GWR Class 165/166 Turbo Diagrams

[TT-ONR-NRN]

165132 working Okehampton. 158798 working Barnstaple showing on realtime as 3 car, but on the database as 2 car??

Realtime Trains - 2R82 0835 Barnstaple to Exeter Central

I took it in December, all the way from Cardiff to Portsmouth Harbour, and it was definitely three carriages then. I was glad of the third carriage as it ensured me a table to myself the whole way!

 

[REVUpminster]

I suspect whichever database you’re referring to is wrong, 158798 is a 3 car.

Train Database 2020 - Google Drive
I thought this site was worked on by members of this forum. I am sure there is a link on here somewhere.

 

[Class172]

I suspect whichever database you’re referring to is wrong, 158798 is a 3 car.

If my memory serves me correct it's the only 'true' 3 car 158 that GWR have, the others being hybrid units?

 

[swt_passenger]

Train Database 2020 - Google Drive
I thought this site was worked on by members of this forum. I am sure there is a link on here somewhere.

The site owner has also missed the other 8 X 3 cars that include a proper centre vehicle, there are 8 with Northern as well as the single 3 car with GWR. 158752-759 IIRC.

 

[CR165022]

The site owner has also missed the other 8 X 3 cars that include a proper centre vehicle, there are 8 with Northern as well as the single 3 car with GWR. 158752-759 IIRC.

Im one of the people that are working on it, there are still some things that are inaccurate, the 158s will be updated very soon

 

[swt_passenger]

Im one of the people that are working on it, there are still some things that are inaccurate, the 158s will be updated very soon

No criticism intended. In fact there was a short thread here a few days ago that illustrated how complicated the “3 car” history is, it’s been a bit of a moving target over the years…

Class 158 to 159 2006-07 conversion

While I am doing an audit of haulage requirements, I have noticed on the Class 158 Wikipedia page that 158800-801, 803-805, 807, 809, and 811 were the 8 158s sent for conversion. Being as I cannot find 802, 806, 808, and 810 listed anywhere, were these the 4 158s that were split and used to...

www.railforums.co.uk

 

[Ayman Ilham]

I took it in December, all the way from Cardiff to Portsmouth Harbour, and it was definitely three carriages then. I was glad of the third carriage as it ensured me a table to myself the whole way!

Are the seats still comfortable though? Like, in terms of their plushness and shape of backrest. Or did you get lucky with declassified first class Also, are there actually plans to refurb them to be more suitable for longer journeys like this, such as 2+2 seating with full tables and armrests? Or are they just rumours?

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Are the seats still comfortable though? Like, in terms of their plushness and shape of backrest. Or did you get lucky with declassified first class Also, are there actually plans to refurb them to be more suitable for longer journeys like this, such as 2+2 seating with full tables and armrests? Or are they just rumours?

There is no first class on Great Western 158s, declassified or otherwise. I’m talking about 158.

 

[swt_passenger]

Are the seats still comfortable though? Like, in terms of their plushness and shape of backrest. Or did you get lucky with declassified first class Also, are there actually plans to refurb them to be more suitable for longer journeys like this, such as 2+2 seating with full tables and armrests? Or are they just rumours?

The GWR Turbos are definitely not being re-seated. There’s a separate thread about their upgrade in the rolling stock forum here: https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/autumn-refresh-for-gwr-class-166-turbos.222366/

 

[Ayman Ilham]

There is no first class on Great Western 158s, declassified or otherwise. I’m talking about 158.

Ah okay, saw your post out of context and thought you were on about a 166

 

[REVUpminster]

Today is the first time for a a while that 3 166s are operating Paignton-Exmouth. There's generally always two. Probably because St Ives is operating two 150s from last Monday.

 

[Mitchell Hurd]

Today is the first time for a a while that 3 166s are operating Paignton-Exmouth. There's generally always two. Probably because St Ives is operating two 150s from last Monday.

That's good stuff - I believe a 3-car 166 has about 5 to 10 more seats than a 4-car GWR Class 150/2!

 

[RPI]

Today is the first time for a a while that 3 166s are operating Paignton-Exmouth. There's generally always two. Probably because St Ives is operating two 150s from last Monday.

Another 150 also required for Okehampton from May timetable change

 

[northernbelle]

Today is the first time for a a while that 3 166s are operating Paignton-Exmouth. There's generally always two. Probably because St Ives is operating two 150s from last Monday.

