thelongestroad
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I'd take a 387 over an 800!
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Class 175s to GWR
- Thread starter GEC465
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The 175s cannot be beyond salavtion, they worked previously after all! It all rather sounds as though there was an expectation - possibly from all sides - that the project would be largely a light recommissioning and into service, whereas the reality has turned out to be that a far heavier degree of work is needed. They’ll get them running I’m sure, it’ll be a case of extended timeframes rather than complete impossibility.
cactustwirly
Established Member
I don't think there are that many 387s spare
Snow1964
Established Member
I think it was seeing 321s off to scrap
Totally agree, the cascade to Bristol area by December 2026 timetable change, and the withdrawal of remaining HSTs was based on getting a fair number in service before the busy 2026 summer season.
Bristol suburban usage has grown massively (and ORR figures confirm this), so some 2car need to become 3car, and some 3car need to become 2+2car. But it can't happen whilst 158s and turbos can't be released from Devon
TastyMaltesers
Member
At the risk of veering further off-topic: stations from Avonmouth to Severn Beach are restricted to 3 cars maximum.
bramling
Veteran Member
There aren’t really any.
The only readily spare EMUs were the 350/2s, however these are now confirmed as going to Northern.
This leaves classes 323 and 458, however neither are suitable for GWR’s needs. It would be theoretically possible to release some 387s by deploying 458s to Southern, however there would be a number of logistical issues in doing this, and it wouldn’t be able to be done quickly.
DelW
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One frustrating aspect of all this is that it was so unnecessary. On withdrawal from TfW, the 175s could have been put one at a time through an overhaul and refurbishment programme, then fed into GWR stock in good time for training to take place and 175s to be introduced progressively as Castle sets were withdrawn. Instead of which they were dumped in open storage until after the Castles had gone, in the unfulfilled hope that they could then be rushed into service. That's proved impossible, and GWR local and regional services have gone down the pan as a direct result.
They're available and already in the right livery, why not give them a go before the remaining 150s have to be withdrawn and services collapse altogether? Hopefully they have been stored more carefully than the 175s were though.I’ll add to the wild speculation bombfire and ask how long before the 769s are looked at again?!
It was alleged that they were unreliable when tested on the North Downs, but a poster on here (who I think was in a good position to know), said that the initial problems had been overcome, and that it was purely DfT cost-slashing that dictated their removal.
Up against a fleet that has one or two trains a day in actual service after over a year of trying, they are surely worth reconsidering.
Goldfish62
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GWR doesn't have any spare stock end of!
Even assuming a full 175 deployment it will still be short of Turbos for its Thames Valley services and running chronically overcrowded 5-car IETs on long distance services.
Even assuming a full 175 deployment it will still be short of Turbos for its Thames Valley services and running chronically overcrowded 5-car IETs on long distance services.
spark001uk
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Question: does a unit have to complete ffm before it can be used for training?
GWR doesn't give a hoot about that. They won't refund the First Class excess on an 800 journey without catering or with catering but without a seat.
Apedlar12
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This is what was said:
"A Northern stakeholder meeting today confirms that GWR will be getting 22 Ex TFW 158 units but 4 will subleased to Northern so they can do some mods on the 195 fleet"
TastyMaltesers
Member
Thank you for the information
This is what was said:
"A Northern stakeholder meeting today confirms that GWR will be getting 22 Ex TFW 158 units but 4 will subleased to Northern so they can do some mods on the 195 fleet"
So just to check in on the stats, does anyone have a fleet list of whats where?
Out of how many units are they producing 0/1/2 (delete as appropriate) per day?
On a mechanical front, I'm sure if anyone sees a long term future for them at GWR they will be able to get on top of them - TfW had fewer issues with them and they (historically speaking) majorly outperformed the 180s.
Out of how many units are they producing 0/1/2 (delete as appropriate) per day?
On a mechanical front, I'm sure if anyone sees a long term future for them at GWR they will be able to get on top of them - TfW had fewer issues with them and they (historically speaking) majorly outperformed the 180s.
My recollection of the 180s suggests that that's not a particularly high bar! Or did they improve towards the end of their time on the Western?
Its certainly not a high bar and they're not superb now (to say the least), but they pretty much managed to perform across the fleet without much day to day drama.
diligentdave
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Saw 175010 (or was it 110? mind's gone blank) at Wolverton yesterday (Thurs 27/08) looking rather resplendent in green GWR livery.
