Just 'CLICK' the thumbnails for a fullpage image! (1280+853 nominal)
Class 800/0 Bi-Mode IET's
From Autumn-2017 some Units are now operating on Paddington to Bristol and Paddington to Swansea services. The numbers are set to increase as more get commissioned. Several sets are currently out on mileage accumulation testing most days on The GWR.
Just a reminder of the regular dross that now pass for Class-1 passenger services from paddington to the West Country.here are 800012/800006 with '1C90' the 17:03 from Paddington to Penzance.No doubt full to standing with Glastonbury Festival fans set to get off this service at Castle-Cary.
..22 june 2023..
800008 'Alan Turing' in its rainbow styling runs into Cardiff as 1L24' the 14:23 from Swansea to London-Paddington passing 60017 on '0F85' which was waiting to route to proceed onwards to Margam.
..8 june 2023..
5-car 800036 gets away from Kemble with '1L68' the 08:59 from Cheltenham Spa to Paddington.The main event that was a pair of Class-33's on 1Z33' was just 6 minites behind this so it served as a good framing/exposure check for what was to follow!
..6 august 2022..
'1C81' the 12:33 from Paddington to Exeter St Davids rolls away from its Westbury booked stop at Fairwood.800034 carries the 'cheapo' name decal 'Tracy Devlin' whoever she is?
..17 march 2022..
9-car 800111 slows for Fairwood Junction in readiness for its booked stop at Westbury with '1A79' the 09:12 from Plymouth to Paddington.A bit backlit but in fact this is just about the only way to extract any kind of decent colour out of these rather dour GWR trainsets!
..28 november 2021..
A pair of unidentified 9-car and 2x5-car IET's pass at Berkley nr Frome.One heading for Paddington as '1A92' 14:15 off Penzance and the other '1C90' the 17:04 from Paddington to Penzance.
..27 may 2021..
800014 'Edith New' runs up to Paddington from Castle-Cary (12:28 off) as '1A81'.Seen at Hungerford Common.A short train this since it only started from Castle-cary.The line being closed for engineering work further west.Also it was noted the carriages ware virtually empty anyway probably due to the Covid-19 epidemic that is currently sweeping the country.Most passengers opting not to travel currently due to the medical risks involved!
..16 march 2020..
800023 'Kathryn Osmond' runs through Hungerford Common with '1K13' the 10:41 from Bedwyn going to Paddington.Since my last visit these IEP's seem to have taken over these stopper duties from the Thames-Turbo's
..16 march 2020..
10-car combo 800021 & 800004 slides silently and characterlessly past Thingley Junction's now derelict old MOD sidings with '1C09' the 10:00 from Paddington to Bristol-Temple Meads.
..21 september 2019..
Like it or lump it these plastic IEP's are now a permanant part of the local railway scene so occasionally one will be shown here in these galleries. This is a 9-car version 800106 working '1A79' the 06:47 from Penzance to \Paddington.Once a solid HST duty but now reduced to this! Viewed approaching Westbury at Fairwood.
..18 september 2019..
This pair of Hitachi Bi-Modes 800025/800024 run past Malago Vale in Bristol with '1A09' the 07:12 from Taunton going to Paddington.All very uninspiring but sadly this is the future!
..26 march 2019..
Double-Trouble in the shape of 800022 & 800023 cruise past Masters Crossing nr Fairwood with '1C51' the 12:33 from Paddington to Taunton. Note the new posts and fencing mesh positioned ready to be installed. Since the trees and bushes were ripped out virtually none of the old fencing was remaining.At least its wood-n-wire not that awful palisade steel stuff.
..27 february 2019..
800028 & 800010 speed along the B&H on the approach to Hungerford with '1C54' the 14:03 from Paddington going only as far as Taunton.With the temperature hovering at about 17-degrees its hard to believe that it is still technically winter.Last year at the same time the 'beast from the east' had temperature down well below 0-degrees and we were a day or so away from a blanket of over 8 inches of snow! Don't you just love global warming?
..26 february 2019..
