Stock cascade of class 150s

[whole diary]

[anthony215]

When did they have 158's in oxford?

Any chance someone has a photo.

I personally think it might be a good idea to use the 3 carriage class 150's on the Reading - Bassingstoke service if it offers more seats and free up some class 165's to boost capacity on other services.

[ChrisB]

Hang on - these 150s are *replacing* other stock, not in addition to. So they won't be appearing anywhere stock isn't going....

[IndustryInsider]

Hang on - these 150s are *replacing* other stock, not in addition to. So they won't be appearing anywhere stock isn't going....

We're not talking about those units in the current cascade plan are we!?

We're talking about the non-standard prototype Class 150/0 vehicles talked about in the DfT^» (Department for Transport - about)'s press release as surplus:  "There are eight Class 150 carriages becoming surplus in London Midland which are not covered by the agreements with these TOCs^▸ (Train Operating Company). These trains are non-standard units that may subsequently be sought by another TOC, PTE^▸ (Passenger Transport Executive) or local authority for additional services."

Anyway, I've not heard anything about the Basingstoke rumour, but 'Maxwell P' seems pretty confident of his source.

[ChrisB]

Oh, ok, thanks for clarifying.

I still don't think they'll come up to Reading depot though

[coachflyer]

Also remember if they come to Reading then they would have be route locked to the basingstoke or gatwick as these are the only ones with guards.

[vacman]

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

Reading depot already deals with 15x and 14x units on rare occasions now.

[inspector_blakey]

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?

DOn't know for sure but I'm guessing that on a route like RDG^‡(resolve) - BSK^▸ (Brake Standard Corridor (carriage)) (which stops at more or less every lamp post along the way) that top speed is an irrelevance because the train is unlikely to get going that fast regardless of the unit. Acceleration is more of an issue in keeping to time.

[paul7575]

Don't know for sure but I'm guessing that on a route like RDG^‡(resolve) - BSK^▸ (Brake Standard Corridor (carriage)) (which stops at more or less every lamp post along the way) that top speed is an irrelevance because the train is unlikely to get going that fast regardless of the unit. Acceleration is more of an issue in keeping to time.

They just have to be fast enough to get out the way of all those 75 mph freights and the 1.5 tph XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) in each direction - fortunately the latter seem to be timetabled with about 10 mins spare on that stretch...

Paul

[phile]

The last thingI heard was that DaFT^» (Department for Transport - critical sounding abbreviation I discourage - about) were putting into store.    Best wait to see what happens after it has rather than surmise.

[phile]

150122 now with FGW^▸ (First Great Western).    More 172 Diagrams on LM^▸ (London Midland - recent franchise) so the 150/1s should be flowing.

[phile]

More 150s arrived from LM^▸ (London Midland - recent franchise) who now have at least 8 172s working in service and increasing all the time.   I am not going to quote any individual numbers as I have had conflicting reports on which numbers.    At the rate of 172s now entering traffic the whole transfer should be complete in the very near future.   I have been given to understand that the first 142s should be leaving sooner than later.    I don't know how the Diagrams will finish up or if the 150s will be allocated to PM or EX.    However, the lack of through access  on 150/1s will no doubt have a bearing in so much as  not good for revenue if coupled.    Perhaps somebody may be able to comment on the 143s stayiing in Exeter area and that 150/1s will work the SVB.

[fatcontroller]

The 150/1's could directly replace the 142's. Would make no difference in the fact neither of them have corridor ends.

[inspector_blakey]

And given that the 150/1s are (AFAIK^▸ (as far as I know)) receiving intermediate door controls they should be easier for conductors to work than the Pacers, where they keep having to run to the rear cab at each station.

[phile]

150s from LM^▸ (London Midland - recent franchise) have started to arrive at Newton Heath for Northern so I would assume the FGW^▸ (First Great Western) transfers to be complete at any time.

[northwesterntrains]

150s from LM^▸ (London Midland - recent franchise) have started to arrive at Newton Heath for Northern so I would assume the FGW^▸ (First Great Western) transfers to be complete at any time.

Northern are only getting the initial 8 units they were promised as 156 replacement and extra capacity for now.  There are another 6 due as 180 replacement and the additional 4 for extra capacity confirmed in the last DfT^» (Department for Transport - about) announcement.

Unless there was an announcement saying FGW would get all of their 150s first I wouldn't see why Northern getting some means the last 150s to go to FGW are imminent.