Express Sprinters and 90mph running

[Blindtraveler]

scotrails fleat do indeed perform at 90 on the formentioned bits, not so much dunblane to Perth but certainly most of the way between stirling and Glasgow. also between Kirkalldy and Markinch/Ladybank. The few and far between HML Workings do far better than the 170s and you get some good 90mph running.
They also touch 90 if booked non stop out of Haymarket to the forth bridge and have a0clear run

 

[LE Greys]

scotrails fleat do indeed perform at 90 on the formentioned bits, not so much dunblane to Perth but certainly most of the way between stirling and Glasgow. also between Kirkalldy and Markinch/Ladybank. The few and far between HML Workings do far better than the 170s and you get some good 90mph running.
They also touch 90 if booked non stop out of Haymarket to the forth bridge and have a0clear run

Add the Dundee-Arbroath section, if they ever find themselves on an Aberdeen turn.

 

[dk1]

The furthest south a 156 makes it is Ipswich/Peterborough/Cambridge I believe

Marks tey-Sudbury on passenger & Ilford Car Sheds on ECS.

 

[ATW Alex 101]

ATW 158's do over 75 on these routes:

Crewe to Manchester Pic via Wilmslow
Crewe to Shrewsbury via Wem
Crewe to stafford
Stafford to Wolverhampton
Birmingham NS to Birmingham International
Crewe to Warrington via Weaver Junction
Warrington to Earlestown
Shrewsbury to Cardiff
Shrewsbury to Aberyswyth
Chester to Crewe
Chester to Holyhead
Cheadle Hulme to Stoke on Trent (I think)

Nope, ATW don't operate to Stoke or Cheadle Hulme (Although they do pass through Cheadle Hulme)

 

[Blindtraveler]

Add the Dundee-Arbroath section, if they ever find themselves on an Aberdeen turn.

now that is
very
rare!
Is max line speed there 100? Always wondered as Im sure the HSTs take that stretch faster

 

[PHILIPE]

Now you mention it, I'm not sure I have ever seen a 156 on it, so you could well be right. Certainly I've seen 150s and 153s on that run though!

The only time 156s have been to Portsmouth was at the end of 1987 when 155s, which were operating the route at that time, were all withdrawn at a moment's notice while a safety investigation was carried out following a report of a door opening in traffic. At the time a batch of new 156s destined for Scotland were emerging from Works and were diverted to Canton.
A "Crash course" of driver familiarisation was held and they were pressed into service on the Cardiff to Portsmouth route but only for a couple of weeks until the 155s returned to service.
153s have never worked to Portsmouth as they are barred beyond Southampton due to limited clearance as a result of new steps being fitted for access to the new small cab on their conversion from a 155. They can be seen attached at the north end of the route on occasions for strengthening or "light" movements. The only units that work to Portsmouth are 158s and 150s in the event of non-availability of a 158.

 

[221129]

Do they do top speed between Exeter SD And Taunton?

 

[185]

Parts of the line via Warrington Central have sections with a 85 mph limit; also parts of the Hope Valley line have 90 mph limits (but note that Class 185's are limited to 75 mph due to their heavier weight than Class 158's)

Some places on the Hope Valley are downhill and back in the 90s it was not uncommon before the days of data recorders, whilst sat in the back cab to see the speedo go off the clock well past 100 :P

 

[158722]

Perhaps between Larbert & Stirling?

They also regularly turnout for the Perth:Glasgow/Edinburgh via Stirling in the Mornings so perhaps also between Perth & Dunblane?

Larbert to Stirling is a rising gradient to Plean, doubt anything more than 60-70 possible by Plean, but after that the line drops down into the Forth valley and the units fair batter along. Obviously southbound, they have a good sprint (!) towards Larbert.

 

[AndyLandy]

153s have never worked to Portsmouth as they are barred beyond Southampton due to limited clearance as a result of new steps being fitted for access to the new small cab on their conversion from a 155. They can be seen attached at the north end of the route on occasions for strengthening or "light" movements. The only units that work to Portsmouth are 158s and 150s in the event of non-availability of a 158.

Interesting. I've definitely had a lone Dogbox from Southampton towards Cardiff. Of course, it's always possible it hadn't come from Portsmouth, but I don't think it had started in Southampton.