800019 which carries the dual names of 'Joy Lofthouse' & 'Johnny Johnson' runs over Hungerford Common paired up with nameless 800035 working '1C51' the 12:33 from Paddington to Taunton shuttle service.Looking into the trains as they pass they seem largely unoccupied particularly these mid-afternoon services!
..26 february 2019..
Just a single 5-car IET on this service. Quite satisfactory if it's a Thames-Turbo replacement I feel! So here is 800014 getting away from its seemingly long long stop at Oxford with 'IP29' the 12:00 from Worcester Foregate Street to Paddington.Viewed from the Osney Lane footbridge.I presume that many years ago Osney Lane used to be a Level Crossing road as Osney Lane is named both sides of the line here? If GWR are serious about improving journey times on this line perhaps they should do something about the long-long station stops here for these IET trains.Sometimes nearly 10 minutes which really is ridiculous!!
..14 february 2019..
Another diversion away from its normal route via Chippenham and Swindon was '1A22' the 14:53 from Bristol-Temple Meads to Paddington. Here is 800321,a quite recently introduced 9-car IET which is actually sporting a GWR logo on its nosecone using the Hawkeridge Curve after diverging at the junction from the route into Westbury in the shadowed background.It will regain its original route at Reading after traversing the B&H going east.
..10 february 2019..
IET pairing 800007 and 800033 rush through South Marston with '1C13' the 12:00 from Paddington to Bristol-Temple Meads.Although this section is now fully energised with 25-Kva OHLE this train was on diesel power.It goes to show the whole electrification pantomime along this route is something of a wasteful joke ????? Just what was the point?
..22 december 2018..
9-car IEP 800314 looking to be almost brand new judging by the spotless roof panels runs down through Clink with the 10:33 from Paddington to Paignton.The report code being '1C77'.Just like the shrubs on the lineside here the good old reliable HST's really are in the late autumn phase of their long long career on the B&H!
..21 november 2018..
After a visit next door to the GW-Society at Didcot-Parkway to view the newly exhibited 'Saint' GWR replica it was back to earth with a severe bump up on the mainline platforms.The entire place is now a total mess of over-engineered OHLE with virtually no variety in train types.Just Class-387 EMU's and IEP's.This one comprised 800028 with 800010 working the 13:30 Bristol-Temple Meads to Paddington service.Even though the overhead wires are now energised this train arrived and left of diesel power with the pantographs down.It makes me wonder why the hell they bothered with all the crap overhead when a modern state of the art diesel powered train-set would have done the job equally as efficiently. God,I hate this 'GWML' now!
..17 november 2018..
IEP pairing 800030/800015 make up '1C11' the 11:03 from Paddington to Bristol-Temple Meads.Viewed passing Oldfield Park in the western suburbs of Bath.Note the extra passenger jammed into the nosecone of this Plastic-Pig.I expect it is having a more comforable ride than the poor passengers huddled together in standard-class!
..7 october 2018..
IEP 800008 c/w its unique rainbow 'Pride' flashes on the cabsides paired with 800028 rolls through Berkley Marsh with '1C76' the 08:57 from Paddington to Plymouth.It appears that currently at the weekends some of these services are now being operated by these Hitachi-Pigs. Only a few weeks to go (believed to be about 5 from now) and most if not all the HST's will be replaced..Oh Dear!
..7 october 2018..
5-car IET 800016 glides almost silently through Berkley Marsh with '1C89' the 16:33 from Paddington to Exeter.This service along with the trains to Paignton are now given over to these 'things' having displaced HST's on these services.
..14 september 2018..
Final shot of the evening here at Berkley was '5J91' the ECS from Frome going up the Stoke-Gifford.This working and '1J91' have been IEP rostered now for several weeks but in all honesty I just couldn't be bothered to make a special effort to picture it. Tonights offering is 800026 which very recently has had the name of 'Don Cameron' the famous Hot Air Balloon Manufacturer bestowed on it. GWR produce plenty of 'Hot Air' themselves but regretfully very little 'lift'.
..10 august 2018..
