Most variety of units in regular use on a branch line.

[56xx]

Travelling on the TfW Rhymney - Penarth line today I rode on 150 269 / 150 270 on loan from Northern and 769 445 return. Passed 3 new 231s one in service and 2 in training a few other 769s and a 153 pair.

Wondering if any other similar line has such a variety of units in regular service at present

 

[Western 52]

Pembroke Dock, whilst worked mainly by 150 and 153, also sees 158 and 175. If GWR reinstate their summer services, 800 and 802 as well.

 

[JD2168]

The line between Sheffield & Barnsley can have 150 both 2 & 3 car, 158 & 195 on this section.

 

[Bevan Price]

The line between Sheffield & Barnsley can have 150 both 2 & 3 car, 158 & 195 on this section.

The Liverpool - Runcorn - Chester service has been getting Class 197, 175, 158, 153 or 150.
(Although some may consider that Halton Junction to Frodsham Junction is the only part that is a "branch".)

In addition, 350 and 390 work between Liverpool & Runcorn (and south thereof)

 

[RPI]

The Paignton branch in the early 2010's had 142, 143, 150, 153, 158, 220, 221 (and HST but not a unit)

 

[Mat17]

Sheffield - Doncaster

150, 158, 170, 185, (195 rare) + occasional Cross Country

 

[Speed43125]

Travelling on the TfW Rhymney - Penarth line today I rode on 150 269 / 150 270 on loan from Northern and 769 445 return. Passed 3 new 231s one in service and 2 in training a few other 769s and a 153 pair.

Wondering if any other similar line has such a variety of units in regular service at present

Given the units suggested are transitional and won't co-exist long term, can I maybe suggest the Alloa branch immediately post EGIP - 156,158 and 170 alongside 365s, 385s and (rare) 380s.

 

[WillPS]

The line between Sheffield & Barnsley can have 150 both 2 & 3 car, 158 & 195 on this section.

Do 155s ever make it to Sheffield nowadays? I even saw one on the Nottingham service back in the day, can't remember if it was swapped out at Sheffield tho.

 

[roadierway77]

The Inverclyde line (Glasgow Central - Gourock and Wemyss Bay) regularly sees four types of stock - 318, 320, 380 and 385. There may even have been a period in 2019 which saw 314s added to that mix as well.

 

[Mat17]

Do 155s ever make it to Sheffield nowadays? I even saw one on the Nottingham service back in the day, can't remember if it was swapped out at Sheffield tho.

In short, no. I don't think I've seen a 155 in Sheffield since the 80s, maybe the early 90s at a push. I think when they went for 153 conversion that was about it. I'm not sure many of the WY would have made it that way.

 

[D6130]

In short, no. I don't think I've seen a 155 in Sheffield since the 80s, maybe the early 90s at a push. I think when they went for 153 conversion that was about it. I'm not sure many of the WY would have made it that way.

I've seen a 155 on a York-Sheffield via Pontefract service within the last few months, but unfortunately I didn't record the date or unit number.

 

[Mat17]

I've seen a 155 on a York-Sheffield via Pontefract service within the last few months, but unfortunately I didn't record the date or unit number.

I thought only Sheffield crews signed that route? If so that would be bizarre because I don't think Sheffield crews sign 155s. I could be wrong though.

 

[nw1]

Going back a bit but at one time the Alton branch would have seen CIGs, VEPs, HAPs and EPBs.

In 1982 the humble Chessington South branch had quite a collection of types, as SUBs and 508s overlapped for a bit - and some non-suburban units found their way down there on a couple of journeys.

Featured were: EPBs (2 and 4-car varieties), 508s, SUBs, a VEP and a CIG.

 

[Western 52]

During the 1980s the various branches making up the Cardiff Valley lines had a variety of DMU classes alongside the incumbent 116s. Vehicles from classes 101, 108, 110, 117, 118, 119, 120 and 121 were used, sometimes in very mixed formations. Later in the decade classes 143 and 150 arrived. Many of the older units worked alongside the new units for a year or more.

 

[nw1]

During the 1980s the various branches making up the Cardiff Valley lines had a variety of DMU classes alongside the incumbent 116s. Vehicles from classes 101, 108, 110, 117, 118, 119, 120 and 121 were used, sometimes in very mixed formations. Later in the decade classes 143 and 150 arrived. Many of the older units worked alongside the new units for a year or more.

That reminds me, not sure if it counts as a branch, but what about LTS? It's come up before I think but ISTR there was a brief period (probably mid-90s) when it had 302s, 310s, 312s and 317s.

The Inverclyde line (Glasgow Central - Gourock and Wemyss Bay) regularly sees four types of stock - 318, 320, 380 and 385. There may even have been a period in 2019 which saw 314s added to that mix as well.

