Mostly on excursions from South London stations not regular trains (though of course SR semi-fasts were 50% non-lavatory through till the VEPs came.Believe that slam door EMUs with no toilets also did that run back in the 1960s on summer Saturdays.
In the early FGW days the Bristol TM to Weston-Super-Mare stoppers were normally operated by 143 or 150s, but there was a short period where they ran some mk2s top-and-tailed by Class 67s. After my first journey on this set, I set in some feedback saying how lovely it was to travel on a comfortable, quiet and spacious service when the usual provision was none of these. FGW's response was to appologise and assure me that it was only a short term measure (while work was being done?) and promised things would be back to normal as soon as possible. Unfortunately this was a promise they kept.
Did 2 and 4 car 158s not used to run on the E-G on a half hourly frequency? Compared with 8-car 385s every 15 minutes now.
It does actually!I know it has been a very recent change, but it idea of any diesel unit on E-G seems like a lifetime ago!
Until December 800s ran some Reading - Newbury stoppers, calling all stations (think some still run (virus aside), but continue to Paddington, so less surprising).
A few years ago 150001 and 150002 ran the Reading to Basingstoke stoppers. The route they served was suited to them, but it was surprising because they were the only ones within about 30 miles, and all other similar routes out of Reading were turbos. I assume it must have been because of a shortage of turbos
One of the most annoying events, and indeed it was just a few years ago, just having missed the previous service, was waiting at Queen Street for the 1830 to Edinburgh, first train after the peak it turned out on which off-peak tickets were valid. Rolled in as a 6-car 170, whereupon we all waited while three cars were detached and sent off to Cowlairs sidings for the night, the remaining shortened formation setting off with more standing than seated.I know it has been a very recent change, but it idea of any diesel unit on E-G seems like a lifetime ago!
There has been numerous occasions where a 455 has been down to Brighton, in January 2017 during the strikes four went down as extras. There was also an occasion in 2013 I think where due to a shortage of 377's two 456's and a 455 ran down to Brighton.Didnt a 455 once operate to Brighton? That would not be a good journey!
Also the LNWR Euston to Liverpool via Northampton and Birmingham can sometimes be a 350/2. Anyone who actually decides to take the full journey would be in for quite an uncomfortable and long journey.
A 141 and a 142 visited Inverness depot for work, not in passenger service thankfully!What was the story of a pacer making it to Inverness? Was this in service or just as a trial run?
Another mention for the thread I can think of is 150001 working up to Oban (and Mallaig?). What a torturous few hours that must've been compared to a rake of Mk1s.
There has been numerous occasions where a 455 has been down to Brighton, in January 2017 during the strikes four went down as extras. There was also an occasion in 2013 I think where due to a shortage of 377's two 456's and a 455 ran down to Brighton.
I'd personally love to have a 455 on a Brighton service.
Has an SWR 455 run in service anywhere further than Guildford or Haslemere?
156s also. 2 coach 75mph sprinters doing a journey of 60 minutes between 2 major cities on a half hourly frequency; replaced over time by a journey of double the frequency that's now served by 8 coaches and can be done in 40 minutes.Did 2 and 4 car 158s not used to run on the E-G on a half hourly frequency? Compared with 8-car 385s every 15 minutes now.
The 'Nightrider' set (remember that, with the blue lighting and video screens?) was known to deputise for the Royal Scot set if there was a problem with it - e.g. defective coach being substituted or repaired at Polmadie. The Nightrider could pop down to Ayr ECS after arrival in Glasgow from London. I was a Resources Manager in Glasgow at the time and we were rarely short of 318s. There were some 6-car diagrams that could be dropped to 3-car if need be.Back in June 1987 I was travelling around southern Scotland when I fell onto 81022 with a set of early Mk2s working a morning peak service from Ayr to Glasgow Central which I assume was in place of 318s, it definitely wasn't the Royal Scot working which in those days ran there.
The 'Nightrider' set (remember that, with the blue lighting and video screens?) was known to deputise for the Royal Scot set if there was a problem with it - e.g. defective coach being substituted or repaired at Polmadie. The Nightrider could pop down to Ayr ECS after arrival in Glasgow from London. I was a Resources Manager in Glasgow at the time and we were rarely short of 318s. There were some 6-car diagrams that could be dropped to 3-car if need be.
Sounds like very much a 'one off'. The only 'systemic' problem with the Class 318s that I can recall was with icing up in the first severe winter (not in June, obviously!) and having Class 303s down to Ayr was very rare. I don't think that Ayr drivers signed them.The coach I travelled in on that train was definitely a regular Mk2a with second-class seating. The departure time from Ayr was around 0800-0830 and there were a number of 'normal' commuters on it going into Glasgow. Also earlier that week I'd been at GLC when a six-car 303 set was announced as going to Ayr in the evening peak so I jumped on it only for it to be subbed for 318s at the last minute involving everyone having to make a dash! Threfore maybe there were some issues with 318s that week?
On point 3 they run them from Hull on more than one occasionSummer Saturdays early 90s saw
1. Class 47 network southeast livery loco and a mixture off ex mk2 and mk1 chiltern lines and Thames livery coaching stock liverpool Lime st to great yarmouth holiday maker special
2. Other direction great yarmouth to liverpool Lime Street Saturday holiday maker special was class 31 x2 and the Anglia intercity livery mk2 and dvt set.
3. Also on Saturdays was a afternoon 2 car 142 from stalybridge to holyhead always full from Manchester Victoria
I seem to remember an early edition of Rail -or Rail Enthusiast as it was then- doing a spoof about a Pacer being operated from Waterloo to Paris!