With the derelict remains of Thingley Junction Yards in the background '1C11' the 11:00 from Paddington to Bristol-TM glides past with an IET-double 800031/600005 in the formation.About the only redeeming feature of this shot is the lack of OHLE equipment to ruin the aspect of it all!
..23 june 2018..
A dull and depressing day for a dull and depressing sight.With the published start-date for commencement of IET services set for mid-July ECS/Crew training has now commenced on a regular basis on the B&H down to Plymouth or Par from Paddington.Here is 800010 'Micheal Bond/Paddington Bear' partnered with nameless 800007 passing Clink nr frome with '5X87' the 10:47 tester from Paddington today going to Plymouth.
..31 may 2018..
Presumably a crew training run for the soon to be introduced on this route from Paddington to Penzance is this 'pair' of IETs' passes the very recently cleared out Styles Hill on the Frome -Avoiding line.GWR 800009 'John Charles/Sir Gareth Edwards' was the lead unit with 80010 'Micheal Bond/Paddington Bear' tagged on the rear.It ran as '5X87' the 10:47 from Paddington to Par.No sun regretfully but then I havn't seen much of that since I came back from Spain 5 days ago!
..29 may 2018..
With the start-date for the first couple of diagrams from Paddington to Penzance via the B&H creeping ever closer (2 months away and counting) the GWR-Green IEP 'things' have now commenced training/testing from Stoke Gifford to Newbury-Racecoarce and return via Taunton. Here are 800030/800009 running towards Fairwood nr Westbury with '5Z57' from SG (departed at 09:30).
..10 may 2018..
IEP-Combo 800022/800030 passes Newport Alexander Dock Junction with '1B31' the 12:15 from Paddington going to Cardiff-Central In about 10 years time shots of these 'IEPs' operating through here with their pantographs 'down' and no OHLE will be considered as 'historic'. How things are changing?
..19 april 2018..
GWR-Green-team members IEP's 800030 & 800022 run through Undy on a stretch of line as yet unsullied by the erection of masts-n-posts (Note the mast bases already installed).No doubt this view will be completely ruined in the coming months! The service was '1L42' the 07:30 from Camarthan going up to Paddington.
..19 april 2018..
IET 800033 approaches Didcot North Junction working '1P33' the 13:55 from Worcester Foregate Street to Paddington.This service only warranting a single 5-car Unit.
..5 april 2018..
GWR Plastic-800033 wiith '1P22' the 08:25 from Worcester Foregate Street to Paddington glides through Didcot North Junction taking the non-stop avoiding line route.Once it gains the mainline east of Didcot it will change over from Diesel to 25Kva to justify all that ugly crap OHLE down through the Thames Valley to the Capital.
..5 april 2018
IET 800005 cruises past Didcot North Junction almost silently even though it is working on diesel power! This 5-car formation is working a former HST/Class-180 duty '1W19' the 09:21 from Paddington going to Worcester-Foregate Street.All very impressive externally but apparantly the seating is not particularly comfortable and the source of quite a lot of complaints!
..5 april 2018..
Since my last visit to the station here in Swindon the electrification has now been partially installed in the station area.So here we have a representation of what to expect in future here apart from the current lack of catenary wires and raised pantographs on the IET's. 800015/800024 were working '1B25' the 10:45 Paddington to Swansea whilst counterparts 80023/80022 have just arrived with '1L48' the 09:29 from Swansea going to Paddington. Apparantly its called progress?? I call it something else!
..20 february 2018..
The solo GWR 5-car IET 800024 drops down past Didcot-North Junction with '1P25',the 09:54 from Great Malvern to Paddington. Once it gains the mainline to London at Didcot-East Junction it can finally raise its pantograph to take advantage of all the now energised 25Kva OHLE from there on into Paddington.All very quite and efficient but still a crap train!
..12 february 2018..
IEP's seem to be being introduced into service now at quite an alarming rate. This one 800020 currently being the highest serial-number I have seen as yet.It was paired with 80013 working '1B22' the 10:15 from Paddington to Cardiff-Central.There is still quite a decent gap in the ugly OHLE poles-etc here at Duffryn west of Newport to still make reasonable photographs.For how much longer is anybodies guess?
