GWR Class 387 'Electrostar' Review - Bristol to London

Hello, and welcome back to another train trip report on my channel.
In this video I will be travelling on-board a GWR Class 387 'Electrostar' from Bristol Parkway to London Paddington.
In Spring 2021 there were yet more major problems with the GWR long-distance fleet, which prohibited many of them from being able to run. Cleverly, to combat this shortage of rolling stock, GWR introduced this fleet of what are usually commuter trains out of London on the route to Bristol.
I don't usually review commuter trains, as there is little to show, but I made an exception for these trains as they were surprisingly pleasant to try out, especially on such an oddball route for the fleet - nobody ever thought an Electrostar would make it to Bristol!
Enjoy the video. :)
#gwr #electrostar #tripreport
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Journey Details:
Origin: Bristol Parkway
Destination: London Paddington
Company: Great Western Railway
Train: UK Class 387 'Electrostar'
Accommodation: Standard Class Seat (2nd)
Distance: 111 miles / 179 kilometres
Price: £24.60
Time: 1h23m + 11L
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[@ollievanstone4296]

Funny enough I was on this exact train and probably riding with you! Ended up getting off at Swindon though to switch trains, if I would’ve known I would’ve said hi!

[@xsentinel3044]

People forget these trains used to do Bedford - Brighton with Thameslink when first brought into service as a whole 😳

[@hogyndrwg6253]

And very nice to travel they were too, esp in the carriage originally configured for 1st class travel but subsequently reclassified. Then came the ironing board specials. I hope the people in the DoT who specified these dreadful seats one day learn the exquisite delights of chronic back ache and piles!

[@barrieshepherd7694]

@@hogyndrwg6253 I really doubt if "the people at the DfT" ever travel by train for longer than 20 mins. I also suspect that they have eyesight problems judging by the high intensity lighting the seem to love.

[@sirmagnumcat4996]

They’re certainly good looking. The livery really suits the electrostars.

[@SuperalbsTravels]

It does suit them!

[@Transpennine]

They do!

[@TeamSenke]

@@Transpennine it doesn’t

[@spottymaxy1628]

@@TeamSenke 4v1

[@ANIMIKEY557]

@@spottymaxy1628 4v2*

[@Roblilley999]

Living between Paddington and Reading I have often used the 387s, found them very comfortable with plenty of room, I am 6ft3 and the leg room isn't too small. The IETS have slightly less room and as you put it, rattle

[@TEBEnthusiast]

I found them a bit comfy, it was pleasant getting the 10:05 service to Reading from Ealing without it being a nasty 345.

[@Mgameing123]

@@TEBEnthusiast 345's are not that bad but they are more made for capacity not actually for comfort so thank god they are only on short distance routes. its very easy avoiding a 345 luckly.

[@mst4309]

I do love the 387s, which on GWR I watched them being rolled out. And I hate the comfy Crossrail 345s for pushing the GWR 387s away from the Paddington-Reading stopping service, and was very gad when they 387s seemed to have finally been put to their full strengths when the IETs were out in June, running high speed services to Swindon and Bristol. I hope they will find new homes on the electrified intercity routes. Most have been sleeping in the depot because of the 345s and the reduction due to Covid-19.

[@Mgameing123]

well 345's will anyways make service on route better as they will head through central london to East London. But yes 387's are lovely but those trains that have been sleeping got tranfered to Heathrow Overpriced Express to replace the 332's

[@DanielsUKT]

great video it seems like you preferred this commuter train compared to the usual long distance trains on this route class 387s are nice indeed

[@SuperalbsTravels]

Yeah, it was surprisingly nice! 😊

[@ian.blackwoodgwent.walesgb5668]

A regular journey of mine pre pandemic ( from Newport to Reading for link to Heathrow Airport) .. the HSTs were fabulous... Another great video, thanks.

[@SuperalbsTravels]

Thanks for watching! 😁

[@alexbrown7344]

I wish the GWR and LNER IETs would get an upgrade soon, they really need to sort out the interiors and lengthen them all to 9 cars whilst they're still being produced.

[@danielstripreports]

I think LNERs are vastly better than the class 800s, a buffet service, proper food in first class etc.

[@pikachu8508]

@@danielstripreports but still very bumpy and uncomfortable. Imagine seating on ironing board for 8 hours From London to Inverness.......

[@danielstripreports]

@@pikachu8508 I dont find them that bad in all honesty, and if u were travelling from London to inverness I think it would be wise to upgrade to first class.

[@pikachu8508]

@@danielstripreports That make sense, But the first class seats on Azumas are still a bit hard though. Sadly they already withdrew all of their HSTs and some of IC225s.....

[@alexbrown7344]

@@pikachu8508 LNER HSTs were getting a bit long in the tooth, but the IC225 fleet were still ok and it feels like they should have all been kept in service for a while longer. Fewer IETs would then be needed for the non electrified routes in that case.

[@brooklyntrainspotting8464]

Amazing video. Love the 387’s on GWR.

[@SuperalbsTravels]

Thanks very much!

[@uzmaullah1432]

Don't know why (this is unrelated to the type of train) but I always imagine an IET from john o groats (if a station was there) to lands end (again if station was there) 😅😅 Great vid though! Appreciate the effort and inspire me to make my own vids

[@ironmantrains]

Basically Thurso to Penzance on an IET, that would be a drag.

[@uzmaullah1432]

@@ironmantrains yup I'm sure not many people would enjoy that in the slightest

[@christophernoble6810]

You are right, the 387 is a better option than the Hitachi sets although still with the ironing boards seats! The shape is quite ergonomic but the upholstery is unacceptable and the seat is just skimpy. The Parkway to Paddington times are now way slower than in 1976! 70 minutes was the norm then with the up Carmarthen running non-stop in 63 minutes! A great shame the wires do not extend to Bath and Temple Meads, an opportunity missed.

[@TEBEnthusiast]

The 387s seats are hard, though I do think they aren’t as bad as people say, but yeah I agree with you. Tbh it goes to show how commuter trains are better than Intercity trains these days.

[@hogyndrwg6253]

Or beyond Cardiff!

[@wharris302]

not sure how a train that can comfortably do 140mph (I get thanks to outdated infrastructure its 125) and accelerate faster than a rocket is slower than the world's slowest accelerating high speed train; are the drivers afraid to use the performance of the IETs?

[@chriswalford4161]

…or Swansea. …or Carmarthen, since you mention it. …or Milford Haven, considering the heavy freight movements.

[@arnoldspottingvideos5269]

Great video mate. Nice to see the test train with hellfire 37s they sound amazing when pass through at the start before boarding the train that's fantastic 👏👌😍😃. I can't wait for the new Heathrow Express 387s

[@GustawWu]

The HX 387s are already in service and they are really bad compared to the trains they are replacing

[@arnoldspottingvideos5269]

@@GustawWu but 332s are more better than the new HX 387s

[@GustawWu]

@@arnoldspottingvideos5269 thats what im trying to tell ya mate

[@YogeshSharma-ox8zf]

The 332’s interior was so cool, the 387’s are boring no matter who the operator is, the pain scheme is smart though

[@JasonCliftJones]

Honestly? I'd take the InterCity 125's back.

[@sidney001]

What is it with GWR and dirty windows? They really should do something about this issue which is unfortunately common across its entire fleet of modern day trains

[@luisstransport]

Great trip report

[@Great_WesternTVFan]

2 days ago when were travelling to London from Swindon, I saw a class 387 running to Bristol

[@TEBEnthusiast]

Oh nice!

[@eddiedawkinskingofuniverse]

The echo in the train station with the name of the bear is impressive

[@iman2341]

I think what needs to be remembered is that the 387s are effectively a 30 year old design and have had all their flaws worked out. The IETs came in overpriced, underspecced and considerably flawed by like every new unit will bed in and be refreshed. I can see them getting much better with time… if the DfT allows it. I’ll be very curious to see what the 810s are like on EMR as they are supposed to incorporate a lot of refinements to the design.

[@sirmagnumcat4996]

I think electrostars are a 20 year old design

[@iman2341]

@@sirmagnumcat4996 They were first manufactured back in 1999 but theire design development began just after the Networkers started rolling out in the early 90s!

[@Mgameing123]

well the Class 803 did fix the biggest mistakes so im not expecting the worst

[@michaelharvey5560]

Bristol Parkway is called 'Parkway' because it is meant to be park-and-ride, as you say. It's near where the M32 joins the M4. Not many people know that when the M32 was opened in the early 1970s, it was called 'The Parkway'. Of course nobody calls it that now. The idea of fast motor roads out of a city called 'Parkways' started in the USA in the 1920s.

