GWR Class 166 'Turbo' from Bristol to Portsmouth Review - Wessex Mainline
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- Опубліковано 7 вер 2021
- Hello, and welcome back to another train trip report on my channel.
In this video I will be travelling on-board a GWR Class 166 'Turbo' from Bristol Temple Meads to Portsmouth Harbour.
This is one of the most important regional routes on the GWR network, originating in Cardiff, and serving key hubs along the way, such as Bristol, Bath, Westbury, Salisbury, and Southampton, before finally terminating at Portsmouth.
The route used to be operated by regional Class 158 units, which were a real pleasure to ride. Nowadays, it's mostly operated with these commuter Class 166 units. Are they more of a downgrade in comfort, or a much needed capacity boost? Find out by watching the video!
Enjoy the video. :)
#gwr #turbo #tripreport
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Journey Details:
Origin: Bristol Temple Meads
Destination: Portsmouth Harbour
Company: Great Western Railway
Train: UK Class 166 'Turbo'
Accommodation: Standard Class Seat (2nd)
Distance: 103 miles / 166 kilometres
Price: £30.55
Time: 2h36m + 9L
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I really like the 165/166s but I suppose I'm a bit biased towards them because I've grown up woth them getting on one of them every week. I would prefer this on a long trip than a 387 from London to Bristol. I was on 165125 in June and the air-conditioning was insane! I actually felt cold on-board it so it does work more often now. GWR have started to refurbish them as I was on 165120 from Greenford to West Ealing and the interior was completely different. Green seats, grey doors, new toilet. I was very impressed with it but then again I am very biased towards the Networkers as I like all the Networkers. But still a great video.
only gripe i have with a 165 is having no tables
Good Video I Like Class 165/166 Turbo's Hopefully People Will Stop Saying Negative Stuff About Them Because They're Now Being Refurbished and Have Got a New Interior 👍
9:10 The famous Bradford-on-Avon level crossing recorded by many people including me!
Nice one!
I love these and that diesel roar never gets old :)
As long as you're having a good time! 😁😁😁
Blimey! So many more houses in Bradford-on-Avon than there were when I was growing up!
In 1975 I bought a first-class All Line Railrover and went all over the country with it. In those days you couldn't get a train from Bristol to Portsmouth Harbour because there weren't any Class 166's. Although the Class166s are outdated units first ordered in the days of British Rail, they do at the very least allow this service to be provided! Thanks for uploading.
Rubbish! In 1975 I travelled from Portsmouth Harbour to Bristol Temple Meads (and back again) in a Class 205 "Thumper" DEMU which - incidentally - also had a First Class seating area! The "Heart of Wessex" line was also served by Swindon-built, high-powered Cross-Country DMU's which I loved because you could sit in the front coach and watch the Driver handling the controls through the glass partition!
When the Class 165/6 Turbos replaced the former class 117 dmus on the Reading to Gatwick trains, it felt like a real upgrade. But I agree the trains are getting rather tired now.
Ironically the Class 769 trains which are due to replace them on this line are actually older.
no 769
They’re not older, they’re refurbished 319s the only old thing is the body shell I believe
I endured the 115 DMUs on the Aylesbury-Marylebone service, so I got to know their quirks very well: the weird driving style which required the driver to slow the engine down to idling, change gear in the mechanical gearboxes, and then rev the engine again for the next phase of the acceleration; the separate compartments with no corridor connection; the heating which was freezing cold in winter with condensation running down the windows, and boiling hot in summer; the all-pervading stink of diesel exhaust.
Without a shadow of a doubt, the 165 Turbos that replaced them were an outstandng improvement.
11:40 I've seen worse on Southeastern. On one occasion I was able to completly remove a seat cushion as it has been ripped from the seat.
They should use the castle HSTs on this route, like on the Cardiff/Taunton to Plymouth/Penzance
HST's are too slow for that
@@sloththejolteon6472 nope, a 4 car HST accelerates faster than a 170 or a turdo, because of the power to weight ratio.