..2 february 2018..
GWR-IET's 800005 & 800008 today formed '1L48' the 09:29 from Swansea to Paddington Cattle-Train.Seen at Llandevenny heading east towards Severn Tunnel-Junction.Note the foundation ring lurking in the grass ready to be fitted with its incredibly ugly and over-engineered OHLE post-n-wires.Naturally when that crap appears here it will be 'game over' for acceptable shots at this location!!!!
..2 february 2018..
With the sun setting and the clouds building up this shot at only 15:35 was the final picture of the day here at Swindon Station.This is IET-Combo 800012 leading with 800006 on the back departing towards Paddington from Swansea (12:29 off) as '1L62'.Note the masts in the background.Just imagine those with cross arms and OHLE wiring ??? What a mess!!!!!!!!!!
..28 november 2017..
Another nail in the GWR-Fleet of HST's stands in Swindon working '1B28' the 11:45 from Paddington to Swansea service. 800005 leads with partner 800013 tagged on the rear .
..28 november 2017..
IET-Combo 800015/800011 sits in the bright sunlight at Swindon trying hard to look interesting and attractive.At least it was very clean,in fact 800015 looks to be brand new with even the bogies still gleaming.In all probability it is in its first few days of regular service.The train being '1L51' the 10:55 from Cardiff-Central going into London-Paddington.
..28 november 2017..
IET-pairing 800010/800005 pass through Bradford-on-Avon with '5Z52' an ECS from Reading (11:10 off) going to Stoke-Gifford.
..25 november 2017..
Freshly Vinyl'd into GWR-Green IET's 800006/800005 motor almost silently through Undy in S-Wales working '1B40' the 13:45 from Paddington to Swansea.After the rather embarrassing fiasco on launch day a week or so ago the few of these new trains now in service seem (annoyingly) to be performing reasonably well.Lets hope GWR keep the formations as 10-cars.If they try the 5-car stunt due to lack of availability that is when the real fiasco's start!
..27 october 2017..
The new order cometh! IET's 10-coach combination 800005/800006 runs up through Magor in South-Wales working '1L51' the 10:55 from Cardiff-Central going up to Paddington.This is my first sunny shot of an IET in actual revenue earning service.It is still looking brand new so worth a shot-just!
27 october 2017..
This is a Paddington to Bristol-Temple Meads service,this time '1C14' the 12:30 away from the Capital has succumbed to the dreaded IET takeover! Here seen approaching its Swindon station stop with a 10-car made up of 800010 & 800012.This is yet another completely mint shiny example.Plenty of seats to go round today but what happens when (As it inevitably will) one of the 'pair' goes 'OOS' and GWR try to put out a single 5-car in the vain hope it will cope with the passenger numbers-Now that will be interesting for sure!
..23 october 2017..
Consecutive combination 800008/800009 approach Swindon with a revenue earning '1B28' the 11:45 from Paddington to Swansea service.This pair of IET's were completely clean with no dirt on them whatsover,possibly it was their first day in service for the GWR ?
..23 october 2017..
Rush-Hour at Swindon! 43098 sits on the rear of '1B25' about to departs for Swansea with a service from Paddington,GM-66591 waits time on the centre-road with '4O70' the 09:56 from Cardiff-Wentloog going to Southampton-MCT freightliner service whilst new 'IET' 800004 'Isambard Kingdom Brunel' prepares to depart from here (11:34 off) to North Pole Depot in London with '3X06' a test-train proving run.
..23 october 2017..
Well,If I am going to have to picture these 'IET-things' the best option available has to be those running around in 'factory-white' rather than the super-bland GWR-Green versions! Once into squadron service these white-testers will slip into history I suppose? So here are 800008 & 800009 out on test as '5X30' the 14:03 from Paddington going down as far as Tiverton Loops. Viewed speeding down the Frome-Avoider just west of Clink Road-Junction on a small but perfectly legal foot crossing.
..15 september 2017..
