GWR Class 143 Question

[mark_47769]

Hi All.

I'm planning a trip to Exeter from North Wales next Saturday 17/02/2018 to hunt down some class 143's Is there anybody in the know on this forum that could tell me how many 143's are typically out on a Saturday? Thanks.

 

[SJ21]

It differs. Sometimes they are out on their own, sometimes in a pair. There are eight down in Exeter, I would say you would at least get 6 or 7 of them.

 

[mark_47769]

Thanks for your help! I need 7 but even 6 would be a massive number to clear in one day for me!

 

[PHILIPE]

If they are not all out it might be possible to see one outside the Depot

 

[mark_47769]

Thanks. Could be quite a tease as I do them for haulage but would be another one ticked off for sight! I managed to fit in a trip on 143611 to Exmouth some years ago while waiting for the sleeper.

 

[43096]

Thanks. Could be quite a tease as I do them for haulage but would be another one ticked off for sight! I managed to fit in a trip on 143611 to Exmouth some years ago while waiting for the sleeper.

Coincidentally, 143611 is the set currently on C6 overhaul at Laira, though it is due out on Friday.

 

[arrivasuck]

Thanks. Could be quite a tease as I do them for haulage but would be another one ticked off for sight! I managed to fit in a trip on 143611 to Exmouth some years ago while waiting for the sleeper.

Hi mark, I've just spent a day chasing 143 units around Exeter. Go to Exeter st David's, purchase a Devon day ranger for £12 and change and download/pick up a copy of GWRs D1 timetable leaflet. You can hop on and off trains anywhere between exmouth, Barnstaple, Paignton and Plymouth. They seem to currently run in pairs on the Paignton/Barnstaple to exmouth runs but one diagram today was 143/153, Staff member said booked diagram was 2X143.

 

[mark_47769]

Coincidentally, 143611 is the set currently on C6 overhaul at Laira, though it is due out on Friday.

Should of planned my trip for in the week haha. Any idea when the next one is likely to go for a C6? Thanks.

 

[mark_47769]

Hi mark, I've just spent a day chasing 143 units around Exeter. Go to Exeter st David's, purchase a Devon day ranger for £12 and change and download/pick up a copy of GWRs D1 timetable leaflet. You can hop on and off trains anywhere between exmouth, Barnstaple, Paignton and Plymouth. They seem to currently run in pairs on the Paignton/Barnstaple to exmouth runs but one diagram today was 143/153, Staff member said booked diagram was 2X143.

Thanks for the advice. I've already purchased a Devon Day Ranger I will be arriving into Exeter St Davids just before 07:00. Hope you enjoyed your trip and got a few winners.

 

[Parallel]

From experience, there is usually a fair amount of Pacers out on the Devon Metro on weekends so you should be able to ride a few!

 

[mark_47769]

From experience, there is usually a fair amount of Pacers out on the Devon Metro on weekends so you should be able to ride a few!

Thanks. That's good news. I managed to clear the Canton 143's without too much effort on a day looking for what was my last 142, I thought these would be more difficult to clear but time will tell I guess.

 

[PHILIPE]

GWR 143621 made it to Cardiff today, working 2U12 0925 St.James Park to Cardiff Central and then returning 1300 Cardiff Cen to Exeter St Davids

 

[Parallel]

GWR 143621 made it to Cardiff today, working 2U12 0925 St.James Park to Cardiff Central and then returning 1300 Cardiff Cen to Exeter St Davids

That’s impressive! It must have been years since a GWR 143 last made it to Cardiff in passenger service. Do Exeter sign all the way to Cardiff or are a few Bristol guards still trained up? I bet it was a talking point at Cardiff.

To my knowledge, the last time a Pacer ended up on those services, it broke down at Tiverton Parkway.

 

[PHILIPE]

That’s impressive! It must have been years since a GWR 143 last made it to Cardiff in passenger service. Do Exeter sign all the way to Cardiff or are a few Bristol guards still trained up? I bet it was a talking point at Cardiff.

To my knowledge, the last time a Pacer ended up on those services, it broke down at Tiverton Parkway.

Exeter crews work to Cardiff

 

[paulwestwood]

That’s impressive! It must have been years since a GWR 143 last made it to Cardiff in passenger service. Do Exeter sign all the way to Cardiff or are a few Bristol guards still trained up? I bet it was a talking point at Cardiff.

To my knowledge, the last time a Pacer ended up on those services, it broke down at Tiverton Parkway.

Yes both Conductors and Drivers depending on which Link they are in.

 

[anamyd]

GWR 143621 made it to Cardiff today, working 2U12 0925 St.James Park to Cardiff Central and then returning 1300 Cardiff Cen to Exeter St Davids

woah!!!! has anyone got a photo?!

 

[PHILIPE]

Another trip out for a 143 today. Short HST failed (assumed) at Penzance for 2P60 0730 Penzance to Plymouth so 143618 was scrambled at Exeter to run ECS to Par to start the train from there, work it to Plymouth then back to Exeter. A GT1 was found at Laira to go into the working.

 

[PHILIPE]

A GWR 143 made another trip to Cardiff today when 143612 worked 2U04 0502 Taunton to Cardiff Cen (Booked ECS from Exeter) and 150207 attached at Bristol TM. On the return trip,2C69 0900 Cardiff Cen to Plymouth 143612 said farewell to 207 at Exeter

 

[anamyd]

A GWR 143 made another trip to Cardiff today when 143612 worked 2U04 0502 Taunton to Cardiff Cen (Booked ECS from Exeter) and 150207 attached at Bristol TM. On the return trip,2C69 0900 Cardiff Cen to Plymouth 143612 said farewell to 207 at Exeter

I'm never in Cardiff early enough to see GWR 143s there

 

[Cowley]

We had to stop at Exeter st David’s Red Cow level crossing on the way home tonight for a train to pass.
I said to my other half that if she could guess the type of train going past then I’d make her breakfast in bed in the morning.
As a pair of 143s bounced past she said (hesitantly) “Pacer?”
I’ve unfortunately got to get up a little earlier than I was expecting to tomorrow now...

 

[PHILIPE]

I'm never in Cardiff early enough to see GWR 143s there

The last one was at 1300 !!!!

 

[anamyd]

The last one was at 1300 !!!!

exactly

 

[Neptune]

Was fortunate enough to take 617 & 618 on the 0843 from Barnstaple to Exeter yesterday morning.