Well 6 (or 7) from 8 is better than 3 (or 4).
Couldn’t you say the same for Cardiff to Portsmouth?
That was discussed a while back when they first started heading off for refreshing; it isn’t feasible to remove the 3+2 interiors due to assorted fixtures under the floor.
The comment I was responding to was that the turbos are not suitable for Cardiff - Portsmouth work - presumably because they are more suited to short hop work. The major issue is that the Portsmouth- Cardiff is neither fish nor fowl. The 158s (when not crush-loaded) are ideal for the longer distance traffic but completely unsuited for a route with a high churn.
I live in Bristol and I can confirm that on arrival at Temple Meads these services have a major turnover of pax in both directions. Typically 75%+ of them get off at TM. Furthermore, in the Southbound direction many of those who have come from S Wales get off at Bath.
Although NDL could also be interpreted as North Devon Line
I presume you mean up to 6 from the current 4. If the hybrid 3 cars were split back into 2 cars would that not make an additional 6x2 car units which when used as 4 car units would give 3 diagrams instead of 2 meaning with the units coming off of Worcester and Salisbury circuits all the Cardiff to Portsmouth could be covered by the 158's in 4 car formation and very occassionally a 5 car might turn up when the remaining 3 car is being used
If it’s true that those 4 of the 5 3 car 158s are all driving cars, why not reform the 4 of them to as 2 car 158s and have all 8 diagrams run by 158s?
It's also worth noting that if only one three coach unit was left, it would create a big headache for those making the diagrams. I presume it's why Southern has been busy reforming most of their 171s to be the same length.
It's also linked to GWRs crazy policy of not doing a few platform extensions (some of which are just a few metres, although others nearer 20m) to allow flexibility of 3x2car or 2x3car as options.
The 5 car IET'S have selective door opening though.
Is that GWR or NR ?
Do Turbos and 158s not already have SDO? They do at least have local door operation capability for Avoncliff and some of GWR's request stops. I presume 175s will at least need this capability given they will end up on routes with request stops, including the Tarka line where I believe there are a few.
They have local door operation controlled by the guard. If you look on the platform at these stations (Avoncliff, Dilton Marsh, Thornford and Chetnole spring to mind) there are signs that say release local door only. Iirc the Turbos had to be fitted with panels in the saloon capable of this as part of their move west.
GWR's 158s and Turbos lack SDO, they only have local open. The same is true of 175s, though they do also have a unit deselect function when in multiple.
No, apparently it is Aslef holding things up due to "issues" . What these issues are I'm unsure of.
Is it known as the ‘TUDI’ switch, as per 180s?
It certainly was on 175s.
This is interesting. Was the project not accurately costed beforehand?