Presumably enabled by the transfer of the first 3-car Class 165 from Reading to Bristol earlier this week.

 

[Trainfan061193]

So is there officially 3 x 166s diagrammed for Exmouth to Paignton again now?

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

I’m absolutely furious to see three of the Cardiff Portsmouth diagrams are two carriage 165s today (131, 133, 134)

I make this journey in its entirety every month and even the regular four carriage 158/five carriage 165+166 formation I make is often busy, and at least on a 166 I have the table section or declassified first class for the almost four hour journey. Occasionally I appreciate you’re going to get a solo two carriage 165 slip onto the service every now and then, but three takes the biscuit particularly with Cardiff, Bristol, Southampton and Portsmouth Uni students using the service heavily for Easter break on Saturdays.

If the 1530 is not the same 4-158 it was last week, I reckon I’ll be staying in Diff until Monday rather than suffering that journey on a 2-165. Call me dramatic if you wish; it won’t change my feelings.

 

[HamworthyGoods]

I’m absolutely furious to see three of the Cardiff Portsmouth diagrams are two carriage 165s today (131, 133, 134)

I make this journey in its entirety every month and even the regular four carriage 158/five carriage 165+166 formation I make is often busy, and at least on a 166 I have the table section or declassified first class for the almost four hour journey. Occasionally I appreciate you’re going to get a solo two carriage 165 slip onto the service every now and then, but three takes the biscuit particularly with Cardiff, Bristol, Southampton and Portsmouth Uni students using the service heavily for Easter break on Saturdays.

If the 1530 is not the same 4-158 it was last week, I reckon I’ll be staying in Diff until Monday rather than suffering that journey on a 2-165. Call me dramatic if you wish; it won’t change my feelings.

Assuming you mean today as in Saturday 2nd April? The 8 diagrams are as follows:

2 circuits are 3 car 158s
2 circuits are 3 car 166s
1 circuit is 5 car 158s
3 circuits are 5 car 16Xs

Can’t see any solo 2 car 165s

 

[Dai Corner]

I’m absolutely furious to see three of the Cardiff Portsmouth diagrams are two carriage 165s today (131, 133, 134)

I make this journey in its entirety every month and even the regular four carriage 158/five carriage 165+166 formation I make is often busy, and at least on a 166 I have the table section or declassified first class for the almost four hour journey. Occasionally I appreciate you’re going to get a solo two carriage 165 slip onto the service every now and then, but three takes the biscuit particularly with Cardiff, Bristol, Southampton and Portsmouth Uni students using the service heavily for Easter break on Saturdays.

If the 1530 is not the same 4-158 it was last week, I reckon I’ll be staying in Diff until Monday rather than suffering that journey on a 2-165. Call me dramatic if you wish; it won’t change my feelings.

3 car 158 seems to be allocated

Realtime Trains | 1F23 1530 Cardiff Central to Portsmouth & Southsea | 02/04/2022

Real-time train running information for 1F23 1530 departure from Cardiff Central to Portsmouth & Southsea on 02/04/2022. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Assuming you mean today as in Saturday 2nd April? The 8 diagrams are as follows:

2 circuits are 3 car 158s
2 circuits are 3 car 166s
1 circuit is 5 car 158s
3 circuits are 5 car 16Xs

Can’t see any solo 2 car 165s

Yes, it appears RTT played a trick on me as the 5 carriage Turbo formations were showing the 165 only all through the night. I’ll take a nice roomy 5 carriage 158 formation I think.

 

[HamworthyGoods]

3 car 158 seems to be allocated

Realtime Trains | 1F23 1530 Cardiff Central to Portsmouth & Southsea | 02/04/2022

Real-time train running information for 1F23 1530 departure from Cardiff Central to Portsmouth & Southsea on 02/04/2022. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

The OP seems to have mis understood the allocations and how they aren’t firmed up at 01.00 when he posted but you have to wait till the small hours when they have been fully allocated off exam etc.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 2 Apr 2022 ==

Yes, it appears RTT played a trick on me as the 5 carriage Turbo formations were showing the 165 only all through the night. I’ll take a nice roomy 5 carriage 158 formation I think.

You need to leave it till around 04.00 to confirm the formations. Units will start to be allocated to diagrams during the night but a 5 car diagram will require 2 units to be allocated and at the moment you checked only the 165s had been allocated.

