142s

[Turbostar]

http://www.therailwaycentre.com/UK News August 07/280807_FGW.html

It had been confirmed, 142's are coming back to the South West! ad:

Mart

 

[Dennis]

Anyone care to remind me about the problems experienced in the past with 'skippers' in Cornwall.

IIRC, the passengers hated them, they made a dreadful din going around sharp bends and the wheelsets were knackered after about 4000 miles.

Then again, better than no service at all; we can rely on FGW to look after it's local lines passengers.

 

[devon_metro]

I hope they realise what a mistake they make when the lines are all knackered. Well done FGW - how to cock up a railway

 

[158809]

Well, a few less for Northern!

May aswell put em into use, than have them sat around stored!

So, i wonder if we will see a neon 142, or will the South Coast see NW Gold Star, NS, MR, and ATN liveries amongst the many liveries already?

 

[Spaceflower]

142's are great!

 

[westcoaster]

they got rid of 8 150's not to long ago iirc

 

[First ScotRail]

FGW's fleet will be getting repainted shortly and the 142 situation i am sure would have been checked by fgw and some modification will be put on them (i hope). It seems strange how all of this change has happened since FSR's old engineering director andy mellors went down to fgw!

 

[Gizmogle]

142's are great!

Exactly

 

[Spaceflower]

They are used extensively on local lines countrywide. Why is it such a blow that they are to be used on lightly used Cornish branchlines, which is, afterall, what they were designed for. Besides I thought the cascade of surplus 158's displaced from TPE allowed sprinters to take over much of their previous duties? On a different topic, where are the ex TPE 158's currently being used?

EDIT: I take it you're a fan of them too Gizmogle

 

[158809]

142's are great!

They are good units, and do serve their purpose, operating mainly loss making routes up here. Hoever, it will be nice to have a 158, or 156 for a change!
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They are used extensively on local lines countrywide. Why is it such a blow that they are to be used on lightly used Cornish branchlines, which is, afterall, what they were designed for. Besides I thought the cascade of surplus 158's displaced from TPE allowed sprinters to take over much of theyre previous duties? On a different topic, where are the ex TPE 158's currently being used?

Ex-TPE 158s, theres some at CT, SWT and FGW.
Arn't they used on mainly the old Alphaline routes with FGW?

 

[Jim]

Exactly

But NOT on Cornish Branch Lines!
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TPE's are just normal 158's, so 158 diagrams!
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Why is it such a blow that they are to be used on lightly used Cornish branchlines,

Because of the reasons stated above. BEFORE telling us of for moaning, perhaps you should learn the facts

Pacers ARE restricted in TRIP NUMBERS A MONTH on Devon and Cornwall Lines

Wheelsets were changed at great expense every 4,000 miles when they worked in Cornwall

Track is going to wear out quicker, leading to yet more week long line closures!

 

[Spaceflower]

Ok Jim, I am not going to tell you off for moaning. I believe it is the many sharp corners of the Cornish branches which cause the problems mentioned above?

It does raise the question of why re-introduce them after earlier problems, especially with the recent introduction of new trains on many routes.

I do not understand your point about TPE 158's, many of which have been replaced by 185's.

 

[Dennis]

The Cornish branches are normally 150 or 153 operated and seem to do the job quite well. The main problem for 14x's is the tight bends; I've not had any experience of 14x's on their Northern stamping grounds so cannot comment on how they behave on the curves there. However, the Cornish branches are very twisty because of the nature of the terrain - this, combined with generally poor track quality is sure to cause plenty of squealing and bouncing, not to mention wear.

Personally, as a Pacer fan, I'm looking forward to it, especially as this will be at the expense of a few 158's (the duties of these presumably being covered by the remaining 150's and 153's).

Regarding the ex TPE 158's, these can turn up anywhere although (as might be expected / hoped for), they do tend to be concentrated on the longer routes.

Given the continuing rise in passenger numbers, the 142 will provide useful extra capacity; in the absence of new build units it would be daft to store valuable capacity.

 

[devon_metro]

Lets look forward to a TSR frenzy

 

[Jim]

Lets look forward to a TSR frenzy

Not really, most the branch lines allready have a 20 limit all the way!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

1. Ok Jim, I am not going to tell you off for moaning. I believe it is the many sharp corners of the Cornish branches which cause the problems mentioned above?

2. It does raise the question of why re-introduce them after earlier problems, especially with the recent introduction of new trains on many routes.

3. I do not understand your point about TPE 158's, many of which have been replaced by 185's.

1. That is correct, which is why it has been mentioned in quite a few posts in this thread!

2. Because FGW are thinking of it!

3. I ment in the SW

 

[Spaceflower]

I didnt know the Pennines extended into the south west.

 

[Jim]

I didnt know the Pennines extended into the south west.

The units have! Did you read any posts in this thread, or just respond to ones you could argue with?

 

[Turbostar]

It's crazy. The branch lines in Cornwall have been redone over the past year, god knows how much that cost Network Rail. Now FGW are bringing back the 142's, knowing they must do the trouble they caused the last time they were down here, & the cost. Someone somewhere obviously hasn't thought about this.