@@westy6214 HST's arent built for frequent stopping.
@@sloththejolteon6472 Yet travel times have decreased when scotrail rolled out theirs and slowly transitioned out of the turbostars
@@sloththejolteon6472 HST is a good alternative, there are many loco hauled commuter trains in the world of which the loco is much more capable than that of a 43
By the way a refurbishment of these trains is hopefully planned... 15:45 true, these units are trains with a lot of potential but the opportunity to reach that potential is never taken. Similar to the IETs but just with more comfortable seats. However there are declassified First Class seats in the compartment behind each cab
I'll be looking forward to seeing what they do with them. Unfortunately there seems to be a tendency to go for harder, thinner seats at the moment, rather than more comfortable ones...
Brings back some nice memories. This service used to be loco hauled by Class 35 Hymeks then later on by Class 33s. The trains were a fleet of 5 car (entirely corridor) sets of mark 1s which were used on lots of secondary services radiating from Cardiff and Bristol to places like Portsmouth, Swansea, Penzance, Paignton, Barnstaple, Crewe. Some were passenger+parcels trains for parts of their circuits with 3-4 parcels vans attached.
In between the Hymeks and Class 33 were the Class 31for a number of years. It was possible to make overnight journeys in this area if you didn’t mind some middle of the night changes of train. Those were the days!
I remember the 31s survived into the 2000s on the Weymouth route, in a pink livery!
Wish they kept the HST's for use on this route.. its 3 and a half hours from cardiff to portsmouth the cramped turbos are a joke for that journey
Sadly they aren't compatible with a bridge, they'd be great otherwise!
Since when were HSTs used there?
@@grassytramtracksGWR won't use the Castle Set HSTs on the Portsmouth Harbour to Cardiff Central services because the curve at St Denys is too tight for the MK3 carriages
A route I know very well having been at University on the South Coast...travelling frequently between Newport/ Gwent and Southampton and Portsmouth in the 1980s....It was a great service then, relatively cheap tickets, plenty of room, a guard's van for your bike...and very reliable....
Last time I went in on it it ( pre pandemic) from Portsmouth to Cardiff it was , in my opinion, expensive , and full and standing during parts of the journey! It's a great route though, linking some great places, Cardiff, Bristol, Bath, Salisbury ,Southampton, Portsmouth....
Ps great video, thanks.
I live in Newport and have family in Fareham (and until 2020 Weymouth - the Severn and Solent rover was almost made for me to visit both at once!) so I'm definitely familiar with this route too. The crowding is usually bad at either end of the route, and when I did the Weymouth journey I'd always want to change at Filton Abbey Wood southbound as I often couldn't get a seat at Newport.
The section between Bath and Bradford-on-Avon is one of my favourite scenic routes anywhere though.
ANother great review - thanks! This service certainly looks sub par for such a long trip.
Thank you, it's not a great one...
I was disappointed to hear that they'd started using 165's and 166's on Cardiff - Portsmouth services. These are fine on journeys like Reading - Gatwick, or the Severn Beach branch, but the 158's are definitely more comfortable for the sort of distance covered on this route.
Agree, it's a bit much on the long-distance regional express routes...
@@SuperalbsTravels 165s Are Not The Best.
I know...
@@SuperalbsTravels But 166s Are The Worst Train Than The IETs
I wouldn't agree.
Bristol was that quite because of the Bristol Rail Regeneration which replace the track and signals through Bristol Temple Meads to enable more, longer, and faster services to run
back in the 1980s i used to go from Portsmouth to Cardiff all the time, on 7 coach MK1s .. with a class 33 on the front .. awesome !... 7 coaches down to 3 ? progress????????????
Seven-coach Mark 1's with steam heating, a First Class carriage and a Brake Van for the Guard with plenty of space for pedal cycles and push chairs?
I think for a journey of that time the units could be described as, " Not fit for purpose" !!
