I’ve heard more 158s are due to work around Bristol again therefore freeing up two 166s to work down here.
Why involve the 166s? It seems odd to move Sprinters out of Bristol for the Turbos only to swap out those Turbos for Sprinters?! Just stick the 158s on the Exmouth services?
Whereas they are perfect for Pompey-Cardiff (unlike the Turbos).........
Even if temporary, it is welcome to those of us who use the line every day for a long commute.
I was on a Bath to To Portsmouth train at 18:30 on the August Bank Holiday and it certainly wasn't quiet. Could have done with more carriages then. Whether that was unusual I don't know.
It's not unusual, though the trains aren't as busy as they were before. They used to be regularly full and standing if 3 coaches pre-COVID throughout most of the day. The busiest section of the line was probably Filton - Westbury. They still remain busy on weekends and bank holidays, however.
Picture from Railcam / dawlishbeach.com here (picture of 166211 on the sea wall at Dawlish)
From what I’ve heard, Exeter TMD has 2 166’s now. One is used on Barnstaple <-> St James Park services. And the other is now used on Exmouth <-> Paignton services. This leaves 5 diagrams of double 150’s, which leaves one diagram left. I would expect another 166 to operate this, as a 166 can carry the same amount of people as a double 150.
Interesting today that there was one on the Paignton/Exmouth circuit as posted above, none on the Barnstaple but one was around the back of the new depot in the same siding that most of the pacers are now dumped.
I know exactly what you mean. Before they ventured west, I think they were the class that stayed furthest from the sea, with perhaps one or two exceptions (but that’s another topic!)
There is no longer any 16x booked for Barnstaple services, that has gone back to 158s 100% of the time except for the weekday late night service which is still booked for a 150.
Thanks for the gen
