No Southampton - Westbury Shuttle Unit Today? (19/10/2007)

[whole diary]

[Lee]

From the FGW^▸ (First Great Western) website :

15:39 Southampton Central to Westbury due 16:45
This train has been cancelled. This is due to an earlier train fault.

14:12 Westbury to Southampton Central due 15:24
This train has been cancelled. This is due to an earlier train fault.

12:32 Southampton Central to Westbury due 13:39
This train has been cancelled. This is due to an earlier train fault.

11:06 Westbury to Southampton Central due 12:18
This train has been cancelled. This is due to an earlier train fault.

As many of you will be aware , the Class 153 unit that normally forms these services is due to be sent back to the leasing company in December 2007.

[Shazz]

Maybe FGW^▸ (First Great Western) forgot that they cant run pacers on those lines and "forgot" to re renew it?

[Lee]

Maybe FGW^▸ (First Great Western) forgot that they cant run pacers on those lines and "forgot" to re renew it?

Quote from Page 25 of the Greater Western Franchise Agreement (link below.)
http://www.saveseverntunnel.co.uk/First%20Greater%20Western%20Franchise%20Agreement.pdf

"It is acknowledged that in fulfilling its commitments under paragraph 18 of Appendix 11 (Committed Obligations and Related Provisions) one additional Class 153 unit beyond that envisaged in the Financial Model as at the Start Date is being retained through to December 2007, but at that date will be returned to its lessor/hirer without being subject to any substitution requirement."

This clause was agreed on 06/06/2006.

[Lee]

Unsurprisingly , more Southampton - Westbury Shuttle trains have been cancelled :

18:27 Southampton Central to Cheltenham Spa due 21:27
This train has been cancelled.This is due to a train fault.

17:06 Westbury to Southampton Central due 18:18
This train has been cancelled.This is due to a train fault.

[devon_metro]

Do remember a number of 158s and 2 153s (IIRC^▸ (if I recall/remember/read correctly)) are at refurb.

[Timmer]

Do remember a number of 158s and 2 153s (IIRC^▸ (if I recall/remember/read correctly)) are at refurb.

They are indeed but at the moment FGW^▸ (First Great Western) passengers are paying a high price for these sets being away for refurb as all too often at the moment services are being reported as either cancelled, train fault or short formed. What is going to happen come December when 12 158s just disappear?

[vacman]

We're keeping all the 153's that are currently in service with us, only 158's going back.

[Lee]

We're keeping all the 153's that are currently in service with us, only 158's going back.

Very interesting , as vacman's quote directly contradicts what Andrew Griffiths said at the recent WWRUG^» (West Wiltshire Rail Users Group - about) meeting in Westbury. He has been saying all along that FGW^▸ (First Great Western) are to lose this Class 153 unit in December 2007.

If vacman is correct , then the decision to retain this unit must have been made very recently.

[devon_metro]

Where did I say FGW^▸ (First Great Western) were keeping this unit 

[Lee]

Where did I say FGW^▸ (First Great Western) were keeping this unit 

You didnt Liam , and I have modified my earlier post to give credit where credit is due.

Sorry about that , blame it on a busy morning......

[vacman]

When AG said "we" are losing this unit he probably means from your area, all that FGW^▸ (First Great Western) are losing are the 12 158's, the 153 will probaly work a 158 diagram!!!