[@TEBEnthusiast]

I’ve been in the GWR 387 from Ealing Broadway to Reading. It was nice! It’s far better then the horrible IETS.

[@millercool21]

The 387 has ironing borad seats they look like they have the same comfort

[@YogeshSharma-ox8zf]

I’ve been on both between Paddington and Thatcham, the seats make them equally as uncomfortable but the IETs go faster so it doesn’t last as long :)

[@pikachu8508]

They are even better than TfL Rail 345s as well. Those seats on 345s are uncomfortable and got no toilets no board.

[@TEBEnthusiast]

@@pikachu8508 Yea. 387s are better than the 345s.

[@TEBEnthusiast]

@@millercool21 The 700s are more uncomfortable than 387s. I know people say the 387s are iron boards but personally I don’t find they too hard.

[@Transpennine]

Nice video! I always find it funny how Bristol Parkway is Electric and The main station in Bristol (Bristol Temple meads) Is still diesel!

[@SuperalbsTravels]

Thanks! It's not great is it... :/

[@Transpennine]

@@SuperalbsTravels it’s Quite bad considering Bristol Temple Meads sees Mostly Long distance trains

[@thomasjones8648]

Fantastic video I really enjoyed this. I would have to say that I prefer travelling on the IET purely because the seats are noticeably larger.

[@elijah_trains]

The iets got harder seats and bright lights and the toilets are a problem so I would prefer the class 387s

[@TEBEnthusiast]

@@elijah_trains Good point.

[@TEBEnthusiast]

Just because the seats are larger doesn’t mean they are better.

[@elijah_trains]

@@TEBEnthusiast the class 387s would be 100 percent better then gwr iet

[@TEBEnthusiast]

@@elijah_trains Correct.

[@athavanainkaran2499]

Are they still running on the Class 387 from London Paddington to Bristol Parkway

[@MattJames2211]

Shows how much they failed at making a good long distance train if a commuter train can give a more pleasant journey

[@TEBEnthusiast]

True mate. Intercity travel in the UK is turning to a nightmare of hell.

[@drugaming4595]

@@TEBEnthusiast well the new great British railways is focused on comfort so let’s hope the seats are swapped out

[@TEBEnthusiast]

@@drugaming4595 I heard about that

[@europeantechnic]

@@TEBEnthusiast the iet are basically a commuter train for reading to London going further afield as an afterthought. Shocking that there is no buffet just to get an extra 12 or so seats in. The 2x 5 car combo are useless as no gangway between units, and the two extra cabs plus galley in the middle of this train make it really only about 1/4 of a coach worth more seats than the 9 car unit

[@TEBEnthusiast]

@@europeantechnic I know right! I completely agree with you.

[@calebmumby5803]

very nice video mate

[@SuperalbsTravels]

Thank you!

[@markellis6413]

Class 387's. The unit of choice for airport services to Heathrow & Gatwick... Talking of units out of place, I once got on the 'fast' train from Victoria to Brighton making its only stop at East Croydon that had a class 415 4epb as the front 4 coaches of a 12 coach train. The deep cushioned seats of those old slam doors put modern trains in the UK to shame (even the awfully cramped class 423 4vep)..

[@fetchstixRHD]

If it weren't for ETCS, I'd wish for one of the Gatwick units that GWR are borrowing to get sent to Heathrow, just for people to question their sanity... (well if they didn't debrand them anyway!)

[@nathanw9770]

I feel like the reason why modern trains have such hard seats is so that people don't sleep in them and miss their stop or take up space. But it's probably to do with them being cheaper too.

[@markellis6413]

@@nathanw9770 It seems a far bigger issue in the UK where driving down costs appears to be of greater importance. You only have to look at the European rail trip videos on here and similar channels to see that even low cost operators have comfortable seats..

[@andrewlong6438]

I have travelled on these trains many times and find they of a high quality but the ironing board seats are unpleasant for journeys over 1 hour. They are the same type as used on the Thameslink services. It would have good to know what the difference in journey time between an IET and a 387 was as there is a difference of 15mph between the two. I have travelled on 387s running non-stop between Paddington and Reading & I timed one doing the journey in less than 25 minutes because of its superior acceleration compared with a HST. I think you also need to travel on the Crossrail trains from Reading into London as a comparison. These I believe have a 90mph top speed and don’t have toilets. I will give them the miss if I can.

