So......why do people like 150s so much

[whole diary]

[Mookiemoo]

The 150 is a solid old workhorse  and quite dependable more than can be said for a Pacer, they are better than a turbo but not as good as a Turbostar.

I'd rather a turbo - at lest they have first one them!

[Lee]

It means there is too little capacity for an additional train.

Not asking for an additional train

There are two an hour - and not THAT busy

Make one a stopper and one a semi fast

Its not just the frequency, but also the pattern that is restricted by the ancient infrastructure. Really it needs modernising and upgrading before any major changes can occur.

Centro may also oppose a change to the service pattern suggested (link below.)
http://www.networkwestmidlands.com/train/Network%20Map.asp

[Mookiemoo]

It means there is too little capacity for an additional train.

Not asking for an additional train

There are two an hour - and not THAT busy

Make one a stopper and one a semi fast

Its not just the frequency, but also the pattern that is restricted by the ancient infrastructure. Really it needs modernising and upgrading before any major changes can occur.

Centro may also oppose a change to the service pattern suggested (link below.)
http://www.networkwestmidlands.com/train/Network%20Map.asp

From your centro map as a c'muter I still cant se why my stopping pattern would not be possibl!)

Have one stoppng everywhere and the other stopping at big stations/interchanges

[swlines]

But if the block sections are impractical, your suggestion may mean that due to capacity the 'fast' service will have to run directly behind the stopper and that doesn't really make sense, does it?

Put it this way, a service cannot run frequently from Castle Cary to Taunton. The headway is approx. 8.5 minutes for a train doing linespeed. Now, if a class 7 freight (45mph) is doing that journey, let's just increase the headway to about 20 minutes for that train, so a train cannot run for another 20 minutes behind it. Now, that's taking up 2.5 paths - which isn't a very good use of space. I picked a class 7 freight as that's the closest freight to a stopping pattern train... those 1.5 paths that are wasted could be reserved for other trains that may not run, for instance the New Measurement Train.

[woody]

I don't like 150's either and today and yesterday I can give good reasons why.

They are not fit for purpose as feeders to HST^▸ (High Speed Train)'s.

What is required for these feeders are 3 car 158s minimum but thats not going to happen for the reasons we all know.Unfortunately FGWs^▸ (First Great Western) longer distance passengers to Cornwall and indeed Plymouth are a low priorities these days which is why internal air travel to places like Newquay is on the up and indeed is becoming a musthave in these parts as the railway struggles to stand still while the popularity of air travel continues to grow.
  Inadequate rolling stock is simply going to excellerate that growth where there is an air alternative which I suspect is the Dfts hidden agenda in the far South West.
 

[Btline]

Kidderminster to Birmingham is 40-45 mins max. Worcester to Kidderminster is 20-22 mins. That adds up to about an hour.

There are 4 trains per hour from Kidderminster (from Stourbridge it is 6 trains per hour) to Birmingham- only 2 continue to Worcester.

At peak times they are cram packed- try getting on a Southbound services at Smethick Golten Bridge at 4-5PM!

Because of this high frequency- no more semi-fasts can be fitted in.

BUT:

There used to be fast trains to New Street from Kidderminster (and Worcester). They called at Blakedown, Hagley Stourbridge and New Street only. They took about half an hour. They were axed to relive pressure on new street!

Network Rail are re-signalling the route soon- this might allow some faster services- but no more can be fitted in as the Snow Hill Tunnel is full to capacity at the moment! I hope that Chiltern's services will become faster!

[vacman]

150's are about the best short/medium distance unit's around, the ones Wessex refurbished are the most comfortable as they have 2+2 seating with tables etc, although, I would not like to sit on one from Swansea to Manchester! 1441 of Ply is booked a 150.

[Conner]

150's are about the best short/medium distance unit's around, the ones Wessex refurbished are the most comfortable as they have 2+2 seating with tables etc, although, I would not like to sit on one from Swansea to Manchester! 1441 of Ply is booked a 150.

But it is the the 158 diagram from Bristol earlier isn't it?

[devon_metro]

I don't like 150's either and today and yesterday I can give good reasons why.

They are not fit for purpose as feeders to HST^▸ (High Speed Train)'s.

What is required for these feeders are 3 car 158s minimum but thats not going to happen for the reasons we all know.Unfortunately FGWs^▸ (First Great Western) longer distance passengers to Cornwall and indeed Plymouth are a low priorities these days which is why internal air travel to places like Newquay is on the up and indeed is becoming a musthave in these parts as the railway struggles to stand still while the popularity of air travel continues to grow.
  Inadequate rolling stock is simply going to excellerate that growth where there is an air alternative which I suspect is the Dfts hidden agenda in the far South West.
 

