GWR Class 143 withdrawals

[61653 HTAFC]

Probs been asked before but is GWR 143617 withdrawn or making a return please?

The short answer is "nobody knows for sure".

A slightly longer answer is "it depends on how quickly the restrictions on movement of people due to COVID-19 are lifted, how quickly passenger numbers return to near pre-outbreak levels once that happens, and whether cascaded units from further East have arrived by then to take their place."

Personally I'll be surprised if any of the English Pacers run in service on the national network again.

 

[Apedlar12]

143617 and 143620 have been running the driver taxi between Exeter TMD and Taunton for the last week or so alternating each day it looks like whilst they aren't in service...

 

[Chris217]

Up thread,someone states that all the GWR 143s worked in Wales.
Found an old photograph.
This is 143 611 in Valley Lines livery.this post is to clarify,you were correct.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

143617 and 143620 have been running the driver taxi between Exeter TMD and Taunton for the last week or so alternating each day it looks like whilst they aren't in service...

Rare for anything to terminate at Taunton from the West (or start there heading West) these days, even if it isn't for public use... Rare use of bay platform one perhaps?

 

[Ashley Hill]

143621 is no longer a temporary messroom at Exeter. It and all other GW 143s are to be prepared for a possible return to traffic next week.

 

[devonexpress]

Even if they do return to traffic it will be short lived, GWR are already looking at alternatives to aid with replacing them, including more Castle sets if needed.

 

[Apedlar12]

143621 is no longer a temporary messroom at Exeter. It and all other GW 143s are to be prepared for a possible return to traffic next week.

Good to hear, will be great to get on them again if they do return and when it is safe to travel again

 

[Trainfan061193]

Good to hear, will be great to get on them again if they do return and when it is safe to travel again

Can’t wait to get back on them myself! Obviously when it’s safe enough.

 

[GWRrrr]

143 back in use around Exeter. Just caught one on Dawlish Beach Cams.

 

[Apedlar12]

143 back in use around Exeter. Just caught one on Dawlish Beach Cams.

Yes, the Exmouth to Paignton diagrams today are:

#1: 150265 + 150233
#2: 150248 + 143621
#3: 150234 + 143611
#4: 150216 + 143619

And looking at RTT there is a possibility that from the 25th May (Monday), full timetable might be back in use but I know that they do sometimes change it at the last minute before the new begins...

 

[PHILIPE]

Yes, the Exmouth to Paignton diagrams today are:

#1: 150265 + 150233
#2: 150248 + 143621
#3: 150234 + 143611
#4: 150216 + 143619

And looking at RTT there is a possibility that from the 25th May (Monday), full timetable might be back in use but I know that they do sometimes change it at the last minute before the new begins...

The Timetables during this COVID-19 period are usually updated on a Weekly basis so what you see for 25 May is still the normal Timetable. TFW don't publish theirs until the Friday or Saturday after reviewing any feedback and taking any changes to circumstances into account.

 

[Apedlar12]

The Timetables during this COVID-19 period are usually updated on a Weekly basis so what you see for 25 May is still the normal Timetable. TFW don't publish theirs until the Friday or Saturday after reviewing any feedback and taking any changes to circumstances into account.

Thanks

 

[HowardGWR]

I can't understand why the 143s are being used at all. Looking at the Dawlish webcam, the trains are practically empty so it seems an unnecessary expense to run 4 cars (143 plus 150) when a 153 would do the lot!

 

[PHILIPE]

I can't understand why the 143s are being used at all. Looking at the Dawlish webcam, the trains are practically empty so it seems an unnecessary expense to run 4 cars (143 plus 150) when a 153 would do the lot!

Social distancing by enabling people to spread out. They may not have been almost empty all day.

 

[Trainfan061193]

I can't understand why the 143s are being used at all. Looking at the Dawlish webcam, the trains are practically empty so it seems an unnecessary expense to run 4 cars (143 plus 150) when a 153 would do the lot!

I think the main reason they’ve put the 143s back into service is because they need to maintain social distancing and passenger numbers are expected to increase over the coming weeks.

 

[superalbs]

I used 143611 today on the 1153 Exmouth to Paignton. Paired with what I think was 150234.

 

[Apedlar12]

I used 143611 today on the 1153 Exmouth to Paignton. Paired with what I think was 150234.

Correct, today's EXM <> PGN diagrams are:

1. 150234 + 143611
2. 150249 + 150261
3. 150202 + 143620
4. 150248 + 143619

 

[Chris217]

Nice to see them back in action.

 

[superkev]

I can't understand why the 143s are being used at all. Looking at the Dawlish webcam, the trains are practically empty so it seems an unnecessary expense to run 4 cars (143 plus 150) when a 153 would do the lot!

I understand the UK rules msocial distancing capacity of a normally 72 seat 253 is just 9 passengers.
K

 

[Murray J]

I understand the UK rules msocial distancing capacity of a normally 72 seat 253 is just 9 passengers.
K

just as well they're running 4 car units then. I dread to think how many people can fit inside a 139 or 153 while adhering to social distancing regulations.

 

[Jamesrob637]

They would usually be full next week especially when half-term produces nice weather!

 

[Trainfan061193]

Just had a thought, with the pandemic surely further delaying the introduction of the 769s and extra castle sets, could this mean the 143s could potentially carry on into next year even? Only time will tell.

 

[superalbs]

143603 was out and about yesterday.

Image:

 

[Parallel]

143603 was out and about yesterday.

That’s good news, glad they put in the effort to bringing it back rather than just scrapping it.

 

[superalbs]

That’s good news, glad they put in the effort to bringing it back rather than just scrapping it.

The significance didn't even occur to me until someone reminded me! But yeah, nice to have it back.

 

[PHILIPE]

143603 was out and about yesterday.

It's been back since 20th February and continuous apart from the COVID set aside period

 

[PHILIPE]

143603 is having a good run out today. It went ECS from Exeter to Penzance to drag a crippled 150239 back to Exeter

 

[ValleyLines142]

Did a GWR 143 make it to Bristol last week? My friend sent me a picture of one (from another friend).

 

[PHILIPE]

Did a GWR 143 make it to Bristol last week? My friend sent me a picture of one (from another friend).

Could have done. They often run up empty to SPM for tyre turning or wheelset change

 

[PHILIPE]

143603 is having a good run out today. It went ECS from Exeter to Penzance to drag a crippled 150239 back to Exeter

Repeat performance this afternoon. 143621 has been to Penzance to drag 150249 back. I don't know of the problem today but on Monday 150239 had a defective warning horn at the Plymouth end.