FGW 158 length

[thelem]

Is it deliberate that FGW operate both 2 and 3 car 158s, or is it just due to lack of stock to make them all up to 3 car? I've noticed the Brighton - Great Malvern is sometimes 2 car, sometimes 3 car but haven't noticed a pattern.

According to wikipedia they have 11 x 3-cars and 5 x 2-cars. How intensively are they used. Could they be reformed as 14 x 3-car, 2 x 2 car, or do they need the extra spare?

 

[MCR247]

Well, lets use basic logic here:

You have a 2 car 158. It run 2S43 (for example).
You have two more 2 car 158s that can run 1V76 and 1R32.

If you split up the first one, and insert it to the other two, what would run 2S43?

 

[TEW]

The remaining 2 car 158s will be reformed as 3 car 158s once FGW have received all the LM 150s.

 

[TheWalrus]

The remaining 2 car 158s will be reformed as 3 car 158s once FGW have received all the LM 150s.

Why??

 

[MCR247]

What do you mean why? If they have got enough stock to cover other routes, then making the rest 3 car will improve capacity?

 

[devon_metro]

The remaining 2 car 158s will be reformed as 3 car 158s once FGW have received all the LM 150s.

Why?

So that Cardiff - Pompey and Cardiff - Taunton can be formed almost exclusively of 3 car 158s.

 

[TEW]

Currently the 3 car 158s are stretched very hard, the extra 3 car 158s will allow the fleet to be diagrammed more slackly so that less services are short formed. If also provides a spare 158 vehicle which can replace another vehicle should just 1 vehicle from a 3 car set require maintenance.

 

[TheWalrus]

Fair enough I suppose. I didn't think the would really need it. I just hope they dont end up on the weymouths!

 

[devon_metro]

Fair enough I suppose. I didn't think the would really need it. I just hope they dont end up on the weymouths!

Why not...

 

[thelem]

If you split up the first one, and insert it to the other two, what would run 2S43?

Thanks for your helpful comment - but that's almost the question I was asking.

Are they running 15 diagrams with 16 units, or is it more like 12 diagrams, which they might be able to cover with 15 units.

Good to hear that there are plans to make all units 3-car.

 

[TEW]

When all the conversions have happened there will two less 158s, presumably two 158 diagrams will in the future instead be covered by a 150. Extra 150s being provided from the ex LM fleet.

 

[moonrakerz]

So that Cardiff - Pompey .................. can be formed almost exclusively of 3 car 158s.

The fact that most services on this route now require 4 cars seems to be missed :roll::roll:

Still, I suppose we mustn't complain too much - after some years we have finally got back to 3 car units which the previous franchise holder realised were necessary about 10 years ago ................. then FGW went back to 2 cars (or less !!) when they got the franchise..............

 

[tbtc]

The fact that most services on this route now require 4 cars seems to be missed :roll::roll:

Still, I suppose we mustn't complain too much - after some years we have finally got back to 3 car units which the previous franchise holder realised were necessary about 10 years ago ................. then FGW went back to 2 cars (or less !!) when they got the franchise..............

After Thames Valley electrification, there may be some 165s heading west (with their 3/2 seating) which could work on this line, or release additional Sprinters to work this line...

 

[moonrakerz]

some 165s heading west (with their 3/2 seating) ....... or......... additional Sprinters to work this line...

Oh, VERY nice !

 

[Skimble19]

I'm sure there'll be some spare Pacers kicking about if you'd prefer them?

 

[moonrakerz]

I'm sure there'll be some spare Pacers kicking about if you'd prefer them?

Yummy, yummy !

 

[Drsatan]

Yummy, yummy !

They couldn't travel as far as Pompey because AFAIK, they can't be used on 3rd rail routes.

 

[jopsuk]

Can we stop with the tiresome myth that Pacers and 3rd rail must never mix? They do. Every day.

 

[Drsatan]

Can we stop with the tiresome myth that Pacers and 3rd rail must never mix? They do. Every day.

Ok, thanks for correcting me

 

[jopsuk]

Sorry if I came across a bit narky, it's just it comes up almost every time Pacers are mentioned...

 

[TEW]

They aren't banned from third rail but they are banned from the ex Southern region. FGW ones will not operate past Warminster to Salisbury as a result of that.

 

[moonrakerz]

They aren't banned from third rail but they are banned from the ex Southern region. FGW ones will not operate past Warminster to Salisbury as a result of that.

I live in Warminster - good !

 

[Drsatan]

They aren't banned from third rail but they are banned from the ex Southern region. FGW ones will not operate past Warminster to Salisbury as a result of that.

Why's that? I once read that a 143 made it as far as Southampton Central once deputising for a 150.

 

[swt_passenger]

Neither of the 'Southern Region' DMU gauge clearance sections of the online sectional appendices even have a column heading for Pacers, although they do for nearly all other DMUs.

Wessex for example is here:

http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse%20documents/baseline%20capability/gauge%20capability,%20route%20availability/wessex%20route/table%20d1_gauge%20capability_dmus_wessex%20route.pdf

That suggests Pacers have never been proposed for any formal gauge clearance in the Wessex/Sussex/Kent NR areas. They have run to Eastleigh works via Romsey and Chandlers Ford that I've seen.

 

[tbtc]

I'd be surprised if there were genuine clearance issues with Pacers, given how short the coaches are (15m compared to 20m/23m on "normal" DMUs).

Clearance may be an issue on "fat and long" units like 165s (since most are either "fat and short" like 150s or "thin and long" like 158s), but Pacers are fairly small, so shouldn't need much "clearance".

 

[TEW]

I seem to remember that there was lots of paperwork to allow the 143s to go to Eastleigh.

 

[devon_metro]

I seem to remember that there was lots of paperwork to allow the 143s to go to Eastleigh.

And it only ran on 3rd rail from the junction to the Chandlers Ford line at Eastleigh into the depot.