[@alexpeak16]

I did Plymouth to Paddington on an 800/3 a couple of weeks ago and timed Reading to Paddington at 22 minutes. So you don't lose much with a 387 in reality.

[@Mgameing123]

@@alexpeak16 not to metion Class 800's are much worse.

[@chriswalford4161]

Nice Deltic bonus

[@bazza945]

Finally, an explanation of what a "parkway" is, thank you.

[@SuperalbsTravels]

Haha no problem! I didn't know for years myself. 😌

[@MatthewK421]

4:01 I quite like the GWR announcements. They’re sort of posh in a way.

[@tob19]

her voice is definitely annoying though

[@Great_WesternTVFan]

I prefer Julie Berry on the train

[@KMFutTips]

arent the 387s meant to be replacing the 313s on the swml in may . if so look forward to seeing them

[@_ibuki]

I used to travel between Plymouth and Paddington on the HSTs! The standard class seemed too old but the First Class coaches on them is FAR better than the IETs. Really shame to see them gone. To be honest the 387 looks better than the IETs, really disappointed to see the HSTs being replaced by them when I first board the train.

[@SuperalbsTravels]

Agree, the HSTs were so much better. But I do prefer a 387 to an 800.

[@BaconTrains]

great video :)

[@samuelbrooks1533]

What is the bicycle storage situation on the class 387? I almost always bring my bicycle on the train and, although I'm yet to travel on one, they're creeping up on my favourites list. Or at the very least, one of Great Western's best classes.

[@SuperalbsTravels]

I don't think the bike provision is very good sadly...

[@seprishere]

Wow. I still ended up on an IET (the other way, London to Newport, a few days later. In First!) I wonder if they're using 387s to replace London to Bristol services that can't run anyway because the line is closed?

[@SuperalbsTravels]

There are only a few 387s, and they only reach Bristol in passenger service at the moment.

[@tenterdentown2452]

The government has a mania for trains for taking commuters to work. Iron board seats and a general lack of amenities are pursuant to this. From the point of view of the casual traveller, such trains are a disappointment! Thanks for uploading.

[@marcogeurts9881]

@Superalbs Travels the NS ICMm koplopers had also a trough passage before it has been removed by the modernisation because the passage was storingsgevoelig

[@SuperalbsTravels]

Ah yes, I have seen so many pictures! :)

[@ironmantrains]

Brilliant video by the way! Have you done a review on GWR's Turbos? I'd like to try the 387 for myself to see if it's better than an IET.

[@YogeshSharma-ox8zf]

They have the same seats, though at night I think the 387 has a slight edge as the lighting is a little bit dimmer and less harsh than in the IETs, I’ve been on turbos before back in the FGW days and on the Henley branch line, their seats are like sofas compared to the electric ones

[@ironmantrains]

@@YogeshSharma-ox8zf Yeah the seats do feel like sofas

[@jordantrainsuk8608]

Can you do a GWR 158 or a turbo?

[@railman6868]

Another superb video. proves the IETs are indeed just a commuter train fitted with a pointy nose each end. These 387 units are far superior in quality and ride comfort. The toilet looks user friendly too with the big buttons to get soap, water & dryer etc. Am looking forward to your Hex 387 experience to Heathrow Airport as the new Hex replacement.

[@AntonioSilva-ww4eu]

Hi, if you ever come to Portugal again, I would love to see what you think about Linha do Vouga between Espinho and Aveiro. It's considered the worst train line in Portugal!

[@lucytodd9275]

My favourite train!

[@OfficialRyanx]

These are forming regular stopping services between Bristol Parkway and Paddington now.

[@SuperalbsTravels]

A few a day, yeah!

[@reggiesmith3866]

I`m curious to know if the wires have at last reached Bristol Temple Meads? It seemed weird leaving the last little bit of the route from London unwired.

[@kevinjones4559]

Wires go all the way Cardiff but not to Temple Meads via Bath mainly due to the objections of Bath residents

[@reggiesmith3866]

@@kevinjones4559 Thank you for explaining!

