Great Western Coffee Shop

I am reliably informed that the first of our 150/1's has arrived at St Phillips marsh, 150127 to be precise!

But where for...

Would probably just go into the 150 pool so will end up everywhere!

But then it means training up every train crew depot!

When we hired some before Wessex only produced a conversion booklet for the minor differences, don't think full training will be required as all of the important things are the same as a 150/2

Was the booklet all you needed then, so there was no 'type training' involved? FGW will have to get the crews to dig out there Wessex Books!

I think they may just stretch to producing a new booklet! ;) ,

I wouldn't count on it :P

The differences are fairly minor, am sure a 'booklet' or a quick briefing would suffice. Crew prefer them as they give better visibility, no gangway connection obscuring the view to the drivers right.....

you certainly are....i saw it at BTM at about 330pm.......mind you someone will moan about it for sure colour scheme too gawdy , seats too hard, not enough leg room etc etc

Its better than a 142!!!!!

And a 150/2 in my book though!

Some people are never happy! Don't complain, it's taking the place of a 142!

We dont know that for sure. See quote below :

150127 is one of the batch of 150's that were destined for us next year but we've had it earlier so yes it will take the place of a 142 eventually!

Ah , I see. So there should be around another ten Class 150's to come then?

over the next two years, as soon as London Midland's new 172's arrive!

And thats for definate? I heard that at least one other TOC thought that the spare 150's were promised to them.

I bloody well hope that TOC isn't Northern!

That info came from the fleet directors own mouth! So pretty kosher!

Yep it is. They first said we could have them then changed there minds and said Northern would need them actually, atleast they've gone back on that desision.

150120 should be the second set. They are supposedly to enter the Bristol class 143 pool to help it achieve its availability target that it never meets. Class 142s on the Devon Metro is still going ahead.

I've been informed its 150121 but whats in a number.

150127 arrived from Willesden T&RSMD on Saturday 10th with 150121 due next after it has some repairs completed at WN. I hear a rumour that London Midland decided at the last minute to use existing 150s and (once crew training is completed!) 153s on the Bedford to Bletchley which the DFT had planned to be resourced by hired-in London Overground 150s. This left two spare 150s at London Overground which they returned to Angel Trains - FGW found out very quickly and snapped them up!

The differences between 150/1 and 150/2 is pretty minimal and on most other TOCs crews hold the two units as one line on their competency card. And, as you say, most drivers and Guards much prefer a stroke 1 to a stroke 2!

The Silverlink MD Mark Hopwood is FGW bound so he's bringing two of his old trains with him - SL 150s have always been very reliable!

Give the man a medal for foresight.

Well FGW did say that they are 'scouring the country' for spare rolling stock and duly found some. Only two sets but hey its a start. I would imagine they have scouts looking out for any rolling stock going that will help relieve the situation down here once the 12 158s go.

I did hear that some 180's were going onto store from a certain TOC.

aparently the 2nd 150 has arrived (121)

Since Thursday 2 158s and 150247 were meant to have arrived back from refurb

saw the 2 150/1 units and i must say they look quite smart....much better than the stupid advertising livery wessex seemed to favour

We've had our training.....2 sheets of A4 left in our pigeon holes! That's really all thats needed as there are not that many differences from a 150/2. Expect to see them in service soon i would guess.