Autumn refresh for GWR Class 165/166 Turbos

[JT97]

What's LTV?

London Thames Valley

 

[Snow1964]

Just out of interest, what “2-car only routes” does Bristol gave? Or are you lumping Exeter in with Bristol (at which point the answer is clear)?

The Bristol - Westbury locals are normally 2car

Having said that, in practice 2car 165s are often replaced by 2car 158s, or 3car 165 or 166 on these services. Bristol does seem to work on basis of whatever is available rather than strict allocations of the 4 types. Have seen all 4 types on same local train in same week.

 

[The exile]

The Bristol - Westbury locals are normally 2car

As you say - plenty of exceptions though, especially in the peaks - in other words there’s nothing local in the Bristol area that a 3-car 165 can’t (or indeed doesn’t occasionally) work. Don’t remember one on the Rhubarb Curve train but I imagine that’s just coincidence - plenty of 166s!

 

[CC 72100]

The only train in the area that needs to be a 165 2-car is the one which forms an attachment to a Cardiff-Portsmouth train and runs as a 5 car. 5 coaches are the maximum platform lengths on this route, and so if it's a 3 car (166 or 165) as the additional bit, requires some locking out.

 

[tfw756rider]

London Thames Valley

Many thanks

 

[Snow1964]

The only train in the area that needs to be a 165 2-car is the one which forms an attachment to a Cardiff-Portsmouth train and runs as a 5 car. 5 coaches are the maximum platform lengths on this route, and so if it's a 3 car (166 or 165) as the additional bit, requires some locking out.

Although occasionally train ends up as 6car.

From memory of the 17 stations normally served, only 6 or 7 can only take 5car (Trowbridge can take 6 in one direction). Although as some are now passed for 5car IETs, all could handle 6car with extensions from just few metres to 22metres.

It would simply things operationally if didn't have to form trains of 2 different unit lengths due to about 200m total platform extensions being done (all without cost of moving signals). If project Churchward has no 2car trains, going to have to be fixed sometime anyway.

 

[The exile]

Being pedantic (and slightly facetious) I suspect the only bit of route in the Bristol area that only has booked 2-car working (judging by what actually turns up) is the Rhubarb Curve.

 

[JN114]

There aren’t any 2-car only routes for Turbos in the “West”

The only 2-Car Turbo only routes are all in the East:-

Greenford
Windsor (Temporary in theory)
Marlow
N Cotswolds Halts train (as “East” have never approved local door working and Finstock, Combe etc are 2 car platforms)

Everywhere else on GWR can use 2/3 car turbos interchangeably as required; with usual consideration given for capacity; overall length if coupling and so on.

 

[class ep-09]

There aren’t any 2-car only routes for Turbos in the “West”

The only 2-Car Turbo only routes are all in the East:-

Greenford
Windsor (Temporary in theory)
Marlow
N Cotswolds Halts train (as “East” have never approved local door working and Finstock, Combe etc are 2 car platforms)

Everywhere else on GWR can use 2/3 car turbos interchangeably as required; with usual consideration given for capacity; overall length if coupling and so on.

As for North Cots halts - 800’s can and did (and very rarely still do) serve these, so did HST’s - again at very rare occasions.

1W33 Pad - Gt Malvern few years back ( 2018 or 2019 I think) was actually booked to do so being either cl800 or HST .

It was funny at Ascott under Wynchwood to see all cars waiting at level crossing , while HST’s power car slowly stopped and was
“parked “ across the crossing for few minutes due to early arrival and slam doors.

 

[JN114]

As for North Cots halts - 800’s can and did (and very rarely still do) serve these, so did HST’s - again at very rare occasions.

1W33 Pad - Gt Malvern few years back ( 2018 or 2019 I think) was actually booked to do so being either cl800 or HST .

It was funny at Ascott under Wynchwood to see all cars waiting at level crossing , while HST’s power car slowly stopped and was
“parked “ across the crossing for few minutes due to early arrival and slam doors.

Oh indeed - I was simply referring to Cl165/166 restrictions.