Not my patch by any means, but I believe 303s, 314s, 318s and 320s coexisted for a while. Would any of the branches featured all four types? Or how about 314s, 318s, 320s and 334s?

 

[Mat17]

If you want to go back to the 1980s, then most routes out of Manchester were a ramshackle of first gen units of all types.

100, 101, 104, 105, 108, 110, 303, 304, 305.

 

[Anonymous10]

Pembroke Dock, whilst worked mainly by 150 and 153, also sees 158 and 175. If GWR reinstate their summer services, 800 and 802 as well.

gwr are supposed to be this summer i believe, also paington branch 150 158 165 166 and 80x

 

[Iskra]

In short, no. I don't think I've seen a 155 in Sheffield since the 80s, maybe the early 90s at a push. I think when they went for 153 conversion that was about it. I'm not sure many of the WY would have made it that way.

I’m pretty sure I’ve seen at least one fly through Chapeltown on a semi-fast service over the last few years, deputising for a 158. I remember thinking it was rare at the time.

The Paignton branch in the early 2010's had 142, 143, 150, 153, 158, 220, 221 (and HST but not a unit)

Sheffield - Doncaster

150, 158, 170, 185, (195 rare) + occasional Cross Country

These seem to be stretching the definition of branchline a little. They have regular intercity services. If they had a once/twice a day IC service then fair enough, but not when there’s a reasonable frequency provided.

 

[Mat17]

I’m pretty sure I’ve seen at least one fly through Chapeltown on a semi-fast service over the last few years, deputising for a 158. I remember thinking it was rare at the time.

I've been looking at the Driver/Guard depot cards which are pinned on the jobs section of this site. If these are indeed accurate, then a 155 on that service would be very rare indeed as it would have been worked by Leeds crews. Sheffield don't sign 155s.

 

[HamworthyGoods]

Pembroke Dock, whilst worked mainly by 150 and 153, also sees 158 and 175. If GWR reinstate their summer services, 800 and 802 as well.

Swansea GWR crew are currently refreshing the branch ready for the summer Saturday services.

 

[Western 52]

Swansea GWR crew are currently refreshing the branch ready for the summer Saturday services.

That's good news!

 

[Intercity110]

the north wales coast line has classes 196(?) 158 153(?) and class 221 (and soon it'll have 805/7s) i believe (feel free to correct me)

 

[Kieran1990]

The Harrogate loop must be up there 150, 155, 158, 170, 800 and 801 (coupled to a 5 care 800)
Few years back could add 142 & 144 into that as well

 

[AgeoftheTrain7]

the north wales coast line has classes 196(?) 158 153(?) and class 221 (and soon it'll have 805/7s) i believe (feel free to correct me)

Yes, the North Wales Coast is quite varied!

Normally: 150 (TfW) / 153 (TfW) / 158 (TfW) / 175 (TfW) / 197 (TfW) / Class 67+Mk4 (TfW) / Class 221 (Avanti) / Future Class 805 (Avanti)

 

[johnnychips]

These seem to be stretching the definition of branchline a little. They have regular intercity services. If they had a once/twice a day IC service then fair enough, but not when there’s a reasonable frequency provided.

Doncaster to Sheffield did used to have a regular XC inter-city service. Now it’s about three a day.

 

[Iskra]

Doncaster to Sheffield did used to have a regular XC inter-city service. Now it’s about three a day.

Fair point, but it’s still part of the XC core and the fastest route between Sheffield and York.

 

[RPI]

I’m pretty sure I’ve seen at least one fly through Chapeltown on a semi-fast service over the last few years, deputising for a 158. I remember thinking it was rare at the time.



These seem to be stretching the definition of branchline a little. They have regular intercity services. If they had a once/twice a day IC service then fair enough, but not when there’s a reasonable frequency provided.

Depends what you mean by "regular" IC services, Paignton 3 or 4 Paddington trains a day but all are stoppers to Paddington

 

[Jez]

Maesteg branch line currently see's mostly 170s but also have booked workings for 175, 150 and 153s. A 158 might also go there but unsure if booked.

 

[william.martin]

At the moment the line from Shrewsbury to Cardiff as you are getting; 67+MK4, 150, 153, 158, and 175 just on the Manchester Piccadilly to South Wales services.

 

[TreacleMiller]

These seem to be stretching the definition of branchline a little. They have regular intercity services. If they had a once/twice a day IC service then fair enough, but not when there’s a reasonable frequency provided.

What definition? It's a branch line linking the ECML and Wakefield lines. Even the Leeds - Doncaster EC is a branch and is denoted as such.

You'll get the sprinter families, everything ran by XC, new CAF units, various freight etc. Desiros from TPE are meant to be but obviously that's a rare sight now!