As part of my holiday, I wanted to try the much vaunted Class 800 trains being introduced on the Great Western Railway. I was booked on the 11.30 from London Paddington to Bristol Temple Meads. It was not a good start as it was a five coach train instead of 10. What is more, I was booked in coach K, which was not part of the set. As it turned out, all seat reservations were cancelled. Thankfully the first class coach I sat in was half empty.
We left on time. It was soon apparent that it could accelerate very quickly. Apart from being held by a red signal close to Reading, the journey was fine. We changed from electric to diesel mode just short of Swindon. The wires were up almost to Chippenham, after that nothing.
The class 800 was nothing to get too excited about. Very functional is a phrase that comes to mind. I was surprised that it was bumpy ride once full speed was reached.
Fr Paul Harrison' Blog. 