Class 50 Nos. 50049 Reliance and 50007 Hercules were used to move tri-mode unit No. 769943 from Burton Wetmore Sidings to Reading Traincare Depot on August 7, and are seen passing Hinksey, Oxford.
KEN BRUNT.
THE first Class 769/9 tri-mode multiple unit has been delivered to GWR at Reading depot.
Set No. 769943 is one of 19 units converted from a Class 319 and features three different power modes - 25kV, 750vDC third rail, or diesel power from two MAN D2876 Stage IIIB compliant diesel engines.
The first set will be used for staff and driver training, as well as main line testing ahead of introduction on the partly electrified Reading and Gatwick Airport route early in 2021.
GWR also has plans to use the units between Reading and Basingstoke as well as on the branches to both Marlow and Henley-on-Thames, in turn releasing Class 165/166 'Turbo' units to transfer to the Bristol area and provide increased passenger capacity.