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Title: Thunderbirds are go!! or 'the bodysnatchers have arrived' (merged topic) Post by: JayMac on December 02, 2009, 17:53:06 According to the latest issue of RAIL magazine, FGW will be utilising Virgin 57/3's on Cardiff-Taunton services from the December timetable change.
It appears that the 67's will be used for the run down and back to Paignton, so no Zombies/Bodysnatchers along the sea wall in daylight....shame. Weekday basic diagrams: 0619 BRI-CDF '67' 0728 TAU-BPW '57/3' 0800 CDF-PGN '67' 0913 BPW-WSM '57/3' 1102 TAU-CDF '57/3' 1247 PGN-CDF '67' 1400 CDF-TAU '57/3' 1613 TAU-CDF '57/3' 1700 CDF-TAU '67' 1900 CDF-TAU '57/3' 1918 TAU-BRI '67' Title: Re: Thunderbirds are go!! Post by: smithy on December 02, 2009, 18:08:54 they will be driven by gb railfreight,apparently they have been painted in power car blue at eastleigh.
Title: Re: Thunderbirds are go!! Post by: devon_metro on December 02, 2009, 22:48:36 Keep up!
Believe no branding is occuring as they will interchange with the Arriva fleet at Canton Title: Re: Thunderbirds are go!! Post by: smithy on December 03, 2009, 08:01:35 Keep up! Believe no branding is occuring as they will interchange with the Arriva fleet at Canton i was told by a member of engineering team last week they have already been painted? suppose we will just have to wait and see what turns up in a couple of weeks, Title: Re: Thunderbirds are go!! Post by: inspector_blakey on December 03, 2009, 18:53:09 Believe no branding is occuring as they will interchange with the Arriva fleet at Canton Erm, part of which is Arriva branded, so that's hardly a compelling argument not to brand the FGW locos. Title: Re: Thunderbirds are go!! Post by: sparky100 on December 04, 2009, 21:16:19 I suspect repainting is unlikely as the plan is rotate 57/3's on the service to even up mileage. 57301 is at Eastleigh but is having an engine overhaul and was still in Virgin livery on 26th November after 4 weeks on site. 57306 has also been out of action most of the year, but the remainder of the Virgin 57's have been out and about recently. 57311 and 57312 were "talked about" as candidates for repainting for FGW 12 months ago (when 57313-6 were being repainted), but they are currently at Preston and Edge Hill respectively, and have been all week.
Title: Re: Thunderbirds are go!! Post by: johoare on December 05, 2009, 00:02:40 Welcome to the forum Sparky100... :)
Title: the bodysnatchers have arrived Post by: dog box on December 08, 2009, 19:39:24 2 ATW Liveried class 57 and four swallow livery mk2 coaches spotted today at Bedminster travelling towards BTM ...train was empty on a test run??
Title: Re: the bodysnatchers have arrived Post by: anthony215 on December 08, 2009, 20:48:09 Yes this was a empty run to train some of the drivers on the class 57's which are to be used jointly by First great western and arriva so it is possible for some arriva liveried class 57's to be used on this new diagram as well as the cardiff - holyhead service
Title: Re: the bodysnatchers have arrived Post by: inspector_blakey on December 08, 2009, 21:04:08 Sounds like someone needs to get down to Polysigns and rustle up some magnetic vinyl FGW logos to stick on the 57s when they're on the CDF-TAU run!
PS If anyone at FGW Towers is reading this you can have that idea for free ;) Title: Re: the bodysnatchers have arrived Post by: devon_metro on December 09, 2009, 19:16:19 Do the 57s allow the guards to use the 'Signal' button rather than flapping a flag about?
Title: Re: the bodysnatchers have arrived Post by: inspector_blakey on December 09, 2009, 19:41:30 Not to my knowledge, although I'm always ready to be proved wrong.
Anyway, there's nothing wrong with red and green flags - they're a good old-fashioned piece of railway operation! And still carried by all guards (or at least, the rule book says they should be) in case of signal buzzer failure. Title: Re: the bodysnatchers have arrived Post by: The SprinterMeister on December 09, 2009, 20:39:19 Do the 57s allow the guards to use the 'Signal' button rather than flapping a flag about? No. Train will be despatched in the time honoured way. Flags or use of the 'RA' indicator where provided at main stations. Title: Re: the bodysnatchers have arrived Post by: Super Guard on December 09, 2009, 21:21:24 Anyway, there's nothing wrong with red and green flags - they're a good old-fashioned piece of railway operation! And still carried by all guards (or at least, the rule book says they should be) in case of signal buzzer failure. Best part about Loco-hauled ;D And yes, all Guards still carry flags. Title: Re: the bodysnatchers have arrived Post by: John R on December 09, 2009, 23:04:19 And the custom of the driver sounding his horn is vaguely reassuring too. Always used to get it on WCML services, though not consistently elsewhere IIRC.
