Flex on the Southern

ONE OF Great Western Railway’s Class 769 Flex units reached former Southern Region metals for the first time overnight on May 29/30. Forming the 5Q10 22.56 Reading-guildford, 769943 was then used to make gauging checks on a bridge at Shalford that was a cause for concern before returning as the 5Q11 1230 Guildfordreading. The same unit then achieved a milestone on June 14 with a trip over the full North Downs route to Redhill as the 5Q10 0754 outing from Reading. Further trips were scheduled for late June while testing of the units has also continued along the Thames Valley.

ROG 57305 hauled GWR Class 769 769959 from Burton upon Trent to Reading Traincare Depot as the 5Q76 on June 15, it joining a growing number of the FLEX variant at the Berkshire facility. (Spencer Conquest)