Great Western Livery

[PHILIPE]

See response above. 001s move to the Marsh probably wont be until at least December or when the Electrics start operating to Didcot.

There have been lots of queries regarding is it staying or is it not. 150001 is working on the Devon Metro today so perhaps we can draw some conclusions.

 

[fgwrich]

There have been lots of queries regarding is it staying or is it not. 150001 is working on the Devon Metro today so perhaps we can draw some conclusions.

True, however as you've pointed out yourself that the West Fleet and Devon Metro is short of units, it wouldn't surprise me if it was just down there temporarily supplementing the Sprinters down there until sufficient numbers are available to send 'Tiny Tanks' back to Reading.

 

[FGW_DID]

There have been lots of queries regarding is it staying or is it not. 150001 is working on the Devon Metro today so perhaps we can draw some conclusions.

True, however as you've pointed out yourself that the West Fleet and Devon Metro is short of units, it wouldn't surprise me if it was just down there temporarily supplementing the Sprinters down there until sufficient numbers are available to send 'Tiny Tanks' back to Reading.

Indeed, it's still on the LTV books so methinks West have 'borrowed' it whilst they are short. (They are more than welcome to keep it though )

"Tiny Tanks" ??

 

[1179_Clee2]

Indeed, it's still on the LTV books so methinks West have 'borrowed' it whilst they are short. (They are more than welcome to keep it though )

"Tiny Tanks" ??

The fuel tanks were smaller as built but NOW have fuel tanks with a similar capacity to other 150's.

 

[FGW_DID]

The fuel tanks were smaller as built but NOW have fuel tanks with a similar capacity to other 150's.

I'm well aware of that, both 150001 & 002 have had the extended range tanks fitted for a while hence the puzzlement of the current use of 'Tiny Tanks'.

 

[fgwrich]

I'm well aware of that, both 150001 & 002 have had the extended range tanks fitted for a while hence the puzzlement of the current use of 'Tiny Tanks'.

Thought they were both modified, but I thought among the politer nicknames Tiny Tanks was still considered as one of them.

 

[jimm]

There have been lots of queries regarding is it staying or is it not. 150001 is working on the Devon Metro today so perhaps we can draw some conclusions.

Such as?

The 150/0s have never had any booked weekend work at Reading since they joined GWR, so potentially always available for a weekend at the seaside - subject to any programmed maintenance.

 

[fgwrich]

Speaking of 150s, this evenings 1F34 - 19:08 Portsmouth Harbour to Cardiff Central is currently in the hands of 150926 and surprisingly running early.

The 150/1 is also PRM Modified, while the talking (and frankly awful) PA voices the centre car (57212) but has no internal screens yet.

And I'm sorry, but whoever chose that voice to do the west fleet really should be replaced. On the 150 it sounded muffled, with stations such as Romsey and Salisbury just coming out like rrrmsy, salsby, wssbury, Trowbridge, Bradford upon avon, BATH SPA?, bristol temple meads in alternating volumes.

 

[spark001uk]

Speaking of 150s, this evenings 1F34 - 19:08 Portsmouth Harbour to Cardiff Central is currently in the hands of 150926 and surprisingly running early.

The 150/1 is also PRM Modified, while the talking (and frankly awful) PA voices the centre car (57212) but has no internal screens yet.

And I'm sorry, but whoever chose that voice to do the west fleet really should be replaced. On the 150 it sounded muffled, with stations such as Romsey and Salisbury just coming out like rrrmsy, salsby, wssbury, Trowbridge, Bradford upon avon, BATH SPA?, bristol temple meads in alternating volumes.

I think the voice you hear (or not) on GWR is usually that of Faye Dicker. More the rubbish quality recording storage device and speakers than the actual voice though I'm afraid. Her voice is much clearer on the 387s, though it seems odd that the announcements are immediately followed by the coach number voiced by Julie Berry!

 

[LordCreed]

Such as?

The 150/0s have never had any booked weekend work at Reading since they joined GWR, so potentially always available for a weekend at the seaside - subject to any programmed maintenance.

No longer true, there is actually a booked 150 diagram on the Basingstoke services on a Saturday. Likewise there's a 180 out on Saturdays too now.

 

[leomartin125]

No longer true, there is actually a booked 150 diagram on the Basingstoke services on a Saturday. Likewise there's a 180 out on Saturdays too now.

180's have been out during weekends for a while now... I never used to see them during weekends, guessing that's when they could get the maintenance done on them.

 

[LordCreed]

180's have been out during weekends for a while now... I never used to see them during weekends, guessing that's when they could get the maintenance done on them.

Since the May timetable change there has been one out, as with the 150 diagram on a Saturday.

 

[Apedlar12]

Does anyone know if 150126 has had mods then if 150125 will and they will therefore stay with their centre coaches or if they will go to Northern and the centre coaches will be put into 150/2s?

 

[pdeaves]

I believe newly-green 43016 is out and about today (and did a couple of Bristol-Chippenham workings yesterday).

 

[PHILIPE]

Does anyone know if 150126 has had mods then if 150125 will and they will therefore stay with their centre coaches or if they will go to Northern and the centre coaches will be put into 150/2s?

Read #2258 for the first part of your query. I understand that the Centre Coaches in 925 and 926 will be taken out and formed into another 2 Car unit and one of them toilet fitted. I'm sure this has been mentioned on the Forum more than once.

 

[PHILIPE]

Such as?

The 150/0s have never had any booked weekend work at Reading since they joined GWR, so potentially always available for a weekend at the seaside - subject to any programmed maintenance.

150001 still on Devon Metro today. If down for the weekend only I think they would have used the Reading/PM paths and worked in the Bristol area.

