GwR HSTs to be stood down

[stuu]

[pedantic mode]
They are timed at 110mph on lines that do have a line speed of 110mph (or more), and yes, that includes part of the main line between Bristol Temple Meads and Penzance. Although I don’t know how fast drivers are permitted to drive them at.

For the record:

• South Liberty (near Parson Street station) to Uphill Junction (near Weston-super-Mare) is all 100mph.
• Uphill Junction to Huntspill (near Highbridge & Burnham station) is all 110mph.
• Huntspill to Cowley Bridge Junction (near Exeter St. Davids station) is all 100mph.

I wondered about that between Weston and Highbridge. According to my phone GPS, it got to about 106mph before having to slow down for Highbridge

 

[Annetts key]

Going in and out of Weston does consume rather a lot of time. The single lead junctions at Worle and at Uphill don’t help. And neither does the two single line sections either side of Weston between those junctions.

There were ‘discussions’ some time ago to think about providing flashing aspects on approach to Worle junction and Uphill junction. But so far, nothing has come from them. A bit like no money being available to double the single line sections I mention above.

 

[Bessie]

Now the Class 769 program on GWR is being binned will this lead to a stay of execution for some Castle HSTs as the 165/6 cascade west can’t now happen.

 

[43096]

Now the Class 769 program on GWR is being binned will this lead to a stay of execution for some Castle HSTs as the 165/6 cascade west can’t now happen.

No, because HST replacement is primarily enabled by re-diagramming of Class 80x units.

 

[Xavi]

Now the Class 769 program on GWR is being binned will this lead to a stay of execution for some Castle HSTs as the 165/6 cascade west can’t now happen.

No. 5-car IETs are replacing the Castles.

 

[fgwrich]

No. 5-car IETs are replacing the Castles.

Well, in theory at least. I note that at least 2 diagrams, changed over to IETs last week, ended up being operated by HSTs again for part of this week.

Obviously that will change over the coming months though.

 

[twitch7443]

2C81 1500 Cardiff Central to Taunton seems to have been allocated 802015, and the 1600 (2C83) 800013. There are still services that have been allocated castle sets so it'll be interesting to see if these two will actually be the 80x.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

2C81 1500 Cardiff Central to Taunton seems to have been allocated 802015, and the 1600 (2C83) 800013. There are still services that have been allocated castle sets so it'll be interesting to see if these two will actually be the 80x.

I believe the 800 will be swapped at Bristol.

 

[Choo choo 66]

Does anybody know the power cars that have been withdrawn/won’t be ran again?

 

[irish_rail]

Does anybody know the power cars that have been withdrawn/won’t be ran again?

Can't answer that but if I was a betting man I'd say 43005, 43041 , 43154 all are contenders. 005 and 041 seemed to be very regular performers as 2+4s so I'd guess they also have very high hours.

 

[43096]

Can't answer that but if I was a betting man I'd say 43005, 43041 , 43154 all are contenders. 005 and 041 seemed to be very regular performers as 2+4s so I'd guess they also have very high hours.

43005 is due F exam soon and in any case is stopped with fire damage.
43041 is due F exam and engine change: don’t expect it to work again.
43154 is back in traffic after an E exam.

 

[adc82140]

Are the power cars and carriages specced exactly the same as the Scotrail ones? Could we see some better examples of both heading north to replace some of their poorer ones?

 

[150249]

43005 is due F exam soon and in any case is stopped with fire damage.
43041 is due F exam and engine change: don’t expect it to work again.
43154 is back in traffic after an E exam.

005 and 041 was the second set repainted wasn't it?

 

[Wilts Wanderer]

Are the power cars and carriages specced exactly the same as the Scotrail ones? Could we see some better examples of both heading north to replace some of their poorer ones?

I was also wondering this about the power cars - anecdotally the GWR examples were generally in better condition than the Scotrail examples, due mostly to the fact that Scotrail received the early withdrawals from GWR frontline intercity duty, and naturally GWR kept their most reliable power cars in service as long as possible.

 

[fgwrich]

I was also wondering this about the power cars - anecdotally the GWR examples were generally in better condition than the Scotrail examples, due mostly to the fact that Scotrail received the early withdrawals from GWR frontline intercity duty, and naturally GWR kept their most reliable power cars in service as long as possible.

