Great Western Livery

[fgwrich]

243 and 249 are in Cornwall at the moment. Photographed both in PZ this weekend.

 

[mervyn72]

With all the refurbs going on what is gwr's percentage fleet allocation at the mo. For example; 14 x class 153 for, I presume 13 diagrams. But one away at a time painting, one on exam leaving 12. Do they plan the diagrams around this or is it just suck it up and short form?

Am I right in saying the rest are:
150/1 = 15 for 14 diagrams
150/2 = 20 for 16 diagrams
150/9 = 3 for 3 diagrams
158/7 = 2 for 2 diagrams
158/9 = 13 for 11 diagrams

Also, are they hoping to have everything done in time for the May TT change?

 

[PHILIPE]

With all the refurbs going on what is gwr's percentage fleet allocation at the mo. For example; 14 x class 153 for, I presume 13 diagrams. But one away at a time painting, one on exam leaving 12. Do they plan the diagrams around this or is it just suck it up and short form?

Am I right in saying the rest are:
150/1 = 15 for 14 diagrams
150/2 = 20 for 16 diagrams
150/9 = 3 for 3 diagrams
158/7 = 2 for 2 diagrams
158/9 = 13 for 11 diagrams

Also, are they hoping to have everything done in time for the May TT change?

Ever heard of miracles. Good idea to send much of the fleet away at this time in time for May TT

 

[Parallel]

The Newquay branch was using 2 x 153 when I used it two days last week, one of which was the GWR painted 153 on the first day.

The usual 2 x 153 running on the Falmouth line too, saw the white 153 for the first time in the flesh too.

 

[E_Reeves]

Can confirm that the new GWR seats are not moquette or cloth but a derivative of the itchy "Asto-Turf" stuff used on Southern. The unit I've just had must have just come back as the seats are like sandpaper (234).

They are quite hard as well, especially for a new unit such as a 387

 

[59CosG95]

They are quite hard as well, especially for a new unit such as a 387

Hard ironing board seats appear to be de rigeur with new trains at the moment! 387s, 700s, 377/6s and /7s, 707s...will it ever end?:roll:

 

[Deepgreen]

I have just received a reply to my complaint to Mark Hopwood (MD GWR) about the state of the 166s on the NDL. Here are some extracts from that reply:

"I wanted to start by confirming our commitment to retaining First Class on our 166 fleet, although I would acknowledge that from your feedback we have some work to do to achieve a service that is easily distinguishable from Standard Class, and specifically the declassed section at the opposite end.

We have just completed a survey on our entire 166 fleet, as we needed to fully understand the extend of the door faults that continue. This has allowed us to confirm options in terms of further recycling of piston/parts from the declassified end, although options are limited due to age of the door system meaning these parts are ever decreasing. Therefore, our suppliers are limited in the action they can take so we have had to identify alternative door systems, which have then had to be reviewed at a contract level, and we are confident now an alternative system has been agreed a renewal program can be implemented and the upgrade work completed.

This may require the stock to be intermittently taken out of daily operations, if the work is completed at a rail service facility. As is often the case this or indeed any other shortage of 166 stock may result in the use of 165 stock as an alternative which of course does then mean no First Class provision. Similar to the doors, the mechanisms for the windows are also on our radar and you are right will need attention especially as we are cascading the stock in the long term.

Having spoken with our Fleet Manager, for the London and Thames Valley, he has confirmed the missing antimacassars relates to an issue with the old branding and his team are currently working on replacements. We are aware by not using these we are further adding to the current difficulties of identifying First Class. I have also shared you concerns with the “Silver Stripe” external designation of First Class on refreshed stock, and whilst there are no plans to revert to the previous yellow stripe markings your statement that they are not concurrent with the internal accommodation does need urgent investigation."

The reply does not define "long term" when referring to the cascade of the 166s, but I would assume this doesn't mean as soon as May 2017!

 

[fgwrich]

I have just received a reply to my complaint to Mark Hopwood (MD GWR) about the state of the 166s on the NDL. Here are some extracts from that reply:

"I wanted to start by confirming our commitment to retaining First Class on our 166 fleet, although I would acknowledge that from your feedback we have some work to do to achieve a service that is easily distinguishable from Standard Class, and specifically the declassed section at the opposite end.

We have just completed a survey on our entire 166 fleet, as we needed to fully understand the extend of the door faults that continue. This has allowed us to confirm options in terms of further recycling of piston/parts from the declassified end, although options are limited due to age of the door system meaning these parts are ever decreasing. Therefore, our suppliers are limited in the action they can take so we have had to identify alternative door systems, which have then had to be reviewed at a contract level, and we are confident now an alternative system has been agreed a renewal program can be implemented and the upgrade work completed.

