Rumour of HSTs to operate Cardiff-Portsmouth discounted - probably Class 165/166 instead

[whole diary]

[paul7575]

This thread's been on the go since February, I think the HSTs^▸ (High Speed Train) were pretty much ruled out half way down page 1, but of course the thread title remains positive for any new readers...

Paul

[trainbuff]

I have heard that Long Rock in Penzance will have an allocation of five 2+5 HST^▸ (High Speed Train) sets.

[ChrisB]

Is that long-term, or simply to cover the (late?) arrival of the AT300s? I suspect the latter - so gone before the toilets need changing

[LiskeardRich]

I have heard that Long Rock in Penzance will have an allocation of five 2+5 HST^▸ (High Speed Train) sets.

From a Long Rock engineer on Rail Forums. I know of the poster and for him to be reputable and verified as an engineer at Long Rock

Today, 24/6/16, and info received from Fleet Engineering Manager in person.

 With the well known IEP^▸ (Intercity Express Program / Project.) delays, the number of 165/166 units retained at Reading depot will increase.

 The rest for Bristol as planned for Cardiff-Portsmouth.

 This means not all 158s will head west so it looks increasingly likely that the 2+4 HST plan will be signed off by the DfT^» (Department for Transport - about) in July. These will be used for the Bristol to Penzance corridor and will have sliding doors and CET^▸ (Controlled Emission Toilet) fitted and should carry green livery.

 The coach ends will effectively be chopped off and a new design modular door area will be fitted hence cost saving on measuring each coach on an individual basis.

 These will be used in conjunction with the AT300s to form the planned Dec 2018 timetable upgrade.
 They should remain in service until at least the end of the franchise.

[ChrisB]

So 165/166s for Cardiff/Portsmouth pretty much confirmed. Presumably a mixture?

Interesting that the doors & CET^▸ (Controlled Emission Toilet) (toilets I guess) are going to be done before its necessary (2020/1 isn't it?)

[LiskeardRich]

CET^▸ (Controlled Emission Toilet) is Controlled Emission Toilets I believe.

[ChrisB]

Are they going to fit the retained HSTS with controlled emission toilets

Retention toilets surely?
Din't think so...as they're not retaining them for long

you were right, apologies

[Chris from Nailsea]

This thread's been on the go since February, I think the HSTs^▸ (High Speed Train) were pretty much ruled out half way down page 1, but of course the thread title remains positive for any new readers

Fair comment, Paul - I've therefore taken the opportunity to clarify the topic heading now. 

[Rhydgaled]

This thread's been on the go since February, I think the HSTs^▸ (High Speed Train) were pretty much ruled out half way down page 1, but of course the thread title remains positive for any new readers

Fair comment, Paul - I've therefore taken the opportunity to clarify the topic heading now. 

Except that I thought the current rumour is that class 158s will continue to work the Cardiff-Portsmouth, not 166s and 165s as the heading states (although some say the 165s will work stoppers alongside the 158s on the main Cardiff-Portsmouth regional express services).

[ChrisB]

From a Long Rock engineer on Rail Forums. I know of the poster and for him to be reputable and verified as an engineer at Long Rock

Today, 24/6/16, and info received from Fleet Engineering Manager in person.

 With the well known IEP^▸ (Intercity Express Program / Project.) delays, the number of 165/166 units retained at Reading depot will increase.

 The rest for Bristol as planned for Cardiff-Portsmouth.

[Chris from Nailsea]

So, would you like me to update this topic's heading again, or not? 

[LiskeardRich]

So, would you like me to update this topic's heading again, or not? 

The current heading is as advised by an engineering manager. I think it's a good bet!

[Rhydgaled]

So, would you like me to update this topic's heading again, or not? 

The current heading is as advised by an engineering manager. I think it's a good bet!

A good bet maybe, but the rumours seems to be changing at a rate of knots. If I were to suggest re-naming it would be something like "Rumour of HSTs^▸ (High Speed Train) to operate Cardiff-Portsmouth discounted - who knows what else instead".

This from WNXX^▸ (Stored Unserviceable, Mainline Locos HQ All Classes) forum:

All change;

All 21 class 166 to be allocated to Bristol plus 'most' of the two car 165s. All three car 165s remain at Reading. 166s to be all standard class with some seating rearranged.

Officially all 153s to go off lease, unofficially the five Porterbrook 153s are remaining.

[LiskeardRich]

So, would you like me to update this topic's heading again, or not? 

The current heading is as advised by an engineering manager. I think it's a good bet!

A good bet maybe, but the rumours seems to be changing at a rate of knots. If I were to suggest re-naming it would be something like "Rumour of HSTs^▸ (High Speed Train) to operate Cardiff-Portsmouth discounted - who knows what else instead".

This from WNXX^▸ (Stored Unserviceable, Mainline Locos HQ All Classes) forum:

All change;

All 21 class 166 to be allocated to Bristol plus 'most' of the two car 165s. All three car 165s remain at Reading. 166s to be all standard class with some seating rearranged.

Officially all 153s to go off lease, unofficially the five Porterbrook 153s are remaining.

My source isn't a rumour, but current actual plans straight from the horses mouth! Of course plans may change if further delays or issues with electrification.
The current official plans is 1 tp2h 2+4 HST Penzance -Cardiff/Bristol. 165/6 Cardiff-Portsmouth. These are of course subject to change

[anthony215]

Cardiff - Penzance on a hst I don't will be such a bad idea especially when you compare them to clas 150/1's that have 3+2 seating which I don't really like.


Still I suspect things are likely to change again now in the near future