Great Western Coffee Shop

Today 27/11, the 3 car 158 (798) has failed and is replaced by  a 2 car classmate, so:
0730 CDF-PMH 1049
1122 PMH-CDF 1449
1530 CDF-PMH 1847
1922 PMH-CDF 2251

I usually see 158798 during my lunchbreak and saw it was replaced by a ex-Wessex two car 158. I wondered if it was faulty or had finally made the journey to Doncaster for refurb. My gosh this only FGW three car 158 is going to be missed whilst its away for refurb. Why o why couldn't FGW have had more than 1 three car 158 from the ex-TPX fleet????

Because only a small percentage of people in this part of the country vote Labour.

sad but very probably true.

The whole of Cornwall is Lib Dem.

This is why they should abolish the franchise system and either sell the railway, trains and services to one company (preferably Virgin or Deutsche Bahn) and subsidise unprofitable services in the same way as buses. Alternatively have it all ran by a not for profit company like Network Rail. Renationalisation isn't the answer as it will just exacerbate issues such as the allocation of rolling stock.

Interesting that Wales is heavily Labour (albeit with a coalition with Plaid Cymru in the National Assembly).   The Assembly's rail policies - along with the inactive Passenger Bogus - don 't seem ever to look at this route though.

thing is, rail travel is HEAVILY relied on in wales (its the only reasonable way to get north > south without leaving wales), so if they dont get it right, there would undoubtedly be a huge public backlash

Today two 158s operated this diagram, an ex-Wessex and a ex-TPX so plenty of room for everyone. FGW won't be able to do this come December TT change when they lose those 10, 12 or is it 14 158s? Depends where and what you read as to how many are going!

Two have already gone.

The majority verdict appears to be 10. By the way , good to see you , Steve. How are you and where have you been?

Another 2 departed today. Hello Lee, I've been keeping an eye on this forum from time to time. Had a very busy few months at work. The 158s that have left so far are 158815, 158855, 158871 and 158872.