GWR Class 158s being reformed into 2-cars

[anamyd]

Is 158951 now a 5-car?! I could've sworn that that's what I just saw!

 

[sftfan1909]

Is 158951 now a 5-car?! I could've sworn that that's what I just saw!

No, it's paired with 158766.

 

[PHILIPE]

I believe there are still six hybrids - 158950, 951, 956, 957, 958, 959. Not sure if any more are to be reforned

And a "proper" 3 Car unit - 158798

 

[anamyd]

No, it's paired with 158766.

Weird, I could've sworn it was a 5-car and both ends said 158951

 

[anamyd]

And a "proper" 3 Car unit - 158798

I had a little look at its "MOS" vehicle earlier!

 

[PHILIPE]

Weird, I could've sworn it was a 5-car and both ends said 158951

There are no 5 x Car 158s in existence and it would only have said 158951 one end.

 

[anamyd]

There are no 5 x Car 158s in existence and it would only have said 158951 one end.

That's what I would've thought. Weird!

 

[59CosG95]

So, to summarise formations (as of 4/12/19) in a list:

• 158950 - formed 57751/52761/57761; contains 158761 & half of 158751
• 158951 - formed 52751/52764/57764; contains 158764 & half of 158751
• 158952 - disbanded; formed of 158762 & half of 158745
• 158953 - disbanded; formed of 158750 & half of 158745
• 158954 - disbanded; formed of 158760 & half of 158747
• 158955 - disbanded; formed of 158765 & half of 158747
• 158956 - formed 52748/52768/57768; contains 158768 & half of 158748
• 158957 - formed 57748/52771/57771; contains 158771 & half of 158748
• 158958 - formed 57746/52776/57776; contains 158776 & half of 158746
• 158959 - formed 52746/52778/57778; contains 158778 & half of 158746
• 158960 - disbanded; formed of 158769 & half of 158749
• 158961 - disbanded; formed of 158767 & half of 158749

 

[507021]

I was just looking on Wikipedia and one editor of the Class 158 article seems adamant GWR's 158950-158961 are 158/0s (providing Platform 5 as a source), but I've always thought that their designation is Class 158/9? Is this correct?

 

[59CosG95]

I was just looking on Wikipedia and one editor of the Class 158 article seems adamant GWR's 158950-158961 are 158/0s (providing Platform 5 as a source), but I've always thought that their designation is Class 158/9? Is this correct?

They are indeed 158/0s, to distinguish them from the WYPTE-procured 158/9s, which actually have individual vehicle numbers in the 529xx/579xx ranges. These hybrid 158/0s still have vehicle numbers common to the rest of the 158/0 fleet, and are thus in the same subclass.

One could argue that this approach doesn't consider the 11 158/8s operated by SWR/EMR; while they still have 158/0 vehicle numbers, the renumbering of the units in the range 158880 - 158890 was due to the fact that they had a 1st Class section added in. (158889's has since had it declassified; jury's still out on whether it'll be renumbered as 158808 after C6)

 

[adrock1976]

So, to summarise formations (as of 4/12/19) in a list:

• 158950 - formed 57751/52761/57761; contains 158761 & half of 158751
• 158951 - formed 52751/52764/57764; contains 158764 & half of 158751
• 158952 - disbanded; formed of 158762 & half of 158745
• 158953 - disbanded; formed of 158750 & half of 158745
• 158954 - disbanded; formed of 158760 & half of 158747
• 158955 - disbanded; formed of 158765 & half of 158747
• 158956 - formed 52748/52768/57768; contains 158768 & half of 158748
• 158957 - formed 57748/52771/57771; contains 158771 & half of 158748
• 158958 - formed 57746/52776/57776; contains 158776 & half of 158746
• 158959 - formed 52746/52778/57778; contains 158778 & half of 158746
• 158960 - disbanded; formed of 158769 & half of 158749
• 158961 - disbanded; formed of 158767 & half of 158749

Regarding the sets that have been disbanded, have they reverted back to their original numbers?

(For example, 158950 and 951 reverting back to 158761, 764, and 751).

 

[greatvoyager]

Regarding the sets that have been disbanded, have they reverted back to their original numbers?

(For example, 158950 and 951 reverting back to 158761, 764, and 751).

Yes, they have returned to their original numbers.

 

[greatvoyager]

They are indeed 158/0s, to distinguish them from the WYPTE-procured 158/9s, which actually have individual vehicle numbers in the 529xx/579xx ranges. These hybrid 158/0s still have vehicle numbers common to the rest of the 158/0 fleet, and are thus in the same subclass.

One could argue that this approach doesn't consider the 11 158/8s operated by SWR/EMR; while they still have 158/0 vehicle numbers, the renumbering of the units in the range 158880 - 158890 was due to the fact that they had a 1st Class section added in. (158889's has since had it declassified; jury's still out on whether it'll be renumbered as 158808 after C6)

I've always been confused with the system used for 158s. I suppose it's because they tend to have minimal change, other than the engines, as a reason for no 158/7 subclass.

