341o2
Established Member
- Joined
- 17 Oct 2011
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I've noted 3 recent occasions where a 450 has worked the branch weekdays. Is the branch now worked by a 450 and the 158's have been displaced? Any info appreciated
Has been operated by a 450 during the Olympics to release the normal 158 to operate Bournemouth - Weymouth extras.
Forgive my pedantry, but would it not make more sense to use the additional 4 car 450 on the Olympic extras rather than a 2 car 158? Seems a very bizarre way of doing things, is that for definite? I would have thought that strengthening the diesel services out of Waterloo might have been a more sensible option?
As mentioned in about a dozen different discussions so far, there are power supply restrictions at the far end of the Weymouth line. Using a couple of 5 car 158/159 combinations to augment the service beyond Bournemouth means that they can run extras without worrying about third rail overloads...

As mentioned in about a dozen different discussions so far, there are power supply restrictions at the far end of the Weymouth line. Using a couple of 5 car 158/159 combinations to augment the service beyond Bournemouth means that they can run extras without worrying about third rail overloads...
However, as a result of the power supply on the line to Weymouth, which was electrified in the late 1980s and the single track section on part of the route, the number and length of trains that run on this route are limited. We have worked in partnership with Network Rail to enable the maximum number of trains to operate during the Games, and to enable key trains to be strengthened by drawing extra power for this limited period.
http://www.southwesttrains.co.uk/games-train-tickets.aspx#102383
A few 8 and 12 car 450s have visited Weymouth over the Olympics with special permission from Network Rail.
They've got a couple of 8-cars booked to/from Weymouth each day, but no 12-cars. They definitely would overload the third rail.A few 8 and 12 car 450s have visited Weymouth over the Olympics with special permission from Network Rail.
They've got a couple of 8-cars booked to/from Weymouth each day, but no 12-cars. They definitely would overload the third rail.
There was definitely a 12-car to Weymouth on the first Sunday.