A tribute to class 153 - leaving us in the very near future

[whole diary]

[TJ]

The 153s are still with us. Information obtained and circulated yesterday was 100% inaccurate.

Today two were working on the Avocet^▸ (Branch line from Exeter to Exmouth) /Riviera services (attached to 150s) and a third as I understand worked down to Penzance. A fourth is on Exeter depot; don't know about the 5th one.

Looks like we have them down here for another week.

[RichardB]

Any update on the departure of the 153s?

[SandTEngineer]

Apparently they are all leaving Exeter on Monday(01/04/2019): http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/V18953/2019/04/01/advanced

[grahame]

Apparently they are all leaving Exeter on Monday(01/04/2019): http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/V18953/2019/04/01/advanced

10:10 from Exeter, calling at Bristol Temple Meads (11:17 to 11:34) and Pilning (11:57 to 12:19) and arriving Cardiff at 13:03.

[RichardB]

Thanks Graham.  I'm sure there will be photos taken and posted of Monday's train and look forward to seeing them.

Over 20 years of service on our local lines.

[SandTEngineer]

Apparently they are visible in Exeter depot and most have been stripped of GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) vinyls.

[grahame]

Thanks Graham.  I'm sure there will be photos taken and posted of Monday's train and look forward to seeing them.

Over 20 years of service on our local lines.

'twas S&TEngineer who found it, not me ... I just copied some stuff from the link so we have it for posterity.

In researching, I did a search "where is 153361" and my top hit was to "Hit the gym and workout in comfort in this GEL-Cool sleeveless training tank for men. Shop men's tops and tees at ASICS online.".  Second was a picture of 153361 .... at Craven Arms in 2005, before it came to us.  https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:ATW_153361-Craven_Arms-02.jpg .

[RichardB]

Thanks to S&T^▸ (Signalling and Telegraph) Engineer too!

[TJ]

Whilst I incorrectly posted that the 153s were leaving last Monday I don't believe that they worked on any of the 'Devon Metro' services this past week. I know I pair worked to Cardiff (and back) a couple of times.

Judging by the number of short-formed trains at Exeter today there may be difficult days ahead.

[martyjon]

Looks like they're missing the 153's this morning ;-

0 Line Updates
0 Train Cancellations
0 Other Train Service Updates
55 Train Formation Updates

Mostly in the Exeter area.

[phile]

Looks like they're missing the 153's this morning ;-

0 Line Updates
0 Train Cancellations
0 Other Train Service Updates
55 Train Formation Updates

Mostly in the Exeter area.

They would have helped on the day but the introduction of the short HSTs^▸ (High Speed Train) last week and the juggling around of diagrams and formations have enabled the release of the 153s

[dhassell]

Five units left Exeter at half 9 this morning headed for Cardiff Canton.
153325 153333 153329 153361 153369

[Western Pathfinder]

According to RTT^» (Real Time Trains - website) they will be stopped at Pilning about now at Platform Two !!.

[SandTEngineer]

Strange, according to my RTT^» (Real Time Trains - website) and OTT^▸ (Open Train Times website) Maps they are already at Cardiff Canton depot.....

[grahame]

Strange, according to my RTT^» (Real Time Trains - website) and OTT^▸ (Open Train Times website) Maps they are already at Cardiff Canton depot.....

Real Time Trains suggests they were 83 minutes early at Pilning and didn't stop ... having taken just 10 minutes from Bristol Temple Meads - 10:46 to 10:56.   Shows what you can do even with 75 m.p.h. stock, but I'm sure they were helped on their way with all the good wishes of those of us who they've carried happiliy in the South West in the last 10 years.

P.S. Know I'm not comparing like for like, but a 10 minute sprint from Bristol Temple Meads to Pilning compares rather well with 40 minutes in normal service to that part of South Gloucestershire - from Bristol Temple Meads to Severn Beach.