 

[507021]

They are indeed 158/0s, to distinguish them from the WYPTE-procured 158/9s, which actually have individual vehicle numbers in the 529xx/579xx ranges. These hybrid 158/0s still have vehicle numbers common to the rest of the 158/0 fleet, and are thus in the same subclass.

One could argue that this approach doesn't consider the 11 158/8s operated by SWR/EMR; while they still have 158/0 vehicle numbers, the renumbering of the units in the range 158880 - 158890 was due to the fact that they had a 1st Class section added in. (158889's has since had it declassified; jury's still out on whether it'll be renumbered as 158808 after C6)

Didn't know that, thanks.

 

[anamyd]

I've always been confused with the system used for 158s. I suppose it's because they tend to have minimal change, other than the engines, as a reason for no 158/7 subclass.

The 1587xx and 1588xx unit numbering on the 158/0s is because the vehicle numbering system (52xxx and 57xxx etc) is the same used on the 150s, 153s/155s and 156s, and the unit numbers are aligned to that (156s aren't 156/4 and 156/5, they're just 156s)

 

[greatvoyager]

The 1587xx and 1588xx unit numbering on the 158/0s is because the vehicle numbering system (52xxx and 57xxx etc) is the same used on the 150s, 153s/155s and 156s, and the unit numbers are aligned to that (156s aren't 156/4 and 156/5, they're just 156s)

I get that, but it still seems inconsistent to me.

 

[158747]

The recently disbanded 158961 was the third unit to carry that number, the first two were operated by Wessex Trains. The first one was formed of both vehicles from 158746 and 52745 from 158745, this formation was a temporary 3-car formation from approx. November 2004 until early 2005 due to 57745 being out of service having collision damage repairs carried out. The second unit to carry this number was formed of both vehicles from 158867 and 52868 from 158868, this formation was in service from approx April 2005 until December 2006 when it was disbanded, by this time operated by First Great Western. The most recent formation was formed of both vehicles from 158767 and 52749 from 158749 from late 2011 until being disbanded recently.

 

[greatvoyager]

The recently disbanded 158961 was the third unit to carry that number, the first two were operated by Wessex Trains. The first one was formed of both vehicles from 158746 and 52745 from 158745, this formation was a temporary 3-car formation from approx. November 2004 until early 2005 due to 57745 being out of service having collision damage repairs carried out. The second unit to carry this number was formed of both vehicles from 158867 and 52868 from 158868, this formation was in service from approx April 2005 until December 2006 when it was disbanded, by this time operated by First Great Western. The most recent formation was formed of both vehicles from 158767 and 52749 from 158749 from late 2011 until being disbanded recently.

I wonder why they never used any of the numbers between 158911 and 158949 for these hybrids? They always seem to be in the 15895x, 96x or 97x series.

 

[anamyd]

I wonder why they never used any of the numbers between 158911 and 158949 for these hybrids? They always seem to be in the 15895x, 96x or 97x series.

I'm guessing to seperate the hybrids from the "actual" 158/9s...?

 

[atwales]

So, to summarise once more. GWR Class 158 fleet is as follows..?

3-car formations:
158798 (52798/57798+58715)
158950 (52761/57761+57751)
158951 (52764/57764+52751)
158956 (52768/57768+57748)
158957 (52771/57771+52748)
158958 (52776/57776+57746)
158959 (52778/57778+52746)

2-car formations
158745 (52745+57745)
158747 (52747+57747)
158749 (52749+57749)
158750 (52750+57750)
158760 (52760+57760)
158762 (52762+57762)
158763 (52763+57763)
158765 (52765+57765)
158766 (52766+57766)
158767 (52767+57767)
158769 (52769+57769)

*Vehicles not necessarily in the correct order*

 

[1D53]

158798 is 52798/58715/57798.

 

[atwales]

None of them are necessarily in the correct vehicle order. I just laid it out like that so it was easy to the original 158 and the 3rd additional vehicle.

 

[anamyd]

So, to summarise once more. GWR Class 158 fleet is as follows..?

3-car formations:
158798 (52798/57798+58715)
158950 (52761/57761+57751)
158951 (52764/57764+52751)
158956 (52768/57768+57748)
158957 (52771/57771+52748)
158958 (52776/57776+57746)
158959 (52778/57778+52746)

2-car formations
158745 (52745+57745)
158747 (52747+57747)
158749 (52749+57749)
158750 (52750+57750)
158760 (52760+57760)
158762 (52762+57762)
158763 (52763+57763)
158765 (52765+57765)
158766 (52766+57766)
158767 (52767+57767)
158769 (52769+57769)

*Vehicles not necessarily in the correct order*

If they don't plan on "de-hybridising" any more sets, I'd like to see the four ex-InterCity/Virgin XC vehicles still in 158950/951/956/957 (57751/52751/57748/52748) to be swapped with four non-significant vehicles (that currently form two non-significant 2-car units, as in outside the 158747-751 range), so that all five "158747-751" units would then be reformed to their original 2-car formation, rather than three of them at present.

