First Great Western announces extra capacity across network

[whole diary]

[IndustryInsider]

Now obviously I can only go by info from public sources. That may well be wrong. These spares will no doubt be used (if serviceable) to cover maintenance and I wasn't suggesting that FGW^▸ (First Great Western) have any current spare capacity in their HST^▸ (High Speed Train) fleet just because they have these unused carriages at Old Oak and Laira.

If you list the carriage numbers I can do a snapshot of what they're all allocated on today, so we get a better idea of what's actually typically 'spare'.

[JayMac]

On-lease spare according to the most up to date fleet lists I've found.

-8 Trailer Standards 42049, 42055, 42067, 42083, 42095, 42177, 42281, 42294
-1 Trailer Standard (Volo TV Coach D) 42351
-2 Trailer Standard Disabled (Coach C)  42251, 42356
-1 Trailer Standard Micro Buffet, (Coach F Std) 40119
-5 Trailer Guard Standards (Coach A) 44001, 44002, 44024, 44059, 44100
-4 Trailer Restaurant First Buffets  (Coach F 1st) 40207, 40221, 40739, 40811
-1 Trailer First (Coach H) 41155

[IndustryInsider]

On-lease spare according to the most up to date fleet lists I've found.

-8 Trailer Standards 42049, 42055, 42067, 42083, 42095, 42177, 42281, 42294
42049:  Not allocated
42055:  Part of LA03 rake (next working 12:30 BRI^» (Bristol Temple Meads - next trains)-PAD^» (Paddington (London) - next trains))
42067:  Not allocated
42083:  Park of OC41 rake (currently working 10:55 CDF^» (Cardiff - next trains)-PAD)
42095:  Part of OC47 rake (next working 16:22 PAD-OXF^» (Oxford - next trains) - currently in OOC^▸ (Old Oak Common (depot)))
42177:  Part of LA03 rake (next working 12:30 BRI-PAD)
42281:  Not allocated
42294:  Not allocated

-1 Trailer Standard (Volo TV Coach D) 42351
42351:  Part of LA15 rake (currently working 10:45 PAD-SWA^» (Swansea - next trains))

-2 Trailer Standard Disabled (Coach C)  42251, 42356
42251:  Part of OC30 rake (currently working 12:18 PAD-TAU^» (Taunton - next trains))
42356:  Part of OC49 rake (next working 13:14 HFD^» (Hereford - next trains)-PAD)

-1 Trailer Standard Micro Buffet, (Coach F Std) 40119
40119:  Part of OC53 rake (next working 13:15 PAD-CDF)

-5 Trailer Guard Standards (Coach A) 44001, 44002, 44024, 44059, 44100
44001:  Part of LA05 rake (currently working 12:31 CNM^» (Cheltenham Spa - next trains)-PAD)
44002:  Part of OC56 rake (currently working 11:30 BRI-PAD)
44024:  Part of OC47 rake (next working 16:22 PAD-OXF - currently in OOC)
44059:  Not allocated
44100:  Part of LA08 rake (currently working 11:28 SWA-PAD)

-4 Trailer Restaurant First Buffets  (Coach F 1st) 40207, 40221, 40739, 40811
40207:  Part of LA73 rake (currently working 11:55 CDF-PAD)
40221:  Part of LA74 rake (next working 13:28 SWA-PAD)
40739:  Part of LA08 rake (currently working 11:28 SWA-PAD)
40811:  Part of OC39 rake (currently working 10:06 PAD-PNZ)

-1 Trailer First (Coach H) 41155
41155:  Part of OC54 rake (next working 13:45 PAD-SWA)

So out of 22 vehicles, only 5 are not allocated work today - meaning they're either in a rake of spare coaches, or undergoing maintenance.  Of the 17 vehicles that are out in service they're spread far and wide in 14 different sets.  Hope that gives an insight into how rakes are regular changed to allow for maintenance?

[JayMac]

Thanks for that II. Really could do with access to TRUST^▸ (Train Running System TOPS) or Genius..... 

I fear I'm gonna be seen ticking off carriages in my fleet book. But I only bought it because I wanted to get a handle on FGWs^▸ (First Great Western) HST^▸ (High Speed Train) fleet logistics. Honest. 

[JayMac]

Many local press reports have put their regional spin on this rolling stock announcement. Below is a list of links to news items from across the FGW^▸ (First Great Western) region:

Thames Valley: Train operators announce extra capacity on peak services. Maidenhead Advertiser.
South Devon: End to school run train overcrowding in Paignton. Herald Express.
Cornwall: Overcrowded rail services to get more seats. Falmouth People.
Bristol & Bath: Extra carriages to ease rail overcrowding through Bath. Bath Chronicle.
South Wales: Extra seats for Welsh train passengers. Wales Online.
Wiltshire: Rail users get 750 new seats. Swindon Advertiser.

