TWO major long distance operators, GWR and LNER, were thrown into chaos in the early hours of Saturday, May8,asthey were instructed to stop all movements of their Class 800, 801 and 802 units with immediate effect after the discovery of cracks during maintenance.
What became a fast developing situation began shortly after 04.00 and actions included urgent messages to signallers and station staff“not to depart”services being worked by Hitachi units.