I have always wondered whether a ten coach formation of 158+158+158+158+158 (5x2car158) has ever happened. It must have happened at some point. I can not find any photos or videos.
Did 6 x 2 HAP ever happen? There were plenty of 12 car workings on the SED but going back 45 years I seem to remember that most included at least one Vep, but I'm sure that 12 Hap must have operated on occasions.
I'm surpruised that 2-car EMUs have the same rating as 4-car, especially as 5x2HAP was common and would have exceedced the index limit of 16. Typo?
It has been a while since i last saw one of those. It looks like 377310 + 377318 + 377317 + 377315 are on a Brighton to London diagram today. London Victoria is closed to many services this weekend so that probably makes it even busier.
And here it is at Haywards Heath station just now.
I saw a photo on Facebook of a 12 car Sprinter in service from Birmingham to Cardiff. It was 4 x 150 + 2 x 156 led by 150255. I assume in connection with a football match.
I thought the same. A 2EPB had half the motors of a 4EPB and typically used half the power. Same goes for 456 compared with 455. Does the same not apply to 466/465?
Not to dig up a dormant thread, but 6-car 156 formations have been calling at Dalmuir for years with no issue (indeed, 1Y44 is enroute as I type this, albeit over a half-hour late). The Anniesland platforms can handle them but 7 cars is what clearly tips the balance in terms of signalling and rectifying it isn't really worth the expense, hence why the two aforementioned services skip Dalmuir.
6 coach trains call there, but only the local door gets opened.
Only if they went off lease. i can’t recall any operator using less rolling stock during the pandemic. It was just business as usual with some reduction in services and lots of fresh air initially.
Yes.
I can’t really remember any extra units being used because of social distancing. There was very little need initially due to low passenger numbers. Northern I do recall were one of the very few who blocked off seats like bus companies did. The rest left it to common sense.
I’m not suggesting extra units were used, but that pacers were given a brief stay of execution. In other words, a reduction in capacity was delayed (not something one would really notice). Thinking about it though, maybe I’m getting my timings wrong - wasn’t the original PRM deadline 31/12/19, so they were already in a grace period.
Yes I think so. At GA we managed to accelerate the withdrawal of the legacy 90/DVT in early 2020 as the 745s took over a reduced timetable.
I was on the Long Thin Drag Tour in 1986, what a great day, I boarded and alighted at Bromley South
5x2-Hap was generally used for the xx.36 semi-fasts from CX to Ramsgate via Woolwich Arsenal. Before the TLVs, boat trains in the early 60s were often formed with two MLVs and Cep Bep Cep. Typical of my trainspotting days at St Mary Cray around 1962-3.
www.realtimetrains.co.uk
This is a regular movement now which throws a bit of excitement into my Sunday evenings. Unfortunately the rear two sets are locked out of use. They first did it on 2nd June 2024 I believe. I have photos of that one somewhere4 x 150 worked this yesterday evening:
Realtime Trains | 2C38 1827 Exeter St Davids to Penzance | 07/06/2026
Real-time train running information for 2C38 1827 departure from Exeter St Davids to Penzance on 07/06/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.
Two units split at Plymouth.
That makes sense with only five minutes at most at Plymouth to detach. Wouldn’t want to be hunting through the train for those not paying attention.
