More nine-car ‘802s’ enter service
THE number of nine-car Class 802 units in service was increased to three sets during January, with Nos. 802102/103 undertaking their debut workings.
The first outing for No. 802103 occurred on January 10, when it operated the 1A06/06.18 Westonsuper-Mare–Paddington, although unfortunately later in the day it failed while working the 1L82/16.56 Cardiff-Paddington and had to be terminated at Bristol Parkway. It returned to Stoke Gifford for attention. No. 802102 also debuted with the 1A06/06.18 Weston-super-Mare–Paddington, which it worked on January 21.
No. 802105 was expected to be the next unit to enter service, the unit having moved from North Pole to Stoke Gifford for final commissioning during January. A pair of five-car sets, Nos. 802016/020 are still undergoing tests before being put into service. No. 802001 entered traffic on January 6, while No. 802002 continues to be used for tests.
The first delivery of 2019 took place on January 7 when No. 66756 collected No. 802106, forming the 6X80/08.52 Dollands Moor-North Pole. Seven days later, No. 802107 arrived at North Pole, having been moved from Dollands Moor by No. 66710 . Another delivery on January haul No. 802108 from the Channel Tunnel yard to North Pole.
