There is a lot of anger over the past few days about the massive overcrowding on the Tarka Line due to the Class 175 shortage, particularly focused on the 07:22 from Barnstaple and the return 17:14 from Exeter which have both peak time commuters and a large amount of kids from North Devon going to Exeter College (see screenshots from local facebook groups). I know that in the longer term the 175s will help with this, although it's clear additional infrastructure to allow for longer trains that 5 carriages and/or additional passing loops, and GWR have hired buses, which are slower, in the shorter term to provide additional capacity. Obviously this will all require money, but what are the practical options for actual getting actual additional trains. I want to know so I can help organise writing to MPs. I assume all of these will cost money, so please don't rule these out on those grounds. I want to know what is practical for additional stock out of the following options:
1. Are there any spare trains that could bolster GWR's fleet and the crews are already trained on. There seems to be some suggestion that there are spare 150s, but is this true?
2. Are there any heritage trains that could be hired in to provide support. Again the preserved 150 seems the obvious option, but would pacers be compatible with 15xs to be brough back into service attached to them?
3. Could any loco hauled stock be used, the likes of a rake from West Coast, DRS, Saphos (e.g. the HST?), like has been done for Northern in Cumbria. If so, where is the right place to operate this on the GWR network to free up the maximum stock? Cardiff - Portsmouth / Exeter, Bristol - Oxford?
4. Is there any robbing other operators to provide additional capacity. Could even 1 or 2 15x units be sent from Scotrail, Northern, TfW ect?
5. Is there any completely under the wires services that could utilise electric stock to provide spot hire to GWR. E.g. Is there third rail units that could replace 158s/159s on the Basingstoke to Waterloo portion of Exeter - Waterloo that would allow spot hire to GWR.
I know some of these are out there ideas, but the railway is clearly failing atm and it needs urgent help. If we can't transport people what is the point of us, especially considering the massive taxpayer subsidies. This seems like it's a massive opportunity for GBR to start to flex it's muscles and show us what it is capable of in organising something innovative.
1. Are there any spare trains that could bolster GWR's fleet and the crews are already trained on. There seems to be some suggestion that there are spare 150s, but is this true?
2. Are there any heritage trains that could be hired in to provide support. Again the preserved 150 seems the obvious option, but would pacers be compatible with 15xs to be brough back into service attached to them?
3. Could any loco hauled stock be used, the likes of a rake from West Coast, DRS, Saphos (e.g. the HST?), like has been done for Northern in Cumbria. If so, where is the right place to operate this on the GWR network to free up the maximum stock? Cardiff - Portsmouth / Exeter, Bristol - Oxford?
4. Is there any robbing other operators to provide additional capacity. Could even 1 or 2 15x units be sent from Scotrail, Northern, TfW ect?
5. Is there any completely under the wires services that could utilise electric stock to provide spot hire to GWR. E.g. Is there third rail units that could replace 158s/159s on the Basingstoke to Waterloo portion of Exeter - Waterloo that would allow spot hire to GWR.
I know some of these are out there ideas, but the railway is clearly failing atm and it needs urgent help. If we can't transport people what is the point of us, especially considering the massive taxpayer subsidies. This seems like it's a massive opportunity for GBR to start to flex it's muscles and show us what it is capable of in organising something innovative.
