FGW West timetable changes from 18th May.

[SkinnyDave]

Not in Wessex days. Was in the time of Wales and West before the formation of Wessex.

Yeah just got told that by my DI my mistake
It's from those days some Cardiff drivers still sign Bristol and Westbury

 

[Parallel]

Rumours going around that 180s may take over Cardiff-Portsmouth runs after IEP introduction..

Interesting - As FGW have only five 180s if these were to be used on this line, they would need some other stock as well, probably 166s. It would be a fragile situation though as the 180s are known for their frequent train faults and this line goes through quite a few junctions including Cardiff, Newport, Bristol Temple Meads, Westbury and Southampton... Major disruption could easily accumulate!

I think the 166s could do with something to make them suitable for longer journeys, including armrests etc and the possible removal of first class, particularly if they are only going to run as three coaches.

 

[TEW]

Yeah just got told that by my DI my mistake
It's from those days some Cardiff drivers still sign Bristol and Westbury

The use of ATW Cardiff based crews was widespread throughout the time of Wessex Trains and in to the early days of FGW. I believe they worked all the way down to Portsmouth too. I don't think there's very much, if any, work for ATW crews on the FGW services any more though.

 

[SkinnyDave]

The use of ATW Cardiff based crews was widespread throughout the time of Wessex Trains and in to the early days of FGW. I believe they worked all the way down to Portsmouth too. I don't think there's very much, if any, work for ATW crews on the FGW services any more though.

They still do some of the Cardiff to Bristol runs including first one on weekday mornings ..
I took over train from some of the lads recently so still a couple about at moment but with amount of Trainees at FGW I don't know how long that will last.

 

[VP185]

Interesting - As FGW have only five 180s if these were to be used on this line, they would need some other stock as well, probably 166s. It would be a fragile situation though as the 180s are known for their frequent train faults and this line goes through quite a few junctions including Cardiff, Newport, Bristol Temple Meads, Westbury and Southampton... Major disruption could easily accumulate!

I think the 166s could do with something to make them suitable for longer journeys, including armrests etc and the possible removal of first class, particularly if they are only going to run as three coaches.

Wasn't there rumours recently that more 180s would become available from either Grand Central or Hull Trains?

We take the 180s through Reading and Oxford, big delays accumulate when the onboard computers say NO! Remember though Hull Trains recently spent a fortune rebuilding theirs and they've seen a massive increase in reliability. If FGW retains the franchise & the 180s long enough no reason why they couldn't be subject to the same rebuild.

 

[swt_passenger]

Wasn't there rumours recently that more 180s would become available from either Grand Central or Hull Trains?

There were also rumours (well something more than that - it's in a track access application on ORR's website) that GC would go all 180 on their existing ECML services, and release their HSTs. That seems to cancel out your rumour...

It has been agreed that the firm rights to operate High Speed Trains will fall away in 2018.
[and later]
- The move to a uniform fleet allowing will allow more flexible deployment
- Improved SRTs from Class 180s, coupled with the flexibility on Access Rights
afforded to Network Rail, will allow the development of more robust timetables
- A uniform fleet of Class 180s with better SRTs will fit better into a recast ECML timetable - particularly post IEP.
http://orr.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/10054/s17-gc-app-form.pdf

 

[ValleyLines142]

180s on Cardiff to Portsmouth's would be absolutely smashing! Wow!

 

[PHILIPE]

180s on Cardiff to Portsmouth's would be absolutely smashing! Wow!

Until they broke down.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Indeed, 158766.

As for the other two 2-car 158s, 158951 is working the 3-car 158 diagram that goes to Brighton, starting with the 0723 Warminster to Great Malvern, 1050 Great Malvern to Brighton, etc

158763 is working the 3-car 158 diagram that starts with the 0749 Bristol Temple Meads to Weston-super-Mare, 0841 Weston-super-Mare to Cardiff, 1100 Cardiff Central to Taunton, etc.

