FGW borrowing SWT 159s

[thelem]

Last Sunday I was on the FGW to Brighton, getting in about 9pm, and it was operated by a SWT unit. Is this a long term loan or a regular occurrence? I'm not used to trains being borrowed for one service.

 

[swt_passenger]

The 3 car used on the Brightons has been happening since about July, but there is also a daily 158 hire to FGW that has been going on for about 2 years.

However the units are only with FGW for the day's diagram, they start and finish at Salisbury and SWT still maintain them.

 

[starrymarkb]

IIRC the 159 has been released indirectly by the 458/5s and a general shuffle of 450s. There were a couple of 159s being used over the Juice Rail to release 450s for peak runs. I believe from December the spare 159s will go back onto the West of England to strengthen services there!

 

[swt_passenger]

IIRC the 159 has been released indirectly by the 458/5s and a general shuffle of 450s. There were a couple of 159s being used over the Juice Rail to release 450s for peak runs. I believe from December the spare 159s will go back onto the West of England to strengthen services there!

That's the published intention of SWT, I copied the list of all changing services into the 456 thread a couple of days ago, but these are the relevant DMU services:

The following services to/from London Waterloo will be lengthened between March 2014 and December 2014
Mainline services:
0515 from Yeovil Junction (6 car to 9 car)
0543 from Salisbury (6 car to 9 car)
1620 to Exeter (6 car to 8 car)
1720 to Exeter (6 car to 9 car)

 

[thelem]

How come FGW need this extra train, and what will they do when SWT take it back?

 

[Muzer]

I believe it's used to increase capacity over the summer. Over the winter they can run shorter trains. Having said that, FGW on the ex-Wessex Trains routes still have quite a big capacity problem and a long-term solution should really be found. Perhaps cascade of the Networker Turbos will provide this. Correct me if I'm wrong with any of this.

 

[455driver]

I believe it's used to increase capacity over the summer. Over the winter they can run shorter trains. Having said that, FGW on the ex-Wessex Trains routes still have quite a big capacity problem and a long-term solution should really be found. Perhaps cascade of the Networker Turbos will provide this. Correct me if I'm wrong with any of this.

This weeks (and the last few weeks) idea seems to be for the 165/166s to go to Bristol (165s for the locals and the 166s for the long distance routes) and Bristols 150/158s to come down here for the local services. The 143s and 153s being displaced.

 

[Parallel]

Did the SWT 158 on loan to FGW develop a train fault today? The 17:39 Cheltenham Spa - Southampton Central that the 158 would usually work was cancelled between Cheltenham and Westbury. Or was it covering for a train fault on a different service possibly??

 

[ValleyLines142]

Did the SWT 158 on loan to FGW develop a train fault today? The 17:39 Cheltenham Spa - Southampton Central that the 158 would usually work was cancelled between Cheltenham and Westbury. Or was it covering for a train fault on a different service possibly??

The SWT 158 was parked in a siding at Temple Meads this evening.

Just out of interest, it's the 0723 Warminster to Great Malvern that has a SWT 159 on it, I believe? Does this still happen and did I hear correctly that first class is declassified?

 

[WarrenTManager]

IIRC the 159 has been released indirectly by the 458/5s and a general shuffle of 450s. There were a couple of 159s being used over the Juice Rail to release 450s for peak runs. I believe from December the spare 159s will go back onto the West of England to strengthen services there!

The C6 overhaul starts in January so one will be away at a time. Indirectly it's meant helping FGW but preparing for the program by coping with one less.......

 

[wiltshirebloke]

The SWT 158 was parked in a siding at Temple Meads this evening.

Just out of interest, it's the 0723 Warminster to Great Malvern that has a SWT 159 on it, I believe? Does this still happen and did I hear correctly that first class is declassified?

If the unit was covering a FGW service then 1st class would be de-classified. FGW(Country Services) don't have 1st class.

 

[ValleyLines142]

If the unit was covering a FGW service then 1st class would be de-classified. FGW(Country Services) don't have 1st class.

That's what I thought that's handy to know!

 

[WelshBluebird]

That's what I thought that's handy to know!

Indeed . It is a very strange experience to be the only person in the first class area because other passengers don't know! I half expected the guard to make an announcement saying it was, but none came.

 

[TEW]

When I caught the 159 hire in from Brighton Standard Class reservation has actually been placed in the First Class section but people still didn't sit in there.

 

[thelongestroad]

Did the SWT 158 on loan to FGW develop a train fault today? The 17:39 Cheltenham Spa - Southampton Central that the 158 would usually work was cancelled between Cheltenham and Westbury. Or was it covering for a train fault on a different service possibly??

The speedo was broken on that unit apparently.

Just out of interest, it's the 0723 Warminster to Great Malvern that has a SWT 159 on it, I believe?

Should be every day Monday-Saturday at the moment.

Indeed . It is a very strange experience to be the only person in the first class area because other passengers don't know! I half expected the guard to make an announcement saying it was, but none came.

You can tell people to go sit in there but they don't believe you when you say it's okay and explain why! There are some that know and just sit in there anyway.