Short trains today ...

[whole diary]

[Timmer]

It was a great shame the government's ^300m DMU^▸ (Diesel Multiple Unit) project was cancelled because of future electrification which may never happen. Would have solved a lot of overcrowding issues in the West by cascading the 158 fleet to other routes and given the Cardiff-Portsmouth line the decent stock it deserves for a long distance route.

We are increasingly seeing what a short sighted decision this was with services running full when three car and leaving passengers behind when 2 car.

[devon_metro]

it wouldn't even be too difficult to extend the 172 order as the production line is currently open! Barmy decision.

[Timmer]

it wouldn't even be too difficult to extend the 172 order as the production line is currently open! Barmy decision.

Exactly, its still not too late.

Looks like there are 4 diagrams running short formed today.

[smithy]

it wouldn't even be too difficult to extend the 172 order as the production line is currently open! Barmy decision.

Exactly, its still not too late.

Looks like there are 4 diagrams running short formed today.

i think there is 3 short formed today because only 7 out of 10 3 cars are out to play,2 are stopped 798&956 and 2 are split back as 2 cars temporarily for repairs 951&952.

i also think the cancelling of dmu order is a joke the cardiff-pompey line is in desperate need of new stock ideally 4 cars.especially considering electrification may never happen due to recession and the need for government to cut costs not to mention a change in government in a few months might mean a change in thinking/priorities

[paul7575]

The idea that the DMU^▸ (Diesel Multiple Unit) project was part of a plan to kick start the economy during the recession seems to have been completely forgotten about - but as discussed at the time, the long term nature of the project didn't reflect that aim anyway...

Paul

[Jez]

The 1730 was running short formed with 2 carriages - not sure which others were - think the 1830 was 3 carriages. There was also no catering on the 1730 according to the station announcements.

[crwydryn]

It was a great shame the government's ^300m DMU^▸ (Diesel Multiple Unit) project was cancelled because of future electrification which may never happen. Would have solved a lot of overcrowding issues in the West by cascading the 158 fleet to other routes and given the Cardiff-Portsmouth line the decent stock it deserves for a long distance route.

We are increasingly seeing what a short sighted decision this was with services running full when three car and leaving passengers behind when 2 car.

Seriously, does anyone know if Passenger Focus has any real concern at all about this?    What is this Quango actually doing about overcrowding on Cardiff -Portsmouth? Their useless last newsletter in December seemed full of comgratulating FGW^▸ (First Great Western) for its improvements.   Perhaps they should have their next management meeting at Bradford on Avon.   

[grahame]

Seriously, does anyone know if Passenger Focus has any real concern at all about this?    ...

Passenger Focus's position is that they are financed by the DfT^» (Department for Transport - about) and ensure that the DfT's franchise specification is met. I don't know the answer as to whether or not they have serious concerns, but I would suspect that the answer hinges on whether the step back up from 2 to 3 coaches per train became a formal part of the franchise agreement, or if it was a looser agreement or promise made under separate cover, which would then put it outside their remit as I understand it.