This may require the stock to be intermittently taken out of daily operations, if the work is completed at a rail service facility. As is often the case this or indeed any other shortage of 166 stock may result in the use of 165 stock as an alternative which of course does then mean no First Class provision. Similar to the doors, the mechanisms for the windows are also on our radar and you are right will need attention especially as we are cascading the stock in the long term.

Having spoken with our Fleet Manager, for the London and Thames Valley, he has confirmed the missing antimacassars relates to an issue with the old branding and his team are currently working on replacements. We are aware by not using these we are further adding to the current difficulties of identifying First Class. I have also shared you concerns with the “Silver Stripe” external designation of First Class on refreshed stock, and whilst there are no plans to revert to the previous yellow stripe markings your statement that they are not concurrent with the internal accommodation does need urgent investigation."

The reply does not define "long term" when referring to the cascade of the 166s, but I would assume this doesn't mean as soon as May 2017!

Well, at least Mark Hopwood knows his stuff and unlike many of the TOC Managers can provide a very reasonable response (Tim Shovler I'm pointing at you). I'm a little disappointed that there are no plans to return to the Yellow stripe though, this is a far more identifiable feature denoting First Class than the incredibly annoying and hard to narrow see Silver Stripe.

Ultimately reading from that letter then, it would appear that new doors are on the horizon for the Turbo fleet - which are very much needed, and will probably be something similar to that found in the Mk3 TCs or the Desiro fleet.

 

[Deepgreen]

Well, at least Mark Hopwood knows his stuff and unlike many of the TOC Managers can provide a very reasonable response (Tim Shovler I'm pointing at you). I'm a little disappointed that there are no plans to return to the Yellow stripe though, this is a far more identifiable feature denoting First Class than the incredibly annoying and hard to narrow see Silver Stripe.

Ultimately reading from that letter then, it would appear that new doors are on the horizon for the Turbo fleet - which are very much needed, and will probably be something similar to that found in the Mk3 TCs or the Desiro fleet.

I was impressed with the, albeit delayed, response (actually from a senior PR person), but the intransigence over the yellow stripe is poor - it would even go very well with the green livery! The doors being referred to are the internal vestibule ones (at least they were the subject of my complaint).

 

[43096]

Well, at least Mark Hopwood knows his stuff and unlike many of the TOC Managers can provide a very reasonable response (Tim Shovler I'm pointing at you). I'm a little disappointed that there are no plans to return to the Yellow stripe though, this is a far more identifiable feature denoting First Class than the incredibly annoying and hard to narrow see Silver Stripe.



Ultimately reading from that letter then, it would appear that new doors are on the horizon for the Turbo fleet - which are very much needed, and will probably be something similar to that found in the Mk3 TCs or the Desiro fleet.

You might like to get Tim Shoveller's name right if you're going to criticise; although I've always thought Tim is a very impressive operator - he certainly knows how his business is running.

In fact I'm the opposite of your view as I've never been that impressed with Hopwood; FGW/GWR is still far too inconsistent. There's also far too much PR fluff from Hopwood: all the harking back to the great days of the GWR, then we get the cheap and nasty interiors on the 387s that clearly doesn't fit. That's before I get on to his statements about underfloor-engined DMUs not being suitable for the Paddington south west services, before ordering a fleet of underfloor-engined DMUs for exactly those services.

 

[fgwrich]

You might like to get Tim Shoveller's name right if you're going to criticise; although I've always thought Tim is a very impressive operator - he certainly knows how his business is running.

In fact I'm the opposite of your view as I've never been that impressed with Hopwood; FGW/GWR is still far too inconsistent. There's also far too much PR fluff from Hopwood: all the harking back to the great days of the GWR, then we get the cheap and nasty interiors on the 387s that clearly doesn't fit. That's before I get on to his statements about underfloor-engined DMUs not being suitable for the Paddington south west services, before ordering a fleet of underfloor-engined DMUs for exactly those services.

Fair enough, the Shoveller mistake was unfortunately an Auto-Correct mistake. We've been in contact with Tim before and came away feeling that SWT were more confused about themselves than anyone could imagine, which hadn't helped us or our feeling at all, especially as we we're trying to organise something charity related. It took 3 attempts to try to get anywhere and that was after you'd cut through the marketing and sponsorship guff.

