West Highland Line coach numbering

[Foxcover]

I’ve a Scotrail email reservation on the West Highland Line soon (1634 Queen St to Oban, ) and the reservation says ‘Coach E’ - looking at RTT it’s normally just a 156+153 - I don’t think this service is ever 6 coach, is coach E a default for the 153? Thanks

 

[azt]

Yes, but from Glasgow it is in combination with the fort william/mallaig portion (2 coaches) which splits at crianlarach. We're just back from oban and our reservation was in coach d, which was the last coach in a 2 car set from oban.

 

[Foxcover]

Yes, but from Glasgow it is in combination with the fort william/mallaig portion (2 coaches) which splits at crianlarach. We're just back from oban and our reservation was in coach d, which was the last coach in a 2 car set from oban.

Got it - thankyou!

 

[azt]

Pleasure, enjoy your trip .

When we came back from oban, there wasn't any catering until crianlarich were it joined to the fort william portion. It maybe worthwhile taking some snacks/drinks with you for the return journey.

 

[InOban]

Yes, but from Glasgow it is in combination with the fort william/mallaig portion (2 coaches) which splits at crianlarach. We're just back from oban and our reservation was in coach d, which was the last coach in a 2 car set from oban.

As I recall the 16.34 is an Oban-only train so I assume that the coach numbering hasn't been changed from its previous working as part of a combined Oban/FW which arrived earlier.

 

[scotraildriver]

Sorry, all the above posts are nonsense. The 16.34 is, and always has been, an Oban only service, originally 2 cars and now 3. It doesn't split or join. The 153 is always coach E regardless of formation as you said. It may only be a 2 car set however, the 153s aren't needed in winter and regularly don't run. It's not a busy service though so you'll have no problem getting a seat elsewhere.

 

[Foxcover]

That’s great - thank you!

 

[Deepgreen]

Sorry, all the above posts are nonsense. The 16.34 is, and always has been, an Oban only service, originally 2 cars and now 3. It doesn't split or join. The 153 is always coach E regardless of formation as you said. It may only be a 2 car set however, the 153s aren't needed in winter and regularly don't run. It's not a busy service though so you'll have no problem getting a seat elsewhere.

The timetable has tweaked over the years - I recall in my youth the 1638 ex-QS was a Mallaig working (usually a class 27 with six or seven on, including a full buffet!). BTW, do the 153s even have any seats - I had thought they were cycles and luggage only? I'll be up there for the first time in two years in March - it'll be great to be back.

 

[InOban]

Only about half the 153 is used for the bicycles. Some prefer their seats to the ironing boards in the 156s

 

[Deepgreen]

Only about half the 153 is used for the bicycles. Some prefer their seats to the ironing boards in the 156s

Great - thanks. I haven't been up there since they came in.

 

[Wyrleybart]

The timetable has tweaked over the years - I recall in my youth the 1638 ex-QS was a Mallaig working (usually a class 27 with six or seven on, including a full buffet!).

Been there and done that - in 1979 !!!
Sadly I didn't note the class 27 numbers, assuming the loco from Glasgow was replaced for the forward journey to Mallaig.
I kipped in the Mk1 BFK in the yard then caught the ferry over to Armadale the next morning.

Very happy days