Class 175 to GWR

[Xavi]

I guess the question is for how far is it busy? You don't want to provide capacity all the way on a journey taking an hour and a half (and a 3 hour return) if it's only the 10 minutes up to Parkway which is a problem.

Agreed, though this service is likely to gain more passengers at Filton Abbey Wood.

 

[CC 72100]

I boarded the 17.38 from Bristol Temple Meads (towards Worcester) recently and was amazed at how busy it was. Ok, it’s a peak train, but two or three coaches probably isn’t enough for that one.

I've been using that train on and off for a good 10 years, in its former iteration as the 15:10 Weymouth - Gloucester (17:41 off Temple Meads, as Gloucester trains traditionally were); has never been booked any more than a 3 (was a 150+153 back in the day). Tends to be busy to Yate (busy, maybe standing but not sardines), but then no more than 90 people on after that. Unless flows have dramatically changed?

 

[Sly Old Fox]

I've been using that train on and off for a good 10 years, in its former iteration as the 15:10 Weymouth - Gloucester (17:41 off Temple Meads, as Gloucester trains traditionally were); has never been booked any more than a 3 (was a 150+153 back in the day). Tends to be busy to Yate (busy, maybe standing but not sardines), but then no more than 90 people on after that. Unless flows have dramatically changed?

There were very seats left between Filton Abbey Wood and Gloucester on the day I caught it. Guess maybe people have cottoned on to the fact it is longer so they aim for that one. Bearing in mind the service is half hourly instead of hourly now too, I was quite impressed.

 

[The exile]

There were very seats left between Filton Abbey Wood and Gloucester on the day I caught it. Guess maybe people have cottoned on to the fact it is longer so they aim for that one. Bearing in mind the service is half hourly instead of hourly now too, I was quite impressed.

The one heading north from Temple Meads just after 16.00 is a double turbo (whereas the 16.47 Bristol - Warminster is frequently a cosy 2-car)

 

[D365]

Ironically the Welsh 150s seem to be doing fine mechanically and are being taken out of service when they are due or overhaul.

That’s because most/all of the remaining Mk3 derived bodyshells are at the end of their economic lifespan.

 

[jamieh27]

That’s because most/all of the remaining Mk3 derived bodyshells are at the end of their economic lifespan.

That is also true the 150/0 are 40 years old, 150/1 are 38-39 years old and 150/2 are 37 years old.

 

[Express380]

Having heard today that there is going to be at least 6 weeks of short forms on the busiest local services in Devon (wasn't specified what routes) we are getting pretty desperate for these 175s with the situation seeming to just keep on getting worse.

 

[irish_rail]

GwR ASLEF DDC reps are due to visit a set at Landore imminently. Apparently there is some "red tape" at present delaying sign off. No idea what said red tape is.

 

[Lurcheroo]

GwR ASLEF DDC reps are due to visit a set at Landore imminently. Apparently there is some "red tape" at present delaying sign off. No idea what said red tape is.

Always the same on the railway. Hopefully it can get resolved soon and get under way.

 

[Snow1964]

GwR ASLEF DDC reps are due to visit a set at Landore imminently. Apparently there is some "red tape" at present delaying sign off. No idea what said red tape is.

Sorry, what does DDC stand for ?

 

[irish_rail]

Sorry, what does DDC stand for ?

Drivers divisional council. It's basically the union rep who looks after the south west as a whole.

 

[FGW_DID]

Sorry, what does DDC stand for ?

Drivers Divisional Council at a guess or maybe District Divisional Council.

 

[Topological]

Drivers Dispute Creators? (Mischievous admittedly)

Hopefully the transfer progresses smoothly

 

[jamieh27]

Having heard today that there is going to be at least 6 weeks of short forms on the busiest local services in Devon (wasn't specified what routes) we are getting pretty desperate for these 175s with the situation seeming to just keep on getting worse.