 

[Lrd]

Interesting. I've definitely had a lone Dogbox from Southampton towards Cardiff. Of course, it's always possible it hadn't come from Portsmouth, but I don't think it had started in Southampton.

153s often do Southampton - Bristol or even Great Malvern/Gloucester if nothing else is around.

 

[PHILIPE]

Interesting. I've definitely had a lone Dogbox from Southampton towards Cardiff. Of course, it's always possible it hadn't come from Portsmouth, but I don't think it had started in Southampton.

It had definitely not come from Portsmouth.

 

[AndyLandy]

It had definitely not come from Portsmouth.

I wonder where it did come from then. Eastleigh, possibly? It was at Platform 4 at Southampton Central and I'm sure it arrived from the East. I believe you that it didn't come from Portsmouth, of course.

 

[Lampshade]

I don't think they quite hit 90 between Wigan and Preston but they do seem to go 90 between Grantham and Peterborough.

158s only run between Preston and Farington Curve Junction (1m 56ch). They're allowed to run at 90mph but they probably wouldn't make it to 90 before having to slow down again.

 

[PHILIPE]

I wonder where it did come from then. Eastleigh, possibly? It was at Platform 4 at Southampton Central and I'm sure it arrived from the East. I believe you that it didn't come from Portsmouth, of course.

It could have worked Romsey, Chandlers Ford, Eastleigh to Southampton. Not cleared beyond St.Denys Junction towards Fareham.
It would help if you could say what service it was you caught and roughly the year. I could possible fully answer your query then but not much to go opn at the monment.

 

[350231]

Scotrail's fleet, other than the far north lot, must do a fair bit- they work routes and even interwork services that use turbostars, on lines with linespeeds higher than 75mph.

Scotrail 158s achieve 90mph on most of the line between Glasgow/Edinburgh-Stirling/Dunblane/Perth/Dundee-Aberdeen and Inverness, Glasgow Queen Street-Edinburgh Waverley (Whenever they show up) Midcalder Junction towards Haymarket (only in this direction due to gradient and when on a flyer) When ever they turn up on the new Glasgow Central - Edinburgh Waverley Via Carstairs service they should achieve 90mph between most stations, one part of the Far North line goes to 90mph. So basically, pretty much all Scotrail services operated by 158s are likely to achieve 90mph at some point in their journey obviously excluding the slow suburban services such as Anniesland and Cumbernauld.

Larbert to Stirling is a rising gradient to Plean, doubt anything more than 60-70 possible by Plean, but after that the line drops down into the Forth valley and the units fair batter along. Obviously southbound, they have a good sprint (!) towards Larbert.

A good Turbostar and a driver that doesn't cut the power at Plean for the coasting board can achieve 100mph before braking for Stirling, of course this is if you have a clear run into Stirling!

 

[175001]

I should hope not, the only Sprinters on that stretch of line have a max speed of 75mph!

Not quite Wigan-Preston, but there are two services booked for 158's on the Man Vic-Blackpool run at night, but both are booked to run on the slow lines between Euxton Jc and Preston.

 

[AndyLandy]

It could have worked Romsey, Chandlers Ford, Eastleigh to Southampton. Not cleared beyond St.Denys Junction towards Fareham.
It would help if you could say what service it was you caught and roughly the year. I could possible fully answer your query then but not much to go opn at the monment.

Hmm. It was quite some time ago, probably in the 2005/06 sort of timeframe. I think it was a peak "extra", so there were hourly service SOU-CDF that left Southampton a few minutes past the hour, but this one was on the half-hour. I think it was about 1630, but it was a long time ago, so my memory could easily be playing tricks on me.

 

[northwichcat]

153s have never worked to Portsmouth as they are barred beyond Southampton due to limited clearance as a result of new steps being fitted for access to the new small cab on their conversion from a 155. They can be seen attached at the north end of the route on occasions for strengthening or "light" movements. The only units that work to Portsmouth are 158s and 150s in the event of non-availability of a 158.

It had definitely not come from Portsmouth.

I don't know the status about 153s and Portsmouth but I have heard about units doing a working on a line they aren't cleared for due to a paperwork error.

 

[matchmaker]

Larbert to Stirling is a rising gradient to Plean, doubt anything more than 60-70 possible by Plean, but after that the line drops down into the Forth valley and the units fair batter along. Obviously southbound, they have a good sprint (!) towards Larbert.

