Class 175s to GWR

[FGW_DID]

Before everybody gets too excited, this isn’t a booked 175 turn, 114 is out covering a 150 diagram.

 

[The exile]

Before everybody gets too excited, this isn’t a booked 175 turn, 114 is out covering a 150 diagram.

Still more positive than if it were the other way round as it indicates that there are more usable 175s than are currently required.

 

[BillStampy]

Before everybody gets too excited, this isn’t a booked 175 turn, 114 is out covering a 150 diagram.

Ironically this is actually a 175 diagram in the WTT, so technically it is what it's meant to be doing but it's temporarily written as a 150 diagram.

 

[Goldfish62]

Ironically this is actually a 175 diagram in the WTT, so technically it is what it's meant to be doing but it's temporarily written as a 150 diagram.

Makes sense given that there aren't actually meant be any mainline 150 diagrams.

 

[BillStampy]

Makes sense given that there aren't actually meant be any mainline 150 diagrams.

I can see this happening more often from now on, but then again this diagram is meant to flip to a 175 soon anyway, but I reckon given the opportunity they'll use a 175 to send the 150 to strengthen services elsewhere. Particularly during this easter holiday break.

 

[Jrocks]

Yes, nice bit of 175 vice 150 action today! And of course we had to get the 3 car out to play.

The 150 released from this move allowed us to strengthen another service on the Cornwall Mainline since that was shortformed itself (the usual 158 diagram staring with 2C03 and ending with 2E30).

Severe shortage of units in the Exeter area was the catalyst for this anyhow - have a look at 2C61 this morning aswell, that was fun

 

[BillStampy]

Yes, nice bit of 175 vice 150 action today! And of course we had to get the 3 car out to play.

The 150 released from this move allowed us to strengthen another service on the Cornwall Mainline since that was shortformed itself (the usual 158 diagram staring with 2C03 and ending with 2E30).

Severe shortage of units in the Exeter area was the catalyst for this anyhow - have a look at 2C61 this morning aswell, that was fun

Is there any possibility that the 3-cars can be pushed onto any of the already 2-car diagrams? It would be nice if the Exeter diagram had a 3-car, although I haven't been on it yet so I don't know how busy it could be, I plan to be at some point.

 

[northernbelle]

Is there any possibility that the 3-cars can be pushed onto any of the already 2-car diagrams? It would be nice if the Exeter diagram had a 3-car, although I haven't been on it yet so I don't know how busy it could be, I plan to be at some point.

I've travelled on it several times and it's been fine as a 2-car. Suspect as we head into summer that'll change though.

Good to see 175 use ramping up - the whole idea is to give the fleet some extra breathing space so hopefully that's starting to come to fruition.

 

[RPI]

Is there any possibility that the 3-cars can be pushed onto any of the already 2-car diagrams? It would be nice if the Exeter diagram had a 3-car, although I haven't been on it yet so I don't know how busy it could be, I plan to be at some point.

I worked 2C20 from Exeter one day last week and leaving Exeter had 6 passengers

 

[BillStampy]

I worked 2C20 from Exeter one day last week and leaving Exeter had 6 passengers

Ah, okay!

 

[Jrocks]

Is there any possibility that the 3-cars can be pushed onto any of the already 2-car diagrams? It would be nice if the Exeter diagram had a 3-car, although I haven't been on it yet so I don't know how busy it could be, I plan to be at some point.

No current 3 car diagrams, only one 3 car is available for use as I understand it. The 3 car was a nice to have today, could quite easily have used a 2 car! Believe the current lack of 3 cars is why everything is diagramed a 2 car, so that the service isnt 'shortformed'.

Easter holidays will most likely be a struggle for some of the sets running as 2 cars, however its a case of short term pain for long term gain. Wont start the HST chatter again but they had to go so GWR are dealing with the situation the best they can.

More diagrams hopefully coming in the near future however.

 

[BillStampy]

No current 3 car diagrams, only one 3 car is available for use as I understand it. The 3 car was a nice to have today, could quite easily have used a 2 car! Believe the current lack of 3 cars is why everything is diagramed a 2 car, so that the service isnt 'shortformed'.

Easter holidays will most likely be a struggle for some of the sets running as 2 cars, however its a case of short term pain for long term gain. Wont start the HST chatter again but they had to go so GWR are dealing with the situation the best they can.

More diagrams hopefully coming in the near future however.

Likely because the recent 3-car arrivals, 101, 111 and 112, require maintenance work before being able to enter service, so probably waiting on that. 114 has probably had work done similar to what would've been done at Wolverton to assist it entering service today as it came directly from Ely storage. At least it now has its Ely storage classmate, 175111, to say hello to!

