Great Western Coffee Shop

So, with the new Southern timetable coming into effect today (well, yesterday technically) FGW's BTN-CDF route is now being routed north from Temple Meads to Great Malvern, and leaves Brighton today at 9:00.

I'm going to be using this a few times in the coming weeks so if anyone uses it today (or soon) could they let me know if there are any differences to the BTN-CDF train, in that I fully expect a hideously overcrowded two-car 158 like before, or will there be any improvements? (4-coach trains, newer/refurbed stock etc.)

You will start to see refreshed DMU's over the next couple of months but may be stuck with a 150 instead of a 158 at times.

I would be very disappointed if you saw a 150 too often for such a long journey ... but I doubt whether you'll see anything longer than 2 coaches.    There's a post on the Bristol area section - which these trains are sourced from - showing which services are longer than 2 cars, and Brighton doesn't get a look in!

http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=1163.msg6081#msg6081

Of note:

The Brighton run 5hours 30mins is booked 158
The 0531 BRI-PNZ is booked 150 for a 5 hour journey...

The amount of late running on HSS today is shocking...

Which is totally apalling, but in the old timetable one of the two Bristol trains were 150 but now both, you can't use that service for the length of the journey unless your mad now.

Should have put an HST on it, and added a London service.

Sorry to come to this topic so late! Was in Brighton yesterday and was amazed to see the 0859 departure to Great Malvern on the departure board (http://t.co/YePqWhZx) and being announced as a three car (DMU) with catering... 5 hours 36 mins for ^62.50 with an opportunity to return on a through service from Great Malvern at 10.50. When I tweeted the photo, a reply came through that it has been known for a single car 153 to do the run.

Has anyone actually made the whole in either direction?

A 153 almost certainly won't have done the whole run, as they are not route cleared east of Southampton.  2 car 158s and 150s have appeared on it now and again though.

Paul

Also 3 Car 150/1s (150/9s).   Not very satisfactory for this type of journey.

Did it to Ashchurch once - in a 2 car 150. Glad I didnt bank on catering!

It takes some dedication to do Brighton to Ashchurch in a draughty, rattling 150.

Welcome to the Coffee Shop quakers yard.  :)