Stock cascade of class 150s

[whole diary]

[phile]

It was reported some time ago that 150/1s would be employed on the Severn Beach line at some stage, the indication orignally being that it would happen in May 2011.    However, it did not take place then and the 143s continued.
However, in recent weeks I have noticed a greater proportion of 150s (both /1s and/2s)  in lieu of 143s.   One day both the 2 diagrams were 150s.   I am wondering if any body can say if there was a diagram change in the September change of diagrams

[paul7575]

You can only assume that whatever was planned for the 150s generally is running at least 6 months late, since the 172s are running so late;  hence anything previously proposed for the Severn Beach line could still happen over the next few months as the cascade gradually completes?

Paul

[JayMac]

It was reported some time ago that 150/1s would be employed on the Severn Beach line at some stage, the indication orignally being that it would happen in May 2011.    However, it did not take place then and the 143s continued.
However, in recent weeks I have noticed a greater proportion of 150s (both /1s and/2s)  in lieu of 143s.   One day both the 2 diagrams were 150s.   I am wondering if any body can say if there was a diagram change in the September change of diagrams

I don't know whether its a diagram change, but I too have seen more instances of 150/1 and 150/2 in use on the SVB Line of late. My last three trips have been on said untits. I'm beginning to miss the bouncy squealy fun of a 143. Here's hoping I get one tomorrow AM for the first day of my holiday.... 

[phile]

It could be there is a lot of "ad hoc" allocation of Units during this transitional period.  It may be that the 143s are staying behind at Exeter to provide additional capacity on the Devon Metro and  also in preparation for the return of the 142s to Northern.
   We may not see things settle down until the December Timetable change when, hopefully, all the 172s will be in service and the Cascade virtually near to completion.   The December Diagrams could then reflect the revised allocation of Units to FGW^▸ (First Great Western).

[The SprinterMeister]

It could be there is a lot of "ad hoc" allocation of Units during this transitional period.  It may be that the 143s are staying behind at Exeter to provide additional capacity on the Devon Metro and  also in preparation for the return of the 142s to Northern.

It seems to be the case that 143+143 or 143+153 better matches capacity to demand on the Devon internals and a single 150/1 can cope with the Severn Beach line. I'm less involved with West services than before so not really sure what the stratgey is on that side of FGW^▸ (First Great Western) these days.

[fatcontroller]

There is now a class 150/1 diagram on the Severn Beach line.

[anthony215]

I did hear that there was talks going on to try and get these non standard 3 carriage class 150's

Glad to see that some common sense is being applied to the situation.



Slightly off topic I also wonder any word on the Salisbury - Swindon service starting any time soon? I know it was hoped that a service could possibly start in december.

[IndustryInsider]

I heard from a very good source that the LM^▸ (London Midland - recent franchise) 2 x non standard 150/0 3 car units will  snapped up by FGW^▸ (First Great Western) and be transferred to RDG^‡(resolve) to work on the Basingstokes, thus releasing turbo units.

Interesting idea.  I'll let you know if I hear anything about it.

[northwesterntrains]

I heard from a very good source that the LM^▸ (London Midland - recent franchise) 2 x non standard 150/0 3 car units will  snapped up by FGW^▸ (First Great Western) and be transferred to RDG^‡(resolve) to work on the Basingstokes, thus releasing turbo units. The 2 other (spare) orphan 150 driving trailers will be hybridised with 153s and form 2 extra 2 car units.  These, AFAIK^▸ (as far as I know), will be used on West services.

It would make sense for whoever takes on the 150/0s to take on the mismatched pair of 150/2 vehicles but to use them to form the 4 x 3 car 150s.  Having 2 x 3 car 150s means either that there would only be one 3 car diagram or if there were two then one would frequently be operated by a unit of a different size due to maintenance.

Is the transfer provisionally confirmed or are they just in talks?  I'm sure a few operators would have expressed an interest in the 'spare' 150 vehicles.

[Maxwell P]

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[northwesterntrains]

The thing that interests me about 150s replacing FGW^▸ (First Great Western) 16xs is the difference in top speed.  Can they just replace 90mph paths with 75mph paths in an area like Reading?

Am I right in thinking that when you say 'Turbos will be released' that they will in fact mean a 2 car 16x will be replaced by a 150/0 and then the 16x will be used to strengthen an existing Turbo service?

[ChrisB]

150s will never get into turbo terrotiry - rather the other way about.

[Maxwell P]

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[ChrisB]

OK, I'll take that bet, especially as Reading depot won't be geared up to deal with 150s.

[IndustryInsider]

The thing that interests me about 150s replacing FGW^▸ (First Great Western) 16xs is the difference in top speed.  Can they just replace 90mph paths with 75mph paths in an area like Reading?

Am I right in thinking that when you say 'Turbos will be released' that they will in fact mean a 2 car 16x will be replaced by a 150/0 and then the 16x will be used to strengthen an existing Turbo service?

Presumably that would be the idea.  The speed issue wouldn't be a problem on the Reading-Basingstoke route, where Turbos don't reach 90mph.

150s will never get into turbo terrotiry - rather the other way about.

What makes you so sure about that then?  As a temporary fix to help with overcrowding issues until the Class 319's cascade to FGW, it does sound like possibly a good idea.  I remember Class 158's working Turbo duties between Oxford and Bicester not too long ago, why not 150's?