Also as the weeks go on more units will most likely make their way down for a stronger introduction of the fleet come summer time.

 

[Jrocks]

Round 2 for 114 today

 

[RPI]

No current 3 car diagrams, only one 3 car is available for use as I understand it. The 3 car was a nice to have today, could quite easily have used a 2 car! Believe the current lack of 3 cars is why everything is diagramed a 2 car, so that the service isnt 'shortformed'.

Easter holidays will most likely be a struggle for some of the sets running as 2 cars, however its a case of short term pain for long term gain. Wont start the HST chatter again but they had to go so GWR are dealing with the situation the best they can.

More diagrams hopefully coming in the near future however.

I'm not sure if it's been asked already - but you'd probably know, are they still not able to run them in multiple in passenger use?

 

[BillStampy]

Round 2 for 114 today

Noticed how busy Laira is with 175s yesterday when I passed by onboard 175009, seems 175111 was being shunted too.

Definitely a positive to see 175 action increasing!

 

[northernbelle]

I'm not sure if it's been asked already - but you'd probably know, are they still not able to run them in multiple in passenger use?

There is TU disagreement about having the rear portion of the train as an 'island' while both staff members are in the front and the TUDI system is in use.

We appear to have forgotten that we are already quite able to call at short platforms where 'front door only' is in use while a rear set is available for passengers, for example a pair of Turbo units or, in history, the days of multiple 143s or 150/1s - and those trains didn't have the Call for Aid capability that the 175s have.

 

[Snow1964]

There is TU disagreement about having the rear portion of the train as an 'island' while both staff members are in the front and the TUDI system is in use.

We appear to have forgotten that we are already quite able to call at short platforms where 'front door only' is in use while a rear set is available for passengers, for example a pair of Turbo units or, in history, the days of multiple 143s or 150/1s - and those trains didn't have the Call for Aid capability that the 175s have.

For completeness GWR still has some trains of 165 and/or 166 with double units calling at Avoncliffe which is front door only. Their rules seem to allow it.

Of course if they had spent some money on a few remaining platforms extensions and brought everything up to at least 147m, (anything upto 6car, or 5car IET) then wouldn't have needed to mess about with training on selective door, TUDI, amending staffing agreements, and annoying passengers by locking back set out.

 

[HamworthyGoods]

Of course if they had spent some money on a few remaining platforms extensions and brought everything up to at least 147m, (anything upto 6car, or 5car IET) then wouldn't have needed to mess about with training on selective door, TUDI, amending staffing agreements, and annoying passengers by locking back set out.

It is far more than just a ‘few’ platform extensions!

 

[Jrocks]

I'm not sure if it's been asked already - but you'd probably know, are they still not able to run them in multiple in passenger use?

As Northernbelle says however also adding to that... not all staff members are trained with the TUDI. To be signed off on it, they have to do their assessment on a double set however at the start of the programme, double sets were few and far between so a lot of people were signed off on the traction but cannot currently use the TUDI switch anyway.

 

[REVUpminster]

As Northernbelle says however also adding to that... not all staff members are trained with the TUDI. To be signed off on it, they have to do their assessment on a double set however at the start of the programme, double sets were few and far between so a lot of people were signed off on the traction but cannot currently use the TUDI switch anyway.

There is a double set running now 175009-006 empty stock to Penzance (training I presume). If it was used between Newton Abbot-Plymouth-Liskeard that would be good training for reversing and cutting out units..

 

[XFeed]

Hi all, I have a question I`m sure someone can answer.

I recently watched a 175 GWR video on youtube with someone filming their journey and before departure the cab burst through door was open and I noticed that the cab GSMR and PA handsets are now mounted on top of the cab desk centre console and not besides the drivers leg. So my question is why are the handsets now mounted in this position, is it a GWR thing, driver preference/requirement or a union requirement ?

Thanks in advance.

 

[craigybagel]

Hi all, I have a question I`m sure someone can answer.

I recently watched a 175 GWR video on youtube with someone filming their journey and before departure the cab burst through door was open and I noticed that the cab GSMR and PA handsets are now mounted on top of the cab desk centre console and not besides the drivers leg. So my question is why are the handsets now mounted in this position, is it a GWR thing, driver preference/requirement or a union requirement ?

Thanks in advance.

GWR ASLEF reps requested it as part of their acceptance of the 175s, along with a few other mods. To be fair, ergonomically it was a pretty poor location to put the handsets - they were easily kicked accidentally pushing them off the hook, and they weren't exactly close to hand when you needed them.