So for anyone who's interested, here are the diagrams for the 2-car 158s today:

158763:
2Y05 0749 Bristol Temple Meads to Weston-super-Mare
2U08 0841 Weston-super-Mare to Cardiff
2C73 1100 Cardiff to Taunton
2U18 1307 Taunton to Cardiff
2C83 1600 Cardiff to Taunton
2U28 1808 Taunton to Cardiff
2C34 2100 Cardiff to Westbury

158766:
2M02 0517 Gloucester to Southampton
2M97 0823 Southampton to Great Malvern
2O90 1250 Great Malvern to Weymouth
2V93 1730 Weymouth to Bristol
(as posted by trolleyman)

158950:
2G80 0715 Gloucester to Great Malvern
2F97 0850 Great Malvern to Westbury
2D17 1438 Westbury to Bath Spa
2R98 1553 Bristol Parkway to Bath Spa
2D24 1643 Bath Spa to Bristol Parkway
2C22 1748 Bristol Parkway to Westbury
2M17 1932 Westbury to Cheltenham
(so diagram 2 as posted by northernrailer)

158951:
2E17 0723 Warminster to Great Malvern
1O98 1050 Great Malvern to Brighton
1V96 1659 Brighton to Bristol Temple Meads



You've missed out something.

The 1438 from Westbury goes on from Bath to Bristol Parkway, then it works 2R98 1553 back to Bath, and then what you've got to Westbury on the 1643 to Bristol Parkway and 1748 return to Westbury, then it works the 1932 to Cheltenham.

So it's as follows:

2G80 0715 Gloucester to Great Malvern
2F97 0850 Great Malvern to Westbury
2D17 1438 Westbury to Bath Spa
2R98 1553 Bristol Parkway to Bath Spa
2D24 1643 Bath Spa to Bristol Parkway
2C22 1748 Bristol Parkway to Westbury
2M17 1932 Westbury to Cheltenham

I suspect Northern Railer has quoted the Friday diagram where it could very well stay at Westbury after 17 48 ex Bristol Parkway. There are at times variations on close down on a Friday to balance into Saturday. The date of the post was a Friday.

 

[Drsatan]

180s on Cardiff to Portsmouth's would be absolutely smashing! Wow!

I agree, although some would state 125mph units would be wasted on a service whose maximum speed limit is 75mph (although using 180s would speed up the journey by about 10 minutes as they could operate on the fast lines from Severn Tunnel Junction to Cardiff Central)

Unfortunately, 180s have a seating capacity of 287 seats, which would probably be a net reduction compared to a pair of 158s, which I can imagine will be used more frequently.

Given that Cardiff to Portsmouth is technically an intercity route, and should be treated as such (purely anecdotal, looking at the number of reservation cards on each service indicating travel to and from Cardiff to Salisbury, Bristol Temple Meads to Southampton Central etc), more suitable rolling stock should be used than cascaded 166s, but unless Hull Trains and Grand Central give up their 180s in the near future, cascaded 166s it is.

 

[159jim]

Maybe off-topic but does anyone know what's happening with the 1852 off of Paignton on weekdays? When I had it in late June it was a single 153 to EXD then 143+150 to BRI but apparently this formation was to be changed from the 4th July.

Thanks,
Jim.

 

[TEW]

I agree, although some would state 125mph units would be wasted on a service whose maximum speed limit is 75mph (although using 180s would speed up the journey by about 10 minutes as they could operate on the fast lines from Severn Tunnel Junction to Cardiff Central)

Portsmouth-Cardiff services are currently times at 90mph and do use the Main Lines between Severn Tunnel Junction and Cardiff Central. Not many passenger trains use the Relief Lines along that section.

 

[Parallel]

I got the 14:48 Weymouth service from Bristol Temple Meads today which was running as 5 coaches! 150/1 (2 car) + 158 (3 car). Was quite a nice surprise! The 158 was attached at Bristol with the 150/1 having come from Great Malvern. I also saw a 150/9 on Brighton - Great Malvern the other day, that can't be a comfortable journey!

 

[455driver]

Maybe off-topic but does anyone know what's happening with the 1852 off of Paignton on weekdays? When I had it in late June it was a single 153 to EXD then 143+150 to BRI but apparently this formation was to be changed from the 4th July.

Thanks,
Jim.

I think that is now booked for a single 143 but dont know what actually works it.
It then works the 2156 from Bristol TM back to Exeter SD.

 

[159jim]

I think that is now booked for a single 143 but dont know what actually works it.
It then works the 2156 from Bristol TM back to Exeter SD.

Cheers for that, had a single 143 direct from TGM to BRI on Tuesday on 2M67

 

[455driver]

Cheers for that, had a single 143 direct from TGM to BRI on Tuesday on 2M67

I dont know whether to congratulate you or offer my condolences!

edit-

I see its just Exeter, Taunton and Bristol so would think condolences were the order of the day!