[@patrickhearn9559]

There are no wires beyond Bristol Parkway to Bristol Temple Meads, there's a 7 mile gap down Filton bank. Via Chippenham the wires stop there and it's diesel to via Bath to Bristol Temple Meads. The project was cancelled at that point because of cost overruns (not Bath residents' objections), to go further on either route would have meant an expensive bit of new sub-stations. Also cancelled was Swansea-Cardiff and Oxford-Didcot.

[@reggiesmith3866]

@@patrickhearn9559 Thanks for explaining, I dont know the area too well but had noticed on a KZbin cab ride that the wires stretched quite near to Temple Meads but stopped short of it.

[@user-hd8yx3jf7o]

Nice train video.from Japan.

[@SuperalbsTravels]

Thank you!

[@stevewalsh1987]

This and 350s are better for fairly long distance journeys than IETs any day of the week :)

[@millercool21]

700s are far way worse

[@YogeshSharma-ox8zf]

I’ve never been on a 700, what makes them so bad? I heard the seats were pretty awful but other than that

[@TEBEnthusiast]

@@millercool21 My longest trip in a 700 was Gatwick to London. Never agin.

[@TEBEnthusiast]

@@YogeshSharma-ox8zf They have bad legroom. And the seats… Let’s not talk about that

[@AndrewG1989]

I definitely would take the Class 350. Including Class 350/2 which sadly are to be replaced by the Class 730s and Great Northern could replace the Class 387s to be cascaded to GWR and for GN to inherit the Class 350/2s to operate from King's Cross to Peterborough, Cambridge and King's Lynn.

[@warren12pete]

I agree with you the 387's are far better than the IET 800 series which need scrapping as they are not fit for purpose.

[@michaelshields1802]

Was this a DOO service or a gaurd on board

[@Alex-plays]

Good video

[@yeeye3395]

For the ride quality on an IET, it honestly depends on the unit. The other day I was on two different IETs with GWR. One was a class 800 built in the UK, and the other was an 802 built in Pistoia Italy. The first one I rode was the UK built 9 coach 800, which rode like butter. The other was a Pistoia built 5 coach 802, which you could easily tell just upon entering. The stickers were peeling, loose seat "cushions", and although all IET seats a rock solid, this unit seemed to have even less padding than the 800 I was on. The ride quality was appalling, and the toilet was held together with duct tape! Also, why do the TPE IETs have more seat padding than the other operators?

[@SuperalbsTravels]

The fleet is honestly all over the place, no two units seem to be the same.

[@yeeye3395]

Im surprised there hasn't been a lawsuit against Hitachi for the cracks in the trains, as well as other issues.

[@Mgameing123]

The ones from Italy are from the same factory that made Denmark's infamous IC4.

[@letrainavapeur]

387's have got as far as Cardiff from this weekend although only the 0712 from PAD and return today the rest were 800's

[@luketrainspotteryt2007]

I'm glad we're both on the same page mate

[@SuperalbsTravels]

Yes! 👍

[@class56trainsrock62]

Nice class 37s😃

[@o.ttravels]

The Class 800 trains are my favourite 😂. A lot of people will disagree with me though! I like the Class 387s, Gatwick Express ones are my favourite but GWRs Class 387s are really good too. I'm looking forward the Heathrow Express review, I was one of the first people to go on one (as they came out during Lockdown) so I went on one in Early April. They're really good trainsand great for a short journey like the Heathrow Express route. There were so many announcements though 😂!

[@barrieshepherd7694]

Yes you are right, I disagree with you 😂Class 800 cannot match the IC225 (Class 91 & Mk IV coaches) But if you have never experienced the 225 you would not know.

[@o.ttravels]

I have experienced the Class 225 on many occasions and still prefer the Class 800 😄

[@barrieshepherd7694]

@@o.ttravels 😊Each to his own I guess. 🤣

[@transportenthusiast11]

@@o.ttravels May I ask why?

[@o.ttravels]

Their acceleration is really quick, it's got a lot of modern features like the seat reservation system, toilets etc. I went on the HST and liked it but preferred the Class 800.

[@etinosaogieva8240]

If the long distance trains are fully repaired will they return to service?

[@SuperalbsTravels]

It's thought so, depends how bad the damage is, no information on this yet.

[@physiocrat7143]

I wonder if there will really be a fix for the cracking IET trains?

[@christophernoble6810]

Probably eventually, but they are deeply flawed. Despite their newness they should all be scrapped!

