SWT Waterloo - Exeter

[MrCub]

If we just forget for a moment about the joy of the FGW HST from Paddington and the difference in journey times, how horrendous is the South West Trains service from London Waterloo to Exeter St Davids?

I'm only asking because of the opportunity to visit relatives in the area for the day for a heavily discounted fare; will it be something I absolutely regret or is it not so bad after all?

Are there any refreshments on board? Am I mad for even considering this?

Mr Cub

 

[starrymarkb]

Well the only bad thing is that the route is slow.

The 159s are kept in very good condition, first class IIRC uses the same seats as GNER/NXEC First, standard is original 158 seats (v comfy), the run is pretty scenic, catering is via Trolley, I think you'll enjoy it.

 

[MCR247]

Well the only bad thing is that the route is slow.

The 159s are kept in very good condition, first class IIRC uses the same seats as GNER/NXEC First, standard is original 158 seats (v comfy), the run is pretty scenic, catering is via Trolley, I think you'll enjoy it.

They use the ones that are used on most 170s that carry (or did carry) 1st Class like the /1s

 

[ChrisTheRef]

If you're not in a rush to get anywhere, it's a good way of saving a few pounds.

 

[asylumxl]

The refurbed 158/159 has lovely ambiance, in my opinion, superior to the FGW standard class refurbs. There is sufficient leg room for my 6ft 3in frame.

 

[Stacey]

I'm biased! - I work the trolleys on that said route!!

All joking aside, the route is slow - average 3hr 40mins to Exeter - but, that being said, for a unit the 159s are nice, they're comfy and are in good condition. Sometimes with as with all trains the water can run out of the bathrooms but hey there are plenty... but please don't be a pillock like one I had today who actually asked me how you get the water to work to wash her hands...:roll:

When you board though, find a carriage that doesn't have the windows open - the A/C bursts quite regularily so those are easy to tell, also, make sure you're in the right part of the train (depending on what time you're off WAT) - also, yes trolley catering is available til Exeter but, if there is only one trolley on (it happens a lot) then it can take a while to get through the train and after Salisbury you'll probably get the trolley pass you once... as cashing up usually starts around Yeovil....
I'm sure you'll find it'll make a change, I'd much rather do the route on a 159 than some of the other units on the network!!
Btw, when are you going? If you happen to get my train then say hello!!

 

[mrcheek]

The SWT 159s are probably among the best DMUs on the entire network for comfort.
The journey is slow, but scenic. If youre not in a hurry, the journey is highly recommended.

 

[heart-of-wessex]

It can be slow, depends really it seems. Last saturday on the 1215 BTM run, I did from Waterloo - Trowbridge, Overton seems a million miles away from Worting Jct, the Woking - Basingstoke bit felt like we were doing 70 for some random reason, it took what seemed forever to get home...

...yet on another journey from Trowbridge to Waterloo, it felt like no time!!!

The Basingstoke section was out in little time, it seemed to take no time whatsoever to get to Woking (and felt like we were about to take off at Farnborough!)

I travel often from Trowbridge to Waterloo though and as said above, it seems to vary..for me anyway!


As for the 159s being hellfire, so are the 158s of course

 

[devon_metro]

The route is slow and incredibly sinuous. Also leg room isn't up to much in Standard Class

 

[Turbostar]

Well, I've been to Salisbury from Exeter St Davids on numerous occasions with a mate of mine, & I'm 6ft 2, & wouldn't say there was a problem with legroom in Standard class, if anything it's a chance to strech my legs & relax, compared to travelling on a XC or FGW HST service. Yes, it's a long trip, I'm hoping to do it at some point with the missus the full route Exeter St Davids-London Waterloo and back, but it's very scenic, & the 158's/159's are very clean & tidy.

 

[thefab444]

The table seats are fine for legroom providing you don't have someone sat opposite you. The airline seats provide inadequate legroom in my opinion.

Just for general information, there are a couple of fast(er) trains on the route. For example, on Saturdays, the 1120 Waterloo - Paignton calls only at Gillingham, Yeovil and Honiton between Salisbury and Exeter. There is also a daily 1235 Paignton - Waterloo which is relatively fast.

 

[Stacey]

The table seats are fine for legroom providing you don't have someone sat opposite you. The airline seats provide inadequate legroom in my opinion.

