Great Western Coffee Shop

I was undergoing my regular commute from Severn Beach to BTM this morning!

As I walked up to the platform at SB I noticed a pleasing sight.  I had the luxury of travelling on a 158 unit instead of the usual "bus on wheels" 143 unit.  What a nice surprise, I thought!!   ;D

And, when we passed an Avonmouth service at Clifton, that also wasn't a 143, but a 150 unit!

Are FGW already disposing of the good old 143 units?

Probably one of the spare 158s that was operating between Paignton and Swindon yesterday  ;)

That's one of the fun things these days on 'West' services you never know what unit you are going to get and how many coaches it will be until it turns up at your station. The exception being the Cardiff-Portsmouth line being worked by 3 car 158s though even on this line things are sometimes subject to change.

I have seen even those services operated by a 150 on occassions.

I must say, I now know how bad a 143 unit can be!!!!  :D ;)

Yep 150s occasionally pay a visit to both Portsmouth and Brighton.

Although the 143s are off to Exeter in the very near future, AFAIK, a pair will work up for SBL duties on a daily basis.  Other units can often be found deputizing for the 'resident' 143s in time of need.

correct any set can be found on the beach depending on availability,also in december there will be 3 143's around still 2 on beach and 1 card-taunt

All 143 maintenance will tranfer to Exeter, with 3 class 143s being berthed overnight at Bristol TM rotating with other units from Exeter and frequent intervals.

Should mean the 150/158s will be in better condition with 8 slots being released at SPM

it SHOULD mean 150/158 in better condition but i suspect all it will mean is the 143 fleet get better as they are all allocated to exeter,just have to look at what they did to the 142's to see that