[@physiocrat7143]

@@christophernoble6810 What particular flaws do you have in mind?

[@YogeshSharma-ox8zf]

I think saying they should be scrapped is too far, the trains themselves are solid performers, they accelerate fast and perform well, but no one thought about interior comfort and quality, they have too many squeaks and rattles and are not a nice place to sit for a long journey especially at night when the lighting is just too bright. They should have a way of varying the warmth depending on time of day and the position of the sun to make it a nicer place to be, and change them seats

[@physiocrat7143]

@@YogeshSharma-ox8zf The first time I went in an IEP I was struck by the sluggish performance. A Castle would have got the train on the move better. I was also struck by the lack of luggage space, uncomfortable seats, the high step down and poorly positioned grab handles. However these have been issues with most British stock built in the past 50 years.

[@Great_WesternTVFan]

They already repaired the iets a month ago

[@alexbrown7344]

Electrostars are easily the most comfortable trains in the UK, especially the older ones with the original seats. They also have a nice large ledge next to the window that you can rest your elbow on.

[@GustawWu]

You ever been on a mk3 carriage?

[@TEBEnthusiast]

I don’t find these 387s to be the most comfy trains in the UK. But tbf I found them a bit comfy.

[@alexbrown7344]

@@GustawWu Yes, but they're only good on certain operators and aren't very practical for shorter journeys. I don't like the standard class seats in GWR Mk3s for example, as they feel too dense and lack enough table seats. Whereas electrostars feel more spacious and have enough seating including tables, and are suitable for shorter commutes too.

[@BusOnDiversion]

Class 387 is my favourite type, but only the Great Northern ones

[@madtrainspottermacrae6744]

What month was it open

[@SuperalbsTravels]

What are you referring to sorry?

[@transportenthusiast11]

The difference between the 142 and a 158 are almost equal to the difference between an IET and an IC225/IC125/387. The IETs are bumpy, have seats with comfort as a last priority and they're cheaply built.

[@SuperalbsTravels]

100% agreed!

[@jenna_studios510]

How to get the App that you can track what speed it going.

[@SuperalbsTravels]

Search for Digihud on your phone! :)

[@timtube1663]

From 12th December they'll be going to Cardiff

[@albe6253]

Also, some 387's from C2C were temporally hired for services between Reading and Newbury

[@AndrewG1989]

Indeed. And c2c are to replace them with the 12 5-Car Class 720/6 (formerly Class 711) Aventras from next year and the Class 387/3s could be cascaded to GWR to operate on the Reading-Newbury shuttle service.

[@AliouneUK]

I went on this train and I like it

[@SuperalbsTravels]

Fair enough, where did you go?

[@christopherhood9241]

Bristol - London on an ironing board is taking the pi55. Not quite as bad as Thameshit class 700 but even so. I'll stick to my push bike & car :)

[@SuperalbsTravels]

Beats an 800! 🤷‍♂️

[@noahhunt2003]

I wonder if the 17:12 to Bristol would be a 12 car because of rush hour

[@petersmith4455]

one decent train in the video, a class 37 !

[@SuperalbsTravels]

Haha, imagine that to London!

[@prime6134]

Bruh Bristol is where i live must give a like

[@EpicThe112]

If you are wondering what would be the same distance long distance run on a class 387 2014-2018 Brighton Gatwick Airport thameslink service to Bedford

[@simonadams71]

I heard a rumour that the shit GWR IETs are to be refurbished with comfy seats and a buffet, hopefully a dimmer switch for the interrogation lighting as well!

[@SuperalbsTravels]

Doubt it... 😭

[@barrieshepherd7694]

I see GWR Green pigs flying overhead😂. Probably another 10 years of passenger misery before the IETs will be up for refurbishment.

[@AndrewG1989]

Has Great Western Railway got the Class 800s back since the problems with the cracks beneath caused widespread travel delays and chaos. If only Bombardier would of built more new Class 387s for GWR and Class 17x Turbostars just like the Class 172 West Midlands Railway to be used on services in & out of London Paddington including to Exeter St. David’s, Exeter Central, Cheltenham Spa, Gloucester Foregate Street, Gloucester Shrub Hill, Oxford, Banbury, Honiton, Salisbury and Westbury. And on other routes. And on the Thames Valley branch lines to replace the Class 165 and Class 166 Networkers and to be cascaded to operate in the Bristol area. I do like the GWR Class 387s. They should also inherit the 6 Class 387/3s from c2c to operate on Reading-Newbury shuttle service as 4-Car and 8-Car. Which some Class 387/3s are on hire from c2c.

