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Title: Diesel trains at Woking to soon be replaced by electrics? Post by: grahame on August 02, 2026, 09:43:29 From Will Foster, MP for Woking
Quote South Western Railway’s diesel trains will soon be replaced by electric trains. With cancellations and delays already a big issue on the network serving #Woking, I’ve asked the Government to ensure that the rollout of new trains don’t add to the problem. Has he heard something we have not? https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2539177199864931 (https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2539177199864931) Title: Re: Diesel trains at Woking to soon be replaced by electrics? Post by: Ralph Ayres on August 02, 2026, 10:15:00 The replies on Facebook are quite fun to read, but so far he doesn't seem to have explained what he has based his bizarre claim on.
Title: Re: Diesel trains at Woking to soon be replaced by electrics? Post by: grahame on August 02, 2026, 10:49:24 The replies on Facebook are quite fun to read, but so far he doesn't seem to have explained what he has based his bizarre claim on. I found it interesting that the minister (?) replying on behalf of the government did not point out that his claim was wrong, but pointed out that electric trains will bring efficiencies ... which (he hoped) would include the minister's consituency. I find myself wondering if GBR|SW in their timetable recast is considering terminating diesel trains from west of Basingstoke at Basingstoke, with connections from there onwards into London? Title: Re: Diesel trains at Woking to soon be replaced by electrics? Post by: stuving on August 02, 2026, 12:47:09 The replies on Facebook are quite fun to read, but so far he doesn't seem to have explained what he has based his bizarre claim on. I found it interesting that the minister (?) replying on behalf of the government did not point out that his claim was wrong, but pointed out that electric trains will bring efficiencies ... which (he hoped) would include the minister's consituency. I find myself wondering if GBR|SW in their timetable recast is considering terminating diesel trains from west of Basingstoke at Basingstoke, with connections from there onwards into London? I thought the PUSS's answer sounded like the question was based on a government statement of some kind. I also wondered when that exchange took place - no date I could see. I actually came from commons question to the SoS for transport, on June 11th. This section is headlined in Hansard as about transport decarbonisation, but I'm not sure if it was planned as such or just emerged. The three questions in that section start with: Quote Amanda Martin (Portsmouth North) (Lab) 10. What steps she is taking to help decarbonise the transport sector. (900360) The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Keir Mather) Decarbonising transport is vital for our energy security and to make the network fit for the future. We are turbocharging the roll-out of electric vehicles, overhauling public transport, supporting low carbon fuel uptake in aviation, and funding technology innovation for maritime through the multimillion-pound UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions research programme. After that rather woolly (but still overstated) answer and her follow-up question about Portsmouth port, Will Forster jumps in with his. So it was seen at the time, I'm sure, as based on the published decarbonisation plans, which as we all know are largely a deadline-free zone. For the record: Quote Mr Will Forster (Woking) (LD) Can the Minister assure me that when the diesel trains that operate on the South Western Railway network are replaced with electric trains to decarbonise the network, there will be no reduction in service for my commuting constituents in Woking? Keir Mather We believe that the benefits of having electric rolling stock for our train services actually allow us to improve efficiency on the railway, and I hope that those improvements can be realised for the hon. Gentleman’s constituents. Title: Re: Diesel trains at Woking to soon be replaced by electrics? Post by: Chris from Nailsea on August 02, 2026, 13:09:18 Hmm.