BillStampy
Established Member
110. It's the 2nd green unit. 010 is at Penzance
Apedlar12
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This should be an up to date list of where each unit is currently based.
003 is the only one being used on passenger services currently.
175001 - Laira T&RSMD
175002 - Laira T&RSMD
175003 - Laira T&RSMD
175004 - Exeter TMD
175005 - Wolverton Works
175006 - Laira T&RSMD
175007 - Laira T&RSMD
175009 - Laira T&RSMD
175010 - Penzance T&RSMD
175011 - Laira T&RSMD
175101 - Laira T&RSMD
175102 - Wolverton Works
175103 - Wolverton Works
175104 - Ely Mlf Papworth Sidings
175105 - Wolverton Works
175106 - Wolverton Works
175107 - Wolverton Works
175108 - Wolverton Works
175109 - Wolverton Works
175110 - Wolverton Works
175111 - Laira T&RSMD
175112 - Laira T&RSMD
175113 - Laira T&RSMD
175114 - Laira T&RSMD
175115 - Laira T&RSMD
175116 - Laira T&RSMD
175002 - Laira T&RSMD
175003 - Laira T&RSMD
175004 - Exeter TMD
175005 - Wolverton Works
175006 - Laira T&RSMD
175007 - Laira T&RSMD
175009 - Laira T&RSMD
175010 - Penzance T&RSMD
175011 - Laira T&RSMD
175101 - Laira T&RSMD
175102 - Wolverton Works
175103 - Wolverton Works
175104 - Ely Mlf Papworth Sidings
175105 - Wolverton Works
175106 - Wolverton Works
175107 - Wolverton Works
175108 - Wolverton Works
175109 - Wolverton Works
175110 - Wolverton Works
175111 - Laira T&RSMD
175112 - Laira T&RSMD
175113 - Laira T&RSMD
175114 - Laira T&RSMD
175115 - Laira T&RSMD
175116 - Laira T&RSMD
I'm going to hazard a guess that 004 and 010 are both for static training (unless they're being stored)?
That improves fleet availability from just 6% to.....
7%
Apedlar12
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Yeah since 004 and 010 came down they haven't left Exeter and Penzance.
010 was brought down by a couple of 37s if I remember correctly straight from Ely, but 004 came down under its own power from Wolverton.
The only unit thats in passenger service is 175003 with a potential 175002 (minor issues) as they seem to be two good units with most of the 175/1 at Wolverton.
== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==
There was a plan for GWR to take TfW 158s but they couldn't due to lack of new rolling stocks from TfW also what 287s can GWR run on without OHLE?
Goldfish62
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According to post #4091 above GWR are taking all 22 remaining Class 158s.
Meanwhile, GWR have issued a stakeholder update re the 175s. I can't elaborate because without access to the source material I'd be in breach of forum roles merely pasting the quote with no link here. Hopefully someone else will be able to do so.
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TFW managed to run their long distance services (North Wales to Manchester and South Wales to Manchester) with the whole fleet, which although was often overcrowded, was mostly covered by the 175 fleet. Availability was pretty good considering how stretched the fleet was.
There was talk within TFW that some 158's were staying. They are also going through availability issues with the 197 fleet. With the impending launch of the Cambrian 197's, it could come back and bite them.
This is what was said:
"A Northern stakeholder meeting today confirms that GWR will be getting 22 Ex TFW 158 units but 4 will subleased to Northern so they can do some mods on the 195 fleet"
TFW will also be getting rid of the remaining 150's soon. Not all of them have expiring C exams, so if GWR are that desperate that could take on some of the remaining 150's. No doubt they will get tied up in new leasing red tape if taken on, so I wonder if TFW could sub-lease them to GWR temporarily ?
REVUpminster
Established Member
115 working Newquay. 112+113 mileage accumulation. 003 must be having a rest.
There are five turbos working Paignton with a 158 and an "overformed" 150. One turbo on Okehampton and one on Barnstaple. Probably recognised the passenger numbers on a Saturday.
There are five turbos working Paignton with a 158 and an "overformed" 150. One turbo on Okehampton and one on Barnstaple. Probably recognised the passenger numbers on a Saturday.