Stock Cascade Eventually?

[whole diary]

[signalandtelegraph]

Not sure if this has been posted before but have a look at page 16.  Presumably in preparation for stock cascade following implementation of Crossrail? 

http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse%20documents/StrategicBusinessPlan/R4%20-%20Wessex.pdf

[Shazz]

Long wayto go yet to get Crossrail, and i'm sure it'll get canceled like the last 2-3 times it has been already...

[Lee]

signalandtelegraph is (I assume) referring to a plan for gauge clearance for Class 165/166 units on the Portsmouth-Cardiff and Westbury-Weymouth routes.

Some way from approval methinks, as it is part of the Network Rail Discretionary Fund CP4^▸ (Control Period 4 - the five year period between 2009 and 2014) Candidate Schemes list.

[Shazz]

arnt they all the same gauge anyway?

Or have i missed something here...

[Lee]

arnt they all the same gauge anyway?

Or have i missed something here...

Example quotes from the Save The Train forum :

Graham did I hear you mention at one of the meetings that these 166 units wont 'fit' through Trowbridge station?

There was some talk along those lines, Nick, yes. It's not an easy "wll fit" / "won't fit" scenario, I don't think ... I learnt more about this later.   It's that the Thames Turbos haven't actually been tried out on the route and they're slightly wider so they're not officially cleared, Trowbridge station being (it is said) the narrowest point.   Real problem? Don't know!!

Although I suggested that the 166-s be used on Oxford / Salisbury, ther could be other alternatives that are multi-step offered by the extra stock availability. Or in plainer English, the 166-s could be used on a service where the line WILL take them, and release 158-s or similar for Oxford - Salisbury

Another reason for doing this could be that the London-Reading corridor is in line for some of the DfT^» (Department for Transport - about)'s 1300 carriages (see quote below.)

The link below details where the 1,300 carriages (assuming they get built) are likely to be deployed.
http://www.dft.gov.uk/about/strategy/whitepapers/whitepapercm7176/railwphlsospecimen

Regarding the FGW^▸ (First Great Western) area, the London-Reading corridor is battling it out with services in the Southeastern, Southern, South West Trains, Chiltern, London Midland, FCC^▸ (First Capital Connect), One and c2c areas for a share of around 900 extra coaches.

Bristol is battling it out with Leicester, Liverpool, Newcastle, Nottingham and Sheffield for a share of around 50-80 carriages.

In theory, this could release some Turbos for the Wessex routes.

[John R]

Turbos were built wider than standard stock as they were designed to run only on the GW^» (Great Western - used as an abbreviation for the area / lines under the Great Western franchise, as opposed to FGW which includes "First", the company operating them too. For tickets - about) main line, which was engineered to Brunel's Broad Gauge. So they can't run on most other lines.

[vacman]

We don't wan't those horrible things! we wan't more 158's!

[dog box]

We don't wan't those horrible things! we wan't more 158's!

totally agree........seems to be a bit of an illusion on here at times that people think just because its newer it must be better which is in fact very wide of the mark..a 150/158 is always a better bet than a turbo

[Shazz]

I don't see why the rubos don't get deployed round brizzle, would make far more sence...

Or even devon/cornwall for that matter!

[smokey]

Be a Cold Day in Hell before a class 166 runs into Cornwall.

The Thames Turbo unit's were built to a bigger loading gauge than most stock, which keeps them to London-Oxford-Worcester, not sure think maybe able to work Didcot to Bristol, as there was a Oxford-Bristol TM^▸ (Train Manager, or possibly Ticket Machine, depending on context) service which I think was Thames Turbo worked.

Need meggar bucks spent to clear a class 166 to work to Penzance.

[Jim]

Be a Cold Day in Hell before a class 166 runs into Cornwall.

The Thames Turbo unit's were built to a bigger loading gauge than most stock, which keeps them to London-Oxford-Worcester, not sure think maybe able to work Didcot to Bristol, as there was a Oxford-Bristol TM^▸ (Train Manager, or possibly Ticket Machine, depending on context) service which I think was Thames Turbo worked.

Need meggar bucks spent to clear a class 166 to work to Penzance.

There was indeed an Oxford-Bristol TM, which was worked by Turbo's.

[vacman]

Orrible unit's, think i'd rather travel on a 143! 165's are about the most uncomfortable unit's on the network with their horrible hard seats!

[Conner]

Orrible unit's, think i'd rather travel on a 143! 165's are about the most uncomfortable unit's on the network with their horrible hard seats!

166's are okay for short distances though.
I've only ever been on overcrowded 165's aswell which doesn't help my perception of them.

[Btline]

Chiltern operate Thames Turbos on their commuter lines. London to Aylebury, High Wycombe (even as far as Princes Risborough).

Maybe the European loading gauge helps here!

Thames Turbos are dreadful. There is also evidence of them becoming clapped out (see my post on the "reliability" thread).

Remember, when London Midland get 172s, the cascaded 150s will be pretty much clapped out- they are at the moment- they were banned from the Lickey Incline a few years ago, and they can hardly get up the Old Hill incline in B'ham at the moment!! Note: This only applies if the train stops at Old Hill when facing towards B'ham!

I would have thought they might have to be scraped! I can't see them lasting in the Wessex region, especially under FGW^▸ (First Great Western), who are incompetent, and don't service trains (only spending time and money refreshing them- often for the worse). No- I would not get your hopes up just yet.

[Timmer]

We need the stock no matter what condition its in. They can't be any worse then the pacers that operate on FGW^▸ (First Great Western).