 

[43096]

Fair enough, the Shoveller mistake was unfortunately an Auto-Correct mistake. We've been in contact with Tim before and came away feeling that SWT were more confused about themselves than anyone could imagine, which hadn't helped us or our feeling at all, especially as we we're trying to organise something charity related. It took 3 attempts to try to get anywhere and that was after you'd cut through the marketing and sponsorship guff.

I'm very surprised at that tbh: he's always been very supportive of charity activities from my experience (to the extent of being "man with the gloves" for the day on the GCRN at such an event!).

 

[spark001uk]

Just heard about the fire aboard 43195 at LA, isn't that one of the short-set ones?

 

[43096]

Just heard about the fire aboard 43195 at LA, isn't that one of the short-set ones?

No. 43194/198 are the two outshopped so far.

 

[spark001uk]

Just read over at wnxx 195 is earmarked to be kept for 2+4 working.

 

[Goldfish62]

Fair enough, the Shoveller mistake was unfortunately an Auto-Correct mistake. We've been in contact with Tim before and came away feeling that SWT were more confused about themselves than anyone could imagine, which hadn't helped us or our feeling at all, especially as we we're trying to organise something charity related. It took 3 attempts to try to get anywhere and that was after you'd cut through the marketing and sponsorship guff.

I'm with you regarding Shoveller. Utterley dismissive of his customers unless it was about a photo opportunity. Hopwood's reply is pretty good although as has been said a yellow stripe would look fine, especially as there's a big yellow splodge on the front of the train.

 

[43096]

Just read over at wnxx 195 is earmarked to be kept for 2+4 working.

If you read another thread on the same forum with a post by the same person, then the implication is it is not staying.

AFAIAA the 2+4 sets will have 12 FRH and 12 Angel power cars. 43195 is a Porterbrook machine, so unless there is a swap around.....

 

[co-tr-paul]

if 195 has gone to Doncaster, it may be repair to fire damage it gained at LA, not for HSTGTi cable fitment ??

 

[spark001uk]

if 195 has gone to Doncaster, it may be repair to fire damage it gained at LA, not for HSTGTi cable fitment ??

Is it going to Doncaster then?

 

[pdeaves]

Green 153318 and 153368 were running together today as if back to their old class 155 formation. See https://www.flickr.com/photos/pdeaves/33344999293/in/album-72157666733437443/

 

[co-tr-paul]

Have not heard but this may be why its being quoted as being GTi'ed.... !

 

[fgwrich]

Green 153318 and 153368 were running together today as if back to their old class 155 formation. See https://www.flickr.com/photos/pdeaves/33344999293/in/album-72157666733437443/

They've moved around quickly then, Both units were in Cornwall over the Bank Holiday weekend where I first had a look at 368. It took me a while to work out what's been bugging me about the front end: What has happened during their repaint is the cab steps have been removed (ala 150s) and the yellow has been noticeably extended down into the molding - Whereas the area lower than the light clusters on the FGW livery is painted black.

 

[pdeaves]

What has happened during their repaint is the cab steps have been removed (ala 150s) and the yellow has been noticeably extended down into the molding

It gives the 150 and 153 much more of a 'family resemblance', in my view.

I note that on 153368 the cab front GWR logo is in the lower position as per the 150s, whereas on 153318 (old cab) it is higher (there was no logo on the new cab when I saw it three weeks ago).

 

[43096]

Have not heard but this may be why its being quoted as being GTi'ed.... !

Reported elsewhere that 43195 is out on test LA-Newton Abbot today, so damage obviously only superficial.

 

[Melancholia]

165 109 is going up to Wolverton as 5M65. Not sure if 165 108 is back, as I'd not seen it.

 

[AnthonyRail]

Why haven't GWR painted a pacer in GWR green?

 

[PHILIPE]

Why haven't GWR painted a pacer in GWR green?

Because their days may be numbered

 

[455driver]

if 195 has gone to Doncaster, it may be repair to fire damage it gained at LA, not for HSTGTi cable fitment ??

It is not going to Doncaster, the fire damage* was limited to the inside of the exhaust, there was no damage to the loco other than what Trumpton did with the fire hose, they were more interested in pouring foam over the Powercar than actually dealing with the fire which was actually in the shed roof.

195 has been repaired and was sent out on a 5Z78 test run to Newton Abbot this morning (about 10:10 off Laira and 10:50 return) in the company of TGS 44000 and 43033.

* nearly as much time was taking cleaning the foam off than actually fixing it!

 

[455driver]

Why haven't GWR painted a pacer in GWR green?

Because they are going to be vinyled in Local liveries.

 

[FGW_DID]

165 109 is going up to Wolverton as 5M65. Not sure if 165 108 is back, as I'd not seen it.

108 came back yesterday afternoon.