SWR 158 loaned to GWR?

[smilerish]

Hi all,

Apologies if this is the wrong forum!

I've noticed the 0823 Southampton to Great Malvern GWR service is being worked by a SWR 158 now. I'm sure this is a great relief to the poor commuters who had to bear a 150 on this route until recently, but does anyone know the background to this?

Is it just a loan (if so why?) or has GWR taken on this unit?

 

[700007]

SWR loans a 158 to GWR every weekday due to stock shortages. It is only a day loan, so a different one gets sent out every day.

Normal to find it doing Cheltenham to Swindon from my observations.

 

[PHILIPE]

The loan has been on a daily basis for approx 6 years. As the last post said, it has been employed on the Cheltenham to Swindon route but it has been amended recently during the transitional period while the Turbos are gradually being introduced.

 

[swt_passenger]

The loan has been on a daily basis for approx 6 years. As the last post said, it has been employed on the Cheltenham to Swindon route but it has been amended recently during the transitional period while the Turbos are gradually being introduced.

To add to PHILIPE's reply the SW replacement franchise ITT stated that the daily hire to GWR was to be considered to last until the end of the GWR direct award, and must be "at cost". Bidders were also asked to consider the alternative of a permanent transfer of one unit to GWR via the ROSCO - but it appears that wasn't taken up (yet)...