Redhill-Reading

Diagram 2:

1O55/06.25 Reading-Gatwick Airport 1V39/08.02 Gatwick Airport-Reading

RECENT MOVES

Released from Brush, Loughborough have been Nos. 769928 (February 25) and 769938 (March 9), moved to Burton Wetmore by Nos. 37800 Cassiopeia and 57312 respectively pending delivery to GWR.

Departures from Burton have been Nos. 769937, which was hauled to Wolverton by No. 57312 on February 26 and No. 769943, delivered to GWR by No. 37800, forming the 5Q74/09.47 Burton Wetmore-Reading on March

11. It joins Nos. 769930/43 at the depot (see table for full list of ‘769/9’ locations).

■ Meanwhile, Northern is continuing to carry out test runs with its Class 769 fleet. March 10 saw the first appearance of ‘Flex’ units at Stalybridge, when both No. 769448 and 769456 undertook separate trial outings from Allerton (Merseyside), taking in the ascent of Miles Platting bank from Manchester Victoria.

Runs have also been taking place between Springs Branch and Blackpool North.