 

[reddragon]

Has a 180 been repainted / de-branded / loaned to GWR?

A class 180 on 1P40 passed Taplow today and it didn't look to be in FGW colours

 

[FGW_DID]

Has a 180 been repainted / de-branded / loaned to GWR?

A class 180 on 1P40 passed Taplow today and it didn't look to be in FGW colours

180104, which is a GW unit, was on 1P40 this morning.

 

[reddragon]

180104, which is a GW unit, was on 1P40 this morning.

Must have been the reflections then! Thanks

 

[jimm]

No longer true, there is actually a booked 150 diagram on the Basingstoke services on a Saturday. Likewise there's a 180 out on Saturdays too now.

But if there is a problem further west, as there is at the moment, then turning out another Turbo to work to Basingstoke in place of the 150 is a pretty obvious thing to do, especially at weekends, when the Turbo fleet has a bit of slack

150001 still on Devon Metro today. If down for the weekend only I think they would have used the Reading/PM paths and worked in the Bristol area.

There is still a shortage of dmus in the West - if they can stretch Turbo availability far enough to cover on weekdays as well of the time being, to allow the 150 to stay until some West sets are back in action, then that would seem sensible thing. If it was meant to move west for good, then surely that would have happened at the timetable change last month.

 

[fgwrich]

There is still a shortage of dmus in the West - if they can stretch Turbo availability far enough to cover on weekdays as well of the time being, to allow the 150 to stay until some West sets are back in action, then that would seem sensible thing. If it was meant to move west for good, then surely that would have happened at the timetable change last month.

If it were to have moved, it would have joined up with 002 at Bristol instead of Exeter. The loan to Exeter is as previously mentioned, to bolster up the West Fleet until enough units are available - more than likely it'll be coming back when one of the /2s is back.

 

[PHILIPE]

If it were to have moved, it would have joined up with 002 at Bristol instead of Exeter. The loan to Exeter is as previously mentioned, to bolster up the West Fleet until enough units are available - more than likely it'll be coming back when one of the /2s is back.

I don't think that will happen yet, because as there are still 4 x 150/2s to go to Wolverton, when one comes back another one will take it's place.

 

[PHILIPE]

If it were to have moved, it would have joined up with 002 at Bristol instead of Exeter. The loan to Exeter is as previously mentioned, to bolster up the West Fleet until enough units are available - more than likely it'll be coming back when one of the /2s is back.

One of the Reading Basingstoke circuits today is 2 Car Turbo only.

 

[59CosG95]

800003 has now been fully revinyled into GWR livery. One end is named "Queen Elizabeth II", the other end "Queen Victoria".

 

[pdeaves]

800003 has now been fully revinyled into GWR livery. One end is named "Queen Elizabeth II", the other end "Queen Victoria".

Named at Slough today to commemorate Victoria's first rail journey, I believe.

 

[PHILIPE]

If it were to have moved, it would have joined up with 002 at Bristol instead of Exeter. The loan to Exeter is as previously mentioned, to bolster up the West Fleet until enough units are available - more than likely it'll be coming back when one of the /2s is back.

150001 working it's way up to Bristol today and is on Cardiff to Tauntons. Job that starts at Exeter and finishes day at Bristol

 

[Deepgreen]

Named at Slough today to commemorate Victoria's first rail journey, I believe.

Yes - a nice touch on the reporting number. This was it passing Ealing Broadway.

 

[philjo]

BBC Report with pictures:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-40248716

Queen recreates historic train journey

The Queen has joined celebrations marking the 175th anniversary of the first train journey taken by a British monarch. She recreated Queen Victoria's trip from Slough to Paddington on 13 June 1842 on the Great Western Railway.
The Queen made the 19-minute journey on the new Intercity Express train along with the Duke of Edinburgh.

Of her experience, Queen Victoria wrote in her journal "it was delightful and so quick". The monarch added: "It took us exactly 30 minutes going to Paddington, & the motion was very slight, & much easier than a carriage, also no dust or great heat."

Victoria had been persuaded on board by Prince Albert, a veteran of rail travel who was fascinated by the new technology.
Joining the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh was Isambard Thomas and Gillian White, the direct descendants of Isambard Kingdom Brunel and Sir Daniel Gooch who had accompanied Queen Victoria on her journey.

Before boarding the train, the Royals visited the original waiting room at Slough station, which was used by the Queen's great-great-grandmother.

Mr Thomas said: "I was very much at ease, I didn't feel awkward. It was fascinating how much interest she has in trains and in train journeys. I think train travel is a quicker way to get around because the roads are too congested now.

"Obviously it's a different thing if you're the monarch; you're not sat in second class, queuing for the buffet."

Mr Thomas, a topographic designer from Greenwich, south-east London, said the Queen knew about "the history of trains" and had "a proper knowledge of Queen Victoria's diaries of the event 175 years ago and obviously quite interested in what Great Western Railway are doing now".

"The Queen was also interested in the technology and the electrification and the effects of diesel," he added.

"I think it's remarkable that she and the Duke of Edinburgh agreed to do this."

Mark Hopwood, managing director of Great Western Railway said he was delighted the Queen and Prince Philip recreated the journey.

"We are extremely proud of our heritage and this occasion marks a very special moment in the history of the Great Western Railway," he said.

 

[reddragon]

800003 has now been fully revinyled into GWR livery. One end is named "Queen Elizabeth II", the other end "Queen Victoria".

Explains why it was only half vinyled up! Couldn't reveal the naming before today.

 

[43096]

BBC Report with pictures:



http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-40248716

I bet the seats Queen Victoria had were more comfortable than those the current monarch had on the Super Hitachi Intercity Train!