Great Western Railway has announced that it has received the first ‘tri-mode' train, which runs on overhead wires, third rail, and in diesel mode.
The Class 769 trains are expected to begin running in passenger service between Reading and Gatwick by early 2021.
Thanks to the train leasing company, Porterbrook, the first Class 769, out of a total of 19 ‘Flex' trains, has arrived at Reading Depot for training and testing.
Class 769 trains offer more carriages than the outgoing trains, with the 769s being specially commissioned by Great Western Railway to be able to run using overhead wires in London and the Thames Valley, using the third rail on the North Downs line as well as supporting the operator with plans to expand train services on the North Downs between Reading, Redhill and Gatwick.
Class 769 trains will allow Great Western Railway to release some of their Turbo trains to add capacity around Bristol.
The tri-mode Class 769 ‘Flex' trains are converted from Class 319 electric trains. They have been refurbished with WiFi and power at every seat.
GWR Head of Fleet Production John Murphy said: “A lot of hard work has been done to make sure people feel that they can travel safely at the present time, and that includes running more trains and carriages to make extra room.
“Planning is well under way for a further uplift in services in mid-September, re-introducing even more services across the GWR network to help accommodate a return to travel for school, college or for work and adding some new services for the first time.
“This news shows we have not stopped looking at ways to further improve our service for customers.”
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That too. Thanks.
“…using the third rail on the North Downs line…”
Only for the short distance between Redhill and Reigate; the rest isn’t electrified, which of course is why 769s are needed.
What about Reading to Wokingham?
Very much looking forward to seeing the Class 769s enter service.
This is recycling at it’s railway best. The only surprise is that it has taken so long to reach this point. Another possible candidate is the Southern branch from Oxted to Uckfield (currently cl.171), which would ‘diesel’ from/to Hurst Green to Uckfield, then 3rd. rail on to London Bridge. 4-car off-peak, 8-car peak.
I was thinking the same about Class 769s to be used on the Uckfield Line and Marshlink Line as replacements of the Class 171s that are to be cascaded to EMR.
Nice to see Great Western Railway to start using the Class 769s from next year. Transport for Wales will also start using the Class 769 next year to be used in South Wales and Mid Wales. When is Northern due to introduce the Class 769s in service and what route will they operate on.
Where were they built?
They were built as Class 319s in York back in 1987-88. But were converted to Class 769s in 2017. With some still under refurbishment and upgrade.
Not just Great Western Railway having the Class 769s but Northern and Transport for Wales who also ordered the Class 769s. And is it true that the Northern Class 769s might be ideal to run on the Windermere Line.