First turbo to Weymouth?

[whole diary]

[grahame]

Test train this morning (already on its way)

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/V15306/2017/12/01/advanced

Trying out all of the platforms - in, out, in, out, in ...

Back from 11:36

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/V14472/2017/12/01/advanced

No sign of it testing Jersey Sidings - will the turbos be able to stable there?

[Timmer]

Yes. Confirmed on the GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) Traction FB Group last night.

[bradshaw]

On 18th July 1994 in connection with the Tall Ships Race at Weymouth 165134/110 were on a special service to Weymouth. I saw them at Maiden Newton and there is a photo on 'The Westbury to Weymouth Line' ( Phillips OPC). The following day the special was run by 165128/103.

[Richard Fairhurst]

Yes, there were several reports on uk.railway many years ago by ex-railway staff - one of whom worked for FGW^▸ (First Great Western), another for Thames Trains control - that British Rail had cleared Turbos for Weymouth (and routes including the TransWilts), but that the paperwork was lost during privatisation. Thames reputedly wanted to run services to Weymouth but couldn't get approval from the SRA^» (Strategic Rail Authority - about) (or whoever was in charge at the time).

[RA]

166218 also got to Weymouth on the 14th June 1997 on a Cotswold Line Promotion Group tour. A picture is available on the CLPG^» (Cotswold Line Promotion Group - about) website. http://www.clpg.org.uk/page/special-trains/

Still cleared between Thingley and Bradford Junctions and have used the line. Following the Ufton Nervet collision, at least one swap of Turbos took place between Reading Depot and a unit trapped on the Newbury side which was utilised for shuttle workings.

[JayMac]

As mentioned elsewhere I saw the Class 166 test unit at Maiden Newton today, returning to Bristol from Weymouth. That return trip ran direct to Westbury from Bruton, then back to Frome, then reversed to go on to Bristol.

I spoke with one chap who was measuring the platform/train gap. He said there'd been no issues with gaps. He also told me that Turbos should be running in passenger service on the Heart of Wessex from January 2nd.
That was confirmed by the Westbury based conductor I spoke with too. She said she was looking forward to working the 'new' trains.

A few pictures attached. Note the high-tec device used for gap measurement. 

[old original]

Not testing the tramway down to the harbour then?  😁

[SandTEngineer]

This was posted on the WNXX^▸ (Stored Unserviceable, Mainline Locos HQ All Classes) Forum:

Weymouth Wizard (GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway))
The Weymouth Wizard is planned to run this year, under slightly earlier timings compared with previous years. The service will be 22 minutes faster on the way down. This is leading me to believe that it might not be a HST^▸ (High Speed Train) this time. For reference, the move is pathed as a class 158 (although the pathing is never really any use!) In addition, it will also call at Keynsham & Oldfield Park.

Diagram - subject to change
1O72 0908 Bristol Temple Meads to Weymouth 1125
5O72 1132 Weymouth to Weymouth Jersey Siding 1135
To be continued...

All of the above services will run from Saturday 26th May 2018 until Saturday 8th September 2018.

[Timmer]

It has always called at Keynsham and Oldfield Park.

Edit to correct spelling

[grahame]

This was posted on the WNXX^▸ (Stored Unserviceable, Mainline Locos HQ All Classes) Forum:

Weymouth Wizard (GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway))
The Weymouth Wizard is planned to run this year, under slightly earlier timings compared with previous years. The service will be 22 minutes faster on the way down. This is leading me to believe that it might not be a HST^▸ (High Speed Train) this time. For reference, the move is pathed as a class 158 (although the pathing is never really any use!) In addition, it will also call at Keynsham & Oldfield Park.

Diagram - subject to change
1O72 0908 Bristol Temple Meads to Weymouth 1125
5O72 1132 Weymouth to Weymouth Jersey Siding 1135
To be continued...

All of the above services will run from Saturday 26th May 2018 until Saturday 8th September 2018.

Almost certainly a turbo.

The main purpose of The Wizard is a congestion buster from Yeovil to Weymouth, and the HST has been a rather expensive way of busting that congestion; using a train that's standard for the line looks like a sensible business decision.    Traffic lost (people wanting the unusual experience of an HST to Weymouth - whether as enthusiasts or regular families enjoying more space, long distance facilities such as buffer) surely brought far less income than the extra cost to provide, and their loss will mean there's still space south of Yeovil for that crowd even in a shorter train.   The switch to a turbo also means that the old joke about a "High Speed Train" actually being a low speed train goes away. And the advertising and marketing issues that fact caused also go away.

There was very serious talk of running the extra Weymouth line service (as a turbo) from Swindon this year.  I'm disappointed this isn't happening, but not surprised.   With all the changes going on, many GWR HQ^▸ (Headquarters) teams are already (over)loaded  with work and resource put into planning to run from Swindon wasn't there.   There's also that little issue that running from Swindon would have meant a full turbo by Trowbridge, and meant it was no longer a crowd-buster from Yeovil.

I am disappointed [British understatement!] to have found out what the summer's plans for The Wizard are via the forum ...

[RA]

The first passenger run of a Turbo unit to Weymouth for GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) (as they have been there previously) is tonight. 166210 is allocated to work the 2O96 20:48 Bristol Temple Meads to Weymouth service tonight. Should return on the 2D05 06:44 Weymouth to Bristol Parkway service tomorrow morning.

[bradshaw]

The lunchtime service arriving and departing Weymouth today is no longer stopping at Avoncliffe, Thornford or Yetminster; presumably a Turbo.

[grahame]

The lunchtime service arriving and departing Weymouth today is no longer stopping at Avoncliffe, Thornford or Yetminster; presumably a Turbo.

Short platforms at Chetnole, Thornford and Avoncliff.  Special arrangements in place for short platforms at Stonehouse and Melksham (extra stop boards and perhaps some other things I'm not aware of?) and only a very few 166 using yet have limited door opening in the conventional sense. GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) are trying to keep the so-far-limited extra fitted turbos on Weymouth services (and on any turboed services booked to stop st Dilton Marsh) but there will be occasions ...

13:08 Weymouth to Gloucester due 16:31 will no longer call at Chetnole, Thornford and Avoncliff.
This is due to a fault on this train.

I suspect Yetminster is a 3 car platform, so they can call there?

[bradshaw]

Yes, Yetminster is the original 1857 station, and,  incidentally, still shows evidence of  the broad gauge with a wider than normal distance between the two platforms, though only one in use.
Thornford and Chetnole were wooden platformed halts until after singling of the line. When Cattistock Halt closed the two concrete platforms were removed, one each to Thornford and Chetnole.
Even with cl150s passengers enter/ exit through the single leaf door at the front of the unit.

[grahame]

Only three of the three car turbos which have been cascaded to the west have selective door opening and the plan has been to keep them on services south of Westbury due to the number of short platforms.

And when that does not work out ...

11:14 Weymouth to Gloucester due 14:34
11:14 Weymouth to Gloucester due 14:34 will no longer call at Chetnole, Thornford and Avoncliff.
This is due to a fault on this train.
Further Information
For more detailed information please contact a member of station staff or make use of the Customer Help Point systems available.
Please allow more time for your intended journey.

Parts to fit more 166 with SDO^▸ (Selective Door Opening) are due in within a few days; how long it takes to fit, test and pass for service I'm not sure.