Class 180 Adelantes - discussions, including their return to FGW

[whole diary]

[IndustryInsider]

Some Class 180 Adelente's are set to return to FGW^▸ (First Great Western) services apparantly!

I overheard an excitable debate in a messroom yesterday between drivers.  The gossip was that it was the Hull Trains Adelante fleet which was being lent to FGW over Xmas to help with the Reading Blockade.  When questioned, nobody seemed to know exactly how they'd help, or how Hull Trains would replace them for their services!  Could well be a case of chinese whispers and rumour mills going into overdrive, and probably asks more questions than it answers, but I thought I'd better put it on here!

[eightf48544]

Isn't this just another case of rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic?

The main problem is there just aren't enough D(EHM) Units around to cater for the traffic on offer let alone providing additonal services to places like Melksham.

It seems to me whatever happens to the Adelantes they shoud be fully utilised. Particulary now they seem to have got their reliability to an acceptable level.

It also seems to me that they are eminently suitable for the Off Peak Cotswold/Stroud line services having sufficient capacity for Padd Reading Oxford/Swindon and not too much for the lighter loads West thereof. Having done Reading to Worcester Foregate Street on one I was quite impressed with the comfort and performance.   
 

[The SprinterMeister]

I overheard an excitable debate in a messroom yesterday between drivers.  The gossip was that it was the Hull Trains Adelante fleet which was being lent to FGW^▸ (First Great Western) over Xmas to help with the Reading Blockade.  When questioned, nobody seemed to know exactly how they'd help, or how Hull Trains would replace them for their services!  Could well be a case of chinese whispers and rumour mills going into overdrive, and probably asks more questions than it answers, but I thought I'd better put it on here!

From what I read elsewhere on cyberspace it seems 180 units are not destined to be used at all by FGW. Somebody has seen Hull Trains 180's being battered at Old Yoke, put 2 & 2 together and come up with 29847923874 as usual. Railway runs on Tea, paperwork and rumors......
 

[super tm]

Seen on uk transport

According to the MD of FGW^▸ (First Great Western) on Radio Wiltshire this morning, they (FGW)
are considering bringing back the 180s to increase capacity on the
region.

Is it true - cananybody confirm Mark Hopwood was on Radio Wiltshire yesterday morning (7 Sep).  If it is it seems there might be some truth in the various rumours which have been going around.

[JayMac]

The interview with Mark Hopwood can be found on BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) iPlayer (available until midday 14th September):

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p009qv9v/Mark_ODonnell_07_09_2010/

Mr Hopwood is in conversation from around the 2:04.00 mark.

Scanned thorugh the broadcast quickly, and didn't hear any specific mention of the Adelantes. (Although I may've missed it) There was mention of the hired in Arriva Trains Wales stock that will be replaced early next year, but this is I believe, in reference to the LM^▸ (London Midland - recent franchise)/LO cascade.

EDIT: super tm, could you provide a link to this 'uk transport' that you mentioned? Thanks.

[Timmer]

Here you go BNM:
http://groups.google.co.uk/group/uk.railway/browse_thread/thread/9b6e7714962a01d5?hl=en#

[matt473]

It's not official but seems likely considering this rumour has been going around for a while now. A few people within FGW^▸ (First Great Western) think it will happen but some are still in doubt. This unlike pervious rumours about them seems to have an element of truth about it so could be a real possibility

[eightf48544]

But what will TOCs^▸ (Train Operating Company) using them now use?

[brompton rail]

Some of the 142s etc should be going back to Northern, and anyway their 180s hire ( from EC) is due to end at the end of the year. The 5 Adelantes that East Coast planned for the now abandoned Lincoln service are now available. There are no other Adelantes available. Any way Old Oak Common fitters have kept thei hand in by servicing First Hull Train's Adelantes (to good effect it seems as cancellationszare now very rare).

[anthony215]

Its seems to be likely that FGW^▸ (First Great Western) may get back some of the class 180's which could  be used on London Worcester/Hereford services.

 I suspect that these will be the few that are on Hire to Northern which are due to be replaced by the class 142's & class 150's which are due to be recieved from FGW & London  Midland from October

[ChrisB]

FGWs^▸ (First Great Western) MD was on Radio Wiltshire earlier in the week, where he mentioned that they were looking into getting some back. Anything more than that is currently pure conjecture from other newsgroups & bulletin boards.

The opinion elsewhere is that there are 5 that may become available.

[inspector_blakey]

Its seems to be likely that FGW^▸ (First Great Western) may get back some of the class 180's which could  be used on London Worcester/Hereford services.

 I suspect that these will be the few that are on Hire to Northern which are due to be replaced by the class 142's & class 150's which are due to be recieved from FGW & London  Midland from October

I know I've asked you this before, but it would be really nice if you could give us some idea where you're getting these rumours/gossip from. Makes it much easier for people reading what you've posted to judge whether there's any substance behind it or if it's just idle tittle-tattle. The same goes for your postings on Chiltern acquiring the ex-CIE^» (Coras Iompair Eireann - Holding company for Irish transport companies - about) mark 3s which despite requests you haven't backed up with any hard information either!

Thanks.

[ChrisB]

Chiltern have purchased those ex-Cargo D Mark IIIs - I think there's about 40 coaches now....! Sorry, was told this by Chiltern, so nothing in writing / on the web.

There is a mention further up about ukr newsgroup re the 180s....as I said, only the Mark Hopwood interview, otherwise its speculation. FGW^▸ (First Great Western) are still in the investigation stage.

[inspector_blakey]

Thanks ChrisB - much appreciated! Any idea whether rumours posted by others on the board (see here and here) about Chiltern purchasing the Irish mark 3s have any basis in fact or if they're pure conjecture?

[ChrisB]

Don't know for sure - can make enquiries though....