1520 Fridays Only Westbury-Exeter

[embers25]

I just noticed this extra train has been added and I'm assuming its a 158 formed by removing the back 2 coaches from the 1509 arrival from Portsmouth (in a similar vein to the old through Portsmouth-Penzance train). Would that be correct and if not what stock does form it and why does it get over an hour from Westbury to Taunton non-stop and also 37 minutes from there to Exeter non-stop?

 

[anthony263]

Maybe it is looped somewhere to allow it to be overtaken by one of the express services from London Paddington, either that or it has a lot of slack

 

[455driver]

Maybe it was formerly an ECS move?

 

[embers25]

Nope as the following Summer extra at 1556 arrives Exeter at 1707 right behind it. I wondered if it ran non stop via Bristol but I doubt it due to lack of paths.

 

[Drsatan]

Apparently it's an ECS move that's run as a passenger service on Fridays. It was mentioned in Barry Doe's timetable review in RAIL. According to FGW it's to relieve pressure on the 1506 departure from Paddington which is often very busy upon departing Westbury and Frome.

Can't comment on what units are used since I've never used this service. I'm assuming they'd be 158s since a 150 or153 wouldn't be able to keep to time on the Berks and Hants.

 

[455driver]

I believe it is a 150 and the driver passes up from Exeter for it, dont get 158s down the South West very often now.

 

[devon_metro]

Is indeed a 150, usually an ECS move.