July 2016: GWR Fleet Summary
158956, a hybrid unit at GWR, underwent an overhaul this spring, in order to add new Disabled toilets (to meet the DDA act) which are also CET (controlled emission toilets, with tanks).
In addition to this, the train was fitted with a new PA system, as seen by these new screens, as well as USB power points, new door sounders, new seating and a repaint into GWR colours. This work was carried out at Barton Hill depot. It's the first 158 to be repainted and overhauled in the fleet.
Class 150s at GWR are also common at becoming 3-car Hybrids, like 150938 which was temporarily renumbed from the 150/2 series. 150219 collided with a HST power car in April, causing damage to the front end.
So it teamed up with 150238 to form a 3 car unit. Rather than having two carriages out of action, GWR maximised the usage of the carriages available and put the non-damaged train back onto the network. And 150927 is also still a hybrid!
Furthermore, 150221 suffered fire damage to one coach. So it teamed up with 153399 to form a 2-car unit. After being disbanded, 153399 became a Hybrid again the following year, this time with half of Central Livery 150202 - seen here.
Talking of 3 car 150s, we turn our attention to 150001, one of two (001/002) of the 150/0 3-car type at GWR. This unit is now in GWR colours (repainted by Wabtec at Doncaster), with the sister unit following soon.
The reason these GWR 150/1s (no through gangways between units) haven't been overhauled is because approx 15 will allegedly be transferring to Northern Rail (a further 2 in 2018), whilst the 153s will also be cascaded (6 to London Midland) and 143s withdrawn/transferred too.
The case for both of these types if because the 165 Networker Turbos are being displaced further South West by the arrival of other units, GWR will get 37 new class 387 4-car units built at Derby
What's more, the First Class section of the 165s are declassified, as they were removed during 2015 to add a further 500 standard seats daily between Paddington/Readjng to reduce overcrowding. These units will go to the Bristol Depot once the 37 new class 387 4-car units built at Derby anyway, so First Class facilities won't be needed on these new routes. It's still being confirmed whether the 21 365s will now come to GWR.
The case for both of these types if because the 165 Networker Turbos are being displaced further South West by the arrival of other units, GWR will get 37 new class 387 4-car units built at Derby
What's more, the First Class section of the 165s are declassified, as they were removed during 2015 to add a further 500 standard seats daily between Paddington/Readjng to reduce overcrowding. These units will go to the Bristol Depot once the 37 new class 387 4-car units built at Derby anyway, so First Class facilities won't be needed on these new routes. It's still being confirmed whether the 21 365s will now come to GWR.
HSTs: All Special Liveries Stated Here (Along With Commemorative Names). Plus 43005 is in GWR livery, as it was recently repainted.
In 2017: 54 HST power cars and many MK3s leave the GWR fleet, bound for ScotRail, a further 22 at GWR off lease too. This leaves just 43 at GWR, for use on shorter distance services whilst the 800s/801s are on the Swansea-London services initially, before going on the Cornish Riviera once routes are electrified. 800004 is already prepared for GWR, as launched at Reading. Crew Training, Electrification and Tests just need to take place.
SLEEPER COACHES: 10219/10532 /10584/10594/ 10601/10612 /17173/17175 are in GWR livery. All other coaches, 10217/10225/10232/ 10534/10563 /10589/10590 /10596/10616/ 12100/12142/ 12161/17174, are in FGW Dynamic Lines colours.
20 carriages will be overhauled at Wolveton, repainted into GWR green and also internally refurbished (including adding a brasserie-style bar). Two remaining coaches will be used to provide spares for the upgraded fleet. Long Rock Maintenance Depot in Penzance is also upgraded to be able to maintain and stable this fleet as well as the new units.
20 carriages will be overhauled at Wolveton, repainted into GWR green and also internally refurbished (including adding a brasserie-style bar). Two remaining coaches will be used to provide spares for the upgraded fleet. Long Rock Maintenance Depot in Penzance is also upgraded to be able to maintain and stable this fleet as well as the new units.
150/2 SPRINTERS:
- 202/216/219/238 are in plain FGW blue, awaiting overhaul.
- 150-221/233/234/239/243/ 244/246/248/249/263/265/265 (currently in local lines livery) and 150261 (The Tarka Line branding on GWR livery). Also to note is that 150219/238 are reported to have a new dot-matrix desti displays at the front rather than roller blinds.
- 3-car 150001 (GWR livery) and FGW livery 150002, 150925, 150926, 150927
- GWR Livery: 150232/247
158s: 158 056 is GWR livery. 763/766 /798 950/951/952/ 953/954/955/957 /598/959/960/961 are all in FGW local lines colours. 158798 is in a promotional livery.
Networker Turbos:
- As stated, 165s are all in FGW colours – 165101-165114 and 165116/117 (165114 scrapped after Ladbroke Grove incident); 165118-137 – and First Class is now removed ready for the cascade to South West branch routes when new stock arrives.
- As for the 166s, which have air-con unlike the 165s: 201/202/203/207 /209/211/215 are in plain blue FGW livery, as is 221 (Named Reading Train Care Depot); 204 (Norman Topsom MBE) 205/206/208/210/ 212/213/214/216 are in GWR livery, 218/219/220 are in Dynamic Lines livery and 217 is being repainted at Wolveton into GWR livery.
That's a wrap! Harry.
