Class 158s to Newquay

[Four Track, Now!]

I think they look more "at home" "anywhere".

[eightf48544]

Isn't interesting that after all the speculation a photo of a 158 on the Newquay branch appears.

I wonder how many thousands/millions of pictures of unusual trains in unusual places there must be in peoples collections? 

[devon_metro]

Isn't interesting that after all the speculation a photo of a 158 on the Newquay branch appears.

I wonder how many thousands/millions of pictures of unusual trains in unusual places there must be in peoples collections? 

The picture is on the St Ives line!

[eightf48544]

  oops

[Smartie36]

The good ol class 158, used to enjoy catching one of those on a direct connection all the way from weston down to st. erth on my way to st. Ives back in the late 90s, even as late as 2002, wessex trains I think it was back then.

Actually speaking of the Class 158, considering fgw still use them I'm wondering why they're not used very much on the Bristol to Penzanze route & instead they tend to use class 150's & a 150 is not a comfortable train to be sat on for 4+ hours, the 158 is much better suited for long journeys like that.

[Louis94]

Actually speaking of the Class 158, considering fgw still use them I'm wondering why they're not used very much on the Bristol to Penzanze route & instead they tend to use class 150's & a 150 is not a comfortable train to be sat on for 4+ hours, the 158 is much better suited for long journeys like that.

They are better used on the regular Portsmouth - Cardiff services rather than the 2 Bristol to Penzance services per day.

[dking]

One of my favourite units as well. I used to go from Bath to Manchester quite a bit and there was a direct service (it actually came from Waterloo) via Newport and the Welsh Marches. Sometimes got a bit noisy but was comfortable and got me there & back on time.

[phile]

The good ol class 158, used to enjoy catching one of those on a direct connection all the way from weston down to st. erth on my way to st. Ives back in the late 90s, even as late as 2002, wessex trains I think it was back then.

Actually speaking of the Class 158, considering fgw still use them I'm wondering why they're not used very much on the Bristol to Penzanze route & instead they tend to use class 150's & a 150 is not a comfortable train to be sat on for 4+ hours, the 158 is much better suited for long journeys like that.

FGW can't use them in the West of England simply because they don't have enough to cover everything.  Thank the DFT in 2006/7 for transferring them to Northern.

[Cornubian]

As a member of Traincrew, we did indeed worked a 158 on Fridays through to Falmouth Docks from Plymouth, with the unit returning back to Par, then on to St.Blazey for cleaning and prep for the next day. Usually the 158 would run as the 06.10 Par to Penzance, then 07.xx Penzance to Portsmouth, can't remember the exact timings though.

Also I'm aware of one occasion that a 158 did make Newquay, there was a problem with units and the 158 was sent out vice a 150. It wasn't until it arrived back at Par, when it was realised that they were barred from the branch. Needless to say this was several years ago.

I totally agree with other comments regarding the loss of 158 units on West services, particularly those from Bristol to Penzance. A 150/1 for a 4 hour journey isn't the most desirable unit, particularly as there isn't any tables and the old 3+2 mis-fitting seating. A 150/2 is only moderately better though, shame the Dft thought Northern should benefit more with the 158's than FGW.

[chris from nailsea]

Thanks for posting that very interesting information, Cornubian - and a warm welcome to the Coffee Shop forum!