FGW West Fleet at full stretch?

[whole diary]

[smithy]

not for a while yet,when the electrification is done and new electric stock has been delivered.
it may not happen if we get a chenge of government next year it is always a possibility the plug could be pulled on the funding,only time will tell.
i have heard if we do get turbos 2016-17 is most likely but feel free to correct me if wrong

[autotank]

Will any modifications be required to allow the 165/6's to operate further west? Currently 165/6's are DOO^▸ (Driver-Only Operation (that is, trains which operate without carrying a guard)) - I would of thought there will be opposition to this. Also are these units slightly wider than normal - will they fit?

[dog box]

At present the 165/66s run on doo and non doo routes so i should think no mods need to be done ,will they fit probably not

[willc]

Turbos could probably get all the way to Penzance, with the odd scrape here and there on some recently-built platforms and bridges, as the GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) retained a wider loading gauge on its system long after the broad gauge had gone.

You don't need to make any modifications to operate with a conductor, as the cabs have buzzers fitted for them to use on the Cotswold Line to signal to the driver to shut the doors and then set off.

[Sprog]

Turbos could probably get all the way to Penzance, with the odd scrape here and there on some recently-built platforms and bridges, as the GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) retained a wider loading gauge on its system long after the broad gauge had gone.

You don't need to make any modifications to operate with a conductor, as the cabs have buzzers fitted for them to use on the Cotswold Line to signal to the driver to shut the doors and then set off.

As will said, it will probably be a change of operational practices rather than a physical modification to the units, unless they choose to fit them with Local door controls when they are refurb'ed/refreshed (as they did previously on the 150s). Depends how tehnically challanging it is.

[Sprog]

Oh, and sorry for the DP, but:

Another 3-car has been reformed today. 158951 has regained its now repaired 3rd vehicle and should have left SPM^▸ (St Philip's Marsh (Bristol depot)) this afternoon.

Leaves only one 'odd' 158 vehicle IIRC^▸ (if I recall/remember/read correctly), which is awaiting materials.

143612 stopped for an engine change, 150246 stopped with an enonmous list of deferred Door faults (and various other minor bookings) that were on concession which has now expried. 142 awaiting materials. Part from Bxs, that is our only signicicant stoppers so far this week.

[anthony215]

Just when we thought things couldnt get worse for FGW^▸ (First Great Western) it seems like 4 class 142 pacers are being snet to the north of england in 2010 and the only replacement trains will be some class 150's from London Midland as those class 150's with London Overground are now going to East Midland Trains.

If this keeps up i doubt how FGW are going to cope until 2016. As for electrification in my opinion the cardiff valley lines network should be electrified after the great western because it is very well used and unlike the Midland Mainline which has had a recent influxe of brand new trains, most of the trains in use on  the valley lines  are now nearly 30 years old and need replacing urgently. The midland mainline should be electrified 3rd unless we could electrify both at the same time after that i think the crosscountry route from Bristol - Birmingham and some of the lines around Bristol should be electrified freeing up some class 150's to send down to the westcountry to allow the pacers to be sent for scrap.

[Timmer]

Just when we thought things couldnt get worse for FGW^▸ (First Great Western) it seems like 4 class 142 pacers are being snet to the north of england in 2010 and the only replacement trains will be some class 150's from London Midland as those class 150's with London Overground are now going to East Midland Trains.

RAIL magazine is reporting that all seven remaining 142s are heading back up north. Has this figure been downgraded to just four now EMT^» (East Midlands Trains - about) are getting London Overground 150s?

Also, does anyone know when FGW are going to refresh their two ex-Silverlink 150s 150121/127? I think they must now be the only units in the West fleet that haven't seen a new lick of paint and some new seat coverings.

[XPT]

It's a shame we won't be getting the Turbo's for another 7/8 years yet then!   I remember them when they worked the Thames Trains Bristol TM^‡(resolve)-Oxford services back in the late 90's till the very early 00's.  I was sorry when those services were axed, and the end of the very short era of Turbo's operating in the Bristol region.

