Great Western Coffee Shop

..on the 4 car 158 07.58 Trowbridge to Cardiff.

I'm not sure what happended to the 07.23 Warminster - Great Malvern but thankfully the 07.58 was 4 car and was literally packed all the way to Bristol.

Journey was lightened a little as I bumped into an old acquaintance who was on his way to Swindon for Guard training who thought he might miss his conection at Bath. He had already noted the crap direct service so I suggested he should mention it when he got there.  ;D

I know exactly what the problem was ;)

What should happen is the early morning train from Bristol Temple M to Westbury which I get at Oldfield Park (leaves Bath Spa 07:00 ) arrives at Westbury at 07:25, and couples with the train arriving from Warminster to form a 4 car service to Great Malvern departing Westbury 07:38. Usually this runs like clockwork.

Today the one down from Bristol was a class 143 pacer. (Varies- often a 150, but sometimes a 158, 143 or 150/1). Lovely journey down and arrived Westbury early, but there was a problem coupling it with the 150 up from Warminster. The door unlocking system wasn't working properly despite repeated re-coupling attempts (the problem was with the 143 apparently) and after the 07:52 left, the 143+150 left Westbury empty, not sure where it went after that. I have seen 143s couple properly before, so I'm not sure what happened today.

Lots of platform alterations at Westbury because of this!

Someone obviously didn't know the kicking the door trick,  ;) which usually sorts out any problems with brakes being applied inadvertantly on 143's.

As I didn't have time this morning to look at the departure board at Trowbridge it wasn't clear whether the 07.44 had been cancelled or not, it's usually a neat idea if it shows 'delayed' and the first arrival then gets jammed, to wait for the following which is then empty, just a few mins late that's all. There were plenty at Bradford who chose not to board knowing that they would get a nice journey to work. (Ok if you are flexible)

Would hate to think what would have happened if there had been a problem in Fratton and it had turned up as a 2 car.  :o :o, 18 months ago this scenario was a regular occurence leading to zero space after Bradford, so I have every sympathy with passengers at Bath/Oldfield/Keynsham who at the time were regularly watching 2 car trains passing them already full from Trowbridge, if TonyA hadn't done something then someone else would have.

Well, his "Pretend not to pay tactics" certainally do the trick it would seem!

Actually, the conductor did try that on the 143 on every door -- but no luck!!  ;D  ;)

Pacers are known for this problem, i know ATW keep some coupled permanently because of this, think Exeter keep some 142s like this as well

it is because the couplers are old and worn,plus pacers should only couple to pacers they do not like being attached to sprinters due to one being axle vehicle with coil spring suspension the other being bogie vehicle with air bag suspension.

158 + 143 not uncommon between Trowbridge and Bristol.

The 17.47 from BPW to Westbury was a 143+150 today. They looked like they were attached to each other! Although unusual to see a 143 on this service.

Booked for 3 car isn't it?