 

[Parallel]

I saw a 5 carriage 166/165 formation at Westbury this evening that was full and standing. I know these services can be very busy in the week, but it's quite impressive how the additional capacity gets completely swallowed up at weekends. A few Sundays ago I was on a 5 car-158 formation that had nearly every seat taken with people stood in the vestibules/sitting in the luggage racks. Clearly a popular route for leisure travel!

 

[route101]

I saw a 5 carriage 166/165 formation at Westbury this evening that was full and standing. I know these services can be very busy in the week, but it's quite impressive how the additional capacity gets completely swallowed up at weekends. A few Sundays ago I was on a 5 car-158 formation that had nearly every seat taken with people stood in the vestibules/sitting in the luggage racks. Clearly a popular route for leisure travel!

I used the 1922 from Bristol to Portsmouth last night and was a 3 car 166. What service was that? The service after was cancelled and lucky I got the earlier service. Not sure the solution is for this service. Always prefer a 158 on the line though not really common.

 

[Parallel]

I used the 1922 from Bristol to Portsmouth last night and was a 3 car 166. What service was that? The service after was cancelled and lucky I got the earlier service. Not sure the solution is for this service. Always prefer a 158 on the line though not really common.

It was this one.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

I used the 1922 from Bristol to Portsmouth last night and was a 3 car 166. What service was that? The service after was cancelled and lucky I got the earlier service. Not sure the solution is for this service. Always prefer a 158 on the line though not really common.

The 1622/1722/2022 were 158s, so that’s unlucky.
If you like 158s, opt for what leave Cardiff at 1330/1430 and the rest of the diagram on weekdays as those are 4-158.

 

[REVUpminster]

Four 166s down here this morning. 218,211,207 working Paignton-Exmouth and 203 working Barnstaple. Sign of things to come.

St Ives back to one 150.

 

[REVUpminster]

The future has arrived?? 165101 working Paignton-Exmouth. Is it the first 3 car? 3 166s on Monday, only 1 on Thursday and none today. 2 x 2car 158s working Barnstaple and a 3 car working Paignton-Exmouth which has happened 3 times this week.

Weird week a HST castle class did an Exeter-Paignton trip this week with a 150 doing the Exeter-Exmouth part.

 

[The exile]

The future has arrived?? 165101 working Paignton-Exmouth. Is it the first 3 car? 3 166s on Monday, only 1 on Thursday and none today. 2 x 2car 158s working Barnstaple and a 3 car working Paignton-Exmouth which has happened 3 times this week.

Weird week a HST castle class did an Exeter-Paignton trip this week with a 150 doing the Exeter-Exmouth part.

It’s getting some nice trips to the seaside - was heading to Weymouth yesterday afternoon.

 

[Envoy]

I saw a 5 carriage 166/165 formation at Westbury this evening that was full and standing. I know these services can be very busy in the week, but it's quite impressive how the additional capacity gets completely swallowed up at weekends. A few Sundays ago I was on a 5 car-158 formation that had nearly every seat taken with people stood in the vestibules/sitting in the luggage racks. Clearly a popular route for leisure travel!

Clearly, if 5 cars are already reaching full capacity, then when new trains are ordered, they need to take this into account. Perhaps this route needs a longer limited stop express service backed up by stoppers which cater for the shorter platforms?

 

[Wilts Wanderer]

Clearly, if 5 cars are already reaching full capacity, then when new trains are ordered, they need to take this into account. Perhaps this route needs a longer limited stop express service backed up by stoppers which cater for the shorter platforms?

I believe that part of the WECA-funded MetroWest timetable enhancements include a third train each hour between Bristol and Westbury. The overcrowding is usually limited to the Bristol/Bath/Westbury section at certain times of day.

 

[Snow1964]

I saw a 5 carriage 166/165 formation at Westbury this evening that was full and standing. I know these services can be very busy in the week, but it's quite impressive how the additional capacity gets completely swallowed up at weekends. A few Sundays ago I was on a 5 car-158 formation that had nearly every seat taken with people stood in the vestibules/sitting in the luggage racks. Clearly a popular route for leisure travel!

Yes, it happend on a few trains on weekends, GWR either need to boost the frequency, or do a few quick platform extensions to allow 6car workings.

It has also been mentioned in the Weymouth (via Yeovil) thread and the Cotswold line thread how GWR don’t seem to have enough trains for their weekend services.

Really they should have got some surplus east coast (or Norwich) sets to put on Paddington-Cardiff at weekends, to free up the bi-modes. No good waiting for surplus diesel trains to be available.