I know Dave, it's what it represents more than this particular unit...Sad I know, but not much excitement down these parts of late, even Saturday's steam special has been postponed until September due to the fire risk....That's how bad it is....Regards....Bob
I just realised I got on this train from Haverfordwest to Carmarthen and didn’t realise it was a great western. It was a lovely train though plug sockets to charge phone etc. Most of the trains to and from Haverfordwest don’t have plug sockets. Would love more of these trains down west wales
Unfortunately Jonathan we usually get the dregs when trains are allocated down here..It's good to know what can be achieved when upgrading these old 158's Bob
No Dave, most of the passenger services down here are operated by Arriva Trains Wales. Unfortunately they've last the franchise, and during the transitional period, this sole GWR Unit has been brought in, and has therefore generated a great deal of interest across South Wales.....Bob
There hasn't been Station Staff for over 50 years, the lovely shrubs and floral displays are planted and cared for by the local Town Council, and local charity Groups....Bob
Robert Masterman yeah I went on 158950 recently in its actual area, from Cardiff Central to Southampton Central (Portsmouth Harbour service) :) Inside, It was interesting how, unlike on Arriva's 158s, the original luggage racks (of course repainted and retrimmed) in the saloons, yellowy lighting in the lobbies and toilets, and even really old refreshment trollies were retained, despite the otherwise modern seating and white saloon lighting, with no LED spots but perforated diffusers, as well as features not on Arriva's 158s like extra emergency equipment (light sticks and interior door release buttons), retention toilets (though the ATW/TFW 158s will soon gain these), a more up to date PIS with high-resolution screens, more realistic recorded announcements and higher sound clarity, and power sockets at every seat row (not just tables) with the addition of USB ports.
The whole Railway system in the UK is in chaos at the moment Andrei, you'd think that with all this modern technology to hand, and the future of the Railways dependent on it, that it would be sorted out before it's implementation.....Bob
Brilliant shots Bob. Nice capture of this unit . From a lovely colourful station with the flowers. Best wishes C&A
You got it first at Bath a few weeks ago C&A....but it was good to see it down here. Regards...Bob
Nice catch of this visitor Bob. The station platform looking very nice also. Regards, Jeff.
Thanks Jeff, not the most exciting event, but important around West Wales...Sad I know, but that's how it is down here...Regards...Bob
Amazing video and nice rare catch!
Thanks Harvey much appreciated....Bob
I was on that 158, it was lovely
It certainly looked smart from the outside....Bob
Robert Masterman, It’s very smart inside and outside. Great video!
Can’t get exited by the 158 Bob, although I do like the livery of the thing of course! Lovely floral display at the station. Cheers, Dave.
I know Dave, it's what it represents more than this particular unit...Sad I know, but not much excitement down these parts of late, even Saturday's steam special has been postponed until September due to the fire risk....That's how bad it is....Regards....Bob
Hi Bob, GWR very nice , and the semaphore's..Dave
Thanks Dave, not many semaphores left on the Main Line now, so I'm lucky to have them at my local station.....Bob
Hi Bob , very true, more reliable.Thanks for reply ..Dave
I just realised I got on this train from Haverfordwest to Carmarthen and didn’t realise it was a great western. It was a lovely train though plug sockets to charge phone etc. Most of the trains to and from Haverfordwest don’t have plug sockets. Would love more of these trains down west wales
Unfortunately Jonathan we usually get the dregs when trains are allocated down here..It's good to know what can be achieved when upgrading these old 158's Bob
Good shots Bob, bet you never thought you'd see the day when a DMU caused excitement!
I know Austin, just goes to show what a state things have got to in South Wales.!
know the feeling: remember getting a little excited when I got a 150 instead of a 153 on the Heart of Wales line a few years back!
Far more room in the 150 Andrew, and a more comfortable ride on the HOW as well....Bob
quite true, had a 153 in Nov last year, was packed by Llandeilo! Still, we have to wait 5 years or so, but it's getting 170s eventually.
I think the 170s have already been / are being fitted out, so they should be in service way sooner than the “by” date
New service with GWR Bob ? Looked good ..
No Dave, most of the passenger services down here are operated by Arriva Trains Wales. Unfortunately they've last the franchise, and during the transitional period, this sole GWR Unit has been brought in, and has therefore generated a great deal of interest across South Wales.....Bob
I am sure it did ...did you get the rain ..still warm but only 19/20 c here ..been up to NYMR and hitting 25c at Pickering ...
That's interesting Sion...Thanks for that...Bob
Great video 😊
Thanks Sarah, glad you like it.....Bob
Amazing I wish GWR would bring their Sprinters and turbos and bring back the HSTs back down here
Absolutely, thanks very much for your comments.
Getting excited about a 158,never! But it did look nice!.........Regards Chris.
Yes, but it's no ordinary 158 Chris....ha..ha...Regards...Bob
I see you've managed to catch me again Bob
Good to see again Phil....fame at last eh....Bob
aye how was dinner?
It was wonderful thanks...well worth waiting for....Bob
That's a lovely display of shrubbery on the platform there. Is that the station staff that look after that?
There hasn't been Station Staff for over 50 years, the lovely shrubs and floral displays are planted and cared for by the local Town Council, and local charity Groups....Bob
Wow, nice :)
Despite their age, this refurbishment really suits them.
Robert Masterman yeah I went on 158950 recently in its actual area, from Cardiff Central to Southampton Central (Portsmouth Harbour service) :) Inside, It was interesting how, unlike on Arriva's 158s, the original luggage racks (of course repainted and retrimmed) in the saloons, yellowy lighting in the lobbies and toilets, and even really old refreshment trollies were retained, despite the otherwise modern seating and white saloon lighting, with no LED spots but perforated diffusers, as well as features not on Arriva's 158s like extra emergency equipment (light sticks and interior door release buttons), retention toilets (though the ATW/TFW 158s will soon gain these), a more up to date PIS with high-resolution screens, more realistic recorded announcements and higher sound clarity, and power sockets at every seat row (not just tables) with the addition of USB ports.
Thanks very much for your detailed comments..very interesting indeed, and it's good to see that they are getting some things right....Bob
Good to see Great Western RAILWAY can spare some rolling stock, even when they cancel enough of their own trains due to "a problem with the train" ...
The whole Railway system in the UK is in chaos at the moment Andrei, you'd think that with all this modern technology to hand, and the future of the Railways dependent on it, that it would be sorted out before it's implementation.....Bob
and not to mention the "quality" of the seats in all these shiny new trains...