GWR Class 143 withdrawals

[Jamesrob637]

correct tfw are only permitted to continue due to delays in stock and no alternative

But GWR have no 769s either so Turbos cannot be taken off the Gatwick line and replace older stock in the West Country. They're in the same predicament as Northern and (to a lesser extent) TfW.

 

[HamworthyGoods]

But GWR have no 769s either so Turbos cannot be taken off the Gatwick line and replace older stock in the West Country. They're in the same predicament as Northern and (to a lesser extent) TfW.

but additional HST vehicles are/have just arrived as mitigation

 

[Anonymous10]

But GWR have no 769s either so Turbos cannot be taken off the Gatwick line and replace older stock in the West Country. They're in the same predicament as Northern and (to a lesser extent) TfW.

tfw proportionally have less prm stock so i think its about equal however gwr have the advantage of being able to rapidly reintroduce hsts as a short term stop gap

 

[bramling]

The DfT want them gone - they have made their views crystal clear to the GWR management.

Out of interest, why are they so desperate to see the back of them?

Accessibility isn’t an issue if they’re working with another compliant unit, which seems to have been the case without exception, and I’m sure passengers are more interested in being able to distance than what type of train turns up. The GWR 143s aren’t bad at all, they rank amongst the best of the Pacers in a number of ways, even the green livery looks good on them!

 

[47827]

Out of interest, why are they so desperate to see the back of them?

Accessibility isn’t an issue if they’re working with another compliant unit, which seems to have been the case without exception, and I’m sure passengers are more interested in being able to distance than what type of train turns up. The GWR 143s aren’t bad at all, they rank amongst the best of the Pacers in a number of ways, even the green livery looks good on them!

It's partly political as a lot of promises were made about retiring them by last year.

 

[WesternLancer]

Out of interest, why are they so desperate to see the back of them?

Accessibility isn’t an issue if they’re working with another compliant unit, which seems to have been the case without exception, and I’m sure passengers are more interested in being able to distance than what type of train turns up. The GWR 143s aren’t bad at all, they rank amongst the best of the Pacers in a number of ways, even the green livery looks good on them!

Just political. Allows minister to make statements / press releases (aka spin). Pacers became 'symbolic' (symbolic of failure to invest in new diesel rolling stock any time over most of the last 20 years you might say....), also have made commitments ref disability but as you say that is resolved by coupling to compliant units, but media might regard that as a fudge.

Sending them to TfW probably also means that you can blame the devolved administration (run by your political rivals too, which is always a plus).

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 22 Dec 2020 ==

It's partly political as a lot of promises were made about retiring them by last year.

Juts funny the U turns that you can do - I mean a widespread electrification programme was 'promised'....but there we are

 

[7 Ingleborough]

The need to cover for 150s with damaged wheelsets has meant the 143s had to step up. The mileages are such that 143617 (according to my emails) has now triggered the requirement to have an A exam just after Christmas! They're going down fighting.

 

[Anonymous10]

The need to cover for 150s with damaged wheelsets has meant the 143s had to step up. The mileages are such that 143617 (according to my emails) has now triggered the requirement to have an A exam just after Christmas! They're going down fighting.

what is a A exam

 

[47827]

what is a A exam

A basic service and set of safety checks, in railway terms. They can be done overnight if facilities exist where they are based.

 

[Anonymous10]

A basic service and set of safety checks, in railway terms. They can be done overnight if facilities exist where they are based.

so similar to a pre mot then

 

[47827]

so similar to a pre mot then

Kind of like a fitness to carry on running, so I suppose you could use that comparison. Levels of oil and brake blocks are the kinds of things that would get attention if necessary. It would take longer than a car and more potential little things to worry about. A B-exam probably more like a car getting a 10k mile service.

 

[7 Ingleborough]

B exam every 5 weeks or so at 19,000 miles for 143s with an A exam at 6,500 miles maximum after each B and last A exam. The sequence is A, A, B1, A, A, B2, A, A, B3 and so on up to B12. In the case of the GWR 143s they were getting to 19,000 mile interval B exams every eight weeks. FPX, or fuel point exams where brake blocks, oil and coolant levels and basic safety inspections take place at a maximum of every 1100 miles. In practice 143s came onto a depot virtually every night so received FPX more often.

 

[Apedlar12]

B exam every 5 weeks or so at 19,000 miles for 143s with an A exam at 6,500 miles maximum after each B and last A exam. The sequence is A, A, B1, A, A, B2, A, A, B3 and so on up to B12. In the case of the GWR 143s they were getting to 19,000 mile interval B exams every eight weeks. FPX, or fuel point exams where brake blocks, oil and coolant levels and basic safety inspections take place at a maximum of every 1100 miles. In practice 143s came onto a depot virtually every night so received FPX more often.

What would happen after B12?

 

[PHILIPE]

GWR 143s out today

150246 +143617 currently working 0724 Exmouth-Paignton.
143618 + 158760 currently working 0739 Paignton-Exmouth.

