Cascaded GWR ‘166s’ begin work on Severn Beach line
TURBO Class 166 diesel multiple units (DMUs) started operating in the Bristol area on July 3, in what is the first significant cascade of diesel units by Great Western Railway (GWR).
Initially four three-car Class 166s will be needed by GWR in the region, but as more become available the operator will be able to increase capacity.
GWR says that using ‘166s’ on the Severn Beach branch, replacing two-car DMUs, increases capacity on that line by 35%. Eventually services to and from Bristol will have a 52% increase in capacity, through the use of Turbos instead of the existing Class 143, ‘150’, ‘153’ and 158’ fleets.
“We know that our suburban Bristol services are some of our most in-demand, and I am delighted to be able to see the first of a series of improvements we promised coming into place,” said GWR Managing Director Mark Hopwood.
The Class 166s are fitted with airconditioning and WiFi, unlike the DMUs they replace. They are being cascaded west from the Thames Valley (where they have been used since their introduction in the early 1990s), as electric multiple units enter traffic on those routes.
West of England Mayor Tim Bowles waved off the 0916 Bristol Temple Meads to Severn Beach, formed of a ‘166’, and said: “This is good news for rail users. The extra capacity brought about by this fleet upgrade is vital to our local rail services.”
Network Rail’s Western Route Managing Director Mark Langman said: “It is fantastic to see our huge investment in the South West is already delivering real benefits for passengers with more to come, as we will be investing a further £250 million in the region over the next 18 months as part of our Railway Upgrade Plan.”
GWR Engineering Director Andrew Mellors told RAIL that two Class 166s are rostered so far, starting with the 0548 Bristol Temple Meads-Avonmouth and 0630 Bristol Temple Meads-Severn Beach.
Four trains have so far been modified for use, with
166204/205/208/212 treated. Mellors explained that because only three are currently needed, one will return to the Thames Valley.
They will be cycled between Bristol and Reading as required, although St Philips Marsh depot in Bristol is now capable of maintaining the Class 16x fleet.
He said that from October, Class 166s will be introduced onto Bristol Parkway to Weston-superMare trains. With the electrification of London Paddington to Didcot due by the end of the year, around three-quarters of the Class 166 fleet and a “handful” of two-car Class 165/1s will move west to Bristol.
The introduction of Class 16x Turbos in Bristol allows GWR to move Class 15x DMUs to Exeter depot, enabling single-car Class 153s and two-car Class 143 Pacers to be sent off-lease.