Class 175s to GWR

[Apedlar12]

Passing through Teignmouth a few minutes ago:

 

[REVUpminster]

Correcting an earlier post, I think 175004 is still at Wolverton when I thought there were only 3 cars there.

 

[FGW_DID]

Well, well, if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn't have believed it! Another small step forward.

View attachment 198614

View attachment 198615

True. The beauty of the Saltash cam is you can turn it back to 1350hr and two units crossed the bridge with 001 in front.

Possibly a fault with one of them? 2C26 etc is only booked for the one unit.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 20 Feb 2026 ==

Ah great, hopefully that happening becomes more frequent.

Having a look at the diagrams for next week, it appears that units should be heading to Newquay for the first time.

Nothing in passenger service next week though. Training runs only.

 

[BillStampy]

Possibly a fault with one of them? 2C26 etc is only booked for the one unit.

They put them back together intentionally, if there was a fault with one of them they probably could've just sent it back to Laira or brought another out to collect it, I feel it's intentional.

 

[FGW_DID]

They put them back together intentionally, if there was a fault with one of them they probably could've just sent it back to Laira or brought another out to collect it, I feel it's intentional.

Well whatever the reason it’s certainly intentional as there should only be one unit on the passenger working.

 

[Snow1964]

I think this is situation now after today's move from Wolverton

Ely (6 units) 175 005, 008, 103, 104, 105, 109 (175008 is split)

Wolverton (10 units) 175 004, 102, 106, 107, 108, 110, 111, 113, 115, 116

Laira (4 units) 175 002, 007, 009, 114

Laira (6 units via Wolverton) 175 001, 003, 006, 011, 101, 112

Long Rock (1 unit) 175 010

 

[XFeed]

Passing through Teignmouth a few minutes ago:

View attachment 198628

Looks like 112 has had a bogie overhaul, 79 car certainly looks like it has in the picture.

 

[Jrocks]

Possibly a fault with one of them? 2C26 etc is only booked for the one unit.

They put them back together intentionally, if there was a fault with one of them they probably could've just sent it back to Laira or brought another out to collect it, I feel it's intentional.

No rescue ROG driver on Laira this afternoon.

 

[brad465]

Was one of the two units locked out of use, or has enough guard training happened that two units can operate in passenger service with both units open?

 

[Jrocks]

Rear unit was locked out of use in both directions, hence the slightly late start at Penzance whilst they unlocked what was the rear and locked what is now the rear

 

[REVUpminster]

Rear unit was locked out of use in both directions, hence the slightly late start at Penzance whilst they unlocked what was the rear and locked what is now the rear

But why? A 5 car train is planned for Barnstaple to increase capacity. The guards used to operate 143s in tandem or attached to a 150.

 

[BillStampy]

But why? A 5 car train is planned for Barnstaple to increase capacity. The guards used to operate 143s in tandem or attached to a 150.

Considering the units are still being trained upon 4-Car formations are probably not cleared out probably for passenger use yet, that's my guess with the limited knowledge I have anyway!

 

[Jrocks]

But why? A 5 car train is planned for Barnstaple to increase capacity. The guards used to operate 143s in tandem or attached to a 150.

Use of the TUDI switch and training regarding its use. A pair of 175s will be completely different to a 143/150 combo - 2 completely different operating procedures. Remember, these were working on the Cornish Mainline and not a branch line!

 

[Ashley Hill]

A five car on the Barnstaple line will have its rear cars locked out via the TUDI switch from Crediton to Barnstaple and vice versa. Make sure you are sat in the correct part of the train for your journey!

 

[REVUpminster]

A five car on the Barnstaple line will have its rear cars locked out via the TUDI switch from Crediton to Barnstaple and vice versa. Make sure you are sat in the correct part of the train for your journey!

That would mean 3 cars in one direction and 2 in the other direction or careful positioning of the train similar to when a 9 car 802 stops at Dawlish Warren and I've notice at Saltash of the rear cars of an IET are often fouling the points when stopped there..

 

[Brush 4]

Are you saying that from the passengers perspective, a 5 car train to Barnstaple will in reality be a 3 car in one direction and a 2 car in the other? How is that an increase in capacity, from the passengers perspective?

 

[Snow1964]

A five car on the Barnstaple line will have its rear cars locked out via the TUDI switch from Crediton to Barnstaple and vice versa. Make sure you are sat in the correct part of the train for your journey!

So how would that work if train was in wrong order with 2car at front, would they have to split it and run one unit round, recouple so the short unit is at the back, or would they run a 5car train with everyone squashed in 2cars.

