Could GWR cascade result in displaced 158s freeing up 165/166s to other routes?

[anthony263]

Moderator note: Split from https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/gwr-pompey-158-diagrams.207821/

GWR are looking to replace the Class 158s in Cornwall with more Castle HSTs, so in theory GWR could look at putting pairs of 158s on the Portsmouth Harbour trains freeing up the 165/166s for other routes

 

[Clarence Yard]

4 car 158 - not nearly enough seats. One of the advantages of using Turbos is the quick on and off times, which has certainly improved performance.

We have had this discussion before and the DfT currently see this service as serving differing conurbations, not as a inter-regional one. So their priority is seats around places such as Bristol, not necessarily the needs of Cardiff-Portsmouth punters.

HyDrive (if it works) and the possibility of putting two 465 trailers into a 166 would make 2+2 seating possible, with no loss of seats from what is provided now with a 165/166 5 car combo. That, short of new stock, is probably the best option for the route.

 

[Wilts Wanderer]

4 car 158 - not nearly enough seats. One of the advantages of using Turbos is the quick on and off times, which has certainly improved performance.

We have had this discussion before and the DfT currently see this service as serving differing conurbations, not as a inter-regional one. So their priority is seats around places such as Bristol, not necessarily the needs of Cardiff-Portsmouth punters.

HyDrive (if it works) and the possibility of putting two 465 trailers into a 166 would make 2+2 seating possible, with no loss of seats from what is provided now with a 165/166 5 car combo. That, short of new stock, is probably the best option for the route.

Are there any thoughts about the impact on timings of a four car set with one trailer? At the moment I believe the route remains timed for 158 which the Turbos are a good approximation to, but this would require a full remodelling exercise surely? And if slower, no guarantees the Cardiff-Pompey trains can be patched. Raises more questions than answers I think...

 

[Clarence Yard]

Draft timings have been provided for a 5 car Hydrive (3 motors and 2 trailers) which prove, in theory, it works. But I want to see the Chiltern unit in action first to see if the technology delivers what it promises on an all powered set before passing final judgement on possible partially powered variants.

 

[Wilts Wanderer]

Draft timings have been provided for a 5 car Hydrive (3 motors and 2 trailers) which prove, in theory, it works. But I want to see the Chiltern unit in action first to see if the technology delivers what it promises on an all powered set before passing final judgement on possible partially powered variants.

Oh a five car set? Apologies I didn’t read your post carefully enough. Sounds like something I need to read up about!