FGW Franchise

[VisualAcid]

One would assume so. On the mainline they run in that formation *with* DOO as well.

I was just assuming that there wouldn't be DOO on that route yet, although maybe one guard could be enough I don't know. You definitely need one given the treacle slow TVM's between Bath and Westbury .

 

[FenMan]

The FGW email appears to be tailored to local audiences. My copy emphasised the planned service improvements on the North Downs Line.

Quite smart doing this. I daresay improvements around Bristol etc are very welcome, but they aren't terribly relevant to the journeys I make on FGW.

 

[Parallel]

I was just assuming that there wouldn't be DOO on that route yet, although maybe one guard could be enough I don't know. You definitely need one given the treacle slow TVM's between Bath and Westbury .

The only intermediate station between Bath and Westbury that has a TVM is Bradford On Avon, and indeed, it's not noted for its reliability.

TVMs are due at Melksham and Trowbridge soon, looking at the new shelters at these stations. No idea how long they will last at Trowbridge this time though. The last ones were removed years ago due to repeated vandalism.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I was just assuming that there wouldn't be DOO on that route yet, although maybe one guard could be enough I don't know. You definitely need one given the treacle slow TVM's between Bath and Westbury .

One guard would be fine from a legal standpoint. A number of TOCs operate non-DOO multiple unit trains with no gangways with only one guard.

 

[Parallel]

One guard would be fine from a legal standpoint. A number of TOCs operate non-DOO multiple unit trains with no gangways with only one guard.

Indeed, FGW already do on occasion when a 150/1 is coupled to another unit (or a 143 if in Devon), and that includes some stations that are local door only.

 

[jimm]

Indeed, FGW already do on occasion when a 150/1 is coupled to another unit (or a 143 if in Devon), and that includes some stations that are local door only.

There are guards on some coupled Turbos in the DOO area between Paddington and Oxford when one of the sets is coming off/joining at Oxford while the second set is going to/coming off the Cotswold Line.

Guards are compulsory west of Oxford, as the Cotswold Line is not part of the DOO area but I've never paid close enough attention to work out whether the guards are using the buzzer to signal to the drivers to close doors east of Oxford in these cases, or whether the drivers are in charge under the DOO arrangements, aided by the platform despatchers. Anyone know what the rules are if there is a guard on board this sort of formation in the DOO zone?

 

[TheNewNo2]

I saw 166201 sitting just west of Bristol Temple Meads around 1530 on the 3rd April - surprised me, but I'm guessing this is to allow gauge testing for potential internal cascades?

 

[fgwrich]

I saw 166201 sitting just west of Bristol Temple Meads around 1530 on the 3rd April - surprised me, but I'm guessing this is to allow gauge testing for potential internal cascades?

Could it be there for Fuel? I'm not sure how much access the Turbo Fleet can get to Reading Depot at the moment but they are running a Turbo Service between Westbury & Reading this weekend while the Reading Blockade is in place.

 

[Mintona]

I saw 166201 sitting just west of Bristol Temple Meads around 1530 on the 3rd April - surprised me, but I'm guessing this is to allow gauge testing for potential internal cascades?

Yep, there's been a couple of Turbos at Bristol this weekend, mostly at SPM to check gauging with various bits of kit down there, see what works and what doesn't and how it'll need to be changed once they arrive en-mass.

 

[387star]

There are guards on some coupled Turbos in the DOO area between Paddington and Oxford when one of the sets is coming off/joining at Oxford while the second set is going to/coming off the Cotswold Line.

Guards are compulsory west of Oxford, as the Cotswold Line is not part of the DOO area but I've never paid close enough attention to work out whether the guards are using the buzzer to signal to the drivers to close doors east of Oxford in these cases, or whether the drivers are in charge under the DOO arrangements, aided by the platform despatchers. Anyone know what the rules are if there is a guard on board this sort of formation in the DOO zone?

Indeed any answers here? The 180s presumably have a conductor throughout perhaps guards join the cotswold turbos at reading?

 

[PHILIPE]

The reason Turbos have been at Bristol is due to the Engineering Work over Easter at Reading. They have been used for "filling in" service gaps on the Berks and Hants caused by the Engineering Work and running from Westbury to the Marsh for fuel and servicing. Perhaps they could be gauging at the same, I don't know.

 

[HowardGWR]

The only intermediate station between Bath and Westbury that has a TVM is Bradford On Avon, and indeed, it's not noted for its reliability.

TVMs are due at Melksham and Trowbridge soon, looking at the new shelters at these stations. No idea how long they will last at Trowbridge this time though. The last ones were removed years ago due to repeated vandalism.

I wonder what measures will be taken this time. As the stations are not adjacent to housing, I would have thought that the installation of a teenage mosquito device for the night hours could help.

 

[Rhydgaled]

Regarding TVMs at Melksham and Trowbridge, was the 'vandalism' simply vandalism or was it attempted theft of cash from the machine? I think I read somewhere that the one at Melksham will take card payments only, which should avoid the threat of theft and if so maybe Trowbridge will be getting the same.

 

[jimm]

Indeed any answers here? The 180s presumably have a conductor throughout perhaps guards join the cotswold turbos at reading?

You'll find guards all the way to and from Paddington, at least some of the time. Duties can involve guards, certainly Worcester-based ones, working in on a Turbo and back on an HST or 180 or vice versa.

 

[387star]

I imagine normal guard operation is in place all the way to Oxford from padd on cotswold line trains to standardise the working ?

 

[NHG66]

I imagine normal guard operation is in place all the way to Oxford from padd on cotswold line trains to standardise the working ?

Nope, standard working for Turbo's is DOO(p) Padd to Oxford, West of Oxford is not cleared for DOO(p) so guards come into play taking control of despatch at Oxford routing towards the Cotswolds. This is irrespective of whether the guard is travelling on the train or not East of Oxford. This is standard as LTV drivers then always know that dispatch from Oxford towards Padd is by usual DOO methods. Hope this makes sense (does to me, I'm an LTV driver )

 

[Rich McLean]

I imagine normal guard operation is in place all the way to Oxford from padd on cotswold line trains to standardise the working ?

Only if the service is HST or Class 180 operated. If its 16x, then it's DOO to Oxford, and operated with a Guard from there. Doesn't really make any difference on 16x where the Guard gets on at, he/she doesn't start his or her duties until dispatch from Oxford
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Nope, standard working for Turbo's is DOO(p) Padd to Oxford, West of Oxford is not cleared for DOO(p) so guards come into play taking control of despatch at Oxford routing towards the Cotswolds. This is irrespective of whether the guard is travelling on the train or not East of Oxford. This is standard as LTV drivers then always know that dispatch from Oxford towards Padd is by usual DOO methods. Hope this makes sense (does to me, I'm an LTV driver )

Beaten to it

 

[Parallel]

Regarding TVMs at Melksham and Trowbridge, was the 'vandalism' simply vandalism or was it attempted theft of cash from the machine? I think I read somewhere that the one at Melksham will take card payments only, which should avoid the threat of theft and if so maybe Trowbridge will be getting the same.

This is probably wise to be honest. The ticket office is very busy in the mornings and it will be nice to have a ticket machine (or two, one on each platform), even if it's only card only, I'm still not sure how long its going to survive for.

Slightly off topic, but I remember when I was younger, I was travelling to Salisbury - The Trowbridge ticket office was closed, the vending machines had been removed, and a guard that had just started selling tickets in my carriage then got off at Westbury, for another to take over who wasn't selling tickets. So, arriving at Salisbury, I explained to the member of SWT staff manning the ticket barriers at Salisbury that I wished to buy a ticket but hadn't been able to purchase one. She said that all stations on this line had ticket machines, to which I said there wasn't where I boarded. This went on for a while and she eventually let me through and then walked me over to the ticket booth and watched me purchase a ticket - Which I don't have an issue with as I was always going to purchase one anyway, it's just something that's always stuck in my mind.

EDIT: Is the Swindon - Westbury service likely to become a 165 when the 153s are cascaded? I do hope these services can be extended to Salisbury eventually (giving Warminster and Dilton Marsh extra trains)

 

[D60]

The reason Turbos have been at Bristol is due to the Engineering Work over Easter at Reading. They have been used for "filling in" service gaps on the Berks and Hants caused by the Engineering Work and running from Westbury to the Marsh for fuel and servicing. Perhaps they could be gauging at the same, I don't know.

Arising from a visit of forum members to Bristol today, I found myself in the vicinity of Temple Meads at lunchtime today, Easter Monday... And passing through from West to East at around 13.40 was a 3-car 165/166 Turbo set... Not seen one here before, but the shape of things to come, seemingly..

RTT shows a 5C90 Newbury to SPM via Westbury, returning as 5K91 to Reading via the outward route... Except that it appears to have taken the back line out of SPM to Bristol West Jn, and thence through Temple Meads back east.. (rather than as 'planned' on RTT, but not 'shown')..

 

[PHILIPE]

Units do go the opposite route quite often.

 

[Kite159]

I swear Trowbridge had a card-only TVM, on the Bristol bound platform near the little part-time ticket office on the Bath bound platform. Unless one is being fitted to that new waiting shelter on the Westbury bound side as well? Memory must be playing me up.