[@ironmantrains]

They'll need 125mph stock for the bit between Reading and London Paddington.

[@AndrewG1989]

Maybe Hitachi could manufacture more extra Class 800s and Class 802s that GWR would increase more extra capacity. And the Class 387s to continue operating the commuter services.

[@YogeshSharma-ox8zf]

There are lots in service still running long distance journeys to wales and the south west, I think they have found a fix but having inspected each unit they’re going to do take them out in groups to do the work. You pass the Hitachi depot on the way into Paddington I counted about 10 units there parked up last week

[@ironmantrains]

By the way it's Worcester Shrub Hill and Worcester Foregate Street

[@ironmantrains]

Also SWR operate the Exeter-Waterloo via Exeter Central and Salisbury service.

[@lindavainomae3489]

GWR must have got it wrong it these commuter units are better than their long distance ones, but great that these Electrostars are up to scratch for a longer trip.

[@michaeljackson2838]

Someone, somewhere signed off on those seats!

[@SuperalbsTravels]

It's crazy isn't it! 😭

[@journeysofjames1116]

Which day was this filmed? Edit: at 4:27 the M4 also goes further than Bristol, goes into Wales, past Cardiff and finishes at Pont Abraham services in Carmarthenshire, but yeah, does start in London and goes to Bristol

[@luketrainspotteryt2007]

NICE 387 ELECTROSTAR review do think they need a lot of work done to them tho consisting of there interiors hate the 387s seat. They feel like school chairs like the class 800/802 and there so dirty all the time had quality definitely Pefer the hst set as 2+8 to London Paddington better seats cleaner they had buffet car and all sorts

[@SuperalbsTravels]

The HSTs were fantastic! 😌

[@TomBradfordUK]

I can't say I'm a fan of the 387 for longer distance services, I find the Ironing Board seats much worse than their IET counterparts, and as much as the standard accomodation onboard IET units isn't incredible, I find First Class to be somewhat impeccable, which can hardly be beaten, maybe apart from Avanti's 390 First Class. This is GWR though, LNER and TPE units are far far worse.

[@doveronefoxtrot4417]

Using commuter trains on what is essentially an inter city route. How times have changed.

[@SuperalbsTravels]

Ironically these are better than the supposed InterCity trains that also run...

[@emilianohaskurti9344]

I Will Travel On One Of These To Reading

[@TEBEnthusiast]

Nice.

[@emilianohaskurti9344]

Thanks

[@devon896]

The 387s are built on 20 years of experience from the 377s and sisters. The IET's are fairly new with only some limited experiences from the 395s but I agree the electrostars are far more comfortable.

[@SuperalbsTravels]

To be fair, the 800 design has been going for a very long time. I would expect better.

[@devon896]

@@SuperalbsTravels In Japan which is fairly straight track with long curves. They aren't designed for the twisting nature of British Railways in mind.

[@SuperalbsTravels]

In the UK, they've had a unit built since at least 2015.

[@devon896]

@@SuperalbsTravels 6 years isn't that long to be honest and is about the time you would start to find defects in the design.

[@siangambrell3484]

I haven't been on 387, but I went on 377 and 375, so they should be just the same

[@mariusgosea5912]

I will say the 387s are rather good for services only to Swansea and as far as Exeter

[@SuperalbsTravels]

But they cannot reach there, because no electric wires. 🫤

[@BluestarFanOfficial]

You can't use WiFi on Bluestar bus unfortunately due to covid even tho it available on Bluestar Unilink services

[@SuperalbsTravels]

No WiFi due to Covid is the most bizarre excuse yet.

