Class 150's For Portsmouth - Cardiff?? Shame On You , FGW!

[whole diary]

[Lee]

I have only noticed 1 in the last week

Thats strange Jim , by my maths we have come up with 3 examples between us.

It was certainly an interesting day.

A 150 is working the 1430 Caridff - Pompey & 1810 back (1910 from Soton)

I can also confirm that the 1610 Portsmouth - Cardiff & 1630 Cardiff - Portsmouth services were worked by 2 x Class 158 units.

Its a funny old world....

On the other hand , maybe I am just an unlucky passenger.....

[tramway]

Along with all those who tried to get on the 1822 off Bristol last night.

It was only marginally relieved, as it was also running late, by some quick thinking by FGW^▸ (First Great Western) who decided it was prudent to stop the next 125 at Keynsham and Oldfield park so there was a bit of a rush to platform 13.

[whistleblower]

Yesterday was going quite smoothly until a road vehicle hit a bridge at Romsey and did some structural damage.  All the Southampton/Portsmouth/Brighton services had to either divert through Chandlers Ford and Eastleigh in both directions or terminate at Romsey.  This was further complicated by the fact that Arriva crews do not 'sign' this route and we had to find spare crews from both FGW^▸ (First Great Western) and SWT^▸ (South West Trains) to 'pilot' the crews round.  Obviously this caused a fair bit of disruption for the rest of the day.  A northbound Weymouth experienced technical trouble and was terminated at Westbury leaving a shortage of train and crew for a later southbound service from Bristol.

Arriva Trains Wales have been providing crews for many of our Cardiff to Portsmouth services since Wales and West days, but the new diagrams (from May) brings them all back in house and Westbury crews will be taking on much of that work.

[MikeGTN]

Let's not forget the strangest substitution hereabouts which occurred in May 2005 on Wessex's watch. On this occasion, 143619 worked a Cardiff-Penzance and return service throughout. The unit still wears a small Cornish flag on one end to mark the occasion.

[Lee]

I only got turned away from 2 trains at Warminster today!

150 was working the 0930 CDF^» (Cardiff - next trains) - PMH 1322 PMH - CDF so guessing then the 1730 CDF - PMH then 2122 PMH - WSB^» (Westbury - next trains)

Interesting.....

My Wells - based spy (although there are no trains , we like to keep an eye on developments in this area , especially around Norton Radstock and politically in general) , who I put on the 1222 Portsmouth - Cardiff service yesterday , reports that a bottle fell out of the luggage rack and hit them on the head. Apparently , no help was forthcoming , even though the guard announced "could all passengers ensure that their belongings are securely stowed in the luggage racks" soon afterwards.

The service also got stuck behind a freight train between Salisbury & Westbury...........

[devon_metro]

The situation seems slightly better in allocation of stock since the new timetable. Sadly this means I get 150s on my local line. But in fairness they are suited for it!

Asking to travel on a 150 from Portsmouth-Cardiff is madness, the seats, on some units, may be the same, but they are far more commuter than medium distance!

[Jim]

1624 PMH - CDF^» (Cardiff - next trains) 150+158. At least it's 4 car, and the 150 is coming off at Bristol!

[tramway]

And it doesn't get any better if the latest issue of RAIL is to be believed, as it is reported that FGW^▸ (First Great Western) intended to convert 150's back to a 2 + 3 seating arrangement. That'll be fun all the way from Portsmouth wont it.

[Jim]

And it doesn't get any better if the latest issue of RAIL is to be believed, as it is reported that FGW^▸ (First Great Western) intended to convert 150's back to a 2 + 3 seating arrangement. That'll be fun all the way from Portsmouth wont it.

Rail, is that the one commenly known as "Liar" (reverse the letters )

[tramway]

Bit harsh there Jim,  I didn't think the mag was any worse or better than other journals, and in my experience their inside info on this sort has been reasonably realiable in the past. They also reported the rumour of the 180's replacing the 158's going to Northern later this year, a rumour also doing the rounds with trolley staff according to the lass last night so it must be true. 

Paul Salveson would be a bit less smug if that happens.