Mart

 

[JonG]

It's crazy. The branch lines in Cornwall have been redone over the past year, god knows how much that cost Network Rail. Now FGW are bringing back the 142's, knowing they must do the trouble they caused the last time they were down here, & the cost. Someone somewhere obviously hasn't thought about this.

Mart

Mart,

posted by nat37670 on SWRG:

Just to actually confirm that although FGW ARE getting 12 class 142s,
they will NOT be working in Cornwall.

<JG>

 

[Mojo]

Correct: -

http://indefenceoffirstgreatwestern.blogspot.com/2007/08/reader-mail-vol-iii-wide-world-of.html

"Thankfully, they are wrong (and not for the first time). Although there will
probably be up to a dozen class 142s making an appearance shortly, and
although they will be covering for DMUs away for refurbishment, they will
not be working any further west than Paignton, mostly for the reasons you
mention."

 

[Spaceflower]

Lets get one thing straight Jim, I didnt post in this thread to start an argument, just express my point of view, which it seems is alot more than I can say for yourself. I initially expressed my liking of the units and then asked why they were unsuitable for the Cornish branches, i.e. what was the reason behind the excessive wear. This had not yet been mentioned on this thread, I was the first to do so. Read it Jim, next time, eh?
You have then decided to reply with what I can only describe as poor English which I found it difficult to understand. This left me more confused than anything else and I subsequently tried to clarify the point you were trying to make, to no avail.

Regarding TPE 158's. If the units are in the SW they are no longer TPE diagrams.

TPE's are just normal 158's, so 158 diagrams!

:-?

Look Jim I have had no problem understanding anyone else in this thread, particularly Dennis, who has answered both my queries in a clear and undrerstandable way....thanks Dennis.
Jim, you are not helping, in fact I find you to be quite rude.

 

[Jim]

Regarding TPE 158's. If the units are in the SW they are no longer TPE diagrams.

:-?
.

TPE's is the collective name for the TPE 158's round here, thus "TPE's are on 158 diagrams" or whatever I said
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The question now is, where ARE they going to work!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

I initially expressed my liking of the units .

Good, especially as they are coming down with bus seats!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Well, a few less for Northern!

May aswell put em into use, than have them sat around stored!

So, i wonder if we will see a neon 142, or will the South Coast see NW Gold Star, NS, MR, and ATN liveries amongst the many liveries already?

And whose getting all the 158's we are loosing!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Anyone care to remind me about the problems experienced in the past with 'skippers' in Cornwall.

IIRC, the passengers hated them, they made a dreadful din going around sharp bends and the wheelsets were knackered after about 4000 miles.

Then again, better than no service at all; we can rely on FGW to look after it's local lines passengers.

If you insist on calling me rude, I will point out that the reason was posted before the question!

Why is it such a blow that they are to be used on lightly used Cornish branchlines, which is, afterall, what they were designed for.

 

[Turbostar]

GM59002 & Mojo, I'm only going by what I read on railwaycentre.com, take it up with them:

'It has now been confirmed that Class 142 'Pacer' units will return to Great Western routes from the end of the year. Twelve sets are destined to be allocated to Bristol/Exeter for use mainly on Cornish branch lines.

Perhaps the authorities can not remember the chaos these sets caused to lines in Devon and Cornwall in the mid 1980s when 15 sets were allocated to Laira as West of England replacement stock. Problems with excessive wheel/rail wear, noise and rough riding were but a few of the problems.

No information is yet available as to which sets will be reallocated to the West.

We wait with interest as to what the customer reaction will be to this stock - it is not likely to be good.'

Mart

 

[Spaceflower]

And there is the answer. They aren't returning to the Cornish branchlines afterall. Alot of people moaning about nothing (mostly Jim though).

 

[Jim]

And there is the answer. They aren't returning to the Cornish branchlines afterall. Alot of people moaning about nothing (mostly Jim though).

I was moaning about what was told at the time, the expected place they were going to go. Did you know any better?

 

[support-uk-rail]

Let's not have a fight, ladies....ladies!!!

Your lucky if you live in Cornwall or South Wales, the latter of which previously the 142 operates. I just f*cking hope they aint operating on my line! (my station: yeoford, my line: tarka line)

 

[djw1981]

The 158s are poff for as refurb AIUI. The 142 could then be used to stregthen peak trains as on the Settle & Carlisle line.

 

[devon_metro]

Let's not have a fight, ladies....ladies!!!

Your lucky if you live in Cornwall or South Wales, the latter of which previously the 142 operates. I just f*cking hope they aint operating on my line! (my station: yeoford, my line: tarka line)

Expect them to be on the triangle (Barnstaple-Exmouth-Paignton)

To be honest i'm quite looking forward to one turning up at Paignton so long as its empty!

 

[sidthesyphon]

It's not just FGW that's getting some, rumours have it that some are heading for Scotland to work Glasgow Central to Paisley Canal and Whifflet services. Driver training to start "next year"...

 

[Jim]

Let's not have a fight, ladies....ladies!!!

Your lucky if you live in Cornwall or South Wales, the latter of which previously the 142 operates. I just f*cking hope they aint operating on my line! (my station: yeoford, my line: tarka line)

One of the lines that NR have a restriction on - so don't panic!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

To be honest i'm quite looking forward to one turning up at Paignton so long as its empty!

Future pacer fanhock::razz: