12-cars 450s

[Oracle]

This morning I travelled up from Ashurst (NF) at 8.50 and was amazed to see in the end about three 3x450s. Previously I had onloy seen one 12-car ECS heading north going into Southampton tunnel. I know that there are booked trains but clearly I was lucky to see so many, presumably returning back to Northam.

 

[thefab444]

clearly I was lucky to see so many

Not particularly. I believe in a previous thread started by you in a very similar vein, I listed all the 3 x 450 workings for you.

 

[surreysprite]

Not particularly. I believe in a previous thread started by you in a very similar vein, I listed all the 3 x 450 workings for you.

To be honest during the peak there are olof of 12 car 450 workings from Woking and thank god they are.

 

[Oracle]

I hate resuscitating old threads, so a new one! I find it interesting that I have just seen one 450 + 444 combo recently, on its way to Weymouth, so the punters got the benefits of the 450 I thought! I think I saw a sole 450 to Weymouth recently as well, subbing for a 444 I assume.

 

[Geezertronic]

The 350s work on 12 car formation into Euston all of the time

 

[ChampsRacing]

There are loads of booked 12car 450s during the rush hour. Ive worked quite a few myself mainly the 07.03 of woking to waterloo in the morning but you do find the odd 12car during midday on the weekday too.

 

[thefab444]

I think I saw a sole 450 to Weymouth recently as well, subbing for a 444 I assume.

Indeed, the 12:35 London Waterloo - Weymouth is often a 'favourite' for a 450!

 

[Oracle]

Why haven't the burghers of Weymouth and Dorchester not got their pitchforks out as their colleagues in Portsmouth have? (Ha!)

I have to say that the longest journey by me on one was Ashurst to Woking. I can understand that those customers on the Portsmouth Direct who need to work might complain.

 

[thefab444]

To be honest, the Weymouth 2tph scheme hasn't helped with 444 availability. Apart from the peaks, 1tph beyond Wareham is adequate!

If the Waterloo - Weymouth semi-fast was terminated at Wareham, it could call at Totton, Branksome and Parkstone additionally, thus allowing the Waterloo - Weymouth fast to not call at Branksome or Parkstone, which would mean journey times would be about the same as now despite additional Wool, Moreton and Upwey stops.

 

[Oracle]

I just wish they would add more ANF stops as it is a pain to have to wait sometimes at Southampton Central 40 minutes for a Poole stopper to go two stops! If you stop at Totton, 'do' Ashurst as well!

I may well have to commute to Hersham regularly...on Thursday I just needed one change @ Woking but on the way back I was on four trains: Hersham>Woking>Basingstoke>Central>Ashurst with the option of just one (1xchange) in the afternoon. The XX51 Hersham>Woking means two changes.

 

[thefab444]

The main problem in the evening peak is the lack of ANF stop on the 1805 Waterloo - Weymouth. An additional service in the morning prior to 0640 wouldn't go amiss either (on Saturdays there is an 0617).

 

[Oracle]

I concur about the 0640: I was amazed when I had to use it to connect with a XC to Brum at Central how many punters used, it because it was the first train out.

The alternative is a drive to Brockenhurst (15 minutes say) and then pay through the nostril to use the car park. Or I suppose drive down the M27 to Parkway and pay even more for their car park!

Also, the last Bournemouth from Waterloo stops at Totton but not ANF. Now, I have walked from Ashurst to Totton station and back several times. It is not pleasant. There is no through footpath and so the foot journey is longer than the three miles by car.

 

[Helvellyn]

I just wish they would add more ANF stops.

It may be that SWT aren't aware that there is demand for earlier/later services? Perhaps a local campaign to SWT might be in order to make them aware, and then it might get looked at.

 

[Oracle]

Good suggestion! The first Up train is too late for those of us intending to change to a XC, and even arguably to go via London terminals up north. Swanwick had a stop inserted in the-then Victoria-Bournemouths I gather because of a local MP's request.

 

[thefab444]

It's a good idea but I doubt anything would be done. SHRUG (South Hampshire Rail Users Group - although in actuality it only covers Totton) has been moaning about the lack of Totton stops for years. Mind you, their magazine is merely a platform for an unfetted rant about SWT.

You could try getting Julian Lewis on the case.

 

[Oracle]

Dr Julian and I dialogue or have done...he has been a marvel on my behalf. Totton I think is far more important as a station stop than might appear.

 

[thefab444]

I'm not denying Totton's importance, it should really receive the same level of service as New Milton and Christchurch, but constantly slagging off the TOC isn't going to aid the group's cause!

 

[Oracle]

I agree on both counts! Appealing to them and making a case may work..slagging off will just put the shutters up or rather keep them up.

 

[swt_passenger]

Over the course of a weekday there are about 40 diagrammed 12.450s leave Waterloo - it is only west of Southampton that they are comparatively unusual.