The usual contingency when either of the halts trains is cancelled or only a 3 car available is for those halts calls to be put into the following IET; and before that 180/HST

 

[FGW_DID]

Realtime Trains | 5Q74 1248 Doncaster Works Wagn Shops to Reading Traincare Depot | 24/10/2025

Real-time train running information for 5Q74 1248 departure from Doncaster Works Wagn Shops to Reading Traincare Depot on 24/10/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

165108 on its way to Reading TCD from Doncaster, post C4 work.

 

[Siemens Staines]

165108 on its way to Reading TCD from Doncaster, post C4 work.

Thank you. I see that there is an opposite working tomorrow.

Realtime Trains | 5Q25 1005 Reading Traincare Depot to Doncaster Works Wagn Shops | 25/10/2025

Real-time train running information for 5Q25 1005 departure from Reading Traincare Depot to Doncaster Works Wagn Shops on 25/10/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Is this likely to be 165106, or alternatively 165105 if it has regained its absent Driving Trailer? It's a bit difficult to track this batch at the moment as 165101-108/110 have all gone missing from RTT for the past couple of days for some reason.

 

[Western Sunset]

Generally 2-cars on Westbury - Swindon locals (though usually 158s)

 

[CC 72100]

Generally 2-cars on Westbury - Swindon locals (though usually 158s)

Booked a 2-car 158 on the diagram which only does that shuttle all day.

 

[FGW_DID]

Thank you. I see that there is an opposite working tomorrow.

Realtime Trains | 5Q25 1005 Reading Traincare Depot to Doncaster Works Wagn Shops | 25/10/2025

Real-time train running information for 5Q25 1005 departure from Reading Traincare Depot to Doncaster Works Wagn Shops on 25/10/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Is this likely to be 165106, or alternatively 165105 if it has regained its absent Driving Trailer? It's a bit difficult to track this batch at the moment as 165101-108/110 have all gone missing from RTT for the past couple of days for some reason.

165105 is next to go.
165110 has been stopped the last couple of days, being a bit of a problem child.
106 & 107 have both been out in traffic so don’t know why they’ve not shown on RTT.
107 was out on the North Downs today until late afternoon when it decided it wanted a piece of the naughty step as well!

 

[Siemens Staines]

165105 is next to go.
165110 has been stopped the last couple of days, being a bit of a problem child.
106 & 107 have both been out in traffic so don’t know why they’ve not shown on RTT.
107 was out on the North Downs today until late afternoon when it decided it wanted a piece of the naughty step as well!

Thank you for this information. The same batch of units are missing from RTT again today, and from railrecord so its not just an RTT issue. Obviously some won't show due to being out of service as you have detailed, but there are diagrams operating with no allocation showing but have to be some of these missing units because nothing else remains. I am guessing that one of these units has switched to be on the 2J05 Basingstoke diagram today. The same gremlin affects some Exeter 158s which have also disappeared off RTT.

 

[chipbury]

Does anyone know if 165130 is visible at St Phillips Marsh? I've had a brief look but can't see it anywhere.

 

[Annetts key]

Does anyone know if 165130 is visible at St Phillips Marsh? I've had a brief look but can't see it anywhere.

Visable from where? Not much can be seen from a train. A bit more can be seen from some of the roads / road bridge (St. Philips Causeway and Albert Road) or from the parts of the car park for the cinema / retail park (Avonmeads). I can't remember If it's possible to see anything from Albert Crescent.

The other place that shows the former HST stabling sidings, would be to go into the car park for the Bristol Fruit Market.

 

[chipbury]

Visable from where? Not much can be seen from a train. A bit more can be seen from some of the roads / road bridge (St. Philips Causeway and Albert Road) or from the parts of the car park for the cinema / retail park (Avonmeads). I can't remember If it's possible to see anything from Albert Crescent.

The other place that shows the former HST stabling sidings, would be to go into the car park for the Bristol Fruit Market.

Thanks for the above, I’ll try the fruit market next time I’m passing (on bike).
I’ve tried the two depot road entrance areas but it wasn’t visible.
Possibly it’s in a shed if it’s waiting for parts?