Great Western Coffee Shop

Has been suggested that FGW will run a summer Saturday HST to Weymouth these year rather than the loco hauled train.
Not sure if it is related, but I can confirm HST stop boards have been installed at Maiden Newton in the last week.
Luke

Not a april fools joke is it. lol?

 I thought this was all rumours, dam i was hoping for the loco hauled back.

No not an April fool! Saw the newly installed boards from the 1110 ex-Weymouth earlier today.
L

May not be related but I was at Bruton station on Wednesday and spotted some HST stop markers just short of the signal on the down platform :)

I'll try and remember to grab a picture when I'm next there ;)

Is anyone able to confirm that the extra Bristol-Weymouth summer Saturday service will be operated by the usual 150s/158s that operate on this line?
Thanks

Not sure, although according to reports on WNXX, FGW are to receive 2 class 153's from London Midland for the summer.

 Also on WNXX are reports that London Midland are also supposed to have at least 1 of their class 172's in service by august

The "loco hauled" services will be 3x153's this year.

It should provide a similar number of seats (albeit not around tables as per mk3) as the loco-hauled set but with more space than the LHCS as the "spotters" won't be on it.

FC

↑↑↑ Shurely shome mishtake.

More likely it's the 'bashers' who will be disappointed. Unless there's some secret cabal of enthusiasts who get all excited about triple 153s.  :-\ ;D

3x153s would be an unusual site. Seen two together many a time bringing back memories of when they were 155s but never three.

Agreed, Timmer: I'd rather like to see three 153s together ...  :o

be carefull what you wish for.....  ::)
(http://www.flickr.com/photos/relex109/3468840896/)
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3584/3468840896_5d8c933ae0_b.jpg)

FGW are obviously plotting something with HSTs on the route. Noted HST 2+7 and HST 2+8 stop markers at Bradford-on-Avon just beyond the Bristol bound platform. Also there's an HST Stop sign on the Westbury bound platform at Trowbridge, but couldn't see any on the other side. I presume the signal will act as the stop point.

CliveD

Think you'll find they are for the new PAD service in the May timetable, Trowbridge and BoA have a direct service now.

It doesn't explain why stop boards have been installed at Maiden Newton and Dorchester West though......

Saw one of the London Midland (City) 153s (153325) on the Looe branch yesterday.

possibly for extra olympic trains?

didnt FGW look at using a HST on the summer saturday service to/from weymouth during the duration of the olympic's

doesnt this kind of make a class 155?

tramway, thanks for the info - I obviously missed that little nugget when scanning the timetable.

Anyway, thought I'd venture out to see what delights turned up on the 0909 today, and was "rewarded" (if you can call it that) with in order 150123+153318+150129. A total of 10 passengers on board from Bath, 12 from Westbury, and 9 forward from Frome. Problem is that although this train as well as the 1655 return are shown in FGW's pocket timetables, they do not appear if you use the NRES (checked on the FGW and National Rail web sites). No surpise really, as neither service is shown in the Network Rail National Rail Timetable.

However, in conversation with the train crew, it does seem that it is still on the cards that the 0909 and 1655 could be worked by at HST. The issue appears to be whether Bristol HS drivers are taken time out to learn the route to Weymouth themselves, or have Bristol West drivers acting as pilotman. A case of watch this space to see what (might or could) happen?

And just for info, the following Weymouth service was formed of ... 2 coaches!

How many years has this extra summer service been running and yet it still doesn't appear on NRES or in the National Rail Timetable? It really isn't good enough not to be showing this service. FGW really need to get this fixed so it does appear in all timetables so everyone knows it's running before the peak summer traffic gets going.

I telephoned ATOC NRES Management this afternoon ( 2nd June ) regarding this matter.  The reply was it is an unadvertised additional train and First GW have not informed NRES that it is a permanent service, therefore it is up to FGW to make the decision whether they want it to be downloaded into Journey Planner.  However, if the service is unadvertised ( eg. relief, excursion or additional), FGW would not have to give notice of its withdrawal.     

Thank you very much for that useful information, ashurstdave - and may I offer you a warm welcome to the Coffee Shop forum!

Chris  :)

That's quite a telling comment from ATOC. FGW will receive no penalties and the service will not affect statistics if it is cancelled. And with another service within the hour in both directions then FGW have no obligation to pay charter compensation to passengers should the service(s) be cancelled.

Clever. Possibly even Machiavellian.  :-\

Talking of 3 X 153 working the Weymouth additional this Summer, I recall in the Wales and West Days (late nineties to Millenium) a 09 05 Sats Cardiff to Paignton and return in the Summer worked by 3 x 153 and during High Summer was 4 X 153.

unless the driver is unlucky enough to end up in one of the new cabs which is more cramped than the other the class 153 is ideal if you have a few together, loads of space for luggage comfy seats big windows tables..... bit noisy but then again so would all the kids on the weymouth service?

Err that's not a Picture of a 3car class 153 but a Single 153 standing in front of a pair of 153's coupled together

ok so i took the picture 2 seconds too late, i assure you that the 3 class 153's arrived ecs from plymouth and i took this photo seconds after they split, i was hoping noone would notice the error  :P

... as if we didn't have enough pedants on the forum already ...  ::) :o ;D

Ran through to Wessex Trains days too!

Re: Class 153 cabs - the 'small end' is apparently more spacious for the driver than the original cab!

Can anybody confirm, please,  that the extra Saturday Weymouth is actually being worked by 3 X 153 ?

When I saw the return working 2 weeks ago it was 150+153+150