Sorry dunno (not a word) how to put a link into a post, (I am an old git). But....

If you put a search to You tube for '142 Newton St Cyres' you get some FGW^▸ (First Great Western) bounceage (you never know if people are using the word it will become one).

Nothingnew about coasting either. Loads of stations in the NSE^▸ (Network South East) area have coasting boards to indicate where TPTB^▸ (The Powers That Be) thought you could shut off and not loose time. *some* were in the right place.

A big start could be made by improving how airtight the air systems are. I might shut the engine down if I didn't think all the air would be gone in 10 minutes.

 Change being sold to staff as bringing HSS^▸ (High Speed Services) into line with West and LTV^▸ (London [and] Thames Valley)

Hasn't happened yet though, to my knowledge at least.

It was being discussed in the Messroom at EX the other day and nobody could think of an occasion when 150/1+ anything had been to Exmouth.

But when there are 17 on the fleet it'll happen

You are right in that (150/2 local door) does happen now. But it is an interlocked door (the brakes are on in Step 3 when open). There is no such protection in a 150/1 hence the slam doors are not passenger doors in normal operation.

Having said that, neither is ideal. AIUI^▸ (as I understand it) the plan for refurb is to put intermediate door controls on to allow the leading pair of double doors to be used at such stations.
I have lost count the number of times people have struggled / cursed / failed to get Bikes / buggies / XYZ through the single leaf of a 142 at St. James Park.

If it happens, I think it will be welcomed by our customers.

Incidently I think it is also planned to change the vestibule door locks (to what I don't know).

Sigh! The slam door is not a passenger access door (in normal circumstances) and it is clearly not desireable to have passengers using it.

Intermediate door controls are (or were) to be fitted to 150/1 as passengers are not to use the slam door if a 4 car turns up at St. James Park.
Usual caveats apply, they may change their minds if the safety people will agree to a few quid being saved.

John has hit the nail on the head with this one.
Exeter depot has a booked job to pass home on this train after working the last up train from Exeter to Bristol. I have frequently found myself enjoying  a meander through the countryside seeing Westbury go past the window in the wee small hours.

Shame on you Mr. Sprinter Meister. We are all servants of the company. Nothing makes me cringe more than when a member of staff fails to address the needs of our customers.
Perhaps you need to go on the course more than some

Who told you that?

Who do you suppose used to work the PZ-Pompey?

Since that stopped running there has at various times been booked ECS^▸ (Empty Coaching Stock) work so most Exeter Link 1 drivers still sign the B&H.

Hang on a minute. It may have been late yesterday, but one swallow does not make a summer.
I have worked that train and can't remember it being a notorious late runner.

 Most unusual, Usually they do anything to actually avoid requesting the train, I've given up mind reading and always stop the train now,

Always amazes me that Lympstone produces the elite as they seem incapable of reading a timetable or holding the their beer (working the late Exmouths can be an unpleasant experience when the Marines have been on the Pop).

The RUMOUR that I heard was that FGW train crews would work Honiton / Axminster shuttles under contract to SWT^▸ (South West Trains)

No Problem.
The current last Barney goes through to Exmouth and makes the last one from there, so you dont get done until 00.40 anyway.


The major sticking point would be to put a night shift on in Crediton signal box, as currently the Bobby goes home when the last one is off his patch.