• Our new ticketing site is now live! Using either this or the original site (both powered by TrainSplit) helps support the running of the forum with every ticket purchase! Find out more and ask any questions/give us feedback in this thread!

FGW Hire 159 for High Summer services?

Status
Not open for further replies.
fgwtt1988

fgwtt1988

Member
Joined
27 Apr 2007
Messages
13
Location
Yeovil, Somerset
I'm an FGW driver based at Westbury and although I've only physically been trained on 158's (as well as 150's and 153's) on my driving licence I'm signed off to drive 159's too. This is because FGW do have a proper 3 car 158, it has a proper middle coach without a cab, so therefore it's the same as a 159 (minus each TOC's unique modifications).
 
Sponsor Post - registered members do not see these adverts; click here to register, or click here to log in
R

RailUK Forums

M

Muzer

Established Member
Joined
3 Feb 2012
Messages
2,784
So, I'm just interested - what are the main differences from a drivers' point of view of a FGW 158 and SWT 158? I know about the thing with the front vestibule being locked on SWT, but presumably that doesn't require much action on behalf of the driver (correct me if I'm wrong) other than urging people to move back if they can't figure out why the door won't open. What else is different?

EDIT: Ah, I see 455driver has already mentioned the air con and the SDO - I'd forgotten about the latter, is the SWT one available from every door or something? I can't quite remember the difference.
 
Last edited:
T

TEW

Established Member
Joined
16 May 2008
Messages
6,226
The SDO on SWT 158s and 159s allows the doors on whole units to remain locked, it isn't down to individual door level. It's very similar to SWT Desiros in that regard.
 
M

Muzer

Established Member
Joined
3 Feb 2012
Messages
2,784
Ah, right. So is the difference that FGW ones don't have SDO at all, or what?
 
4

455driver

Veteran Member
Joined
10 May 2010
Messages
11,329
FGW 158s dont have SDO (unit deselect actually) but SWTs do, it is just another button on the door control panels in the end vestibules, nothing complicated at all.

Basically common sense would mean if you didnt know what it does then dont touch it (the fact it is marked up as well makes it more fool proof) but as we are into the realms of covering every eventuality then it will be a 5 day course* on why you shouldnt touch that button!

* This is a bit of an exaggeration.
 
S

swt_passenger

Veteran Member
Joined
7 Apr 2010
Messages
34,274
The 'front vestibule thing' can be switched off on an SWT 158, I was on one a few days ago operating in the normal way with all four doors in public use, so I wonder if the 159s can also be switched off?

If they can its another one of those 'major differences' that is pretty inconsequential...
 
83G/84D

83G/84D

Established Member
Joined
28 Oct 2011
Messages
6,151
Location
Cornwall
trolleyman said:
Been confirmed 159 starts tomorrow with FGW. Unsure what disgram
Click to expand...

There is a Saturday 159 working definitely starting from 24 May on services as described on first posting. There is also a Sunday working booked for a 159:-

1550 Bristol SPM - Cardiff ECS
1740 Cardiff Central - Portsmouth Hbr
2205 Portsmouth Hbr - Salisbury.

These are all "low Summer" until July.I do not know about any 159 workings from July.
 
Last edited:
P

pompeyfan

Established Member
Joined
24 Jan 2012
Messages
4,445
83G/84D said:
There is a Saturday 159 working definitely starting from 24 May on services as described on first posting. There is also a Sunday working booked for a 159:-

1550 Bristol SPM - Cardiff ECS
1740 Cardiff Central - Portsmouth Hbr
2205 Portsmouth Hbr - Salisbury.

These are all "low Summer" until July.I do not know about any 159 workings from July.
Click to expand...

I was wondering why a SWT 159 just left PMH on the back of a FGW 158/9, it looked locked out of use, presumably just piggybacking to save a path, driver etc.
 
BestWestern

BestWestern

Established Member
Joined
6 Feb 2011
Messages
6,736
Muzer:1785838 said:
So, I'm just interested - what are the main differences from a drivers' point of view of a FGW 158 and SWT 158? I know about the thing with the front vestibule being locked on SWT, but presumably that doesn't require much action on behalf of the driver (correct me if I'm wrong) other than urging people to move back if they can't figure out why the door won't open. What else is different?
Click to expand...

There are differences to the Driver's desk, primarily the direction controller and key slot being one integrated unit on the SWT stock, as well as a few technical matters such as fire system test and status apparatus, lack of remote supply equipment and different operation of the GSMR radio kit due to newer software being used. There are other minor differences, but nothing which cannot be covered by a papet briefing.
 
SprinterMan

SprinterMan

Established Member
Joined
20 Sep 2010
Messages
2,341
Location
Hertford
I will put these services in the Frequently Requested Diagrams thread when I get a moment :)

Adam :D
 
fgwrich

fgwrich

Established Member
Joined
15 Apr 2009
Messages
10,639
Location
Hampshire
thehstman said:
Last week was 159003 and today is 159019.
Click to expand...

It certainly was 159003 last week, still complete with whining exhaust that was more noticeable from the inside this time! I'm not sure how the diagrams were working last weekend though as I had 003 from Portsmouth on the 17:27 - Portsmouth Harbour to Bristol Temple Meads.
 
SprinterMan

SprinterMan

Established Member
Joined
20 Sep 2010
Messages
2,341
Location
Hertford
northernrailer said:
I have been told that from 7th July the following services operated by FGW will be a SWT 159:

0723 Warminster - Gt Malvern
1050 Gt Malvern - Brighton
1659 Brighton to Bristol

Has anyone else heard this?

Apparently the unit comes of Salisbury depot early on a morning along with a SWT 158 that will work the Cheltenham to Swindon services.
Click to expand...
83G/84D said:
There is a Saturday 159 working definitely starting from 24 May on services as described on first posting. There is also a Sunday working booked for a 159:-

1550 Bristol SPM - Cardiff ECS
1740 Cardiff Central - Portsmouth Hbr
2205 Portsmouth Hbr - Salisbury.

These are all "low Summer" until July.I do not know about any 159 workings from July.
Click to expand...

I have now added these diagrams to the Frequently Requested Diagrams Thread. I have not included ther 1550 Bristol to Cardiff as it is ECS and the 2205 Portsmouth - Salisbury/Westbury as the unit is locked out of use and it is just used to get the 159 back to Salisbury. Please can someone check the diagrams to make sure they are correct as there is some variation:

fgwrich said:
I'm not sure how the diagrams were working last weekend though as I had 003 from Portsmouth on the 17:27 - Portsmouth Harbour to Bristol Temple Meads.
Click to expand...

Adam :D
 
P

PHILIPE

Veteran Member
Joined
14 Nov 2011
Messages
13,472
Location
Caerphilly
Stories that 159 is operating Mondays to Fridays currently. Perhaps somebody could quote a sighting to confirm if this is so.
 
fgwrich

fgwrich

Established Member
Joined
15 Apr 2009
Messages
10,639
Location
Hampshire
Well, I had it on Saturday the 31st. I'm off to Sultan (Gosport) this weekend so i'll watch out for it on my way & back.
 
P

PHILIPE

Veteran Member
Joined
14 Nov 2011
Messages
13,472
Location
Caerphilly
fgwrich said:
Well, I had it on Saturday the 31st. I'm off to Sultan (Gosport) this weekend so i'll watch out for it on my way & back.
Click to expand...

It's Mondays to Fridays I'm asking about for sightings on the quoted diagram. We've already established that it works it on a Saturday. Thanks for offer, though.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Top