Different train types (Pacer + 150) on one train

[jopsuk]

There was a while FGW had some deliberately split and formed into three car units.

At introduction, there was a problem with the 158s that the temporary fix for was to split them and a load of 156s, forming temporary units that were half 156, half 158, in a similar manner to the "hybrid" units made from first generation DMUs

 

[edwin_m]

There was a while FGW had some deliberately split and formed into three car units.

FGW still runs 3-car 158s, formed of three driving motor cars (no such thing as a 158 driving trailer) on most Cardiff-Portsmouth journeys. At least one operator (Central Trains I think) did so in the past. This is different from the non-driving cars that were originally in the middle of Transpennine 158s but are now with Northern, and the 159s which have always had non-driving centre cars.

At introduction, there was a problem with the 158s that the temporary fix for was to split them and a load of 156s, forming temporary units that were half 156, half 158, in a similar manner to the "hybrid" units made from first generation DMUs

This was when it was found that 158s wouldn't operate track circuits reliably due to their smooth running and lack of tread brakes allowing contamination to build up on the wheels. Being tread-braked, 156s were somewhat better in this respect, but all second- and third-generation DMUs were later fitted with Track Circuit Actuator equipment.