Spot on Barry!
Wow, been watching your channel for a while now, this is by far the worst value trip I've seen. Based on distance, speed and rolling stock - not very impressive!
13:28 the line goes from Southampton Central off either to Portsmouth or Eastleigh
The Class 166 Turbo Networkers are very reliable DMUs.
I've not heard that before!
@@SuperalbsTravelsat trow I see then and 158 there was is really no problem
Weymouth To Gloucester These Trains Also Run on 5 And A Half Hour Trip
Nice video Please can you do a GWR 158?
It will be considered!
I traveled from Bath Spa to Portsmouth Harbour in July. It looked like a similar train, but possibly only 2 coaches. The one and only toilet on the train was out of order! We put in a couple of 5 minute stops for people to use station toilets. At least one woman got back just after the guard shut the doors - fortunately he saw her & let her get on. It was a lot more crowded than your journey. The bicycle storage space wasn't high enough for my handlebars, although that pales to insignificance when you compare it to the bicycle storage cupboards on a GWR IET, or an LNER Azuma.
In terms of discomfort, I would say that the only comparable journey I've done in recent years was a Northern Rail Pacer from Whitby to Newcastle in 2019. At least that had a functioning toilet. And was scheduled for the scrap heap at the time.
Brave ride! There are two car variants as well...
@@SuperalbsTravels probably more foolish naïvety than bravery 😀.
Good video - as a Portsmouth & Southsea Local. They do sound really nice so that's a postive. Seats are better over the 158s but 158s have better ambience and speed. 50/50 in my opinion. Each to their own. 😊
166 and 158 share the same top speed of 90mph
Ok thanks mate.
Superb footage 👍👍👍😍😍😍😍
Thank you! 👍
I used to do this journey quite often in 2015/16, going between Cardiff and Southampton, then on to either Aberdare or Poole. Leaving Cardiff or Southampton the service would always be mega busy so I always made sure to book a seat.
The normal rolling stock was either a hybrid 158 or a 158+150. Alhough the units were in need of interior refurbishment around that time, they were still much preferable to a 165 or 166, both of which are definitely not suitable for long cross country journeys as you sadly found out. Also, I cannot believe that all of the 165/6's still haven't had an interior refurbishment! Shame on GWR.
Yep. It's just one unit with refurbished seat covers, that's all! 🙄
@@SuperalbsTravels That's ridiculously poor. I've been on them a few times between Weymouth and Yeovil, I swear each time the air conditioning isn't working and half the times the toilet I also bust. Surely GWR have an extensive refurbishment and reconfiguration project on the cards for the near future?
We can only hope, the passengers deserve better for sure!
@@SuperalbsTravels I Think FGW Are Getting On With Refurbishing The Turbo's Now Scene They're All In The New FGW Green Livery Now and The 165s Refurbishment Is Nearly Completed and The Class 166 Refurbishment Will Come Up Next
I take these trains semi regularly. I just went down to the Isle of Wight for a week (we were a bit disappointed by the holiday, but I digress) on the way, we got a 158 and it was clean and comfortable (the train was quite delayed but that's besides the point) but on the way back we got a 166 it was properly manky. There was dirt and dust everywhere, it was smelly, there was a revolting grime on the windows, it was grim. They have potential to be made more fit for the job but they clearly haven't got any much needed TLC. A good, thorough clean would make an immense difference. Then again the other huge problem is the seating configuration and the like - it's fine for a short journey, not so good for a 2hr 15mn journey from Portsmouth Hbr to Bath Spa. At least we got to sit in the "first class" (not really) with our 2nd class tickets so I could use my computer on the table, but the WiFi wasn't working, so I had to use my mobile hotspot and the mobile signal on some of the route wasn't great. If they had seats in the whole train as 2+2 with a mix of airline and table seats and the trains got a proper, deep clean then they'd be good. They are in dire need of a major refurbishment. Five or six carriage trains would also be better than the more typical 3 or 4
Brought back memories
Very similar to the Class 165 'Chiltern Turbo'.
