150002 to Portsmouth

[BestWestern]

If anybody fancied a rare photo opportunity today, FGW's normally Reading-based 150002 has found it's way onto a Portsmouth diagram .

It worked 1F03 06.30 from Cardiff, will shortly depart Portsmouth on 1F14 10.23 return, and assuming it remains on diagram will work 1F23 14.30 from Cardiff and 1F32 18.23 return, finishing with 2C95, the 22.00 back to Bristol. May well be late, it lost 20 minutes on the first trip down.

 

[asylumxl]

I feel very sorry for anyone using this service for extended distances.

 

[Greenback]

I don't find the 150's too bad, but they are inferior to the 158's, and not really suitable for Cardiff to Portsmouth services.

 

[Monty]

Cor that's brave! 001 & 002 are not noted for their reliability..

 

[Quickthorn]

I don't know it's full movements yesterday, apart from the fact it was 1F36 Westbury-Temple Meads (20 mins late), so probably on that diagram yesterday as well.

I also noticed yesterday a 3 car 158 set doing the Severn Beach. Apparently, that sometimes happens when a 158 set is under par and can't be relied upon to do much else, so perhaps they took the 158s off the Cardiff - Portsmouth and replaced it with 150002.

 

[455driver]

150002 has been working off Exeter (normally around the Bristol area though) for the last 2 weeks, 150001 is still failing (oops I mean working) on Reading to Basingstokes.

 

[fgwrich]

Cor that's brave! 001 & 002 are not noted for their reliability..

They must have some faith in it - they let it loose last Sunday on the Exeter - Penzance - Exeter all stops. But the use of 002 on long distances is a little er.. surprising!

 

[PHILIPE]

I don't know it's full movements yesterday, apart from the fact it was 1F36 Westbury-Temple Meads (20 mins late), so probably on that diagram yesterday as well.

I also noticed yesterday a 3 car 158 set doing the Severn Beach. Apparently, that sometimes happens when a 158 set is under par and can't be relied upon to do much else, so perhaps they took the 158s off the Cardiff - Portsmouth and replaced it with 150002.

To work 06 30 Cardiff to Portsmouth, it should have worked 20 30 Portsmouth Hbr to Cardiff last night and serviced overnight at Canton.

 

[NX]

I don't know it's full movements yesterday, apart from the fact it was 1F36 Westbury-Temple Meads (20 mins late), so probably on that diagram yesterday as well.

I also noticed yesterday a 3 car 158 set doing the Severn Beach. Apparently, that sometimes happens when a 158 set is under par and can't be relied upon to do much else, so perhaps they took the 158s off the Cardiff - Portsmouth and replaced it with 150002.

Yes, the bag of bones that is 158955. There a total nightmare on the branch.

NX

 

[Parallel]

158953 was only running as two coaches when I caught it the other day too, it was coupled to 158763 (Brighton - Great Malvern).

 

[BestWestern]

A 158 was caped yesterday at P'mouth & Southsea on it's way to Cardiff, with continual suprious brake applications. Whether that set is back in traffic today I don't know. Availability seems patchy at the moment, and 150001/002 are generally spare at the weekends I believe, so the extra coverage in the Bristol area may be to allow some shed time for poorly west units.

 

[Parallel]

I actually boarded 150002 this evening, it seemed very bouncy - more so than other Sprinters... Maybe it was just me imagining it but the member of staff collecting litter seemed to be getting thrown about the carriage a little!

It was actually very clean and there were some nice touches, like pink along the overhead luggage racks, clean floor and reflective fixings above the LED lights to make them less glare-y! On the bad side it was running 15 minutes late, 22 late by Filton and rolled into Cardiff 30 late, according to RTT...

 

[fgwrich]

I actually boarded 150002 this evening, it seemed very bouncy - more so than other Sprinters... Maybe it was just me imagining it but the member of staff collecting litter seemed to be getting thrown about the carriage a little!

It was actually very clean and there were some nice touches, like pink along the overhead luggage racks, clean floor and reflective fixings above the LED lights to make them less glare-y! On the bad side it was running 15 minutes late, 22 late by Filton and rolled into Cardiff 30 late, according to RTT...

Our /0 twins are probably the best 150s in the FGW Fleet at the moment - the quality of the refurb certainly shows the rest of the ex LO & LM Sprinters up, even if they all retain their original seats.

 

[J123]

I often see a 3 car 158 + a 2 car 150 making up one train pass through my local station Swanwick on the Portsmouth to Cardiff service.

