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Great Western Coffee Shop > Journey by Journey > South Western services (Data Manager: JayMac) > Diesel trains at Woking to soon be replaced by electrics?
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Author Topic: Diesel trains at Woking to soon be replaced by electrics?  (Read 802 times)
grahame
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« on: August 02, 2026, 09:43:29 »
From Will Foster, MP▸ (Member of Parliament, or Mile Post (a method of measuring the railway in miles and chains from a starting point - usually London), depending on context) 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
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Ralph Ayres
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« Reply #1 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.
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grahame
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« Reply #2 on: August 02, 2026, 10:49:24 »
Quote from: 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.

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▸ (Great British Railways)|SW in their timetable recast is considering terminating diesel trains from west of Basingstoke at Basingstoke, with connections from there onwards into London?
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« Reply #3 on: August 02, 2026, 12:47:09 »
Quote from: grahame on August 02, 2026, 10:49:24
Quote from: 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.

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▸ (Great British Railways)|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▸ (United Kingdom) 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.
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Chris from Nailsea
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« Reply #4 on: August 02, 2026, 13:09:18 »
Hmm.

That's a different answer to a different question.  Roll Eyes
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William Huskisson MP▸ (Member of Parliament, or Mile Post (a method of measuring the railway in miles and chains from a starting point - usually London), depending on context) was the first person to be killed by a train while crossing the tracks, in 1830.  Many more have died in the same way since then.  Don't take a chance: Stop, Look, Listen.

"Level crossings are safe, unless they are used in an unsafe manner."  Discuss.
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« Reply #5 on: August 02, 2026, 21:53:58 »
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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....
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« Reply #6 on: August 03, 2026, 07:03:05 »
Quote from: grahame on August 02, 2026, 09:43:29
From Will Foster, MP▸ (Member of Parliament, or Mile Post (a method of measuring the railway in miles and chains from a starting point - usually London), depending on context) 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

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▸ (Great British Railways) 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▸ (Great Western Railway) 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» (Department for Transport - about) following the introduction of new rolling stock or leading up to the introduction
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« Reply #7 on: August 03, 2026, 08:18:22 »
The SWR» (South Western Railway - about) 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

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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▸ (Controlled Emission Toilet)/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▸ (Chris from Nailsea, an administrator on this forum).  Smiley
« Last Edit: August 03, 2026, 16:01:18 by Chris from Nailsea » Logged
Richard Sims
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« Reply #8 on: August 03, 2026, 08:35:11 »
SWR» (South Western Railway - about) 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▸ (Controlled Emission Toilet)/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▸ (Chris from Nailsea, an administrator on this forum).
« Last Edit: August 03, 2026, 12:30:23 by Chris from Nailsea » Logged
Richard Sims
broadgage
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« Reply #9 on: August 03, 2026, 15:13:51 »
Is any work to improve the reliability of the air conditioning planned ? beyond lighter colored roofs.
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A proper intercity train has a minimum of 8 coaches, gangwayed throughout, with first at one end, and a full sized buffet car between first and standard.
It has space for cycles, surfboards,luggage etc.
A 5 car DMU▸ (Diesel Multiple Unit) is not a proper inter-city train. The 5+5 and 9 car DMUs are almost as bad.
Clan Line
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« Reply #10 on: August 03, 2026, 16:22:40 »
Quote from: broadgage on August 03, 2026, 15:13:51
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» (South Western Railway - about)'s 15Xs to be pretty good - very noisy, but usually working reasonably well .................MUCH better than GWR▸ (Great Western Railway)'s 158s !!
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