[inspector_blakey]

I fear I'm gonna be seen ticking off carriages in my fleet book. But I only bought it because I wanted to get a handle on FGWs^▸ (First Great Western) HST^▸ (High Speed Train) fleet logistics. Honest. 

The real pros can be observed reading the numbers into dictaphones these days. Crossing off numbers in ABC guides is just so 1950

[Electric train]

As an aside I have notice in the last week people standing on platforms with clipboards obviously counting passenger numbers obviously FGW^▸ (First Great Western) are starting to workout the actual usage of the additional couches

[paul7575]

I fear I'm gonna be seen ticking off carriages in my fleet book. But I only bought it because I wanted to get a handle on FGWs^▸ (First Great Western) HST^▸ (High Speed Train) fleet logistics. Honest. 

The real pros can be observed reading the numbers into dictaphones these days. Crossing off numbers in ABC guides is just so 1950

Dictaphones?   From what I've seen the modern spotter just videos the passing number panels in full HD... 

[johoare]

Seems like a good plan to me.. although I could have told them that would be a good idea (and may have done a few times in the past)..

I'm not cynical (oh but actually yes I am).. but the Maidenhead Advertiser mentioned the olympics... Mind you I don't mind what reason it is that gives us extra seats after they took so many away from us (hhmm so the actual gain is nothing over a few years ago but they won't remember that  )..

[tramway]

Slightly disappointed, although not surprised, that the Chronicle is very much London commuter biased.

The addition of the 150 although welcome in the West Wilts area does nothing for the rest of our over crowding problems.

This is in addition to the 900 seats announced in August during peak times on local commuter trains, including those serving Freshford, Oldfield Park and Keynsham.

There have been serious problems this week on the Portsmouth Cardiff route with at least 2 services that I know of being formed of a single 150. 

BNM, II, it's all well and good playing with the figures for the premier side of First's business, but where are the spare 3 car 158s sat warm and cosy at Fratton and Canton.

[Tim]

... well I suspect this is all we will get until 2013.  Hopefully there will be some further cascades not long after then triggered by the electrification going on around the place.  And Northern might finally loose the Pacers

[phile]

We have read and heard much about the extra carriages and routes and services on which they are being employed.   But, I was wondering if anybody knows if any services have had the number of carriages reduced from the December Timetable about which it would not be broadcast.    I know of one, 07 23 Warminster to Great Malvern reduced from 4 to 3 but are there any others that members may be aware of ?

[adc82140]

07:04 Reading-Redhill- 3 to 2

[johoare]

According to FGW^▸ (First Great Western) the strengthening (for London and the Thames Valley) is...

"1. 0637 Reading ^ London Paddington, will be strengthened from 3-cars to 5-cars
2. 1845 London Paddington ^ Reading, will be strengthened from 3-cars to 5-cars
3. 1815 London Paddington ^ Oxford, this train was initially strengthened in December 2010, with the added benefit that under this intervention the previous train will be strengthened from 3-cars to 5-cars
4. 0630 Bristol ^ London Paddington, will be strengthened by using a new super high capacity HST^▸ (High Speed Train)
5. 0740 Reading ^ London Paddington, will not be strengthened further, but the next service from Slough, a critical point, will be strengthened from 3-cars to 5-cars
6. 0607 Oxford ^ London Paddington will not be strengthened further, but the next service from Reading, a critical point, will be strengthened from 3-cars to 5-cars
7. 1657 London Paddington ^ Reading, will be strengthened from 3-cars to 5-cars
8. 0709 Oxford ^ London Paddington, will be strengthened from a standard 2+8 HST to a new super high capacity HST
9. 0728 Bourne End ^ London Paddington, will not be strengthened further, but the next service from Maidenhead, a critical point, will be strengthened to a super high capacity 2+8
10. 1718 London Paddington ^ Oxford, is not strengthened but the next fast service to Oxford at 1722 is strengthened from a 2+7 to a super high capacity 2+8
"

Which doesn't make it terribly obvious (to me) how it is telling a lot of people how it will help them...
The only Maidenhead trains it is helping, I think, are the stoppers.. I am very disappointed with this.. 

[Electric train]

No 10 the 17:18 is disappointing, I used this last Friday it was crushed with lots getting out at Maidenhead only to be replaced by loads getting on, (a couple of Muppet's with a full frame bikes did not help)  The 17:22 will not help the crush on the 18:18 as I doubt there are many Redingites that use it from Paddington.

Surely the 17:18 has to be the worst crush loaded train.

I can understand the 07:28 ex Bourne End 5 cars is the max for this line, the only way to relive the crush would be to take the Slough stop out I would suggest not a popular move