They sure do. I once timed a 156 at 86mph between Stirling & Larbert, so I'd imagine a 158 could easily hit 90mph.

 

[PHILIPE]

Hmm. It was quite some time ago, probably in the 2005/06 sort of timeframe. I think it was a peak "extra", so there were hourly service SOU-CDF that left Southampton a few minutes past the hour, but this one was on the half-hour. I think it was about 1630, but it was a long time ago, so my memory could easily be playing tricks on me.

In 2005, there was a 10 40 Bristol TM to Southampton which returned 14 27 to Bristol TM. In between, it worked 12+52 to Romsey and 13+30 return via running via Eastleigh and Chandlers Ford for route retention purposes These did not run as frequebtly as hourly but did not go through to Cardiff.

 

[LE Greys]

now that is
very
rare!
Is max line speed there 100? Always wondered as Im sure the HSTs take that stretch faster

Rare, but still happens sometimes, usually in the evening peak. Max speed is 85/HST 100. 125 may be possible, but Broughty Ferry level crossing might present a few problems for a minimal time-saving. It may happen when IEPs appear, but its unlikely for now. Rumours of 158s topping out at 100 or HSTs reaching 110 have circulated before, but I am in no position to confirm or deny them.

 

[CC 72100]

Do they do top speed between Exeter SD And Taunton?

That could be a good shout, and probably also possible Tiverton Parkway - Taunton. Ok it's one diagram a day, but still could probably reach 90 on both stretches.

 

[PHILIPE]

I don't know the status about 153s and Portsmouth but I have heard about units doing a working on a line they aren't cleared for due to a paperwork error.

A 153 did "slip" through to Portsmouth a few years ago but not sure of the circumstances. Fitters had to go to remove the offending steps for haulage back.
On a couple occasioms recently when FGW have had 1 coach of a 150/2 out of action, they have paired the good coach with a 153 and temporarily renumbered 153399. The 153 option being chosen to identify the 153 in orfer to prevent this happening.

 

[87015]

A 153 did "slip" through to Portsmouth a few years ago but not sure of the circumstances. Fitters had to go to remove the offending steps for haulage back.
On a couple occasioms recently when FGW have had 1 coach of a 150/2 out of action, they have paired the good coach with a 153 and temporarily renumbered 153399. The 153 option being chosen to identify the 153 in orfer to prevent this happening.

There have been a couple. The FGW a year or so back (?) was on the back of a 158 and booked to be detached en-route. For whatever reason it wasn't and carried through to Portsmouth without incident, until the driver changed ends and realised it wasn't passed...

One ended up back on a lorry from Fratton on one occasion, not sure if that got there and broke or was decided too much effort to rail it back.

 

[ATW Alex 101]

Do the EMT 158`s manage to reach 90 between Sheffield and Alfreton? They seem to do whenever I travel on them.Also Between Longton and Stoke 158 seem to go fast.

Sent from my brothers kindle fire

 

[TDK]

Nope, ATW don't operate to Stoke or Cheadle Hulme (Although they do pass through Cheadle Hulme)

Ahh right, in the past I used to take trains that way to keep up route knowledge although it was ECS maybe they have stopped it now
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Does that help with overall journey times? I'm trying to understand what advantage a 158 has over a 156 if it's pathed on a 75mph service. The example I have is the CDF-PMH service, which is almost entirely 90mph-capable 158s, except it's pathed for 75mph. Indeed you'll occasionally find 156, 153 and even 150s running it.

No advantage exept making up time if you are late

 

[northwichcat]

No advantage except making up time if you are late

Advantages for the passengers though. Better seating and quieter engine making it a more pleasurable trip.

 

[AndyLandy]

Advantages for the passengers though. Better seating and quieter engine making it a more pleasurable trip.

Is there that much difference between a 156 and a 158 then? I know the 158s tend to have nicer interiors, but that's not a function of the train class per-se.

 

[northwichcat]

Is there that much difference between a 156 and a 158 then? I know the 158s tend to have nicer interiors, but that's not a function of the train class per-se.

A 156 on a hot day with the windows open is a very noisy train for the passengers to sit on. A 158 with the air conditioning working properly is a much nicer experience.