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Timmer
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« on: December 31, 2008, 12:40:29 » |
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The latest Rail magazine reports that FGW▸ will not be operating loco hauled services on the Bristol-Weymouth line this coming summer as there would be enough DMUs▸ available as a result of FGW making better use of its resources.
Can't say I'm surprised at this news as loadings on the extra loco hauled service couldn't have been very high owing to the poor weather over the summer making it hard to justify the extra spending on hiring a set again for the following summer.
I suspect FGW will have coaches on standby on days when the weather is good to cover the event of extra passenger loadings that sunny weather tends to bring to this line as there can't be that much spare DMU stock around to strengthen existing services without taking away from other lines.
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devon_metro
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« Reply #1 on: December 31, 2008, 13:18:30 » |
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The LHCS▸ is likely to stay on Cardiff - Taunton
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Electric train
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« Reply #2 on: December 31, 2008, 14:32:20 » |
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It is possible that this years with the sterling being so weak against the euro and the general feeling from the credit crunch that UK▸ holidays and day trips may make resurgence and I wonder if the TOC▸ 's and NR» could re act to it by providing the level of service and price to attract families back to rail for especially day trips
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Starship just experienced what we call a rapid unscheduled disassembly, or a RUD, during ascent,”
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Timmer
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« Reply #3 on: December 31, 2008, 15:26:09 » |
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The LHCS▸ is likely to stay on Cardiff - Taunton
If thats the case then surely it could do the Weymouths on summer Saturdays. |
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devon_metro
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« Reply #4 on: December 31, 2008, 15:45:53 » |
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I presume the slower timings of LHCS▸ make it difficult to diagram, along with crewing issues. Currently only Exeter crews are being trained on class 67s, none of which sign Weymouth.
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Exeter
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« Reply #5 on: January 05, 2009, 20:31:02 » |
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Cant really see why a Paddington Oxford fast diagram on a summer saturday couldn't be "turbo-ed" and the displaced HST▸ do two round trips Bristol to Weymouth! Both Paddington and Bristol HSS▸ staff sign Bristol to Castle Cary. You would need two pilotmen with route knowledge to cover the bit between Cary and Weymouth but that must be a cheaper option then using hired in loco and stock!
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devon_metro
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« Reply #6 on: January 05, 2009, 20:56:09 » |
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Do Exeter not sign Bathamapton Jn - Bradford Jn?
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Toiletdriver
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« Reply #7 on: January 10, 2009, 23:16:38 » |
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Cant really see why a Paddington Oxford fast diagram on a summer saturday couldn't be "turbo-ed" and the displaced HST▸ do two round trips Bristol to Weymouth! Both Paddington and Bristol HSS▸ staff sign Bristol to Castle Cary. You would need two pilotmen with route knowledge to cover the bit between Cary and Weymouth but that must be a cheaper option then using hired in loco and stock!
No pilotmen required, as there are several ex Wessex drivers with Weymouth route knowledge that now sign HSTs. |
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slippy
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« Reply #8 on: January 30, 2009, 15:05:16 » |
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Wouldnt believe all you read in RAIL magazine, LIAR backwards....
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G.Uard
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« Reply #10 on: March 07, 2009, 13:39:07 » |
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GCR» driver told me that there is talk of 'retraining' former loco men to drive 57s. Also rumours of a purchase of several Mk2s▸ by FGW▸ . I posted somewhere else about plans to bin the skips in favour of additional 'pooled' 57s, so this does make sense. Rumour rating at the moment though, so don't go dusting off your Praktikas and long lenses just yet.
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Timmer
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« Reply #11 on: March 07, 2009, 16:19:22 » |
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GCR» driver told me that there is talk of 'retraining' former loco men to drive 57s. Also rumours of a purchase of several Mk2s▸ by FGW▸ . I posted somewhere else about plans to bin the skips in favour of additional 'pooled' 57s, so this does make sense. Rumour rating at the moment though, so don't go dusting off your Praktikas and long lenses just yet.
Would make sense for FGW to purchase some Mk2s and use their 57s rather than pay a charter company all the time. After all, until the new fleet of trains arrive for Cardiff-Portsmouth in 2011 there will always be a use for them with the DMU▸ fleet stretched to the limit. |
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devon_metro
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« Reply #12 on: March 07, 2009, 21:57:52 » |
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GCR» driver told me that there is talk of 'retraining' former loco men to drive 57s. Also rumours of a purchase of several Mk2s▸ by FGW▸ . I posted somewhere else about plans to bin the skips in favour of additional 'pooled' 57s, so this does make sense. Rumour rating at the moment though, so don't go dusting off your Praktikas and long lenses just yet.
There is a rumour I have heard, although I won't say what it is so nobody gets into trouble. Lets just say that it involves 57s. |
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grahame
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« Reply #13 on: March 08, 2009, 06:26:14 » |
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Interestingly, at Travel Watch South West yesterday, there was official confirmation from Mark Hopwood and Malcolm Drury of FGW▸ that there will be something extra on Summer Saturdays on Weymouth as well as summer strengthening on the Cornish branches ... but the wording did not state (perhaps intentionally) whether the Weymouth solution was (or was not) locomotive based.
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Coffee Shop Admin, Acting Chair of Melksham Rail User Group, Option 24/7 Melksham Rep
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devon_metro
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« Reply #14 on: March 08, 2009, 10:34:18 » |
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So that would explain why I saw a certain Torbay dignitary heading that way.
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