 

[7 Ingleborough]

What would happen after B12?

Back to B1. Each B exam covers a number of core tasks with additional varied items that ensure through the 12 exams everything is covered. In addition there are various dated seasonal tasks added in the lead up to summer, autumn and winter.

 

[superalbs]

1257 and 1423 from Exmouth to Paignton are seemingly 143s today.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 24 Dec 2020 ==

Edit: 1423 will be 617, so the other must have been 618.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 24 Dec 2020 ==

 

[43172]

A path has apperared on RTT from Exeter to St Philips Marsh Depot on the 30th, I'm guessing that it'll be the last of the 143's to leave Exeter. Has there been any updates on the fate of 617 and 618 once they exit service?

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/K28423/2020-12-30/detailed

 

[Apedlar12]

A path has apperared on RTT from Exeter to St Philips Marsh Depot on the 30th, I'm guessing that it'll be the last of the 143's to leave Exeter. Has there been any updates on the fate of 617 and 618 once they exit service?

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/K28423/2020-12-30/detailed

More likely 143603 moving up to SPM I would assume if it is still in Exeter to then go by road to join 143612 before they go to the Vale of Berkeley Railway in preservation...

In regard to 617 and 618, they can be used up until 2021 so they may stay down here until 2021 so may move in the New Year, I think it was also mentioned further back in the thread that they would be left in a depot, possibly SPM until they are sold but can't remember the exact details...

 

[7 Ingleborough]

A 150 and a 158 booked for tyre turning, 603 might come along for the ride. They were due to come up a few days ago, but driver shortage stymied that.

 

[PHILIPE]

143617 out today with 158769 on the usual routes

 

[ccityplanner12]

I know this is such a beginner's question, but what are the limits of the routes the remaining GWR pacers are diagrammed to? Is it only the "Legs of Mann" commuter network between Paignton, Barnstaple and Exemouth or are there any round Plymouth too?

 

[PHILIPE]

I know this is such a beginner's question, but what are the limits of the routes the remaining GWR pacers are diagrammed to? Is it only the "Legs of Mann" commuter network between Paignton, Barnstaple and Exemouth or are there any round Plymouth too?

There are none actually diagrammed now. There are three retained until 31 December to cover shortages if required. The only route they work over is Exmouth to Paignton attached to a PRM unit either a 150 or 158.

 

[ccityplanner12]

There are none actually diagrammed now. There are three retained until 31 December to cover shortages if required. The only route they work over is Exmouth to Paignton attached to a PRM unit either a 150 or 158.

Cheers, thanks!

 

[Jim]

There are none actually diagrammed now. There are three retained until 31 December to cover shortages if required. The only route they work over is Exmouth to Paignton attached to a PRM unit either a 150 or 158.

That's not strictly correct regarding the locations, they are still permitted to and still go to Barnstaple when required. It is just a more "unpopular" choice, according to engineering and customer experience, it would seem by earlier postings in this thread.

Will we have another one to Barnstaple, we will see! Never say never! Especially with the current flooding situation between Exeter and Tiverton meaning 158 stock will become displaced.

 

[Ashley Hill]

Only 617 is out so far today. The last day appears to be possibly tomorrow unless they're stopped for de-branding. There's a path booked for them on Wednesday ECS to St Phillips Marsh for storage.

 

[Apedlar12]

Only 617 is out so far today. The last day appears to be possibly tomorrow unless they're stopped for de-branding. There's a path booked for them on Wednesday ECS to St Phillips Marsh for storage.

Mentioned further up thread that path is booked for a 150 and 158 going up for tyre turning, see post #499

 

[Ashley Hill]

Mentioned further up thread that path is booked for a 150 and 158 going up for tyre turning, see post #499

That post only refers to 603. This move takes the final 143s from Exeter to SPM for storage. It leaves Exeter mid-dayish but I've lost the headcode.

 

[Apedlar12]

That post only refers to 603. This move takes the final 143s from Exeter to SPM for storage. It leaves Exeter mid-dayish but I've lost the headcode.

So it is booked to be 143617, 143618, a 150 and 158 then??

 

[Ashley Hill]

Just the 143s I'm told,that's if the lines open of course.

 

[Jim]

617 had a quick bonus trip to Paignton at the end yesterday, rounding up passenger operations on GWR for the fleet.

Realtime Trains - 596W 1219 Exeter Tmd to St Philips Mrsh H S T D

Realtime Trains provides live realtime running information for the Great British railway network using open data.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

603 617 618 moving Wednesday from EX-SPM as already discussed above - subject to line being open.

Their last workings in date order were
12/12 603 2T15 1056 Exmouth to Paignton (to Exeter)
24/12 618 2T34 2020 Exmouth to Exeter
28/12 617 2E37 2136 Paignton to Exeter

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 29 Dec 2020 ==

Mentioned further up thread that path is booked for a 150 and 158 going up for tyre turning, see post #499

No it isn't, that path is for the 143s and is provided by a FOC, not GWR.