When first introduced, they were state-of-the-art and a much needed upgrade, now they are worn out, uncomfortable and barely fit for purpose.
I just wish they'd have a bit of care over them, as they'd not be so bad then!
@@SuperalbsTravels if the GWR class 165/166 had a refurbishment they'd be in much better condition
The Turbo's Are Undergoing Refurbishment And I Have To Say It's Very Good 👍
Used these regularly on the North Downs line between Reading and Gatwick and remember them being introduced to replace old DMU’s. Judging by the large luggage racks probably used to run the Gatwick service. Not sure about the ‘new’ old 769 replacement being refurbished 319 stock. Will be sorry to loss these. Always liked them
Fair enough, I think the 769s will be a downgrade, but I reserve judgment for the timebeing.
Thanks for the video. I like the 165/166s. Just wish there was a model version of them, especially in TT120.
Great video, thanks. Used to commute from Kent into London on the electric version of these. Barely comfortable for an hour's commute (especially when full up), never mind over 3 hours. Why are the train companies allowed to get away with this?
Not sure! Wouldn't want to be reserved in a 'middle' seat all the way. 😭
Because passengers don't complain enough?
The former Somerdale chocolate factory is at 5:20
The original Brunel train shed is now used as a covered car park and would have been on your left as you walked up to the current station.
Yep. I've wondered though a few times on the way to the nearby pub! 🤭
I travel on part of this route quite frequently and I actually think using these instead of the 158's is a downgrade.
I think one of the main reasons for introducing these was to alleviate the serious overcrowding experienced on this route with the 2 car 158's. These 3 car units have much more seating. Unfortunately covid put paid to the crowding problem which really makes this move uneccesary!
@@12crepello annoyingly for the last few years the 158's they have used on the like have 3 cars. I've been of a few 158's that also had broken air conditioning however it is still more reliable that the air air con on the turbos which i've never had working.
Have to agree, sadly!
@@gabrielstevens3884 Agreed the air con has never worked correctly in the 166's. The loss of the 158's here is of much benefit to others further West though which is where they have gone to replace the horrendous nodding donkeys.
Not so long ago the "Heart of Wessex" line was operated by seven-carriage passenger trains, hauled by a Class 33 locomotive, with a First Class coach and a Brake Van for the Guard with lots of room for pedal cycles! Change does not always bring progress! You really should have broken your journey at tiny Avoncliff and spent an hour in the "Cross Guns" - my favourite waterside pub - lunching on Venison Casserole and a pint of Honey's Midford Cider. Had you been sitting in an offside window seat you would also have seen the remains of the junction with the Cam Valley line at Monkton Combe, featured in the much-loved Ealing Comedy entitled "The Titfield Thunderbolt", and the remaining short stub of the Somersetshire Coal Canal which is now a marina. The "vibrant" fields you saw out of the train window were once home to coal mines, for 150 years ago Bath was once as much a centre of this now-extinct industry as, say, Canterbury in Kent! The ideal rolling stock for the Cardiff Central to Portsmouth Harbour route would, in my opinion, be the Class 180 five-coach Adelante units, which GWR once ran between London and Hereford. The Class 166 three-coach, Standard-class Thames Turbo commuter trains are an expensive insult to those who perforce must travel in them!
Interesting points, especially about the 180s! I think the 158s were a good fit too.
Did this journey in 2018 on a crowded class 158 with trolley service & working AC. Big improvement over your journey...
I wish I could be so lucky!
When would you do a review of the new class 345 crossrail trains with their extremely hard seats? also great video
That's not such a problem tho as they are local stopper trains. I don't like comfortable stopper trains cus then I get too carried away and miss my stop. Harder seats on shorter journeys keep you more alert :)
@@georgedowns4034 Ok, fair point though.
I dont find them hard 345 is actually my favourite train and the seats remind me if lu ones
@@LWR1 for me it’s hard and going to places my back feels like hell
heres a little tip, the fold down seats on 345's actually have cushioning so are waay more comfy. unfortunately at least in berkshire people have clocked onto it so their harder to get
Also good news, GWR is now on realtimetrains so you will now know what your unit will be, no more waiting until the train arrives
Nice train review :)
Thank you! How did you watch it all in 3 minutes?
@@SuperalbsTravels Sorry I haven't watched it fully yet
Ok I finished watching your review and yes the class 166 isn't a good train because of the conditions and i'm also surprised that these trains haven't been refurbished yet it still has the First Great Western look to it
Fair enough, lol.
Have travelled on one of these between dawlish warren and paignton and they are way more comfortable than the than the pacers and the the others in the 150 class
They're well suited for that kind of work!
I really like the 166s I often use the north downs line and they use 165s normally, but they are quite ageing a bit
they've been around since 1991/1993
@@journeysofjames1116 That in itself isn't a problem - most trains should make it to 40 years old if they are looked after properly, and we have some running that have lasted quite a bit longer than that (HSTs, class 313s, Bakerloo & Piccadilly lines) - but they do need to be properly refurbished from time to time, and it looks like these Turbos are overdue an overhaul.
I use the class 165s between Guildford and Reading and even 45 minutes is enough on one of these trains. They are being replaced soon though by class 769 tri mode units which will be interesting
As someone that is 6'1", these are decent. The legroom is the only killer for me. Other than that theyre great. Least it isnt as leaky and bouncy and as horrid as pacers. Lol
If the train had AC, (former) 1st Class open and no tear and wear,would be good
Would be a lot better!
@@SuperalbsTravels Yeah.I play TSW2 with this train and I do everything as IRL
Could you do a review on a South Western Railway class 455? Excellent review once again though!
I don't tend to do videos on generic local trains, but I will keep this in mind for any future plans. 👍
OK thanks. Look forward to your next reviews!
Thank you, plenty more to come! 😃
I used the GWR 158s while in Cornwall and although I've never been on a 166, the 158s certainly seem better. Also, do you know ran on this route before the 166s?
It was 158s before!
The unit you were on (166210) has been refurbished now. I was on it the other day. Has the new green and grey seat coverings, however sadly the god awful 3+2 is still there and the trains are just as uncomfortable. 2+2 config like in the 158 would be amazing in the 166's as they are really nice trains. Can't imagine we will see much better on this route until electrification when by that point we can probably see mostly 387's and the 166's going back to working in rural wales again.
Interesting to hear that! I'll have to try and get a ride.
Naturally! 😕
Great trip report. I've often used these trains for part of that route going as far as Salisbury. Comfort isn't that bad I guess, although it could be better. Some are in much better condition than the one you had on this trip and some also have the current GWR interior. I am surprised though, that the hopper windows weren't open to allow some fresh air to come in if the air con had packed up. I think the guard has a key to open them.
Definitely visit Bath if you're out that side again, and yes the scenery along the line is lovely, easier to see while going at the slow speeds of the local trains.
Edit: I realise this video must've been shot a long time ago as there's a class 442 to the left as you're coming into Portsmouth, the entire fleet of 442's have all been scrapped as of a couple months ago.
Thanks! Yes, this video was shot in August 2020, before the debacle of the 442s came to a close.
Turbos done the job they were intended for but you're right. They ain't great! But to be fair, a 158 with broken AirCon is just as uncomfortable, a few Scotrail sets have that issue!
Yep, suffered that issue a few times...
there are currently two Diagrams that still use Class 158's that do the Portsmouth-Cardiff Central route. I tend to go on those ones
That's good to know. Which ones? I heard a 150 made it a few months back. 😭
@@SuperalbsTravels I know the weekday headcodes booked for class 158s are 1F03, 1F05, 1F12, 1F14, 1F19, 1F21, 1F28 & 1F30
Haha thanks, but those mean nothing to me. 😛
@@Jimwoodward1212 any times of the 158s
Realtimetrains will tell you the times of the 158s if you search any station between Portsmouth Harbour & Cardiff Central and click on the headcodes i mentioned in the previous comments
11:28 and 11:39 The WMR 172's (Ex Chiltern 172's) are facing the same issue. But the unit I was on (172101) was in more poor condition to the WMR 170's (Now at EMR)
Great review of what seems to be an appalling service, those turbos really need a refresh
That is a hell of a gap between the platform and the train at Temple Meads.
“Mind the gap”, as they say in certain places! A new station would not be constructed on curves on brand new mass transit lines, but there are plenty of existing ones similar to that. It’s worse with 166’s cf 80x due the existence of doors mid way along each carriage.
@@johnkeepin7527 The 180 are dire due to the high floor and badly placed handrails. Slam doors trains were easier to get on and off.
How these units got authorised for three hour journeys is beyond me!
Yeah, but I suppose they always did that kind of trip (London-Oxford-Worcester-Great Malvern-Hereford).
Having travelled on both a 166 and 165 recently (Gloucester to Bristol Parkway and back respectively), they're perfectly adequate for the short 40-50 minute journey on there. However. like you said, they shouldn't be used on such long trips. Maybe 1.5-2 hours at a stretch. However, I think that if they where renovated, they'd be better adapted for longer journeys like this. What needs to change though is that seating. Standard class seating should be 2+2 seating, with comfier seats, and maybe 1st could have 2+1 but since it's such a small space, I am doubtful they'd do that. Could also do with some more comfort focused features too like window blinds and reading lights. And also, for the sake of everyone's insanity, get rid of the automatic announcements. They are SO annoying, especially when you have to put up with them for extended periods of time.
100% agree with this comment! Conversely, I am looking forward to seeing them on Devon locals, as they'll be a really good fit.
Yeah, they would definitely be a good fit there for sure
@@SuperalbsTravelsas class 165s and 166s are now operating local services in Devon can you please review them?
I travel on this service alot as I get these from Warminster-Bristol/bath and I think they should keep the 158s on this line not the 166/165
I really agree!
166 205 is refurbished which new seats, so the refurbishment of the Turbos with GWR is underway
it was refurbished in like 2016 or something, so i don’t think so.
That was only a prototype refurb that happened in 2016 only on U.166205
I prefer the class 158 units as they are more comfortable and smoother to ride on an downside for the 158s is the cramped interior
I don’t mind turbos they are not bad and the level of comfort is good but there’s only two 158 diagrams left now for this route
The headcodes for the diagrammed 158’s are 1F03, 1F05, 1F12, 1F14, 1F19, 1F21, 1F28 & 1F30 for the Cardiff-Portsmouth route
Also both GWR services that go to/from Brighton are run as Class 158s
@@Jimwoodward1212 yes I already this piece of information months before this video even existed but thanks anyway
I used to commute into Paddington on these more than two decades ago &, to be honest, they weren't very good back then either.
Haha, yet naturally they're even worse as long-distance units.
Hi bud what video software are you using please? IM looking to get back into the railway scene etc so any help would be greatly appreciated :)
Sure! Software for what exactly?
@@SuperalbsTravels creating the video itself. Assuming either go pro camera or video camera for filming but what is it you use to put all the clips together :)
@@dancarter1822 I use DaVinci Resolve, it's a fantastic bit of industry standard software, and totally free too.
@@SuperalbsTravels thank you so much. I tried using movie maker ( which is what I used when I was younger ) but seems it wont save in the right format anymore 😩.
@@dancarter1822 No problem! Enjoy.
I have been on this train to Weymouth not a fan of them but they will do the job alright.
Personally i dont think 166s should be on a route like this, i would put a pair of theyre 158s on this. Althought you presented this brilliantly yet again 👌🏽
and yes i havent watched the whole video
They just need a refurb to be regional trains and they'll be fine
@@legocountyfan still tho. I think the 158s look smarter and are more comfortable.
