where are these 442's going?

[Humberside]

Apparently this is somewhat up in the air again.
The changes were proposed on the basis that Reading to Gatwick would go 2tph but it is apparent that FGW cant resource the existing service on the North Downs Line let alone extend the stoppers to gatwick.
FGW have bid for their existing slots in the December 2007 recast coastway timetable.

Why would increased Reading-Gatwick services impact on Brighton-Cardiff - if Redaing-Gatwick was extended to Brighton I could perhaps understand it, as passengers from Brighton would only have to change at Reading to get to Bristol/Cardiff, and could avoid London. But even then what about passengers from Worthing and Chichester? Hope FGW keep their Brighton services

Good that Virgin wish to retain Brighton services in their bid as well

 

[Tom]

Southern's increased frequency on the West Coastway theoretically should negate the need for SW or FGW services as most SW/FGW services are now 2 car 158/170, and FGW with their 2/3 car 158s, whereas the Lecciestars are generally 4 car.

 

[Humberside]

But I imagine the FGW service in particular are used by more than just local passengers. Don't the DfT realise this?

Also do SWT ever send an EMU to Brighton on the Basingstoke services?

 

[matt]

"Ilfracombe" on railchat has reported that the 442s at Eastleigh have been moved to the gate possibly ready for departure

 

[Tom]

But I imagine the FGW service in particular are used by more than just local passengers. Don't the DfT realise this?

Also do SWT ever send an EMU to Brighton on the Basingstoke services?

3 450s are booked to go to Brighton per day.

 

[paul1609]

But I imagine the FGW service in particular are used by more than just local passengers. Don't the DfT realise this?

Also do SWT ever send an EMU to Brighton on the Basingstoke services?

In theory the Brighton to Cardiff service is a good idea.
In practise the reality is that you get a FGW 158 that is often overcrowded before leaving Brighton.
Invariably it will have not been cleaned for many days. The airconditioning wont be working, at least one of the toilets will be out of order and the promised catering wont turn up so you will have nothing to drink for 4 hours.

The service stops at places in Hampshire and Wiltshire that dont even have a lamppost and has a pathing allowance in the Southampton Area that means you can spend 15 mins admiring northam depot from a siding.

Thats a good day, on a bad day its a 150 but at least more of the windows open.

The good news is that the first leisure fares are now the same price changing at gatwick and reading.

 

[class 313]

In practise the reality is that you get a FGW 158 that is often overcrowded before leaving Brighton.
Invariably it will have not been cleaned for many days. The airconditioning wont be working, at least one of the toilets will be out of order and the promised catering wont turn up so you will have nothing to drink for 4 hours.

The service stops at places in Hampshire and Wiltshire that dont even have a lamppost and has a pathing allowance in the Southampton Area that means you can spend 15 mins admiring northam depot from a siding.

Thats a good day, on a bad day its a 150 but at least more of the windows open.

I found that rather funny!

 

[TheSlash]

It's better to laugh at him than take him seriously. The words you are looking for are mid-life crisis