SWT not operating west of Exeter from 2010

[SWT Driver]

There was also a number of Southampton - Plymouth workings

There usedto be Cl.50 working from Waterloo-Portsmouth & Exeter via Guildford in the late 80's, i think i've got a picture of it somewhere.

 

[Turbostar]

And IIRC, there was also a Plymouth-Brighton, & vice versa, working using the 50's as well.

 

[Fgw+xc+swtconn]

I'm sure I read more FGW trains will stop there to compensate.

First Great Western not the best.

 

[Helvellyn]

Your experience is clearly very different to mine. The trains to Paignton are well used in Summer and the 1420 Waterloo - Paignton MF is a commuter train out of Exeter at present. God knows where FGW are mustering extra trains to cover this as there aren't enough units to cover "Devon Metro" services within Exeter and surrounding areas.

This was my point, that the through traffic seems not to be there, even if the local traffic is. SWT operating these services is a loegacy from NSE loco-hauled days when the locomotices and coaching stock for the WoE services were based at Laira. Only with the introduction of the 47/7s did the loco depot change (Old Oak Common) but the LHCS remained based at Laira.

SWT operating what is in effect commuter services in FGW territory not only ties up the rolling stock, but also takes crews well away from their home base. Only Salisbury crews operate past Salisbury itself, and I think only the top link sign past Exeter.

We keep getting told at SWT that the company will make a loss this year and next. If it is more cost efficient to use a 158 on the Lymington branch than to overhaul the two 4-CIGs, then as much as I like the CIGs I'd rather see a 58 on the branch.

 

[royaloak]

then as much as I like the CIGs I'd rather see a 58 on the branch.

Wouldn't we all , or did you mean 158 , are there any 313/508s unallocated after the cascade?

 

[Helvellyn]

Wouldn't we all , or did you mean 158 , are there any 313/508s unallocated after the cascade?

Doh! I meant a 158.

The problem with introducing 313s or 508s is that is another type of stock that would need to be maintained.

The better solution for Hampshire/Dorset would be if SWT had about 6-10 3-car 450s. These could operate the Netley line services, Lymington branch and Basingstoke/Winchester-Southampton/Portsmouth peak services. That would free up a couple of 4-car 450s for services elsewhere, as well as the diesel units used on these local services.

 

[royaloak]

I was thinking more about the stock available now rather than a new build. I mean what are the chances of SWT getting any more new stock.

 

[Chris B]

FGW came to an agreement with the DfT about extra stock for the additional services. I understand that amongst these is a second loco-hauled diagram.