 

[BestWestern]

I often see a 3 car 158 + a 2 car 150 making up one train pass through my local station Swanwick on the Portsmouth to Cardiff service.

The service is strengthened when busier than usual loadings are expected; generally if there is an event taking place somewhere. The booked traction is always a 3 car 158/9 (or 158 798), and a 150 will provide any extra capacity required. This can be either a 150/1 or a /2, though the /2 units are far more suitable due to their refurbished interiors and end gangway connections.

 

[davetheguard]

I noticed Reading's 150 002 at Portsmouth Harbour on Saturday 2nd August, on the 10.23 departure to Cardiff Central.

This unit is normally used Monday to Friday only - running up and down between Reading & Basingstoke only.

I suppose 150's do see some use on FGW's Portsmouth - Cardiff's in place of 158's; but presumably use of one of Reading's 3 car "Tiny Tanks" Sprinter prototypes away from the Basingstoke branch is very rare. Has it ever happened before?

 

[swt_passenger]

Also being discussed in the 'allocations' section here: http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=104106

I don't think they have 'tiny tanks' anymore do they? 150002 is based in Bristol at the moment in any case...

 

[davetheguard]

Oops! Well-spotted swt-passenger.

Mods, you might want to move my post to merge with the other thread.

 

[Ash Bridge]

I noticed Reading's 150 002 at Portsmouth Harbour on Saturday 2nd August, on the 10.23 departure to Cardiff Central.

This unit is normally used Monday to Friday only - running up and down between Reading & Basingstoke only.

I suppose 150's do see some use on FGW's Portsmouth - Cardiff's in place of 158's; but presumably use of one of Reading's 3 car "Tiny Tanks" Sprinter prototypes away from the Basingstoke branch is very rare. Has it ever happened before?

Just looking at your shot of 150002 Dave. Noticed the two outer cars have got some sort of raised panels on the roof,was this unit originally fitted with Air conditioning by British Rail, and if so is it still functioning?

 

[Monty]

If it is still fitted it's certainly not functional anymore. I've been in both units enough during the summer to know that.

 

[455driver]

It was fitted with air con when in use as a test bed unit (numbered 154002?), the wiring on these units is interesting* to say the least.

* not the exact word used but I couldnt post the exact words used!

 

[Ash Bridge]

Thanks for the replies Monty & 455Driver, just wondered why centre car dosen't appear to have had the equipment fitted also.

 

[455driver]

When it was in use as a testbed it was formed as only 2 coaches, that might be one possibility.

Ignore the above its rubbish.

I have just googled-

sprinter 154002

and it looks like only one coach (the one without the toilet) was fitted with air con.

 

[HBM]

Has 150001 also now gone West or is it still at Reading?

 

[455driver]

Has 150001 also now gone West or is it still at Reading?

Still at Reading as far as I know.

 

[Kite159]

I was surprised at the appearance of the 2-car 158763 for the 15:46 Brighton to Bristol service this afternoon.

Although not knowing the diagrams, this could be just the usual arrangement for that service.

 

[PHILIPE]

I was surprised at the appearance of the 2-car 158763 for the 15:46 Brighton to Bristol service this afternoon.

Although not knowing the diagrams, this could be just the usual arrangement for that service.

Booked 2 x 158 (2 Cars). However, was short formed today with 763only. Obviously 766 didn't want to play. Usually if one not available a 150+158 combo will work.

 

[pompeyfan]

On Saturday I went from Portsmouth to Exeter and return, and due to various ticketing restrictions traveled via westbury, I was surprised to see how many services were strengthened on the line and around Exeter, sadly though not a single train of the day was on time for me, the service from Portsmouth to westbury lost time presumably due to extended dwell, the HST apparently had issues around paddington, and on return we lost time outside Tiverton parkway as an XC HST threw a wobbly, and finally the 158/150 combo hit something around mottisfont and caused an emergency brake as well as a 15 min wait while the guard and driver checked the brakes, this then meant we lost our path on the netley and had to sit behind a stopper losing even more time!

 

[387star]

I was surprised at the appearance of the 2-car 158763 for the 15:46 Brighton to Bristol service this afternoon.

Although not knowing the diagrams, this could be just the usual arrangement for that service.

I worked that train was a nightmare going to Brighton
Was due to the booked coaches involved in a fatality at Nailsea on the day before

 

[Parallel]

This unit was running to Weymouth today! Was nearly 20 mins down when I saw it.