Weymouth - summer weekend loco-hauled services - 2010

[whole diary]

[Lee]

I've been asked whether there will be loco-hauled Weymouth trains in 2010. Does anyone know either way yet?

[inspector_blakey]

It seems to me that every year it's flatly denied that loco-hauled summer Weymouth trains will ever run again, but the following year with about a week to go they admit that said trains will operate again...

[grahame]

Rumour had it that they would be running a service in future summers with mark 3 coaches topped and tailed with class 43 traction   (Hope I have the numbers right)

[inspector_blakey]

And I bet they'll pinch it from the Cotswold Line... 

[slippy]

As is normal with anything advertised as 'the last' the use of 37670 etc to Weymouth last year wont of been FGW^▸ (First Great Western)'s last loco hauled to Weymouth. Look out for more this year 

[Timmer]

Fully expect FGW^▸ (First Great Western) to use one of the loco hauled sets that currently operate Cardiff-Taunton/Paignton services on one of the Saturday Weymouths this year. Just can't see FGW planning regular use of an HST^▸ (High Speed Train) to have it sitting in Jersey sidings down in Weymouth for most of the day.

[inspector_blakey]

Admittedly I have no idea what the economics of this would be, but assuming FGW^▸ (First Great Western) could provide their own crew who knew both the route and traction (this being a big assumption, I realize) then couldn't an HST^▸ (High Speed Train) or loco-hauled set operate a full diagram on summer Saturdays rather than just one return journey with a long fester in between legs?

[Timmer]

Admittedly I have no idea what the economics of this would be, but assuming FGW^▸ (First Great Western) could provide their own crew who knew both the route and traction (this being a big assumption, I realize) then couldn't an HST^▸ (High Speed Train) or loco-hauled set operate a full diagram on summer Saturdays rather than just one return journey with a long fester in between legs?

Probably if services only ran between Weymouth-Bristol but because they now run north to Gloucester/Worcester etc it would mean permission from dft to terminate services operated loco hauled at Bristol starting again as DMUs^▸ (Diesel Multiple Unit) for the northen leg.

[slippy]

There is supposed to be a weekday loco hauled this year.... Similar to the Saturday working of the past sitting at WEY all day...

[anthony215]

There is supposed to be a weekday loco hauled this year.... Similar to the Saturday working of the past sitting at WEY all day...

Are they planning on bringing in a 3rd loco hauled set then as the other  2 sets are busy on the cardiff - taunton/paignton diagrams

[dickyc]

I was at a West Wilts Rail User Group meeting tonight in Bradford-on-Avon. Guest speaker Andy Mellors FGW^▸ (First Great Western) Engineering director. The question of the summer Saturday Weymouth relief was raised. The reply was that at the moment no firm decision has been made, because it depends on availability of additional DMU^▸ (Diesel Multiple Unit) vehicles being cascaded from London Overground and London Midland. I believe this in turn depends on how quickly new 172s arrive from BT in Derby. So if the 172s are late being delivered, vehicle cascade will be delayed and then there is a good chance of loco-hauled again to Weymouth this summer.

Also, if you read this Mr.Mellors, thank you for an interesting and informative talk. It will be a shame if west wilts doesn't get the extra vehicles, but it might be worth it to have loco hauled for summer Saturdays!

[TheLastMinute]

Are they planning on bringing in a 3rd loco hauled set then as the other  2 sets are busy on the cardiff - taunton/paignton diagrams.

No, because the extra service is Saturday's only and Cardiff-Taunton/Devon loco runs are weekday only.

Cheers,
TLM

[slippy]

the plan *was* for a third set with one loco to Weymouth on weekdays to run around at Weymouth. Not sure if this is still on ??

[Timmer]

the plan *was* for a third set with one loco to Weymouth on weekdays to run around at Weymouth. Not sure if this is still on ??

Which can easily be done at Weymouth as opposed to running around at Taunton conflicting with other services.

[grahame]

From last night's meeting ... the intent as of the end of last summer was that the "Bucket and Spade Special" would be running in 2010 as a train comprised of West fleet units, and that was in anticipation of the units cascading in time from LO and LM^▸ (London Midland - recent franchise) as the 172 fleet comes in there.

However, it is now more than significantly likely that the incoming 150s will not be in service in sufficient quantity at the start of the summer saturday season (at least) and if that's the case, it is anticipated that the "B&S" will start off, at least, with one of the loco hauled sets;  using these sets on a Cardiff - Taunton on Saturday would be overcapacity and they are relatively expensive to run, so better to send them to Weymouth.

The Summer Saturday train is shown in the timetable; FGW^▸ (First Great Western) are committed to it, and are fully aware that it would be a publicity "own goal" if it ran significantly shortformed (there were grumblings about 153s forming complete trains last night)