Just for general information, there are a couple of fast(er) trains on the route. For example, on Saturdays, the 1120 Waterloo - Paignton calls only at Gillingham, Yeovil and Honiton between Salisbury and Exeter. There is also a daily 1235 Paignton - Waterloo which is relatively fast.

The 1235 in particular is 3hrs 14mins to Waterloo rather than the usual 3hrs 40mins.

 

[Juniper Driver]

Trouble is the max speed for 159's on the Basing to Woking bit is 90mph as opposed to the Desiro's which is 100mph.

 

[will1337]

I really need to try this sometime as there's no way it can be duller than Reading to Exeter and apart from the closed windows 159s are an absolute dream compared to the FGW HSTs now. Shame there aren't more through trains to Plymouth.

 

[starrymarkb]

There won't be ANY through SWT west of Exeter from December - It was a costed option and DfT have said no more... FGW HSTs will make more stops as result!

 

[devon_metro]

I really need to try this sometime as there's no way it can be duller than Reading to Exeter

I assure you, it is!

FGW HSTs will make more stops as result!

Errr? Why on earth would they have to do that?

 

[asylumxl]

Errr? Why on earth would they have to do that?

I'm only guessing but I'd have thought it was part of an agreement in which a certain number of services need to serve a station. Like Ivybridge in Devon. When SWT withdraws their services FGW will have to make up the shortfall.

 

[devon_metro]

First currently fulfill their franchise commitment at Ivybridge, any additional stops will be funded by the DfT. And High speed services won't be changing. Instead some PRAT in Westminster decides to stretch the FGW unit fleet ever further. Joys :roll:

 

[asylumxl]

First currently fulfill their franchise commitment at Ivybridge, any additional stops will be funded by the DfT. And High speed services won't be changing. Instead some PRAT in Westminster decides to stretch the FGW unit fleet ever further. Joys :roll:

So you reckon they'll be putting out more nodding donkeys to make up for the shortfall? e.g. on the South Devon Coast (Dawlish etc)?

 

[freetoview33]

I thought they said they were cutting services west of Exeter to focus getting a regular service to Exeter

 

[Turbostar]

I thought they said they were cutting services west of Exeter to focus getting a regular service to Exeter

SWT will cease running services to Paignton/Plymouth/Penzance from the start of the Dec timetable, in order to achieve a hourly London Waterloo-Exeter St Davids & return services, as they need the units. It's not a case SWT want to stop running the services, it's just a case they don't have enough units to cover both an hourly service on the route, & to cover for services west of Exeter, hence why the Paignton/Plymouth/Penzance runs will stop.

 

[LondonLarry]

SWT will cease running services to Paignton/Plymouth/Penzance from the start of the Dec timetable, in order to achieve a hourly London Waterloo-Exeter St Davids & return services, as they need the units. It's not a case SWT want to stop running the services, it's just a case they don't have enough units to cover both an hourly service on the route, & to cover for services west of Exeter, hence why the Paignton/Plymouth/Penzance runs will stop.

The franchise spec for the South Western Franchise didn't include running west of Exeter so SSWT chose not to. SSWT were comitted to running an hourly service to Exeter - although there wouldn't have been enough stock to run hourly and run west of Exeter.

 

[Fincra5]

SWT have 30 class 159 and 11 class 158s. I didnt realise how many there were until i was passsing salisbury depot today

 

[TEW]

1 Class 158 is on long term hire to EMT though and two go out each day to FGW.

 

[devon_metro]

two go out each day to FGW.

No, only one per day to fgw (at present).

 

[poshbakerloo]

The 159s are great trains! The main issue is the route (Like all SWT routes) is that its very slow with loads of stops...

 

[MCR247]

I wouldnt call SWTs London - Weymouths slow

 

[devon_metro]

I would.

 

[paul1609]

You should try the London to Portsmouth Line. "Fast" services are now 20 mins slower than in NSE days. Stopping trains well SWT are considering fitting the 450s with suspended animation pods!

 

[dan_atki]

I wouldnt call SWTs London - Weymouths slow

They're slower than they used to be. Services used to run fast Waterloo to Southampton Airport as a matter of course. Now there are 2 or 3 intermediate stations (depending on the service used).