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Before today, i had never seen a 3+3 formation of turbos... and then i saw 2 ( i was on one of them!) I got on the 15.53 local service from Reading to Oxford (obviously originating at Paddington) and then another 3+3 Turbo passed us at Pangbourne i believe (i think it was the 15.55 from Oxford).  I've only ever seen 3+2 formation, and occasionally 2+2 formations.  It was only the other day i was sat on a train to london wondering wether there ever was or is an 8 or 9 car formation on any fgw service, and hadn't got round to asking on here.  (this might have been better in the lighter side forum, feel free to move it)

There's a few weekday diagrams that are 6-car trains. The increase in passengers over the last 5 or so years practically forces FGW to use 6-cars for some of their suburban trains in the morning and evening.

At the moment that's the longest dplanned turbo length in service (they can run with up to 12 coaches empty) but the DfT and FGW are intending to lengthen at least some trains to 7 car formations in the future. For them to call at the busiest stations (Hayes, Southall, West Drayton etc.), this is dependant on lengthening some platforms or running trains that have selective door operation so will not be as easy as it sounds. Most of the station concerned are able to accomodate about 6 1/2 coaches so the lengthening may be achievable by filling in the 'ramp' at the end of the platform, so the actual physical length of the platform will not need to be extended - this is important as there is no extra space at some locations without major track realignment.

I've seen an 8 car once, I think it was 166 + 166 + 165, not sure if it was in service or ECS though.

IIRC, there used to be an 8-car service from Oxford to Paddington in the evening peak in Thames Trains days, on arrival at Paddington the front three formed the 1806 to Oxford, the rear five formed the 1821 to Reading.  Divided in platform 1 at Paddington.

According to the diagrams at http://www.southwesternlines.co.uk/downloads/fgwdiagmay08/SX_RG165s.pdf, 1555 Oxford to Paddington and 1747 Paddington to Reading is a six-coach service.  1653 from Oxford and 1817 and 1847 from Paddington are as well among others.

When the turbos were introduced, there were a number of 6-car workings in the morning and evening peak.  Locals have previously usually kept to five coaches (platform 6 at Reading can only take five 23-metre coaches - I saw a six-coach train in platform 6 one night and the train was beyond the starting signal) and fewer "fast" trains are turbos now.

Jonathan

If you look at the Train Stop platform signs and the DOO mirrors and CCTV screens they are placed for a maximum of 6 cars.  I believe that when the 165/6 replaced the old DMU's a 3 car 165/6 was an increase in seating capacity removal of break and longer coaches therefore the time NWSE DoT and BRB felt that was all was needed.  Now of course to introduce longer trains with 165/6 relocation of DOO mirrors and CCTV screens would be needed an many stations or would require a guard or platform staff Close Door and RA for longer trains.

There's also a daily 10-car ECS move on weekdays from Paddington to Old Oak in the morning and back from OOC to Pad in the evening. This is the longest diagrammed ECS move.

The Henley branch used to be worked by 7-car formations on Regatta weekends but I'm not sure if that still happened in more recent years?