You say that, but several of GWRs power cars are, externally, in quite a state with lumps of filler or metal hanging off. You also have to remember that Angel concentrated the majority of the landore based GEC traction motored fleet on ScotRail, whereas I believe GWR has retained the Brush motored examples. @43096 will be able to correct me on that.

 

[43096]

You say that, but several of GWRs power cars are, externally, in quite a state with lumps of filler or metal hanging off. You also have to remember that Angel concentrated the majority of the landore based GEC traction motored fleet on ScotRail, whereas I believe GWR has retained the Brush motored examples. @43096 will be able to correct me on that.

No correction needed! All the GEC motored power cars went to ScotRail.

 

[davetheguard]

Is there a list of the Castle's names available anywhere online? Thanks in advance.

 

[43096]

I was also wondering this about the power cars - anecdotally the GWR examples were generally in better condition than the Scotrail examples, due mostly to the fact that Scotrail received the early withdrawals from GWR frontline intercity duty, and naturally GWR kept their most reliable power cars in service as long as possible.

Remember that the ScotRail fleet all went through Brush for heavy bodywork repair, including cabs off for re-conditioning. The GWR repaints weren’t to the same standard (ie throw green paint at them), as @fgwrich has alluded to above.

 

[swt_passenger]

Is there a list of the Castle's names available anywhere online? Thanks in advance.

Does this look right?

GWR Castles

www.lococarriage.org.uk

 

[hexagon789]

Is there a list of the Castle's names available anywhere online? Thanks in advance.

43004 Caerphilly Castle
43005 St Michael's Mount
43009 Nunney Castle
43010 Lydford Castle
43016 Powderham Castle
43022 Nether Stowey Castle
43027 Acton Castle
43029 Caldicot Castle
43040 Berry Pomeroy Castle
43041 St Catherine's Castle
43042 Tregenna Castle
43088 Dartmouth Castle
43092 Cromwell's Castle
43093 Berkeley Castle
43094 St Mawes Castle
43097 Castle Drogo
43098 Walton Castle
43122 Dunster Castle
43153 Chûn Castle
43154 Compton Castle
43155 Rougemont Castle
43156 Maen Castle
43158 Kingswear Castle
43160 Castle-an-Dinas
43162 Caerhays Castle
43170 Chepstow Castle
43171 Raglan Castle
43172 Tiverton Castle
43186 Taunton Castle
43187 Cardiff Castle
Y Cymro The Welshman
43188 Newport Castle
Y Cymro The Welshman/Geraint Thomas
43189 Launceston Castle
43192 Trematon Castle
43194 Okehampton Castle
43198 Driver Brian Cooper 15 June 1947 - 5 October 1999
Driver Stan Martin 25 June 1960 - 6 November 2004

 

[davetheguard]

Does this look right?

Thank you kindly!

43004 Caerphilly Castle
43005 St Michael's Mount
43009 Nunney Castle
43010 Lydford Castle
43016 Powderham Castle
43022 Nether Stowey Castle
43027 Acton Castle
43029 Caldicot Castle
43040 Berry Pomeroy Castle
43041 St Catherine's Castle
43042 Tregenna Castle
43088 Dartmouth Castle
43092 Cromwell's Castle
43093 Berkeley Castle
43094 St Mawes Castle
43097 Castle Drogo
43098 Walton Castle
43122 Dunster Castle
43153 Chûn Castle
43154 Compton Castle
43155 Rougemont Castle
43156 Maen Castle
43158 Kingswear Castle
43160 Castle-an-Dinas
43162 Caerhays Castle
43170 Chepstow Castle
43171 Raglan Castle
43172 Tiverton Castle
43186 Taunton Castle
43187 Cardiff Castle
Y Cymro The Welshman
43188 Newport Castle
Y Cymro The Welshman/Geraint Thomas
43189 Launceston Castle
43192 Trematon Castle
43194 Okehampton Castle
43198 Driver Brian Cooper 15 June 1947 - 5 October 1999
Driver Stan Martin 25 June 1960 - 6 November 2004

Thanks hexagon789.

There's a nice challenge for someone out there: visit all the castles on a rover ticket. Although some might be a bit difficult by train these days even with the help of connecting buses. At least Okehampton Castle is easier than it was...

Isn't Tregenna Castle the ex GWR hotel in St. Ives?