Here is a factory-fresh IEP out for a test-run from Paddington (14:03 off) down to Tiverton-Loops running as '5X30'.These test runs are now getting very regular as the teams in charge of these 'Jap-plastics' strive to get the trains systems ready for service for when they eventually stagger into regular use.This particular one is 800008 in plain white livery.I suppose these are the ones to picture because once they go into general service the Units will all be that awful GWR-Green! It is recorded just after it had passed over Fairwood-Junction west of Westbury at Masters-Farm Crossing.
..14 september 2017..
The totally logo-less 800006-IET runs almost silently up through Berkley Marsh nr Frome with '5X31' the returning this test-working from Tiverton-Parkway to Paddington.Dunno why they are bothering to test these units,we all know they are pretty basic budget crap!
..8 september 2017..
800004 'Sir Daniel Gooch' gets away from Kemble with '3X04' from Swindon (08:18 away) only going as far as Gloucester.This run appeared to be a platform 'stop' proving trial as a crew member alighted when it halted,checked his clipboard then re-boarded.The train moved off seconds afterwards.Note the genuine old unspoiled GWR feel of this old largely untouched station here at Kemble north of Swindon.The only item ruining the true GWR feel in this shot is the nasty green 'thing' in the middle!
..28 august 2017..
The leading cab-unit of 800004 carries the name of 'Isambard Kingdom Brunel' I wonder what the 'Great-Man' would have made of the complete shambles the electrification has sadly become in the name of his employer from all those years ago (The real GWR). Anyway here is that Green 800004 halted momentarily at Kemble whilst on a short test run from Swindon up to Gloucester '3X04'.Note the pidgeon sitting on the Kemble Station sign.Probably getting ready to leave its own personal message of appreciation on the roof of this IET as it pullls away from the platforms!
..28 august 2017..
This week came the news that the first GWR-HST's have gone off-lease which means these IEP-things will soon be making their first runs in service.Co-incidentally the number of 'tests' of these '800' type units has increased considerably in the last week or so.This one 800004 'Sir Daniel Gooch' was running barely 50 minutes behind the pair of 800's previously depicted.GWR was the livery of this one which was operating as a single-set.Viewed as '3X02' the 10:40 from Exeter St-Davids to Swindon passing Oldfield Park nr Bath Spa.
..26 august 2017..
Here are a couple of IEP's on test passing through Oldfield Park nr Bath Spa working '5X25' the 10:50 from Stoke-Gifford going up to North Pole IEP Depot.The ghostly pairing being 800006 leading with 800005 behind.Worth recording I suppose whilst they are still in the white livery prior to going GWR-Green.
..26 august 2017..
Having got to Tiverton Parkway earlier as '5X30' the IEP-pairing 800003/800004 naturally returned for wence it came--Paddington as '5X31' Its departure was timed as 17:26.Here seen speeding through Clink nr Frome in the rather dull sunless evening light.
..31 july 2017..
Test workings for these new IEP seta are now becoming quite regular. Here is 800003 'Queen Elizebeth 2' working '5X30' the nominally 14:02 from Paddington to Tiverton Parkway.In reality its departure was about an hour late.Also along for the ride was 800004.Both Units wearing the regretfully quite unappealing GWR-green.Viewed passing Berkley Marsh nr Frome.
..31 july 2017..
This is a test-run of the IEP-set 800003 and 800004 working as '5X42' from Peterborough Virtual-GBRf (15:35 off) to Doncaster Carr IEP Depot.Oddly it was working on diesel only with its pantographs lowered. Viewed approaching Claypole Level Crossing going north.
..25 july 2017..
This is the returning 'test run' for Hitachi pre-production IEP Unit.Now 811001(800001) is leading as '5X91' sped up through Berkley Marsh nr Frome returning to North Pole Depot from Plymouth.The logo on the flank says 'Hitachi-Inspire the Next'----'Next-What' I ask myself?--this one certainly doesn't inspire me in any way whatsoever!
..18 july 2017..
