GWR using SWT 159s today (4 March)

[pompeyfan]

Thought some may be interested that GWR are using SWT's 159 on at least one working. Saw 159002 working 1Z09 Salisbury - PMH, should be working the 1323 1Z20 back towards Salisbury.

 

[PHILIPE]

Thought some may be interested that GWR are using SWT's 159 on at least one working. Saw 159002 working 1Z09 Salisbury - PMH, should be working the 1323 1Z20 back towards Salisbury.

Perhaps a GWR 158 has fallen down on the Portsmouth side of Salisbury and GWR unable to replace due to the Block between Salisbury and Warminster

 

[brompton rail]

Thought some may be interested that GWR are using SWT's 159 on at least one working. Saw 159002 working 1Z09 Salisbury - PMH, should be working the 1323 1Z20 back towards Salisbury.

Not to be pedantic but isn't today (4/3)?

 

[SpacePhoenix]

iirc SWTs have a unit on permanent loan to GWR, so if they unit is out of service, afaik they've still got to provide GWR with a working unit

 

[Qwerty133]

Why are GWR drivers and guards even trained on 159s

 

[PHILIPE]

Why are GWR drivers and guards even trained on 159s

If they know 158s they can work 159s, any differences are so minor. They have worked 159s on many occasions and a couple of years ago leased one each day.

 

[PHILIPE]

iirc SWTs have a unit on permanent loan to GWR, so if they unit is out of service, afaik they've still got to provide GWR with a working unit

Could have been the hire one with 159 vice 158 to cover 3 coach services.
The normal 158 couldn't get through to Westbury due Engineering Work closing line.

 

[swt_passenger]

iirc SWTs have a unit on permanent loan to GWR, so if they unit is out of service, afaik they've still got to provide GWR with a working unit

They don't have a specific unit on permanent loan at all. They provide a unit every morning that runs ECS from Salisbury station, and returns at the end of the day.

The thing that is permanent is the requirement, not the actual unit.

 

[tgrb]

I had a SWT unit staffed by GWR Kemble to Swindon last Friday - didn't get the number I'm afraid

 

[PHILIPE]

They don't have a specific unit on permanent loan at all. They provide a unit every morning that runs ECS from Salisbury station, and returns at the end of the day.

The thing that is permanent is the requirement, not the actual unit.

Don't want to be pedantic but runs attached to and from Westbury and not as ECS

 

[swt_passenger]

Don't want to be pedantic but runs attached to and from Westbury and not as ECS

Fair enough but my main point remains. It has always seemed odd that the sort of "daily loan" process has lasted so long, but I expect it might be sorted out in the new franchise.

According to the ITT it will be possible to carry on as now; but they also suggest sending a unit back to the Rosco for permanent transfer.

 

[PHILIPE]

I had a SWT unit staffed by GWR Kemble to Swindon last Friday - didn't get the number I'm afraid

That is the booked working on the Golden Valley Line but can change if service affected by Engineering Work or service disruption.

 

[PHILIPE]

Fair enough but my main point remains. It has always seemed odd that the sort of "daily loan" process has lasted so long, but I expect it might be sorted out in the new franchise.

According to the ITT it will be possible to carry on as now; but they also suggest sending a unit back to the Rosco for permanent transfer.

Have read somewhere that it will continue until end of franchise as you say.

 

[pompeyfan]

Main point of posting was that it is rare to see GWR operating a 159 in Portsmouth. I know they have a 158 each day that plays in the Swindon area, but caught me by surprise seeing it locally. As you say the works around Warminster probably resulted in a jiggle.

 

[Pete_uk]

I had a SWT unit staffed by GWR Kemble to Swindon last Friday - didn't get the number I'm afraid

The secret with those is the declassified first class. They are regularly to be found between Swindon and Cheltenham.

 

[NSEFAN]

The secret with those is the declassified first class. They are regularly to be found between Swindon and Cheltenham.

Although the seating quality is actually nicer in standard class on SWT 158/159 units!

 

[iantherev]

There are plenty of spare 159s this weekend due to nothing east of Basingstoke and no Salisbury stoppers today.

 

[pdeaves]

As a matter of interest, just over two years ago I saw a 159 at Worcester. It wasn't nearly as rare as I thought at the time that it was.

 

[CC 72100]

As a matter of interest, just over two years ago I say a 159 at Worcester. It wasn't nearly as rare as I thought at the time that it was.

Yes, it happens from time to time; I've got a photo at Cheltenham from a couple of years back where there is a SWT on loan to FGW as it was in one platform, and a FGW 158/9 running as a 2-car vice 3 in the other - it was like a 'count how many things are wrong?' competition!

 

[fgwrich]

FGW / First GWR Has incidentally hired SWTs 159s before, with some of the turns including the Brighton / Portsmouth Harbour / Weymouth - Great Malvern / Worcester / Cardiff axis of services, as well as In Devon during the Dawlish Airshow weekends - which also saw the use of 150s 001 & 002.

I remember coming back from HMS Sultan one afternoon and finding it turn up at Fareham for Cardiff Central.

 

[PHILIPE]

As a matter of interest, just over two years ago I say a 159 at Worcester. It wasn't nearly as rare as I thought at the time that it was.

Possibly 1050 Great Malvern to Brighton which was 159 worked for one timetable. This was in addition to the ongoing 158.

 

[D1009]

Technically the first class is declassified but is not indicated as such. However first class fares are available on that route, and given the minor differences in comfort I wouldn't want to cause any trouble over it. In the future all trains will have "proper" first class anyway.