Great Western Coffee Shop

Having caught the 1030 Fratton - Trowbridge (as part of my journey to a certain council meeting , see http://www.savethetrain.org.uk/forum/index.php?topic=1571.msg4208#msg4208) I couldnt help but notice that it was a Class 150 unit (and not the normal Class 158.)

Poor show , FGW.

This isnt the first time that this has happened on my way to that particular part of the world. In fact something always seems to be amiss when I board a FGW train! Previous cock - ups have included :

Door failures.

Engine failures.

Trains appearing on information screens as "on - time" and then not turning up at all (a Westbury favourite , I notice.)

Getting stuck behind a freight train (on more than one occasion.)

And many more besides....

No 158's available, so a 150 instead nowt to do with charges

Lucky it wasn't a 143, the normal replacement around Bristol if the 158's are a bit poorly,

Incorect, Pacers are NOT allowed to run south of Warminster, I have only once seen 143 vice 158 though

Even luckier then as FGW don't have the option.

From my view of Filton a 143 attached to a 158 to make up 4 cars to Cardiff is  not an uncommon sight. Whether that particular diagram should have been all 158's it's difficult to tell.

It was certainly an interesting day.


I can also confirm that the 1610 Portsmouth - Cardiff & 1630 Cardiff - Portsmouth services were worked by 2 x Class 158 units.

Its a funny old world....

Good Lee, they are both booked 4 car!

I Don't know the reason, but they are not allowed on "southern" metals, from our area that is bounded by Yeovil & Beechgrove (Warminster)

I understood that it's because they nod too much.  Can't go into 3rd Rail territory .... but then that doesn't explain why they can't go to Salisbury.   I think I've seen references to the rule being broken, though.

They ARE NOT permitted on Southern Region Metals - FULL STOP. bounded by (again) Beechgrove (Warminster) & Yeovil

Not so good when (according to a fairly reliable source) Class 150's are replacing Class 158's on Portsmouth - Cardiff services because said 158's are being sent back to the leasing companies (allegedly.)

I think someone has got you going on gone off cheese there, I have heard tottaly the opposite, 150's are not suited for Cardiff Portsmoth

To be absolutely precise , I will re - word that as follows :

Not so good when (according to a fairly reliable source) Class 150's are replacing Class 158's on SOME Portsmouth - Cardiff services because said 158's are being sent back to the leasing companies (allegedly.)

I am well aware that Class 150's are not suitable , Jim , so how come I seem to have to keep putting up with them when I travel from Portsmouth to your part of the world?

That said , you will note that I classed this particular source as "fairly reliable"............

I have only noticed 1 in the last week

150's were occasional visitors even with Wessex, but that was due to 158 failures. They were quite interesting journeys with a trolley on-board.

It's another ball game completely if FGW are going to start running them regularly.

Thats strange Jim , by my maths we have come up with 3 examples between us.


On the other hand , maybe I am just an unlucky passenger.....

Along with all those who tried to get on the 1822 off Bristol last night.

It was only marginally relieved, as it was also running late, by some quick thinking by FGW who decided it was prudent to stop the next 125 at Keynsham and Oldfield park so there was a bit of a rush to platform 13.

Yesterday was going quite smoothly until a road vehicle hit a bridge at Romsey and did some structural damage.  All the Southampton/Portsmouth/Brighton services had to either divert through Chandlers Ford and Eastleigh in both directions or terminate at Romsey.  This was further complicated by the fact that Arriva crews do not 'sign' this route and we had to find spare crews from both FGW and SWT to 'pilot' the crews round.  Obviously this caused a fair bit of disruption for the rest of the day.  A northbound Weymouth experienced technical trouble and was terminated at Westbury leaving a shortage of train and crew for a later southbound service from Bristol.

Arriva Trains Wales have been providing crews for many of our Cardiff to Portsmouth services since Wales and West days, but the new diagrams (from May) brings them all back in house and Westbury crews will be taking on much of that work.

Let's not forget the strangest substitution hereabouts which occurred in May 2005 on Wessex's watch. On this occasion, 143619 worked a Cardiff-Penzance and return service throughout. The unit still wears a small Cornish flag on one end to mark the occasion.

Interesting.....

My Wells - based spy (although there are no trains , we like to keep an eye on developments in this area , especially around Norton Radstock and politically in general) , who I put on the 1222 Portsmouth - Cardiff service yesterday , reports that a bottle fell out of the luggage rack and hit them on the head. Apparently , no help was forthcoming , even though the guard announced "could all passengers ensure that their belongings are securely stowed in the luggage racks" soon afterwards.

The service also got stuck behind a freight train between Salisbury & Westbury...........

The situation seems slightly better in allocation of stock since the new timetable. Sadly this means I get 150s on my local line. But in fairness they are suited for it!

Asking to travel on a 150 from Portsmouth-Cardiff is madness, the seats, on some units, may be the same, but they are far more commuter than medium distance!

1624 PMH - CDF 150+158. At least it's 4 car, and the 150 is coming off at Bristol!

And it doesn't get any better if the latest issue of RAIL is to be believed, as it is reported that FGW intended to convert 150's back to a 2 + 3 seating arrangement. That'll be fun all the way from Portsmouth wont it.

Rail, is that the one commenly known as "Liar" (reverse the letters ::) )

Bit harsh there Jim,  ;D I didn't think the mag was any worse or better than other journals, and in my experience their inside info on this sort has been reasonably realiable in the past. They also reported the rumour of the 180's replacing the 158's going to Northern later this year, a rumour also doing the rounds with trolley staff according to the lass last night so it must be true.  ;)

Paul Salveson would be a bit less smug if that happens.