 

[XFeed]

GWR ASLEF reps requested it as part of their acceptance of the 175s, along with a few other mods. To be fair, ergonomically it was a pretty poor location for put the handsets - they were easily kicked accidentally pushing them off the hook, and they weren't exactly close to hand when you needed them.

Thanks, I agree that they weren`t fitted in a great position from build and the coiled handset cables did rest on the cab floor around your feet, at least with the new position you now don`t have to lie on the cab floor squashed besides the seat pedestal to replace them or carry out fault finding but I do wonder if that in their new position that they might obscure the drivers view of the safety system healthy LED`s on the 2nd mans side ?

 

[craigybagel]

Thanks, I agree that they weren`t fitted in a great position from build and the coiled handset cables did rest on the cab floor around your feet, at least with the new position you now don`t have to lie on the cab floor squashed besides the seat pedestal to replace them or carry out fault finding but I do wonder if that in their new position that they might obscure the drivers view of the safety system healthy LED`s on the 2nd mans side ?

I can't speak for other drivers but I know I almost never needed to look at those lights except during prep or fault finding so I can't see it being much of an issue. If it stops those frustrating moments when a handset is marginally off the hookb but unseen meaning both the automatic PIS announcements and manual ones using any other handset won't work I'm all for it I can only imagine it being even worse for fitters to deal with!

If I remember rightly, they also asked for the drivers seat to be replaced with one with a headrest, and I think also for the AWS sunflower to be moved to be in a more visible location - though the latter issue would probably need sorting anyway if they've put other things on top of the centre console.

 

[tfw756rider]

If I remember rightly, they also asked for the drivers seat to be replaced with one with a headrest

I saw a new driver's seat with a headrest in a cab of 175001 (from outside it, through the cab door window).

 

[XFeed]

I can't speak for other drivers but I know I almost never needed to look at those lights except during prep or fault finding so I can't see it being much of an issue. If it stops those frustrating moments when a handset is marginally off the hookb but unseen meaning both the automatic PIS announcements and manual ones using any other handset won't work I'm all for it I can only imagine it being even worse for fitters to deal with!

If I remember rightly, they also asked for the drivers seat to be replaced with one with a headrest, and I think also for the AWS sunflower to be moved to be in a more visible location - though the latter issue would probably need sorting anyway if they've put other things on top of the centre console.

Yep just 1 PA handset not fully on the hook at any position certainly messed up automatic and manual announcements especially as the PA handset clips that secure the handset into the carrier are prone to weak springs. Not being a driver I can appreciate, though, the benefit of the improved cab seat but the sunflower positioning in the desk console centre pillar being a problem I don`t understand as it is pretty visible I felt besides the windscreen and probably still so with the new handset position too. I don`t recall any complaints about the position in the past. I will have to see if I can find the video again for a closer look.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 3 Apr 2026 ==

I saw a new driver's seat with a headrest in a cab of 175001 (from outside it, through the cab door window).

You must get around a fair bit to have seen the new cab seat installed.

 

[REVUpminster]

Yep just 1 PA handset not fully on the hook at any position certainly messed up automatic and manual announcements especially as the PA handset clips that secure the handset into the carrier are prone to weak springs. Not being a driver I can appreciate, though, the benefit of the improved cab seat but the sunflower positioning in the desk console centre pillar being a problem I don`t understand as it is pretty visible I felt besides the windscreen and probably still so with the new handset position too. I don`t recall any complaints about the position in the past. I will have to see if I can find the video again for a closer look.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 3 Apr 2026 ==



You must get around a fair bit to have seen the new cab seat installed.

Wasn't a new seat for trains that passed through Wolverton and 175001 did.

 

[tfw756rider]

You must get around a fair bit to have seen the new cab seat installed.

Yeah, I saw it at Plymouth

 

[D365]

... but I do wonder if that in their new position that they might obscure the drivers view of the safety system healthy LED`s on the 2nd mans side ?

I can't speak for other drivers but I know I almost never needed to look at those lights except during prep or fault finding so I can't see it being much of an issue.

The obfuscation of blue and white 'status' indicators sounds like a net benefit in so far as reducing night time glare.

 

[brad465]

Another drag from Ely-Wolverton is currently scheduled for this Wednesday:

Realtime Trains | 7H70 0820 Ely Mlf Papworth Sidings to Wolverton Centre Sidings | 08/04/2026

Real-time train running information for 7H70 0820 departure from Ely Mlf Papworth Sidings to Wolverton Centre Sidings on 08/04/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk