GWR DMU cascade – the complete picture

[TJDevon]

There are several threads dealing with specific aspects of the GWR cascade but, as far as I can see, not one that brings the whole picture together. I have therefore started this new thread but should there be an existing suitable thread that I have missed, I would be happy for this one binned.

It is pretty obvious that GWR are struggling with unit availability and reliability at the moment and certainly in the far west there are far too many cancelled and short formed trains. Unless matters change (and at the moment I don’t think they will) we are in for a long hot summer…………..

This is how I see the cascade so far and I would welcome updates / corrections.

Class 143 – fleet unchanged

Class 150/0 – two units now working out of Exeter / Bristol.

Class 150/1 –one unit remaining (having been leased back?) Possibly 150125? Unsure on this one.

Class 150/2 – fleet unchanged.

Class 150/2 – centre cars from 150925/926. Being / to be refurbished and a ‘new’ 150/2 created. Unsure whether the ‘new’ unit will end up with GWR or whether it will go elsewhere, and another unit leased to GWR.

Class 153 – 3 of the 14 have departed north. More to follow soon? I read that 5 were to depart in May.

Class 158 – fleet unchanged.

Class 165 – one unit transferred to Bristol

Class 166 – only 3 remain at Reading per AbRail database. Is this correct? Being transferred doesn’t of course mean that they are operational.

 

[Wilts Wanderer]

150126 is still making appearances in the Bristol area, I believe it’s the last one.

The idea of the two orphaned 150/2 cars is they will be traded with Northern for a proper 2-car unit.

I believe we are now down to 8x 153s, with a further 3 to depart at the end of June. Subject to some 2-car Turbos transferring west from the Thames Valley.

 

[FGW_DID]

Class 166 – only 3 remain at Reading per AbRail database. Is this correct?

166201, 217, 218 & 221 are still at Reading.

 

[superalbs]

150207 has arrived at St Philips Marsh a while ago.

Think we still have 125 and 126.

 

[PHILIPE]

150/1 - 2 remaining. 126 in traffic and 125 due back from Wabtec Doncaster tomorrow

150/2 - The 2 centre cars have gone to Northern and 150207 received from Northern in return

153 - 11 still on hand for now

 

[cactustwirly]

150126 was on the Devon metro yesterday

 

[TJDevon]

Firstly my thanks to everyone who has supplied information in response to my initial posting. Much appreciated.

Two follow up queries. I assume that 150125 and 126 will leave us eventually? Any date pencilled in?

As regards the Turbos does anyone have an idea as to how many of the Bristol based units are not in service for whatever reason? We know that they can't be used on the Pompey services, so are they being used on other services or are some OOU? Some will no doubt be awaiting modifications.

 

[ATW158Xpress]

Firstly my thanks to everyone who has supplied information in response to my initial posting. Much appreciated.

Two follow up queries. I assume that 150125 and 126 will leave us eventually? Any date pencilled in?

As regards the Turbos does anyone have an idea as to how many of the Bristol based units are not in service for whatever reason? We know that they can't be used on the Pompey services, so are they being used on other services or are some OOU? Some will no doubt be awaiting modifications.

A 166 has been on clearance tests down Fratton last week around the yards so hopefully they get the green light and 1 or 2 diagrams on the Pompey-Cardiff route. There are currently four 2 car 165’s OOU in Bristol awaiting door mods and due in passenger service working as a 166+165 combo on Pompey-Cardiff service in the summer.

 

[PHILIPE]

Firstly my thanks to everyone who has supplied information in response to my initial posting. Much appreciated.

Two follow up queries. I assume that 150125 and 126 will leave us eventually? Any date pencilled in?

As regards the Turbos does anyone have an idea as to how many of the Bristol based units are not in service for whatever reason? We know that they can't be used on the Pompey services, so are they being used on other services or are some OOU? Some will no doubt be awaiting modifications.

125 and 126 go at the end of the year. This info is always subject to alteration

 

[FGW_DID]

There are currently four 2 car 165’s OOU in Bristol awaiting door mods and due in passenger service working as a 166+165 combo on Pompey-Cardiff service in the summer.

There are only 2x 165 2 cars at SPM:
165129 for C4/RHM work and 165119 (which is currently at Long Marston)

165118, 165131 & 165133 are all at Wolverton for C6.

All the rest are at Reading.

165132, after receiving the at seat power socket modification, will then go to Long Marston, then onto SPM.

 

[ATW158Xpress]

There are only 2x 165 2 cars at SPM:
165129 for C4/RHM work and 165119 (which is currently at Long Marston)

165118, 165131 & 165133 are all at Wolverton for C6.

All the rest are at Reading.

165132, after receiving the at seat power socket modification, will then go to Long Marston, then onto SPM.

Thanks for the update. I wasn’t sure how many 165’s were currently at SPM.

 

[Siemens Staines]

There are only 2x 165 2 cars at SPM:
165129 for C4/RHM work and 165119 (which is currently at Long Marston)

165118, 165131 & 165133 are all at Wolverton for C6.

All the rest are at Reading.

165132, after receiving the at seat power socket modification, will then go to Long Marston, then onto SPM.

Posted in another place that 165119 returned to Bristol from Long Marston yesterday, so maybe it will soon enter service?

 

[PHILIPE]

Posted in another place that 165119 returned to Bristol from Long Marston yesterday, so maybe it will soon enter service?

It has got to undergo mods yet

 

[adc82140]

I've lost track slightly- can someone clarify....

The 165s are having their C6 and repaint at Wolverton
The RHM and door mods are being done at SPM

What's being done at Long Marston?

 

[FGW_DID]

I've lost track slightly- can someone clarify....

The 165s are having their C6 and repaint at Wolverton
The RHM and door mods are being done at SPM

What's being done at Long Marston?

Yes
Yes
Mods (don’t know what) by Angel Trains (who own the 16x)

 

[PHILIPE]

150125s move back from Doncaster to PM was cancelled. At the present moment reason not known.

 

[adc82140]

Yes
Yes
Mods (don’t know what) by Angel Trains (who own the 16x)

Cheers!

 

[ash39]

Slightly off topic but not really worthy of a new thread...

I was in the Bristol area last week, and given the supposed shortage of GWR DMU's I was surprised to find the 1836 Bristol to Gloucester (ex Warminster) on bank holiday Monday formed of 5 coaches - 3x 153's and a 150.

However, the next day it was just 2x 153's.

Then on the Wedneaday I was waiting for it at Filton Abbey Wood and the info boards said 4 coaches, but again only 2x 153's turned up.

How many coaches is this service booked for? When it had 5 on it certainly wasn't anywhere near full leaving Temple Meads. Busy with two though.

 

[PHILIPE]

Slightly off topic but not really worthy of a new thread...

I was in the Bristol area last week, and given the supposed shortage of GWR DMU's I was surprised to find the 1836 Bristol to Gloucester (ex Warminster) on bank holiday Monday formed of 5 coaches - 3x 153's and a 150.

However, the next day it was just 2x 153's.

Then on the Wedneaday I was waiting for it at Filton Abbey Wood and the info boards said 4 coaches, but again only 2x 153's turned up.

How many coaches is this service booked for? When it had 5 on it certainly wasn't anywhere near full leaving Temple Meads. Busy with two though.

I think that it is booked for 5 forward from Bristol according to a short form quoted on Journey Check one day, 3x153 and 150/2. My reading of it is that they are for balancing purposes

 

[ash39]

On the day when it was formed of 5, we also saw a return working to Bristol later in the evening which was formed of the middle two coaches from the 5-car working. This confused us until we realised the rear unit (on this occasion 1x 150/2) continued to Great Malvern, which involves a reversal at Gloucester. Presumably the remaining 1x 153 stays at Gloucester to form another service.

Quite an interesting working, by modern standards!

Thanks for the info.

 

[PHILIPE]

On the day when it was formed of 5, we also saw a return working to Bristol later in the evening which was formed of the middle two coaches from the 5-car working. This confused us until we realised the rear unit (on this occasion 1x 150/2) continued to Great Malvern, which involves a reversal at Gloucester. Presumably the remaining 1x 153 stays at Gloucester to form another service.

Quite an interesting working, by modern standards!

Thanks for the info.

2 Cars run ECS to Cheltenham to work 2020 Cheltenham to Bristol so 1x153 is left there for morning to make the 3x153 that form 0600 Gloucester to Worcester and 2O70 to Weymouth finising up again in 1728 ex Warminster again. The other 2 work in on 2242 Bristol TM to Gloucester. The 3 Cars have regularly been short formed recently with only 2 available. If I am wrong as I could very well be any corrections would be welcome.

 

[Yorkshireman16]

153305 is at york this morning parked up in platform 8

 

[Bikeman78]

150/1 - 2 remaining. 126 in traffic and 125 due back from Wabtec Doncaster tomorrow

150/2 - The 2 centre cars have gone to Northern and 150207 received from Northern in return

153 - 11 still on hand for now

What's the plan for those two odd 150 cars? There was talk of putting them together, fitting a toilet and calling it 150209 or 150212. Is that still the plan or will Northern use them to form three cars?

 

[507021]

What's the plan for those two odd 150 cars? There was talk of putting them together, fitting a toilet and calling it 150209 or 150212. Is that still the plan or will Northern use them to form three cars?

It's currently a two car unit numbered 150209, but those two carriages will be used as centre cars in the three car 150s.

 

[TJDevon]

Has 150125 made it back to Bristol from Doncaster?

Are any more 153s lined up for leaving GWR any time soon? Or are they being held on to for longer than originally anticipated.

 

[ATW158Xpress]

5 x 153’s are now due to be cascaded to Wales & Borders next year.

 

[TJDevon]

Doesn't seem to be much happening on the cascade front at the moment.

Did 150125 ever get back to Bristol? Are any more 165s/166s now in use at Bristol?

No more 153s seem to have departed.

Any updates would be appreciated.

 

[83G/84D]

At least one class 153 was sent to Exeter on Friday night for preparation to go off lease.

 

[palmersears]

Doesn't seem to be much happening on the cascade front at the moment.

Did 150125 ever get back to Bristol? Are any more 165s/166s now in use at Bristol?

No more 153s seem to have departed.

Any updates would be appreciated.

150125 is finally back, returning on this:

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/O14849/2018/06/30/advanced

153370 & 153377 went to Northern yesterday:

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/K91436/2018/06/30/advanced

Whilst 153318/368/372/382 went to Etches Park for EMT:

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/K97145/2018/06/30/advanced

 

[PHILIPE]

There are just 5 x 153s left now and they are intended to to Wales and Borders but not until next year,