That's a different answer to a different question. ::) Title: Re: Diesel trains at Woking to soon be replaced by electrics? Post by: eightonedee on August 02, 2026, 21:53:58 Quote That's a different answer to a different question. Clearly, the training he's been given about how to answer a question when he's no idea has worked.... Title: Re: Diesel trains at Woking to soon be replaced by electrics? Post by: Electric train on August 03, 2026, 07:03:05 From Will Foster, MP for Woking Quote South Western Railway’s diesel trains will soon be replaced by electric trains. With cancellations and delays already a big issue on the network serving #Woking, I’ve asked the Government to ensure that the rollout of new trains don’t add to the problem. Has he heard something we have not? https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2539177199864931 (https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2539177199864931) The way I heard the question by Will Foster MP was "when" and not soon. While I was still working a year ago I was involved in traction power supply discussions as part of the plans being prepared by GBR to replace the 1990's / early 2000's passenger rolling stock both diesel and electric with units with battery power. For non electrified areas the GWR technology is an option along with "gap" electrification (this is an area, of a few miles to charge the batteries on the move and some sidings, platforms, electrified). My guess is from Will Foster MP question is that he is raising concerns over outline timetable changes possibly being floated by DfT following the introduction of new rolling stock or leading up to the introduction Title: Re: Diesel trains at Woking to soon be replaced by electrics? Post by: bradshaw on August 03, 2026, 08:18:22 The SWR Class 158 and 159 are just starting a C6 overhaul at Bournemouth, each unit will take six weeke to turn around. This suggest that they will be around for some considerable time yet
Quote Our engineering teams at Bournemouth Depot have begun a major overhaul of our Class 158 and 159 diesel fleet, which run on the parts of our network which aren’t electrified such as the West of England line and on the Romsey Rounder services. The work, known as a C6, involves overhauling all the customer facing elements of the train, with the entire interior stripped out and either refurbished or replaced if needed. Apart from a few components such as air conditioning, CET/toilet tanks, and door valves, all the work is being carried out by the Bournemouth depot team. During the works the team will be the removing and repainting interior panelling, refitting windows with new rubber seals and replacing any damaged windows, fitting new seat covers, installing new flooring, including Axminster carpets, and overhauling the toilets, including inspection for corrosion. The exterior of the train will also be repainted by the team, including a lighter roof colour to deflect heat in the summer and improve the reliability of the air conditioning system. https://careers.southwesternrailway.com/blogs/SWR-Blog/diesel-fleet-overhaul-begins Edit: Quote marks fixed. CfN. :) Title: Re: Diesel trains at Woking to soon be replaced by electrics? Post by: bradshaw on August 03, 2026, 08:35:11 SWR Class 158/9 fleet starting C6 overhaul which suggests they will be around for many years yet
Quote Our engineering teams at Bournemouth Depot have begun a major overhaul of our Class 158 and 159 diesel fleet, which run on the parts of our network which aren’t electrified such as the West of England line and on the Romsey Rounder services. The work, known as a C6, involves overhauling all the customer facing elements of the train, with the entire interior stripped out and either refurbished or replaced if needed. Apart from a few components such as air conditioning, CET/toilet tanks, and door valves, all the work is being carried out by the Bournemouth depot team. During the works the team will be the removing and repainting interior panelling, refitting windows with new rubber seals and replacing any damaged windows, fitting new seat covers, installing new flooring, including Axminster carpets, and overhauling the toilets, including inspection for corrosion. The exterior of the train will also be repainted by the team, including a lighter roof colour to deflect heat in the summer and improve the reliability of the air conditioning system. The fleet last had an overhaul in 2015, and this programme of works is expected to last until 2030, with each train taking up to six weeks to be completed. https://careers.southwesternrailway.com/blogs/SWR-Blog/diesel-fleet-overhaul-begins Edit to fix hyperlink. CfN. Title: Re: Diesel trains at Woking to soon be replaced by electrics? Post by: broadgage on August 03, 2026, 15:13:51 Is any work to improve the reliability of the air conditioning planned ? beyond lighter colored roofs.
Title: Re: Diesel trains at Woking to soon be replaced by electrics? Post by: Clan Line on August 03, 2026, 16:22:40 Is any work to improve the reliability of the air conditioning planned ? beyond lighter colored roofs. I have always found the A/C on SWR's 15Xs to be pretty good - very noisy, but usually working reasonably well .................MUCH better than GWR's 158s !! This page is printed from the "Coffee Shop" forum at http://gwr.passenger.chat which is provided by a customer of Great Western Railway. Views expressed are those of the individual posters concerned. Visit www.gwr.com for the official Great Western Railway website. Please contact the administrators of this site if you feel that content provided contravenes our posting rules ( see http://railcustomer.info/1761 ). The forum is hosted by Well House Consultants - http://www.wellho.net |