Surely it would be easier operationally and more passenger friendly to lengthen remaining platforms that the semi-fast 5car trains stop at.

 

[michael74]

So how would that work if train was in wrong order with 2car at front, would they have to split it and run one unit round, recouple so the short unit is at the back, or would they run a 5car train with everyone squashed in 2cars.

Surely it would be easier operationally and more passenger friendly to lengthen remaining platforms that the semi-fast 5car trains stop at.

No money for lengthening the platforms and you can't run semi fast trains otherwise some stops would potentially not get a service for hours. Until the DfT put thier hands in the pockets it's going to be a bit of a dog dinner.

 

[Parallel]

Are you saying that from the passengers perspective, a 5 car train to Barnstaple will in reality be a 3 car in one direction and a 2 car in the other? How is that an increase in capacity, from the passengers perspective?

It’s all speculation at this stage but I would be surprised if the 5-car ran all day. I’d imagine carriages would be detached at some point, then possibly re-added in the evening at the appropriate end of the train. Also, 5 cars I believe fit in the platforms at Crediton and Barnstaple, the two busiest stops. The other stops are much more lightly used, so could probably cope with only a limited number of carriages platformed, providing Barnstaple passengers make use of the rear coaches first, which would not have their doors released at most of the intermediate stops.

Either way, this will be a huge improvement on what the line endures now, at peak times.

 

[3RDGEN]

Are you saying that from the passengers perspective, a 5 car train to Barnstaple will in reality be a 3 car in one direction and a 2 car in the other? How is that an increase in capacity, from the passengers perspective?

It will run as a five car with passengers in all coaches but as per post #2504 the rear unit will not have door release at the short platform stations via the TUDI system, it's a very basic SDO system. With no gangways it's going to be trouble for the guards with passengers overcarried.

 

[43096]

Use of the TUDI switch and training regarding its use. A pair of 175s will be completely different to a 143/150 combo - 2 completely different operating procedures. Remember, these were working on the Cornish Mainline and not a branch line!

Use of the TUDI should be part of the core training. Yet another example of the way the railway is run in the most complicated, illogical way possible.

 

[D6130]

No money for lengthening the platforms and you can't run semi fast trains otherwise some stops would potentially not get a service for hours. Until the DfT put thier hands in the pockets it's going to be a bit of a dog dinner.

I think you mean 'Until the DfT go with their begging bowl to the Treasury and succeed in having it filled'. We could be in for a long wait.

 

[WelshBluebird]

With no gangways it's going to be trouble for the guards with passengers overcarried.

In which case you need to make it very obvious to people. Front x carriages for any intermediate stations and any carriages for Barnstaple. Announcements, signs etc.

Are you saying that from the passengers perspective, a 5 car train to Barnstaple will in reality be a 3 car in one direction and a 2 car in the other? How is that an increase in capacity, from the passengers perspective?

Tbh at least from my experience on the line, most travel is between Exeter and Barnstaple anyway so the intermediate stations only having part of the service available doesnt sound too bad as long as you can make it very very obvious for people.

 

[Ashley Hill]

The only 5 car formation planned on the Barnstaple line is for the college train in the morning. It splits at St David’s later on.

 

[150249]

The only 5 car formation planned on the Barnstaple line is for the college train in the morning. It splits at St David’s later on.

How many coaches will make up the infamous 17:15 from Exeter Central? That service is often full and standing due to the sheer amount of college students.

 

[Ashley Hill]

How many coaches will make up the infamous 17:15 from Exeter Central? That service is often full and standing due to the sheer amount of college students.

That may get strengthened, I’ve heard nothing firm on that service.

 

[The exile]

How many coaches will make up the infamous 17:15 from Exeter Central? That service is often full and standing due to the sheer amount of college students.

How many of them are travelling beyond Crediton? It’s presumably easier to strengthen an Okehampton service.

 

[150249]

How many of them are travelling beyond Crediton? It’s presumably easier to strengthen an Okehampton service.

I believe there's quite a large cohort of students from Barnstaple and the surrounding area. They don't have a huge amount of choice for education past age 16 around there.

 

[GilfachFargoed]

How many of them are travelling beyond Crediton? It’s presumably easier to strengthen an Okehampton service.

Many - the 07:22 from Barnstaple can be full and standing prior to departure from origin on certain days of the week, even with the formation strengthened from 3-car 158 to 4-car 150/2 (adds c. 30 additional seats).

 

[RPI]

How many of them are travelling beyond Crediton? It’s presumably easier to strengthen an Okehampton service.

Quite a lot travel all the way to Umberleigh/Barnstaple