I have expressed my part frustration too (not on this platform) but over the past 6 years Dft, FirstGroup and GWR have made such massive cuts to Class 153s, 150/0 and 150/1 and ended up with 2+4 Castle Sets which now has high cost of carbon emissions. Now the 150/2 are coming to 40 years of age and costing more to maintain and units ending up needing more repairs every summer shortage of stocks is getting worse. What is worse Thames Turbos can't run to Cornwall because of structrual problems and wheels too wide on the carriages, we may have to put up with this until 175s are in service in 2025. I can also only hope that the Class 230 trials are a success.

 

[cactustwirly]

I have expressed my part frustration too (not on this platform) but over the past 6 years Dft, FirstGroup and GWR have made such massive cuts to Class 153s, 150/0 and 150/1 and ended up with 2+4 Castle Sets which now has high cost of carbon emissions. Now the 150/2 are coming to 40 years of age and costing more to maintain and units ending up needing more repairs every summer shortage of stocks is getting worse. What is worse Thames Turbos can't run to Cornwall because of structrual problems and wheels too wide on the carriages, we may have to put up with this until 175s are in service in 2025. I can also only hope that the Class 230 trials are a success.

The cascade of turbos to the West is a gain in capacity taking into account the withdrawal of the 153s and 150/1s.
The 166s are all 3 carriages and they replaced 2 carriage trains. The seating capacity on each turbo carriage is significantly more than the 150s they replaced.

 

[brad465]

I have expressed my part frustration too (not on this platform) but over the past 6 years Dft, FirstGroup and GWR have made such massive cuts to Class 153s, 150/0 and 150/1 and ended up with 2+4 Castle Sets which now has high cost of carbon emissions. Now the 150/2 are coming to 40 years of age and costing more to maintain and units ending up needing more repairs every summer shortage of stocks is getting worse. What is worse Thames Turbos can't run to Cornwall because of structrual problems and wheels too wide on the carriages, we may have to put up with this until 175s are in service in 2025. I can also only hope that the Class 230 trials are a success.

What's the furthest a turbo can get in the direction of Cornwall? They can definitely get to Newton Abbott, but could they get to Plymouth if needs must? One other limitation they have is they are not cleared beyond Exmouth jct towards Axminster, so when one ends up on the peak diagram from Barnstaple-Axminster, it has to be cancelled at Exeter. Is that a clearance issue that can easily be fixed?

On the carbon emissions point, while ideally trains would have as low carbon emissions as possible, if 2+4 Castle sets increased capacity and comfort to the point more passengers ditched cars for the train, there maybe a good carbon offset compared to a shorter train with lower emissions but fewer passengers. Hopefully 175s and other stock improvements enabled by them can improve all of this however.

 

[FGW_DID]

I can also only hope that the Class 230 trials are a success.

The Class 230 isn’t on trial, 230001 is just a convenient testbed for the Fast Charging Technology, it’s proving that which is the actual purpose of the Greenford Branch testing.

 

[jamieh27]

What's the furthest a turbo can get in the direction of Cornwall? They can definitely get to Newton Abbott, but could they get to Plymouth if needs must? One other limitation they have is they are not cleared beyond Exmouth jct towards Axminster, so when one ends up on the peak diagram from Barnstaple-Axminster, it has to be cancelled at Exeter. Is that a clearance issue that can easily be fixed?

On the carbon emissions point, while ideally trains would have as low carbon emissions as possible, if 2+4 Castle sets increased capacity and comfort to the point more passengers ditched cars for the train, there maybe a good carbon offset compared to a shorter train with lower emissions but fewer passengers. Hopefully 175s and other stock improvements enabled by them can improve all of this however.

The furthest point it can go to with Trubos is Plymouth. As for the serivce to Axminster at the moment its only 2 trains a day no point in having a Turbo on the WoEML pretty much wasted may also be they aren't cleared yet. If they added passing loops on the WoEML its possible but I doubt it now as they want Turbos around Devon and Bristol areas.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 8 Sep 2024 ==

What's the furthest a turbo can get in the direction of Cornwall? They can definitely get to Newton Abbott, but could they get to Plymouth if needs must? One other limitation they have is they are not cleared beyond Exmouth jct towards Axminster, so when one ends up on the peak diagram from Barnstaple-Axminster, it has to be cancelled at Exeter. Is that a clearance issue that can easily be fixed?

On the carbon emissions point, while ideally trains would have as low carbon emissions as possible, if 2+4 Castle sets increased capacity and comfort to the point more passengers ditched cars for the train, there maybe a good carbon offset compared to a shorter train with lower emissions but fewer passengers. Hopefully 175s and other stock improvements enabled by them can improve all of this however.

GWR did want to get newer units with low carbon emissions before the plans for ordering new battery trains are rolled out. Hopefully 175s will improve.

 

[Snow1964]

Having heard today that there is going to be at least 6 weeks of short forms on the busiest local services in Devon (wasn't specified what routes) we are getting pretty desperate for these 175s with the situation seeming to just keep on getting worse.

Looks like short forms are spreading, majority of Cardiff-Portsmouth trains are down to 3car, a number of Gloucester-Westbury peak hour services down to just 2car this morning.

There seems to be a widening canyon between what is needed for passenger numbers, and how many serviceable units GWR west can muster (and that is just before leaf fall season when availability often dips)

 

[HamworthyGoods]

Looks like short forms are spreading, majority of Cardiff-Portsmouth trains are down to 3car, a number of Gloucester-Westbury peak hour services down to just 2car this morning.

There seems to be a widening canyon between what is needed for passenger numbers, and how many serviceable units GWR west can muster (and that is just before leaf fall season when availability often dips)

The shortage of cl150 units at the moment (which is leading to other units being borrowed from the Bristol area) it a very specific hopefully one off event.

In essence there were some infrastructure defects on the flange lubricators on the Cornish branch lines, this contributed to very heavy wheel-wear meaning several units have had to be stopped.

Rectification of this issue is now in hand by Network Rail.

 

[The exile]

The shortage of cl150 units at the moment (which is leading to other units being borrowed from the Bristol area) it a very specific hopefully one off event.

In essence there were some infrastructure defects on the flange lubricators on the Cornish branch lines, this contributed to very heavy wheel-wear meaning several units have had to be stopped.

Rectification of this issue is now in hand by Network Rail.

That’s a relief.

 

[Russel]

I've seen a few comments on social media that GWR plan to have at least one or two class 175 diagrams up and running by the end of the year, given we're already a week into September, how realistic is this?

 

[BillStampy]

I've seen a few comments on social media that GWR plan to have at least one or two class 175 diagrams up and running by the end of the year, given we're already a week into September, how realistic is this?

Seeing how not a single one has gone to GWR, heavily unrealistic in my eyes. Requires a lot of driver training and practice for maintenance..

 

[Russel]

Seeing how not a single one has gone to GWR, heavily unrealistic in my eyes. Requires a lot of driver training and practice for maintenance..

This was my initial thoughts too.

 

[jamieh27]

I've seen a few comments on social media that GWR plan to have at least one or two class 175 diagrams up and running by the end of the year, given we're already a week into September, how realistic is this?

Thats very optomistic for them to say that, first of all none of the 175s are at any GWR depots, second they are still being remedied for works on the units. They haven't even trained any drivers or guards yet.

 

[FGW_DID]

Thats very optomistic for them to say that, first of all none of the 175s are at any GWR depots, second they are still being remedied for works on the units. They haven't even trained any drivers or guards yet.

Note that it didnt say who had posted it on social media. More than likely just platform end wibble!

 

[Mollman]

Note that it didnt say who had posted it on social media. More than likely just platform end wibble!

Or a misunderstanding of them arriving/ training starting by the end of the year

 

[jamieh27]

Or a misunderstanding of them arriving/ training starting by the end of the year

Possibly ment that.

 

[Nick Ashwell]

GwR ASLEF DDC reps are due to visit a set at Landore imminently. Apparently there is some "red tape" at present delaying sign off. No idea what said red tape is.

I worry that driver reps could get too much of a say.

Units are needed, they're available and clearly GWR and DfT want them available. They have been fine for a long time with TfW/ATW. If unions get to deny units that seem to have had happy service minus a few issues for so long, something needs to change (ducks for cover)

 

[Clarence Yard]

The denial of the units may come from the Government end rather than the union end! The deal has yet to be completely signed off and announced.