175s to GWR

[whole diary]

[John D]

At a Local forum this afternoon, GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) were insistent that the Castles will be withdrawn on the current expected date, so it looks as though the 175s will start...

Or, as discussed, other trains will be shortformed.  There are still some trains running around as MULTIPLE units (IETs^▸ (Intercity Express Train), Turbos and sprinters) - and it would be possible though unpleasant to inadequate - to provide shorter trains on some services.

If it was November or January in South West then might be acceptable.  But in May as busy tourist season starts is not a logical time to cut formations.   

Of course there is Glastonbury (25-29 June) when other services have been cut in past to provide trains.   Not that GWR keeps extra stock for its 140+ days annually of busy trains (Cheltenham festival, Henley Regatta, Cornwall summer school holidays, Bath markets, Cardiff rugby specials etc

[ray951]

Do we know whether GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) (or whoever is responsible for procuring these trains) have even signed a contract for the 175's yet?

If they haven't then I guess we can't be sure that these trains will ever arrive, especially as the Dft/Treasury/Government are looking to save money.

[ChrisB]

I was informed at this Local Panel meeting on Friday that there would be no delays in their introduction. So presumably.

[REVUpminster]

 3 two cars and one three car 002/007/009/114 now at Laira

 7 two car and 15 three car 001/003-006/010/011 & 101-113/115/116 at Ely
 008 possible also at Ely or at Alstom

 There could easily be another 7 or 8 at Laira by the end of April.

[Chris from Nailsea]

The correct name being CAF^▸ (Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles, Spanish train manufacturer) (Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles), the Spanish train manufacturer.

Now duly added to the Coffee Shop forum's 'abbreviations & acronyms' page.

[UstiImmigrunt]

The correct name being CAF^▸ (Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles, Spanish train manufacturer) (Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles), the Spanish train manufacturer.

Now duly added to the Coffee Shop forum's 'abbreviations & acronyms' page.

But will the railway staff version be added please?

[LiskeardRich]

Castle sets only run 2 diagrams a day at present. Shortforming elsewhere to cover 2 castle sets isn’t going to cause a massive short form problem. It’s not unusual for a pair of 150s to turn up on a castle diagram at the moment.
Cardiff to Penzance I’m led to believe are being cut back to Cardiff to Exeter and Cardiff to Weston super mare from May.

[GBM]

Might this be a forerunner of making all Cornish services start/stop at Exeter St Davids I wonder?
Hopefully not.

[grahame]

Might this be a forerunner of making all Cornish services start/stop at Exeter St Davids I wonder?
Hopefully not.

Your use of the word "all" is interesting.  Are you wondering about the Paddington to Penzance services going no further than Plymouth?   With all the depot work at Longrock I would be surprised ... though there could be a case for morning IETs^▸ (Intercity Express Train) to start from Penzance as they come "off shed" but then the IETs that start from London turning at Plymouth or Exeter allowing the high speed stock to be used on high speed lines ... final services of the day carrying on to Penzance and servicing at Longrock.

[REVUpminster]

Might this be a forerunner of making all Cornish services start/stop at Exeter St Davids I wonder?
Hopefully not.

The only reason I can see them doing that is to stop uncoupling 2 five car units at Plymouth which is probably the most efficient use of the stock than using a nine car from Paddington-Penzance which most passengers like.

If they do stop them at Exeter then platform 6 is going to be tied up unless they have a short turn round time.