158s are simply not needed from Penzance - Plymouth and are very impractical!

[Conner]

I don't like 150's either and today and yesterday I can give good reasons why.

They are not fit for purpose as feeders to HST^▸ (High Speed Train)'s.

What is required for these feeders are 3 car 158s minimum but thats not going to happen for the reasons we all know.Unfortunately FGWs^▸ (First Great Western) longer distance passengers to Cornwall and indeed Plymouth are a low priorities these days which is why internal air travel to places like Newquay is on the up and indeed is becoming a musthave in these parts as the railway struggles to stand still while the popularity of air travel continues to grow.
  Inadequate rolling stock is simply going to excellerate that growth where there is an air alternative which I suspect is the Dfts hidden agenda in the far South West.
 

158s are simply not needed from Penzance - Plymouth and are very impractical!

But 150's are very unsuitable, if you don't beleive me just travel on one. The best option would be 3x153 as they have much more luggage space.

[devon_metro]

I don't like 150's either and today and yesterday I can give good reasons why.

They are not fit for purpose as feeders to HST^▸ (High Speed Train)'s.

What is required for these feeders are 3 car 158s minimum but thats not going to happen for the reasons we all know.Unfortunately FGWs^▸ (First Great Western) longer distance passengers to Cornwall and indeed Plymouth are a low priorities these days which is why internal air travel to places like Newquay is on the up and indeed is becoming a musthave in these parts as the railway struggles to stand still while the popularity of air travel continues to grow.
  Inadequate rolling stock is simply going to excellerate that growth where there is an air alternative which I suspect is the Dfts hidden agenda in the far South West.
 

158s are simply not needed from Penzance - Plymouth and are very impractical!

But 150's are very unsuitable, if you don't beleive me just travel on one. The best option would be 3x153 as they have much more luggage space.

Done both a 150 and 158 and can safely say the 150 was much more pleasent and more designed for 75mph running and stop start. Whereas the 158 has no aircon and was VERY stuffy.

[Conner]

I don't like 150's either and today and yesterday I can give good reasons why.

They are not fit for purpose as feeders to HST^▸ (High Speed Train)'s.

What is required for these feeders are 3 car 158s minimum but thats not going to happen for the reasons we all know.Unfortunately FGWs^▸ (First Great Western) longer distance passengers to Cornwall and indeed Plymouth are a low priorities these days which is why internal air travel to places like Newquay is on the up and indeed is becoming a musthave in these parts as the railway struggles to stand still while the popularity of air travel continues to grow.
  Inadequate rolling stock is simply going to excellerate that growth where there is an air alternative which I suspect is the Dfts hidden agenda in the far South West.
 

158s are simply not needed from Penzance - Plymouth and are very impractical!

But 150's are very unsuitable, if you don't beleive me just travel on one. The best option would be 3x153 as they have much more luggage space.

Done both a 150 and 158 and can safely say the 150 was much more pleasent and more designed for 75mph running and stop start. Whereas the 158 has no aircon and was VERY stuffy.

How busy was the 150?
And how many long distance customers where on it?
And how many carriages where they both?

[devon_metro]

Both were on a Bristol - Penzance, both busy and the 150 was much nicer!!

[Conner]

Both were on a Bristol - Penzance, both busy and the 150 was much nicer!!

The Bristol-Penzance ones never have many long distance customers. Try the 14:41 Plymouth-Penzance on a Summer Saturday and then tell me a 150 is suitable, I was crammed in a vestibule with abut ten huge cases and that was stuffy especially as the Diesal fumes were entering throught the windows.

[vacman]

Both were on a Bristol - Penzance, both busy and the 150 was much nicer!!

The Bristol-Penzance ones never have many long distance customers. Try the 14:41 Plymouth-Penzance on a Summer Saturday and then tell me a 150 is suitable, I was crammed in a vestibule with abut ten huge cases and that was stuffy especially as the Diesal fumes were entering throught the windows.

It may have been crammed but would have been if a 158, and if it were a 158 it would have lost time due to slower accellaration (yes, 150's are quicker off the mark!!!) and the fact that the doors are in the wrong place for busy stop/start work, I believe all but 1 Cornish diagrams are non 158's, they may be keeping 1 diagram this summer due to Penzance/Par train crew needing to keep traction knowledge. 150's are far better for Cornwall in terms of timekeeping and loading/unloading, there is a little less luggage space, but more wheelchair/bike space and (wait for the insults!!) more standing room! 153's are totally useless for anything other than strengthening or light used branches, they are rediculously underpowered and the doors are in the wrong place!