 

[PHILIPE]

I got the 14:48 Weymouth service from Bristol Temple Meads today which was running as 5 coaches! 150/1 (2 car) + 158 (3 car). Was quite a nice surprise! The 158 was attached at Bristol with the 150/1 having come from Great Malvern. I also saw a 150/9 on Brighton - Great Malvern the other day, that can't be a comfortable journey!

The 5 Coaches on the 14 48 Bristol to Weymouth are actually required for the return 17 30 ex Weymouth to bring the day trippers back home.

 

[RPI]

I think that is now booked for a single 143 but dont know what actually works it.
It then works the 2156 from Bristol TM back to Exeter SD.

143 tonight

 

[Parallel]

The 5 Coaches on the 14 48 Bristol to Weymouth are actually required for the return 17 30 ex Weymouth to bring the day trippers back home.

That makes sense! I saw a 5 carriage Portsmouth Harbour service earlier at Bath Spa too - a 158 and a 150/2 (I think).

 

[Rapidash]

Anyone have any thoughts on this 'massive shakeup' to the timetable in the winter? All the guff about extra connectivity for Torbay made me scratch the noggin in confusion, as it all seemed to add more connections in, rather than less.

 

[PHILIPE]

FGW have leased 2 x 165/0s from Chiltern and as result of this 150002 moved from Reading to PM for use in the West of England to relieve overcrowding. It ran as an ECS earlier today from PM to Exeter and has already worked to Paignton. It shews that stretching the fleet as FGW have done for the Summer does not work in practice. The fact that 150261 has been at Wolverton since January with, I believe, a body corrosion problem doesn't help.

 

[455driver]

To add a little detail to Philipes post, 150002 worked-

5T77 1204 Reading dep to St Phillips Marsh 1420 (arrived Bristol tm 1331)
5T80 1349 St Phillips Marsh to Exeter tmd 1520 (from Bristol tm)
2F16 1457 Paignton to Exmouth (from Exeter st Davids 1550)
Then the rest of the diagram to Exeter tmd at 0038.

Please note this is second hand info and if incorrect I will kick his <deleted> so far up his <something else deleted> he will be chewing them!

 

[windnoise69]

Which 165/0's have been leased And are these going to be in te common 165 pool or on selected routes?

 

[RPI]

001 is going the same way as well, but 921+927 will be temporarily 2 cars as 57209 and 57212 have to go for their C6 at Tyseley pretty soon
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Which 165/0's have been leased And are these going to be in te common 165 pool or on selected routes?

I'm not sure but logically they won't go into the common pool as they are 75mph and a lot of the FGW turbo diagrams involve a lot of 90mph running on the fast lines

 

[TEW]

Apparently will be the two Greenford branch diagrams. Appears to be at least one unit coming tomorrow morning.

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/S04001/2014/07/21/advanced

 

[PHILIPE]

Which 165/0's have been leased And are these going to be in te common 165 pool or on selected routes?

They will be changed over on a weekly basis, it would appear. Working the Greenford Branch to quote other posts.

 

[windnoise69]

Will the Chiltern 165s be out on FGW services tomorrow?

 

[159jim]

FGW must be really short of 158s at the moment, 150101+1502xx(Wessex unit) should be on this diagram today:

0830 CDF - PMH 1152 (Was on 150101 1030 SAL - PMS 1147)
1223 PMH - CDF 1543
1630 CDF - PMH 1952
2023 PMH - CDF 2343

Apologies if I have given out wrong timings.

 

[ValleyLines142]

FGW must be really short of 158s at the moment, 150101+1502xx(Wessex unit) should be on this diagram today:

0830 CDF - PMH 1152 (Was on 150101 1030 SAL - PMS 1147)
1223 PMH - CDF 1543
1630 CDF - PMH 1952
2023 PMH - CDF 2343

Apologies if I have given out wrong timings.

Thanks for letting me know, I'll avoid this when I'm on my way home from Bristol!

 

[Parallel]

I was on a 150/9 on the way to work this morning, where a 158 would usually operate.

This evening I also saw a singular 150/1 running to Portsmouth and a 150/1 coupled with a 150/9 running to Cardiff.

They must be really short of 158s, and with the large delays on this route recently, it's leading me to believe perhaps they're not coping too well in the heat. Also, 150/1s aren't very suitable for quite a long journey, even 150/2s would be better! Better than cancelling services though.

 

[TEW]

The 150/1s aren't really suitable for a lot of services they work unfortunately. The Portsmouth-Cardiff route is quite lucky as all services are booked for 158s.