[@BluestarFanOfficial]

I find it a bit excuse especially with money they don't have it they manged to buy 3 new sets of buses Envrio 400 MMC

[@C1710]

I'm still a bit surprised that GWR is allowed to call their trains "Intercity Express (Train)". I would've thought that DB has copyrighted that name 😂

[@xsentinel3044]

I think because its partly an umbrella term but I think BR had it first before privatisation

[@C1710]

@@xsentinel3044 So, according to Wikipedia there are/were multiple trains with (roughly) that name: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intercity-Express_(disambiguation) (It even looks like the Australians were actually the first ones to use that name :D) However, at least for Germany, "InterCityExpress" (not sure if it applies to other notations as well) is indeed a registered trademark by Deutsche Bahn: register.dpma.de/DPMAregister/marke/register/1177677/DE?lang=en

[@GustawWu]

Why would they copyright it? It seems like a common thing to use with intercity trains that are fast

[@tenny_tenten]

@@GustawWu to prevent someone using it within their jurisdiction of a particular country

[@coastliner7009]

Thank god my train was an IET then 😂

[@pedrorubiotejero_aka_prt]

Video's final score: 8.8

[@pedrorubiotejero_aka_prt]

@@NonstopEurotrip Don't worry, Matt. I'm interested in both channels

[@londonbuses4763]

I much rather the class 387 than the “IET”... Much more smoother and pleasant but the downside is the seats.

[@SuperalbsTravels]

Yeah, it's a shame you can't do this journey in comfort anymore.

[@TransbusTrident]

The GWR IEPs are falling apart similar to the fyra 250s in the Netherlands. But they lasted longer than the fyra 250s the fyra 250s started falling apart at a couple months old But man they are the second brand new trains to be falling apart like that after the fyra 250s. No surprise as they are built in the same factory which was know for building bad quality.

[@SuperalbsTravels]

Well that's the problem. Pistoia doesn't seem to make any good trains, as nice as the Fyra V250 are to ride nowadays, you'd be mad to pretend they weren't critically flawed. You'd also be mad to buy trains from a factory with such a track record...

[@Mgameing123]

@@SuperalbsTravels They also made the IC4.

[@HST_Productions]

Heck, why not just change the Class 387s to Bi-mode so they can go and take over running of all the IETs at this point? Haha :p I agree with all your points about these, the colour scheme is one of my favourites, armrests and tables more useable than the IETs, the legroom is good, seating decent, etc. Very nice video :)

[@SuperalbsTravels]

Thank you very much. That would certainly be interesting to see. 🤣

[@m34tgaming16]

Third rail + Pantograph + Diesel 387 would be one heck of a journey, Penzance gonna be funny seeing that

[@simonf8902]

Hitachi ? Used to make great transistor radios.

[@SuperalbsTravels]

Better than the trains! 😅

[@dgattenb]

been going from Cardiff to Paddington for years... HST the best ... and you got food. the IETs are a joke .... those 387s will also be operating some journeys from Cardiff to London ... take a cushion .

[@jargo412]

Commuter trains to south wales? funny cause their comfier than the class 800's. Hope these stop at slough and maidenhead too

[@SuperalbsTravels]

It is somewhat ironic! 🙄

[@omegamezle]

haha train go wheeee

[@chriswalford4161]

GWR seats are now officially grim.

[@SuperalbsTravels]

They are. 😥

[@trainarchive]

Lmao calling the announcements irritating. The announcements is why I love gwr 😂

[@SuperalbsTravels]

They are grating and condescending! 😬

[@Danse_Macabre_125]

Welcome aboard this Gweat Westuhn Wailway service to Lun Dun Padding Ton.

[@ppdogcat4679]

387s are definitely more comfortable and quiet than 800s.

[@rosskiddle9113]

Totally disagree about the seats. I would rather stand for the whole journey than sit in those unbearably uncomfortable seats. But I agree that the 387s look good and run more smoothly than the Hitachis

[@SuperalbsTravels]

They're not great, but better than the 800 seats! 😬

[@hoof2001]

Ah The Bristol destination where the taxis will change you £40 to get anywhere useful 😂

[@marilynscott2662]

I much prefer the Hitachi 800s for speed,but the seats a very narrow.must have been made for the small Japanese people's body!!

[@SuperalbsTravels]

The seats on both the 387 and 800 are both Spanish actually!

[@barrieshepherd7694]

@@SuperalbsTravels Surprising that they are so narrow tough given that the DfT muppets that specified them probably had well rounded rumps themselves.🤣

[@siangambrell3484]

I prefer both IET trains and 387

[@luketrainspotteryt2007]

Like I was in a iet earlier today f rom trur o to redruth and it was delayed untidy dirt y rammed and seats were trash eve n the class 150/158s were way comfier ☺☺lol

[@SuperalbsTravels]

Sounds unpleasant! 😬