If the TVM is like Romsey than it will be card only, probably saves on the costs of them dealing with cash.

 

[D60]

Units do go the opposite route quite often.

They sent Tangmere and support coach out the same way, on that fateful day on 7 March this year.. (rather than what RTT indicated)..

 

[Parallel]

I swear Trowbridge had a card-only TVM, on the Bristol bound platform near the little part-time ticket office on the Bath bound platform. Unless one is being fitted to that new waiting shelter on the Westbury bound side as well? Memory must be playing me up.

If the TVM is like Romsey than it will be card only, probably saves on the costs of them dealing with cash.

It did indeed, just outside the ticket office.

I believe a new one is being fitted to the Westbury platform (platform 2), there is a fenced off partition in the new shelter with cables waiting to be connected.

I'm unsure where they are going to install a machine on platform 1 (if they are), whether it will be outside the ticket office entrance again, or if it will go in the newly tarmacked carpark near the steps (where wires are also waiting to be connected, though this may be for a new pay and display machine.) Time will tell...

 

[Starmill]

Nope, standard working for Turbo's is DOO(p) Padd to Oxford, West of Oxford is not cleared for DOO(p) so guards come into play taking control of despatch at Oxford routing towards the Cotswolds. This is irrespective of whether the guard is travelling on the train or not East of Oxford. This is standard as LTV drivers then always know that dispatch from Oxford towards Padd is by usual DOO methods. Hope this makes sense (does to me, I'm an LTV driver )

I once got a train from Oxford to Worcester, I thought it was DOO based on the available evidence! No ticket check and just the auto-announcer.strange that the line isn't DOO certified. Having said that I disagree with Great Western's model of DOO. They should have a member of staff on the train to sell and inspect tickets, and offer customer service.

 

[jimm]

I once got a train from Oxford to Worcester, I thought it was DOO based on the available evidence! No ticket check and just the auto-announcer.strange that the line isn't DOO certified. Having said that I disagree with Great Western's model of DOO. They should have a member of staff on the train to sell and inspect tickets, and offer customer service.

Cotswold Line ticket-checking can be a bit hit and miss - usually depends on who is working the train - but there is now a team of RPIs based at Evesham.

Nothing strange about the line not having DOO, it was managed by Regional Railways at the time the NSE DOO agreement for Paddington and Chiltern services was being negotiated, so was not included.

And even after the switch of control, Worcester-based drivers who aren't trained for DOO were hired from Regional Railways and then Central Trains by NSE, Thames Trains and FGW, to work as far as Oxford. Only when these drivers were needed to handle the recent increases in services between Herefordshire/Worcestershire and Birmingham was this arrangement ended but I can't remember the date.

 

[anthony263]

EDIT: Is the Swindon - Westbury service likely to become a 165 when the 153s are cascaded? I do hope these services can be extended to Salisbury eventually (giving Warminster and Dilton Marsh extra trains)

More than likely since most if not all the Bristol locals will be worked by turbos with the class 150/158's heading further west.

 

[Parallel]

Having said that I disagree with Great Western's model of DOO. They should have a member of staff on the train to sell and inspect tickets, and offer customer service.

Didn't feedback from a recent survey find that passengers wanted more staff in customer facing roles to offer information/assistance etc? Can't remember where I saw it but it has been mentioned in the "Greater West" promotions. Considering IEP is going to be DOO compatible - It feels like FGW are going in the wrong direction.

Recently, a 5 car train pulled into a station near to me (usually a bit of a squeeze) but one of the doors wasn't on the platform properly, and as a result this door wasn't used thanks to the guard. - If this was DOO, someone could've easily stepped down not realising and broken their ankle or something. Doesn't bear thinking about really. I'd say a guard should be essential to the majority of services.

 

[Class 170101]

Didn't feedback from a recent survey find that passengers wanted more staff in customer facing roles to offer information/assistance etc? Can't remember where I saw it but it has been mentioned in the "Greater West" promotions. Considering IEP is going to be DOO compatible - It feels like FGW are going in the wrong direction.

Could go the Scotrail have RPIs on every train and driver controls doors etc.

 

[pompeyfan]

Could the 165/6 be re-formed to create 4 carrage units? In the same way 158/9s are? I can't imagine 3 carriages being enough with the current growth of the bristol - portsmouth section.

 

[anthony263]

None of the turbos are fitted with gangways at each end. The only way you could create a 4 carriage unit is to take the centre carriage out of a number of three carriage sets and insert them into other 3 carriage sets