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Indeed, a day or two mainline handling practice. And then you have another driver who already does XCs routes in the south west from Penzance to Taunton, and you can probably then save one or two drivers spare coverage wise. It'd pay for itself within a year, probably less. It would work...

To reiterate, the 2 modified sets are due to head to Laira on Sept 24th. Also of note, the set at Long Rock is to be sent back to Wolverton as it is basically useless.

Well the horrendous performance of IETs on diesel due to most sets having engines isolated all of the time would be greatly negated with more electrification. But where the need is greatest (the almost exclusively diesel Penzance route) would also require the most expenditure and in my view...

In my opinion the two biggest issues for the GWML right now are the poor state of the current infrastructure (which needs more and better maintenance), and also the ridiculously tight turnarounds at Paddington. I've lost count of the amount of times I leave Paddington 10 / 15 minutes late due to...

Actually the 175 sat down at Bodmin with an F and R fault. So it was replaced by the 150 at Plymouth as it was faulty (surprise surprise).

24th of September, apparently the 2 x refurbished sets (103 and 110?) due for delivery to Laira.

I should know the answer to that but admittedly I can't recall! My gut is they do, as I do think all GWR traction has luminous sunflowers nowadays, hence the union concerns. I'll confirm next time I get on a 57!

Indeed and I am one who does sign cl220 and 221s. The difference is there isn't AWS on depot (other than the test magnet coming off the depot limits), so it isn't a fair comparison. One only needs to look at the long (in terms of time) signal section between Saltash and St Budeaux, where the...

I don't know the reasons why, but Aslef are inisiting that the sunflowers be luminous in darkness. I suppose it's to match the rest of the GWR fleet, ie it's something that drivers are accustomed to. You point out that the sunflower is visible on depot, and that's half the problem. They are...

AWS sunflowers that are not visible in the hours of darkness. Union has stepped in and told drivers to fail sets where the sunflower isn't illuminated properly.

And yet I have a normal BMI, not overweight, and find the metal bar highly noticeable and annoying, so not so sure the idea that the heavier you are the more you notice it rings true.

Sorry, that's completely inaccurate (the GWR stuff anyhow). I often overhear complaints whilst travelling about the poor quality seating. Many people I know (with no railway interest other than being punters) always comment on the seats, and especially the metal bar issue. Even Mark Hopwood...

I'd agree that far too many 5 car sets being foisted on the Western is one of the biggest issues (that and the GWR standard class seats!). But overall I think they are decent trains, just need to get the engine reliability up a bit.

My advice, report it to either the guard / driver / or online immediately. My own cautionary tale explains why. Back in Feb 2007, I was travelling to Scotland one afternoon on a Voyager up the WCML. Heading through Lakeland, I went for a quick toilet trip, but whilst standing in the toilet I...

And rumour has it that no more drivers are to be trained on 175s once those currently on courses are finished (at Plymouth anyway, unsure if this applies to all depots). This is totally at odds with what we where told a couple of weeks ago, and so does beg the question are GWR now realising the...

Yes and committed Sundays are awful from the staff's point of view. When we hear that Anglia are getting cushy deals for Sundays within the working week, it inevitably makes those in the West slightly envious.

Well you can be sure GWR drivers are most certainly not failing these for the fun of it. They are being failed with genuine problems. Some may not realise this, but the appalling performance of the 175s has had a really negative effect on some GWR crews. I've spoken to a couple of drivers lately...

No. No one at GWR has Sunday in the working week. The newer drivers have a commitment to have to work them (ie enforced overtime), however in practice it isn't remotely enforceable and to my knowledge no one has ever been disciplined for not coming to work on a sunday.

So, the following do NOT have Sunday in the working week. Avanti WEST Coast Great WESTERN WEST Midlands Railway North WESTERN part of Northern I'm noticing a common theme here. Less a north south divide, but very much an east west one.

Funnily enough Mr Hopwood was very nearly late for said interview, because, you guessed it, he was on the sleepers stuck behind the failed 175111!