[matt473]

Just remember we get it all down South folks as the North always gets negelected 

If I'm honest, South Wales and the South West seem to have lost out in the past few years. Yes Wales recieved 175s but apart from North Wales/Manchester to South Wales services we haven't really benefited whilst the South West recieves cascaded stock that is past its best before date to put it lightly. The only realistic short term solution it seems is to reintroduce loco hauled stock on XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) to cascade Voyagers to nottingham Cardiff for example to allow Turbostars then to be cascaded. At the moment there are more losers than winners with the current rolling stock situation

[smithy]

Just when we thought things couldnt get worse for FGW^▸ (First Great Western) it seems like 4 class 142 pacers are being snet to the north of england in 2010 and the only replacement trains will be some class 150's from London Midland as those class 150's with London Overground are now going to East Midland Trains.

RAIL magazine is reporting that all seven remaining 142s are heading back up north. Has this figure been downgraded to just four now EMT^» (East Midlands Trains - about) are getting London Overground 150s?

Also, does anyone know when FGW are going to refresh their two ex-Silverlink 150s 150121/127? I think they must now be the only units in the West fleet that haven't seen a new lick of paint and some new seat coverings.

all the 142's and ATW^▸ (Arriva Trains Wales (former TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company))) sets were due to go in december this year but i am led to believe 142's are staying until next june,not sure about the ATW stuff.
class150/1 will be refreshed once we get the other ones that are coming

[Timmer]

all the 142's and ATW^▸ (Arriva Trains Wales (former TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company))) sets were due to go in december this year but i am led to believe 142's are staying until next june,not sure about the ATW stuff.
class150/1 will be refreshed once we get the other ones that are coming

thanks smithy

[The SprinterMeister]

all the 142's and ATW^▸ (Arriva Trains Wales (former TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company))) sets were due to go in december this year but i am led to believe 142's are staying until next june,not sure about the ATW stuff.
class150/1 will be refreshed once we get the other ones that are coming

thanks smithy

All ATW 150/2's to be returned by December 09. All 7 x 142 to remain until 06-2010. Not sure what if anything is happening as regards introduction of the alledged second locohauled set, however recent events make it easier to introduce using FGW^▸ (First Great Western) drivers should some sort of ETS^▸ (Electric Train Supply) 57 be provided.

[The SprinterMeister]

Turbos could probably get all the way to Penzance, with the odd scrape here and there on some recently-built platforms and bridges, as the GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) retained a wider loading gauge on its system long after the broad gauge had gone.

You don't need to make any modifications to operate with a conductor, as the cabs have buzzers fitted for them to use on the Cotswold Line to signal to the driver to shut the doors and then set off.

Incorrect. The track may well have been moved to ensure that clearances are not excessive between the existing platforms and the existing rolling stock, most of which has been in use since 1992 in it current form. Therefore 165 / 166 vehicles will probably not fit especially where the platform is on a curve due to these vehicles being built to their own peculiar dimensions. Ie class 150 overall width and approximately class 158 length. They will need to organise a gauging run to assess the likely issues. Class 165 was only cleared into Bristol Temple Meads on platforms 7/8, 9/10 for example, this being due to throwover of the wider vehicles on the curved track.

Current 'West' manning agreements do not allow for the driver to close power operated doors when the train is in passenger service. Therefore it will be neccessary for the turbos to be altered to conform with the other 14x and 15x currently in use on West services.

[willc]

I think my reference to the odd scrape and platform and bridge clearances was pretty clear - of course they would need to do a gauging run - in the course of which there would probably be the odd bump or scrape...  We are talking about the GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) loading gauge here, not the Midland Railway, where you would probably remove substantial parts of a Turbo's coachwork at the first bridge.

And don't you think the operator and unions could sit down and have some talks about who does what, rather than spending lots of money on expensive modifications on trains not in the first flush of youth? They've got a few years in which to sort this out - and BR^▸ (British Rail(ways)) and the unions did manage to agree how to operate Turbos as DOO^▸ (Driver-Only Operation (that is, trains which operate without carrying a guard)) or with a guard all those years ago.