Well would you believe it??

[whole diary]

[Shazz]

The only way i could see this possible is if ATW^▸ (Arriva Trains Wales (former TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company))) are acrually taking the extra 180's and freeing up lots of 158's /175's to replace there 150's on longer distance routes

[vacman]

One point worth thinking about though, is the 16.30 CDF^» (Cardiff - next trains)-PMH, 16.22 PMH-CDF and 06.00 PMH-CDF, which are ALL booked 4 car - what will happen to them??

One would think that they would probably just be a 3 car, but don't know?

[tramway]

IIRC^▸ (if I recall/remember/read correctly) not all Wessex 158's were converted, but they seem to have diagrammed things so there were still 4 cars on peak services.

That was what was so annoying about the Dec 06 timetable, just blew all the hard work to get a reslient service out of the water. It's taken 2 years to return to Wessex service levels which everyone was content could be built on.

Other members probably have more ready access to passenger figures for the past 5 years to compare pre and post franchise change, and to see what effect it has had financially.

As Graham has pointed out at length, there were substantial groth figures in the region pre 12/06, and given possible projection figures and subsequent real passenger numbers I wonder what the impact has really been.

[devon_metro]

One point worth thinking about though, is the 16.30 CDF^» (Cardiff - next trains)-PMH, 16.22 PMH-CDF and 06.00 PMH-CDF, which are ALL booked 4 car - what will happen to them??

Stay 4 car I imagine with other services becoming 3 car, or maybe 5 car if they feel generous.

[vacman]

One point worth thinking about though, is the 16.30 CDF^» (Cardiff - next trains)-PMH, 16.22 PMH-CDF and 06.00 PMH-CDF, which are ALL booked 4 car - what will happen to them??

Stay 4 car I imagine with other services becoming 3 car, or maybe 5 car if they feel generous.

Don't forget, the overall number of 158 sets will actually be reduced so less strengthening unit's, unles they are to be strengthened with 150/153's.

[devon_metro]

Or simply strenghthen them between Cardiff and Salisbury/Southampton with a 150 and then send the 150 as a Soton - Swindon (via Melksham  ) stopper!

[Btline]

Excellent, with 180s back on the Cotswold line, FGW^▸ (First Great Western) can get rid of a lot of their "short platforms" on the list (eg Forgate Street)!

People will have tables and legroom again!

Then again, seeing is believing!

[vacman]

Excellent, with 180s back on the Cotswold line, FGW^▸ (First Great Western) can get rid of a lot of their "short platforms" on the list (eg Forgate Street)!

People will have tables and legroom again!

Then again, seeing is believing!

Very true! One thing Btline, your picture of a class 172 isn't too accurate as the 172's are being built with gangway ends.

[dog box]

Wonder what Mr Ambrose and his mates think about this then.........looks as if they might have to rename themselves just LESS STRAIN,

[Timmer]

Wonder what Mr Ambrose and his mates think about this then.........looks as if they might have to rename themselves just LESS STRAIN,

If what Vacman has told us happens then MTLS^▸ (More Train Less Strain) would be finished. Once again they've gone very quiet again and the daily life of a FGW^▸ (First Great Western) commuter continues as normal.

[devon_metro]

I propose a renaming:

MTLTA

"More Trains, Less Tony Ambrose"

[Btline]

Excellent, with 180s back on the Cotswold line, FGW^▸ (First Great Western) can get rid of a lot of their "short platforms" on the list (eg Forgate Street)!

People will have tables and legroom again!

Then again, seeing is believing!

Very true! One thing Btline, your picture of a class 172 isn't too accurate as the 172's are being built with gangway ends.

Sort of!

The picture is of the Class 172/0 which will be for Chiltern Railways and London Overground. These will have a top speed of 75 mi/h and will not have end gangways.

The Snow Hill Lines will be getting 172/2 and 172/3 which will have end gangways and a higher speed of 100 mi/h.

Look at Wikipedia for more details.

The most important thing is, whatever they look like, it may spell the end of overcrowding in Bristol (assuming the new stock this year does not have the full effect)!

[swlines]

If what Vacman has told us happens then MTLS^▸ (More Train Less Strain) would be finished. Once again they've gone very quiet again and the daily life of a FGW^▸ (First Great Western) commuter continues as normal.

To be fair, more than 3 coaches would probably be wise for some services ..

[Timmer]

To be fair, more than 3 coaches would probably be wise for some services ..

Couldn't agree more, 3 coaches for most trains on the Cardiff-Pompey line is the minimum and that was over a year ago. Since then passenger numbers have continued to increase though I suspect many have been put of from using this line ever again when they have been left behind on the platform because the two car 158 that turned up was already rammed full.

[Jim]

IIRC^▸ (if I recall/remember/read correctly) not all Wessex 158's were converted, but they seem to have diagrammed things so there were still 4 cars on peak services.

I belive so yes.