FGW West Fleet at full stretch?

[whole diary]

[The SprinterMeister]

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.

Well they have got a few years to sort it out I guess. Assuming of course that the next election doesn't return a Tory government who will no doubt can the entire WR electrification project, thus leaving the 16x tied to the former LTV^▸ (London [and] Thames Valley) operating area.

Quite what happens between June 2010 and the completion of the proposed GW^▸ (Great Western) electrification scheme as regards unit rolling stock provision for West services is a mystery to all of us. Any news on LMR getting any 172's? I suspect a tranche of the displaced 150/1 (or 150/0??  ) is likely to be the only DMMU stock available to replace 12 subleased units going back to their owning TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company)'s.

[devon_metro]

introduce using FGW^▸ (First Great Western) drivers should some sort of ETS^▸ (Electric Train Supply) 57 be provided.

We might soon be seeing a few more "dellners" down west

[Btline]

I expect that if the Tories get in, we may need to look at dusting off the 172 (or equivalent) proposals for FGW^▸ (First Great Western)! The Conservatives will fail to see how the project actually makes sense - they'll stop reading once they've seen the price. (what's new?)

However, Adonis is doing his best to set up a group that can continue his ideas (like HS2^▸ (The next High Speed line(s)) etc.) in a Tory government. And before you all say "a Tory gov may keep Adonis" - he won't want to join them, (already switching from the Liberals) as it would undermine his integrity.

[devon_metro]

I expect that if the Tories get in, we may need to look at dusting off the 172 (or equivalent) proposals for FGW^▸ (First Great Western)! The Conservatives will fail to see how the project actually makes sense - they'll stop reading once they've seen the price. (what's new?)

Are you an insider inside the Conservative party of something? You seem quite certain, and inform us frequently, that this is the case?

[Btline]

I think most people KNOW that this is the case. Tory = cuts.

Want evidence? Look at London since Labour/Ken were ousted:

*Several tram projects axed, depriving some of the poorest Londoners;

*DLR^▸ (Docklands Light Railway) extension shelved, ditto;

*Western Congestion Charge to be axed, this only helps an already affluent West London;

*Low Emission Zone progress stalled, although I don't think he has the nerve to get rid of it.

Expect similar UK^▸ (United Kingdom)-wide results from Dave!

Yes, we need controls over public spending at the moment, but I agree with Brown. Cutting too much during the downturn will hinder the recovery. And cutting transport projects is bad news for us all - we are going to grind to a halt in all of rail, air and road soon.

[Timmer]

Bit of a squeeze tonight on the 17.30 out of Weymouth:

17:30 Weymouth to Bristol Temple Meads due 20:05
This train has been revised.This train will be formed of 2 coaches instead of 5.This is due to an earlier train fault.

Wonder if additional buses were laid on. Been a nice sunny day today so may have been quite a few daytrippers down in Weymouth trying to get home.

[The SprinterMeister]

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.

Have they got 150247 & 153372 back out running again after the earlier 'problem' at 83C?
 
 

[smithy]

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.

saw 247 and 372 yesterday what was the 'problem' at 83c?

Have they got 150247 & 153372 back out running again after the earlier 'problem' at 83C?
 
 

[The SprinterMeister]

saw 247 and 372 yesterday what was the 'problem' at 83c?

Still being looked into at the moment.
 

[anthony215]

I have had the proposed diagram for the 2nd fgw loco hauled service emailed to me.

the diagram is supposed to be

06:22 Bristol TM^‡(resolve) - Cardiff
08:00 Cardiff - Paington
12:35 Paington - Cardiff
17:00 Cardiff- Taunton
19:15 Taunton - Bristol TM

so thats good as it means thet commutors from cardiff/newport to bristol will be able to travel on a loco hauled service
in the morning and back in the evening

[JayMac]

I think most people KNOW that this is the case. Tory = cuts.

And prior to 1997 Labour=re-nationalisation. Politicians aren't leopards - they can and do change their spots.

Incidentally WCML^▸ (West Coast Main Line) electrification started and ended under a Tory administration, ECML^▸ (East Coast Main Line) electrification was done under a Tory administration. So why shouldn't GWML^▸ (Great Western Main Line) electrification be done under Dave Cameron? That's making the big assumption that the Tories win next year. Kinnock was a shoe-in in 1992, remember?

[John R]

I have had the proposed diagram for the 2nd fgw loco hauled service emailed to me.

the diagram is supposed to be

06:22 Bristol TM^‡(resolve) - Cardiff
08:00 Cardiff - Paington
12:35 Paington - Cardiff
17:00 Cardiff- Taunton
19:15 Taunton - Bristol TM

so thats good as it means thet commutors from cardiff/newport to bristol will be able to travel on a loco hauled service
in the morning and back in the evening

Isn't two through services from Bristol to Paignton within around 40 minutes a bit of duplication (0811ish XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) service.)

[anthony215]

I have had the proposed diagram for the 2nd fgw loco hauled service emailed to me.

the diagram is supposed to be

06:22 Bristol TM^‡(resolve) - Cardiff
08:00 Cardiff - Paington
12:35 Paington - Cardiff
17:00 Cardiff- Taunton
19:15 Taunton - Bristol TM

so thats good as it means thet commutors from cardiff/newport to bristol will be able to travel on a loco hauled service
in the morning and back in the evening

Isn't two through services from Bristol to Paignton within around 40 minutes a bit of duplication (0811ish XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) service.)

yes but doesnt the 08:15 crosscountry service run direct to taunton rather than stop at all stations and also run via weston-super-mare? that will mean that it will arrive in taunton at 08:45 with the fgw service not arriving into taunton til 10:00 so by then it will be over an hour behind the crosscountry service. so there shouldnt be too much duplication.

besides it does mean an increase in the number of seats for commutors between Cardiff & Bristol which should be good.