 

[Bill57p9]

The biggest issue with first class, is that it means that the first class area will be just carting ‘fresh’ air around. While GWR mix and match between 2+4 Castle Class HST (only standard class available) and five car 80X IETs, they can’t really sell first class tickets.

It also means, like last week on one I traveled on, it’s a longer walk to board the train at Bristol, because first class happened to be at the London end. So all the passengers had to walk past it to board the standard class section. This was 2C07 before the timetable change.

If the train isn't advertised as offering first class - which they won't be while mixed stock is in use - then first class is declassified.
Not that IET first class is particularly special, but still beats standard on the same ticket.

 

[hexagon789]

Isn't Tregenna Castle the ex GWR hotel in St. Ives?

Yes, though it was originally a stately home designed as a castle.

 

[150249]

Thank you kindly!



Thanks hexagon789.

There's a nice challenge for someone out there: visit all the castles on a rover ticket. Although some might be a bit difficult by train these days even with the help of connecting buses. At least Okehampton Castle is easier than it was...

Isn't Tregenna Castle the ex GWR hotel in St. Ives?

Bonus points for catching the power car with the right nameplate on the way

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

If the train isn't advertised as offering first class - which they won't be while mixed stock is in use - then first class is declassified.
Not that IET first class is particularly special, but still beats standard on the same ticket.

They are.

 

[RPI]

If the train isn't advertised as offering first class - which they won't be while mixed stock is in use - then first class is declassified.
Not that IET first class is particularly special, but still beats standard on the same ticket.

They are advertised as having first class, is more likely to be the opposite at the moment, advertised as having first class but none available when covered by an HST.

 

[scotraildriver]

I was also wondering this about the power cars - anecdotally the GWR examples were generally in better condition than the Scotrail examples, due mostly to the fact that Scotrail received the early withdrawals from GWR frontline intercity duty, and naturally GWR kept their most reliable power cars in service as long as possible.

All of our power cars have had alot of work done, including internal repaints, new seats, windscreens, cab door locks and various other things and are in infinitely better condition than when they first arrived. I don't think we've any particularly bad ones, they all seem much of a muchness with the possible exception of 164 which seems a bit fickle and temperamental.

 

[fgwrich]

All of our power cars have had alot of work done, including internal repaints, new seats, windscreens, cab door locks and various other things and are in infinitely better condition than when they first arrived. I don't think we've any particularly bad ones, they all seem much of a muchness with the possible exception of 164 which seems a bit fickle and temperamental.

I don't know what it is about 164 - it always seems to be a bit of a fickle one that one. As it decided to prove itself to me, travelling south from Aviemore back in August, where it left 152 to do all the pushing and promptly gave up with very low power at Perth. I tried to assist with the fault finding at Kingussie but it was more a job for Haymarket I think! I'm almost surprised it hasn't been replaced really (shame as 165 was always a strong performer but now languishes in Ely).

 

[irish_rail]

43005 is due F exam soon and in any case is stopped with fire damage.
43041 is due F exam and engine change: don’t expect it to work again.
43154 is back in traffic after an E exam.

Thank you

I don't know what it is about 164 - it always seems to be a bit of a fickle one that one. As it decided to prove itself to me, travelling south from Aviemore back in August, where it left 152 to do all the pushing and promptly gave up with very low power at Perth. I tried to assist with the fault finding at Kingussie but it was more a job for Haymarket I think! I'm almost surprised it hasn't been replaced really (shame as 165 was always a strong performer but now languishes in Ely).

Remember that one caught fire at Exeter in 2017 i think? Maybe did some lasting damage!

 

[IanXC]

If the train isn't advertised as offering first class - which they won't be while mixed stock is in use - then first class is declassified.
Not that IET first class is particularly special, but still beats standard on the same ticket.

No longer correct I'm afraid. National Rail Conditions of Travel say:

15. Using First Class Accommodation 15.1 Some train services include first class accommodation. Where first class accommodation is available, the relevant seats and area(s) of the train will be clearly marked. Unless Train Company staff, or notices on the train give you specific permission, you cannot travel in first class accommodation (including standing in corridors or passageways) with a standard class Ticket. This applies even if there are no vacant seats in standard class.

https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/national%20rail%20conditions%20of%20travel.pdf

Whereas previously it referenced what accommodation the timetable listed.