Title: Re: the bodysnatchers have arrived Post by: inspector_blakey on December 09, 2009, 23:10:04 Drivers are supposed to acknowledge all hand signals from guards (as well as shunters) - can either be done with a wave (official rule book terminology: "one arm raised above the head") or a toot on the horn. On stock fitted with a signal buzzer the "two buzz" signal for "rightaway" is also acknowledged by repetition.
Title: Re: the bodysnatchers have arrived Post by: welshman on December 10, 2009, 21:01:47 Supersad posting. I found the rule books here (http://www.rssb.co.uk/rgs/rulebook/rulebook_modules.asp). Apologies if this link is elsewhere on the website.
Title: Re: the bodysnatchers have arrived Post by: 12hoursunday on December 11, 2009, 11:22:08 I've not heard of any FGW drivers be-ing trained on Cl57's. although Exeter High Speeders know them for the sleeper work. Have been told though (but don't know whether it's correct) that FirstGBRF will undertaking some FGW work shortly!
Title: Re: the bodysnatchers have arrived Post by: devon_metro on December 11, 2009, 16:07:30 I've not heard of any FGW drivers be-ing trained on Cl57's. although Exeter High Speeders know them for the sleeper work. Have been told though (but don't know whether it's correct) that FirstGBRF will undertaking some FGW work shortly! FGBRF are operating the Taunton - Cardiff loco hauled set. It has also been rumoured that FGW have put the sleeper class 57 work out to tender, with DRS having bidded. Title: Re: the bodysnatchers have arrived Post by: dmutony on December 11, 2009, 17:23:05 yeah FGW's 57 have been very un reliable lately so they are going for major overhaul in the next few months so ive heard on the grapevine
Title: Re: the bodysnatchers have arrived Post by: Super Guard on December 11, 2009, 17:57:11 The Loco work has been allowed to be outsourced, as the Loco sets are only short-term during 2010.
Title: Re: the bodysnatchers have arrived Post by: Chris from Nailsea on December 11, 2009, 21:09:16 From rail-news.com (http://rail-news.com/2009/12/11/first-gbrf-secures-passenger-contract-with-first-great-western/):
Quote First GBRF Secures Passenger Contract with First Great Western First GBRf, the UK^s leading freight haulier, has won its first contract to provide regular timetabled passenger services, just six months after the company won its Passenger License. The service, which starts on 14 December 2009, will run between Taunton and Cardiff for First Great Western (FGW). First GBRf is providing locomotives, coaches and train crew for the FGW service, which is expected to continue until the end of July 2010. As part of the contract, First GBRf has formed a partnership with Virgin Trains to supply Class 57 locomotives, and Riviera Trains will supply especially refreshed rolling stock. Weekend servicing will be provided by Arriva Trains Wales at its Cardiff Canton depot. West Somerset Railway will provide overnight servicing and berthing facilities at its station in Bishops Lydeard, just a few miles from Taunton, which will provide a robust start to the service. Neil Crossland, Commercial Director, First GBRf said: ^We are delighted to be awarded this service. Since taking the strategic decision to obtain a Passenger License we have operated a select number of Charter services to gain experience. We see this as our first big step and look to develop new and exciting partnerships in the near future^. Title: Re: the bodysnatchers have arrived Post by: 12hoursunday on December 11, 2009, 21:31:32 It has also been rumoured that FGW have put the sleeper class 57 work out to tender, with DRS having bidded. Be intresting to know where your heard this railway rumour from seeing it is the intention to bring all work back in house as soon as practically possilbe and, giving the fact that there will be a surplus of staff as and when all personal have undergone the re/training required. Bristol for one has now on paper over establishment of staff already. Title: Re: the bodysnatchers have arrived Post by: John R on December 12, 2009, 11:52:52 Still crew training today by the looks of it. Just seen the set pull out of Nailsea heading south.