IEP 'test week' continues with 800001 working the 08:17 from North Pole-IEP down to Plymouth and return.It was running again as '5X90'. The formation is --800001-815001-814001-813001-812001 & 811001 on the back.Apparantly it has no passenger seating just sandbags to replicate a passenger loading and just a few places for engineers to sit whilst monitoring the test instumantation.I wonder if it has dawned on them yet what a Crock of S*** these so called upgraded trains really are?? It is viewed dropping down Bruton Bank at Cole in Somerset.
..18 july 2017..
Pre-Production IEP 800001 drops down Brewham Bank with '5X90' the 08:17 from North Pole Depot to Plymouth test working.Thankfully (for want of a better word) it was a white version and not the unimaginative durge-green livery that will inflict itself on the production versions.
..17 july 2017..
Today a publicity trip ran down to Penzance from London.This is the returning ecs '5X92' which departed Penzance at 12:47 going to North Pole lEP Depot.The very GWR-Green 800003 was leading with 'Queen Victoria' at the front and 'Queen Elizebeth II' on the back.The second set was 800004 with 'Isambard Kingdom Brunel' leading and 'Sir Daniel Gooch' on the rear.Not particularly inspiring but these are the future unfortunately like it or lump it! The working is seen passing through Berkley Marsh nr Frome.
..22 june 2017..
This IEP test working '5X20' was a bit of a surprise.A pair of these 'things' came into Swindon from London and split into two seperate workings going to Stoke Gifford.One via Hullavington and this one via Bath and Taunton.I assumed the pair were both going via the other route and wasn't even ready for it when it zoomed silently by heading west.So here is the 70 minute late 09:06 from Swindon to Taunton '5X20' using Green Hitatchi No-800004.Like GWR's passenger train policy it is seen going backwards here at Thingley nr Chippenham.Of note, is this is my first vision of a liveried GWR-IEP.Oh well it had to happen sooner or later!
..15 june 2017..
This (regretfuly) is my first daylight encounter with one of the new IEP's.This particular one 800010 looking to be brand new with no branding whatsoever,just a coat of 'delivery white overcoat'.It appears to be a bi-model' version as it is equipped with pantographs etc. Here it is operating a test working from Southall to Taunton as '5X81'.It departed Southall 50 minutes earlier than its booked departure of 16:45 and by here at Berkley Marsh nr Frome was 110 minutes ahead of time.This morning it had travelled down from Doncaster Carr IEP Depot.After Taunton it proceeded on up to Bristol Stoke Gifford EIP.
..28 may 2017..
Prototype-IEP 800001 brings up the rear of '5X30' with 800002 leading going to Plymouth from Stoke Gifford on an 'Undercover' test run over the Devon Banks.Pictured in Bristol-Temple Meads as it rolls slowly through.No GWR decals or livery just yet,only Hitachi-'Inspire the Next' and Class 800 decals.Again 6400-iso with an F2 35mm fixed lens was needed to picture this moving train in such low lighting.Not bad considering,the shots certainly worked out better than I was expecting!
..2 november 2016..
This IEP,built in Kasado-Japan 800002 carries 'Inspiration Delivered' decals on just one end.Here it is in company with 80001 rolling slowly through Bristol-TM on test as '5X30' from Stoke Gifford down to Plymouth. All very impressive but it appears to be just a 'Javelin' fitted with underfloor engines.A kind of bi-model Voyager.Given that the whole fleet will now be bi-model it makes you wonder why the hell they are bothering with all of the OHLE crap and the resulting ruination of the line and the country's finances! You tell me?
..2 november 2016..
Well it had to happen sooner or later! This is my first sighting of one of GWR's much vaunted new IEP's.These are 800002 & 800001 still in plain 'delivery' grey livery.Of course it is running on diesel at this time due to a complete lack of OHLE in this part of the Country (Long my it remain so as well!).This pair are working under cover of darkness test trains from Stoke Gifford Depot down to Plymouth as '5X30' presumably to see if Units can cope with the Devon Banks.Here they are seen rolling slowly through Bristol Temple Meads. Use of an 'iso' setting of 6400 plus an F2 35mm lens just about allowed pictures at 125th/s @F2 of this moving train.Not too bad!