Great Western Coffee Shop

did anyone see the tatty old 153 that found it's way to pompey harbour last night? :o
153380 to be precise.
apparently they had to send a fitter down to remove some steps so it could be taken back to bristol.
it really goes to show fgw have got no idea what they are doing

I can't quite believe this, don't think they are cleared through Southampton tunnel

Just to clarify a point...

153's are cleared through Southampton Tunnel, otherwise it would be impossible to divert via Chandlers Ford when required. They are not permitted toward Fareham from either St Denys or Eastleigh.

ACTUALLY according to TRUST it was NR's fault! They said there was no issue with sending one down there.

The irony in all this is that class 155s ran along this route a lot a long time ago til they were separated. ;)

FGW should really check their sectional appendices more often...  ;D  ;D  ;D

Apparently it's the extra ladder that was added on the "small end" when they were converted to 153's that's the problem with guaging.

Indeed it is - although apparently they had to modify something on the door steps on the small end as well that causes issues ... not so sure on that one.

Bring back the 155s. :)

Or just give us some nice new 172's!!

It made it down there, infact, it wasn't noticed as such till the guard took it on at FRATTON!

not true

it was a cock up on spm,380 came off reverse coupled with another 158 the driver at temple meads was told to couple up a portion,but being in wrong formation he coupled the wrong set.
and whats more it worked btm-cardiff back to btm and down to the harbour and no one noticed ???
you couldn't make it up