I wonder if any of the fleet team even know...? Would be nice to see though. I might even contact GWR about it, or if anyone from the fleet team is reading this please let me know.


I saw 158750 with 150001 on the back at Cardiff Central on the 18/1/20 (departing at 0828 - anyone know what service that was...?) - what a combo of significant units!

 

[greatvoyager]

So, to summarise once more. GWR Class 158 fleet is as follows..?

3-car formations:
158798 (52798/57798+58715)
158950 (52761/57761+57751)
158951 (52764/57764+52751)
158956 (52768/57768+57748)
158957 (52771/57771+52748)
158958 (52776/57776+57746)
158959 (52778/57778+52746)

2-car formations
158745 (52745+57745)
158747 (52747+57747)
158749 (52749+57749)
158750 (52750+57750)
158760 (52760+57760)
158762 (52762+57762)
158763 (52763+57763)
158765 (52765+57765)
158766 (52766+57766)
158767 (52767+57767)
158769 (52769+57769)

*Vehicles not necessarily in the correct order*

Thanks for the update.

 

[ValleyLines142]

If they don't plan on "de-hybridising" any more sets, I'd like to see the four ex-InterCity/Virgin XC vehicles still in 158950/951/956/957 (57751/52751/57748/52748) to be swapped with four non-significant vehicles (that currently form two non-significant 2-car units, as in outside the 158747-751 range), so that all five "158747-751" units would then be reformed to their original 2-car formation, rather than three of them at present.

I wonder if any of the fleet team even know...? Would be nice to see though. I might even contact GWR about it, or if anyone from the fleet team is reading this please let me know.


I saw 158750 with 150001 on the back at Cardiff Central on the 18/1/20 (departing at 0828 - anyone know what service that was...?) - what a combo of significant units!

Portsmouth Harbour service.

 

[greatvoyager]

If they don't plan on "de-hybridising" any more sets, I'd like to see the four ex-InterCity/Virgin XC vehicles still in 158950/951/956/957 (57751/52751/57748/52748) to be swapped with four non-significant vehicles (that currently form two non-significant 2-car units, as in outside the 158747-751 range), so that all five "158747-751" units would then be reformed to their original 2-car formation, rather than three of them at present.

I wonder if any of the fleet team even know...? Would be nice to see though. I might even contact GWR about it, or if anyone from the fleet team is reading this please let me know.


I saw 158750 with 150001 on the back at Cardiff Central on the 18/1/20 (departing at 0828 - anyone know what service that was...?) - what a combo of significant units!

I wonder how they chose which units were split in the first place back in 2007/2008 when they were originally formed.

 

[TJDevon]

I should be grateful if someone could confirm that the list posted 26 Jan (#80) is still correct. The reason for asking is that Colin Marsden's 2020 Rail Guide shows 158950 and 158951 as having being disbanded and converted back to 2 car units. Many thanks.

 

[PHILIPE]

I should be grateful if someone could confirm that the list posted 26 Jan (#80) is still correct. The reason for asking is that Colin Marsden's 2020 Rail Guide shows 158950 and 158951 as having being disbanded and converted back to 2 car units. Many thanks.

158950 and 158951 are 3 Cars. They were planned to be reformed at the start of the process but plans changed.

 

[Mitchell Hurd]

So, to summarise once more. GWR Class 158 fleet is as follows..?

3-car formations:
158798 (52798/57798+58715)
158950 (52761/57761+57751)
158951 (52764/57764+52751)
158956 (52768/57768+57748)
158957 (52771/57771+52748)
158958 (52776/57776+57746)
158959 (52778/57778+52746)

2-car formations
158745 (52745+57745)
158747 (52747+57747)
158749 (52749+57749)
158750 (52750+57750)
158760 (52760+57760)
158762 (52762+57762)
158763 (52763+57763)
158765 (52765+57765)
158766 (52766+57766)
158767 (52767+57767)
158769 (52769+57769)

*Vehicles not necessarily in the correct order*

18 158's??? I thought it was 15 of these 90mph trains they had. Brilliant ! I presume the 3-car ones are all on the Barnstaple lines unless a 2-car su substitutes?

 

[PHILIPE]

18 158's??? I thought it was 15 of these 90mph trains they had. Brilliant ! I presume the 3-car ones are all on the Barnstaple lines unless a 2-car su substitutes?

There are 7 x 3 Car and 11 x 2 Car. 3 x 3 Car are used on Barnstaples and 3 on other work such as Brightons although Turbos are in the process of taking over there having been cleared. They also have work between Cardiff and Taunton. At the moment it is difficult to confirm this from the May Timetable due COVID alterations..