Title: Re: Thunderbirds are go!! Post by: clevedonian on December 12, 2009, 16:04:03 According to the latest issue of RAIL magazine, FGW will be utilising Virgin 57/3's on Cardiff-Taunton services from the December timetable change. It appears that the 67's will be used for the run down and back to Paignton, so no Zombies/Bodysnatchers along the sea wall in daylight....shame. Weekday basic diagrams: 0619 BRI-CDF '67' 0728 TAU-BPW '57/3' 0800 CDF-PGN '67' 0913 BPW-WSM '57/3' 1102 TAU-CDF '57/3' 1247 PGN-CDF '67' 1400 CDF-TAU '57/3' 1613 TAU-CDF '57/3' 1700 CDF-TAU '67' 1900 CDF-TAU '57/3' 1918 TAU-BRI '67' any idea on the above diagrams will stop at yatton, as some of them do not even appear on National Rail enquiries, website? Title: Re: Thunderbirds are go!! or 'the bodysnatchers have arrived' (merged topic) Post by: Chris from Nailsea on December 12, 2009, 16:43:26 As the original topic in 'Bristol Commuters' has been enhanced by the subsequent discussion in 'Across the West', I've now merged these two topics.
However, just for clarity / continuity reasons, I've retained the original headings in all of the previous posts. I hope this helps! C. ;) :D ;D Title: Re: Thunderbirds are go!! Post by: JayMac on December 12, 2009, 17:46:36 According to the latest issue of RAIL magazine, FGW will be utilising Virgin 57/3's on Cardiff-Taunton services from the December timetable change. It appears that the 67's will be used for the run down and back to Paignton, so no Zombies/Bodysnatchers along the sea wall in daylight....shame. Weekday basic diagrams: 0619 BRI-CDF '67' 0728 TAU-BPW '57/3' 0800 CDF-PGN '67' 0913 BPW-WSM '57/3' 1102 TAU-CDF '57/3' 1247 PGN-CDF '67' 1400 CDF-TAU '57/3' 1613 TAU-CDF '57/3' 1700 CDF-TAU '67' 1900 CDF-TAU '57/3' 1918 TAU-BRI '67' any idea on the above diagrams will stop at yatton, as some of them do not even appear on National Rail enquiries, website? I've checked with NRE journey planner and FGW timetables and all these services call at Yatton. Rather than list all the times here's a link to the timetable which starts on 13/12/2009: http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Documents/Custom/Dec%2009%20TT/GW09D_TT24_WEB.pdf Title: Re: Thunderbirds are go!! or 'the bodysnatchers have arrived' (merged topic) Post by: John R on December 14, 2009, 23:13:07 Any truth in the rumour that the new set expired today near Yatton?
Title: Re: Thunderbirds are go!! or 'the bodysnatchers have arrived' (merged topic) Post by: CliveD on December 15, 2009, 08:23:19 When I checked the departure board yesterday, I noted that the 1400 Cardiff Taunton was shown as running with 2 coaches instead of 4. According to another forum, 57316 had problems starting in the morning, and failed with a suspected traction motor flashover later on. A 150 was found for the 1400 departure as far as Bristol TM with a 3 car 158 (158950) forward.
Title: Re: Thunderbirds are go!! or 'the bodysnatchers have arrived' (merged topic) Post by: The SprinterMeister on December 15, 2009, 09:48:57 When I checked the departure board yesterday, I noted that the 1400 Cardiff Taunton was shown as running with 2 coaches instead of 4. According to another forum, 57316 had problems starting in the morning, and failed with a suspected traction motor flashover later on. A 150 was found for the 1400 departure as far as Bristol TM with a 3 car 158 (158950) forward. All is well again today however. Not sure what loco's are on there but the train is near enough on time and heading for Weston. Title: Re: Thunderbirds are go!! or 'the bodysnatchers have arrived' (merged topic) Post by: Super Guard on December 15, 2009, 12:20:31 Any truth in the rumour that the new set expired today near Yatton? Failed at Huish. As a result the 09.00 Cardiff-Plymouth (a 150) was about 50 late. Title: Re: Thunderbirds are go!! or 'the bodysnatchers have arrived' (merged topic) Post by: Lee on December 19, 2009, 17:28:54 I had a go on this yesterday. 1221 from Bristol, got off at Severn Tunnel Junction. Arriva-liveried loco at one end, Virgin-liveried loco at the other, coaches all Arriva-liveried.
Personally, I didnt think it was quite as good standard journey experience-wise as the other loco-hauled set (I didnt find it quite as comfortable, but maybe that's just me), but enjoyable nonetheless. Title: Re: Thunderbirds are go!! or 'the bodysnatchers have arrived' (merged topic) Post by: dog box on December 20, 2009, 00:10:13 dont think coaches are arriva livery....think you find the colour is an old anglia railways livery and the set is owned by riveria trains, i stand though to be corrected
Title: Re: Thunderbirds are go!! or 'the bodysnatchers have arrived' (merged topic) Post by: dmutony on December 20, 2009, 06:42:42 the coaches are arriva livery and the locos were 57303 and 57315
Title: Re: Thunderbirds are go!! or 'the bodysnatchers have arrived' (merged topic) Post by: dog box on December 20, 2009, 10:47:39 if it was the set i saw, which was all over turquoise blue with a white mid stripe and no branding this is one of riveria trains retro liveries.....what we need are some photos
Title: Re: Thunderbirds are go!! or 'the bodysnatchers have arrived' (merged topic) Post by: devon_metro on December 20, 2009, 11:09:19 the coaches are arriva livery and the locos were 57303 and 57315 No, as dogbox says they are ex Anglia Title: Re: Thunderbirds are go!! or 'the bodysnatchers have arrived' (merged topic) Post by: dmutony on December 20, 2009, 14:16:35 ill go out tommorow and ill try and get a photo of them as they pull into yatton
Title: Re: Thunderbirds are go!! or 'the bodysnatchers have arrived' (merged topic) Post by: devon_metro on December 20, 2009, 14:24:51 "Taunton Trains" has some photos :- http://tauntontrains.co.uk/NEWS-INFO.htm
Title: Re: Thunderbirds are go!! or 'the bodysnatchers have arrived' (merged topic) Post by: JayMac on December 20, 2009, 17:02:13 Yep, according to 'Taunton Trains' it is a de-branded Anglia set with the BSO repainted from Virgin black and red to Anglia colours so as to offer a matching liveried set. The upholstery in the BSO has also been changed to colour match Anglia's brown/orange.
Title: Re: Thunderbirds are go!! or 'the bodysnatchers have arrived' (merged topic) Post by: dog box on December 20, 2009, 18:55:16 The ATW MK2 Set is currently in an old style livery of all over blue with cream doors and Arriva Branding . The set used on the holyhead service is a mk3 set in the current Arriva livery
Title: Re: Thunderbirds are go!! or 'the bodysnatchers have arrived' (merged topic) Post by: Lee on December 21, 2009, 11:21:38 Fair enough - the livery was a good match to the loco though, hence my assumption.
Title: Re: Thunderbirds are go!! or 'the bodysnatchers have arrived' (merged topic) Post by: inspector_blakey on December 21, 2009, 14:47:46 Always good to see some loco haulage but that set looks like a right dog's breakfast with locos in two different liveries, neither of which matches the stock!
Title: Re: Thunderbirds are go!! or 'the bodysnatchers have arrived' (merged topic) Post by: Lee on December 21, 2009, 17:36:09 As I said, my personal view is that the Arriva-branded loco is a good match for the stock livery, but then maybe that's just me...
Title: Re: Thunderbirds are go!! or 'the bodysnatchers have arrived' (merged topic) Post by: JayMac on December 21, 2009, 21:06:52 I had a go on it today as well 1221 ex Bristol. ATW 57315 up front and Virgin Thunderbird 'Alan Tracy' 57303 on the rear.
The joy of a whole table to myself, legroom galore, a droplight to hang out of (safely, of course) and whilst a little threadbare in places the MK2f's were looking clean and well maintained. Oh, and no underfloor engine, just the odd reassuring sound of the brakes. Loved it ;D. I'm a little too young to get dewy eyed about steam, but this is the sort of stuff I used to 'spot' with me uncle when I were lad. Sat at the south end of Taunton station in the learly 80's, waving to the man in the signal box (Taunton West?) and on one memorable occasion being lifted up into the cab of a 47 to blow the horn. Title: Re: Thunderbirds are go!! or 'the bodysnatchers have arrived' (merged topic) Post by: willc on December 21, 2009, 23:35:15 The ATW MK2 Set is currently in an old style livery of all over blue with cream doors and Arriva Branding . The set used on the holyhead service is a mk3 set in the current Arriva livery Only the restaurant/first coach in the ATW Holyhead-Cardiff loco-hauled set is a Mk3. The rest of the train are Mk2s that were reliveried for this service. Title: Re: Thunderbirds are go!! or 'the bodysnatchers have arrived' (merged topic) Post by: Super Guard on December 22, 2009, 02:37:48 a droplight to hang out of (safely, of course) I believe they call that an 'oxymoron'. Perhaps Terminal Junkie will confirm or deny? ;) This page is printed from the "Coffee Shop" forum at http://gwr.passenger.chat which is provided by a customer of Great Western Railway. Views expressed are those of the individual posters concerned. Visit www.gwr.com for the official Great Western Railway website. Please contact the administrators of this site if you feel that content provided contravenes our posting rules ( see http://railcustomer.info/1761 ). The forum is hosted by Well House Consultants - http://www.wellho.net |