Class 142 Pacers in service on Devon branch lines, 2007 to 2011 - merged topic

[whole diary]

[Lee]

And I have seen a quote of 3 million pounds for a new station on a double track section [...]

Another example is Etruria, which closed in 2005 because it would have cost ^9m to realign the platforms after the WCML^▸ (West Coast Main Line) upgrade left too big a gap between trains and platforms to allow trains to stop there.

Quote from the link below.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Etruria_railway_station

"Its train services were suspended in May 2003 during the upgrade of the West Coast Main Line. Central Trains did not restart services to Etruria when the work was finished and continued with bustitution, although First North Western reintroduced a limited service.

After already low passenger numbers dwindled even further, closure was proposed by the Strategic Rail Authority in February 2004. The closure was granted approval by the Department for Transport on 21 July 2005."

Which station were you reffering to , grahame?

[Tim]

In 2004, Metro (the Tyneside PTE^▸ (Passenger Transport Executive)) complained that it cost 6 times as much to install a shelter on a rail platform than at a roadside bus stop.  3 years later the industry still has not got to grips with the question of costs.   If they don't get a grip soon teh whole railway is at risk.

http://www.pteg.net/MediaCentre/02-NewsArchive/20040407-1.htm

[spineinjury]

Hi all, new to this forum but I'm gonna jump in with this as I am very concerned.
On good authority from FGW^▸ (First Great Western):

The 142s are not arriving in time (will they ever?) and an "emergency" timetable will be put in place come the 9th December consisting of the following:

Paignton branch - hourly (nothing new there then)
Exmouth branch - hourly!
Barnstaple Branch - road buses replace trains until further notice!!

So not only will we all be subjected to whiplash injuries (when we can find a "train", or should that be bus-on-rails or bus) but we shall have to stand at all times of the day (if we can get on in the first place that is).

To rub salt into the wound I first heard this rumour in summer '06 but didn't really (want to) believe it until I heard it again recently from someone high up in the chain shall we say (needless to say I cannot divulge for their protection), so it's not really an emergency plan but something they've known will happen for some time.

The only reason they can get away with it in Devon is because they know they can. Are you prepared to really fight for your train service? Because I think you are going to have to.

[Shazz]

FGW^▸ (First Great Western) have what, 6 now? plus more moving this weekend i believe

Plus if they dont get any 142's i can only assume but that would mean the 158's arnt moving anywhere...

if you got that from FGW customer "services" then from what i've dealt, most of the stuff they tend to tell you ise pure lies/confusion.

And i doubt FGW are that stupid, especially after last years fiasco. If there was a repeat i'd hope the dft would "intervene" with hopefully putting the franchise back up early, or fineing fgw.

[spineinjury]

Apparently FGW^▸ (First Great Western) control have said that there will be a unit swap at St Davids so the "through" train to Penzance will not really be a through train at all. (not that the first bit would be a train at all but some sort of medieval torture device)

[spineinjury]

no they really are that stupid, they bid far too much for the franchise and are now panicking. that wasn't from customer services, it was from management.

[Shazz]

Apparently FGW^▸ (First Great Western) control have said that there will be a unit swap at St Davids so the "through" train to Penzance will not really be a through train at all. (not that the first bit would be a train at all but some sort of medieval torture device)

sigh, can people please stop complaning about the quality of the 142's. I use them daily, and if properly maintained they run superbly. Clearly FGW need to take note of ATW^▸ (Arriva Trains Wales (former TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company))) 142 maintenance

[spineinjury]

Maintenace or not, 142s have rubbish suspension, only having a wheel on each corner as opposed to traditional  bogies for passenger stock, so people with back problems are snookered, as the previously only form of transport that wasn't agony, will soon be excrutiating. FGW^▸ (First Great Western) have sold us devon folk down the river, especially those like me who have a back problem. They were a costcutting device in an age where any old rubbish will do (we're still in that age if anyone hadn't noticed). Maybe they should be confined to lines without jointed track (The Barnstaple, Exmouth and Paignton branches all have this, despite numerous track renewals in recent years). Maybe Exeter to Plymouth services might not be a bad idea (if such a sevice existed).

[spineinjury]

I cant see what all the fuss is about these units.

There brilliant units. Who cares if they bounce all over the place, just be thankful a train shows up. I personally cant wait to see these units back on the local lines in devon/cornwall etc...

I'll definitely be out doing them. FGW^▸ (First Great Western) have actualy got something right.

OMG^▸ (Oh My doG ) you cannot be serious!!! 

[TerminalJunkie]

that wasn't from customer services, it was from management.

Are you able to say who?

[TerminalJunkie]

http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?action=profile;u=99
Name:             intercity125
Posts:            5 (0.114 per day)
Position:         Newbie
Date Registered:  October 09, 2007, 20:51:21
Last Active:      October 10, 2007, 20:22:17
Lasted a day...

[Timmer]

http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?action=profile;u=99
Name:             intercity125
Posts:            5 (0.114 per day)
Position:         Newbie
Date Registered:  October 09, 2007, 20:51:21
Last Active:      October 10, 2007, 20:22:17
Lasted a day...

I think you could be right there.

[Timmer]

Plus if they dont get any 142's i can only assume but that would mean the 158's arnt moving anywhere...

The way I read it is that the 158s go regardless of whether the 142s are down in Devon or not. When the original rolling stock allocation for FGW^▸ (First Great Western) was decided at the time of awarding the franchise it was agreed between FGW and DaFT^» (Department for Transport - critical sounding abbreviation I discourage - about) that they didnt need the amount of stock that Wessex had on its books, hence the loss of a batch of 150s and 153s last December and a fleet of 158s this December.

if you got that from FGW customer "services" then from what i've dealt, most of the stuff they tend to tell you ise pure lies/confusion.

Sadly, many replies tend to be very robotic and generic though I guess with the amount of complaints they must have to deal with that is the only way to deal with them.

And i doubt FGW are that stupid, especially after last years fiasco. If there was a repeat i'd hope the dft would "intervene" with hopefully putting the franchise back up early, or fineing fgw.

You'd think so, but after the farcical situations that happened last December don't take it for granted that all will go well especially if the above rumour about bustitution is true. Be sure that the media will jump on that and make a story out of it.

[Timmer]

Hi all, new to this forum but I'm gonna jump in with this as I am very concerned.
On good authority from FGW^▸ (First Great Western):

The 142s are not arriving in time (will they ever?) and an "emergency" timetable will be put in place come the 9th December consisting of the following:

Paignton branch - hourly (nothing new there then)
Exmouth branch - hourly!
Barnstaple Branch - road buses replace trains until further notice!!

So not only will we all be subjected to whiplash injuries (when we can find a "train", or should that be bus-on-rails or bus) but we shall have to stand at all times of the day (if we can get on in the first place that is).

To rub salt into the wound I first heard this rumour in summer '06 but didn't really (want to) believe it until I heard it again recently from someone high up in the chain shall we say (needless to say I cannot divulge for their protection), so it's not really an emergency plan but something they've known will happen for some time.

The only reason they can get away with it in Devon is because they know they can. Are you prepared to really fight for your train service? Because I think you are going to have to.

Welcome to the site.

I wouldn't be surprised if what you've written happens as it appears that not many 142s have made the journey down South yet with talk that the two original units were heading back north! Only two weeks till the start of the new timetable and thats when the lease ends on the fleet of 158s thats leaving.

Anyone able to update us with how many 142s are now down in Exeter?

[Jim]

no they really are that stupid, they bid far too much for the franchise and are now panicking.

Glad someone else agrees!