..on the 4 car 158 07.58 Trowbridge to Cardiff.

I'm not sure what happended to the 07.23 Warminster - Great Malvern but thankfully the 07.58 was 4 car and was literally packed all the way to Bristol.

Journey was lightened a little as I bumped into an old acquaintance who was on his way to Swindon for Guard training who thought he might miss his conection at Bath. He had already noted the crap direct service so I suggested he should mention it when he got there. 

Someone obviously didn't know the kicking the door trick,  which usually sorts out any problems with brakes being applied inadvertantly on 143's.

As I didn't have time this morning to look at the departure board at Trowbridge it wasn't clear whether the 07.44 had been cancelled or not, it's usually a neat idea if it shows 'delayed' and the first arrival then gets jammed, to wait for the following which is then empty, just a few mins late that's all. There were plenty at Bradford who chose not to board knowing that they would get a nice journey to work. (Ok if you are flexible)

Would hate to think what would have happened if there had been a problem in Fratton and it had turned up as a 2 car.  , 18 months ago this scenario was a regular occurence leading to zero space after Bradford, so I have every sympathy with passengers at Bath/Oldfield/Keynsham who at the time were regularly watching 2 car trains passing them already full from Trowbridge, if TonyA hadn't done something then someone else would have.

Actually, the conductor did try that on the 143 on every door -- but no luck!!   

it is because the couplers are old and worn,plus pacers should only couple to pacers they do not like being attached to sprinters due to one being axle vehicle with coil spring suspension the other being bogie vehicle with air bag suspension.

The 17.47 from BPW to Westbury was a 143+150 today. They looked like they were attached to each other! Although unusual to see a 143 on this service.