Only two diagrams are 158s
They had 158’s on this route and I agree
Is the use of these trains just a temporary thing? I thought it had something to do with the IETs having some issues and therefore equipment has cascaded down from various other services, including these turbos. There really is no way that train is adequate for a journey of that length, in my opinion. It is being pressed into a role it wasn't designed for, which is fine for short term substitutions, but not as a long or medium term solution.
Sadly they've already been here for some years. Plans change fast around here though, let's wait and see.
Was better when this route was done by 158s. 158s have been a hell of a good dmu
Still plenty of 158s on Portsmouth services
@@JackJackProductions good. Should be all of them. They are a hell of a lot nicer units and are well suited to longer distances like this.
@@JackJackProductions its only two diagrams now I've seen
@@lnerfan4468 why is there only 2 diagrams for 158s on the Portsmouth Harbour to Cardiff Central services?
@maddiei7303 there isn't now there about 4 diagrams now but during covid used to be just 2
I think Bristol Temple Meads actually has 15 platforms, not 13. Good review on these trains though, plus are GWR actually running the "Brighton to Great Malvern" service at the minute? I just haven't seen any evidence to prove they have, maybe if they're not, it's part of the reduced timetable
Yes. 2 GWR services per day to/ from Brighton
Yes there are 2 GWR trains a day
To and from Brighton
Brighton to great Malvern departs at 08:59
Great Malvern to Brighton arrives at 16:14 then when that one arrives it’ll do the 17:01 to Bristol temple meads.
They’re normally 158s but can be turbos aswell
Thank you both for the information
I remember on the henley branch my mates were really drunk one night and the seat was completely loose so they stole it now its in his bedroom 😂😂
Who'd want that filth in their room!? 🤣🤣🤣
Interesting how one always plugs in USBs upside down at first!
Rookie error! 🙄🙋♂️
Stupid plug design!
I do have a soft spot for these trains as i used them every time i went to London on GWR now using the extremely uncomfortable class 345 trains or class 387 electrostars
Since 1960 each generation of trains has bee less comfortable than the trains they replaced. The GWR and BR compartment stock on the Paddington suburban services in steam days were replaced by what were referred to as cattle truck DMUs but they were not bad by modern standards.
The rainbow motif is supposed to make you not notice the discomfort of the IEP trains.
Oh. Well The Same As The 769. Seat Is Soft But Shape Is Poor. Making It Uncomfortable
I used to work a trolley on these trains and yes sometimes in peak time you stood at The and got the guard if there was one on to do an announcement they have never been properly sorted out air conditioning is a joke we used to shut the windows to try and get it to work but never did
I miss the captions. Please bring them back :(
Totally agree with everything you have said in this review. Used this service many times and always hate seeing a 166 arrive when at the station. Find the 158s are much more comfortable for this journey.
Thanks for watching! The 158s are superior by far.
Hate Seeing 166s When They Arrive. Class 800s Can Be Better At Sight When They Arrive. 800s Are Better Than This Rubbish
@@SuperalbsTravels 158s are best regional DMU in the UK and they are terrific!
@@miahaskurti4539The 166s Are Better Then 800s
@@VladimirPutinIsGood If You Like The 166s, I Respect Your Opinion
There is a reason to why Class 166 has a Toilet it's for London Paddington to Bedwyn Worcester Oxford services which requires the use of one. Then West Coastway to Brighton if Brighton was the final destination from Cardiff Central via Bristol
All trains that run more than a few minutes should have a toilet really.
Personally I find these trains decent for short services like shuttles. Even though I’m not local to these. I’m local to the 165s.
I'll probably travel on one of these units one day to see what they're like for myself
11:22 was this a "do not flush in station" type toilet?
Nope, no UK trains have that as of 2021.
I haven’t seen many turbos around- how many are running these days on GWR?
Fleet size has been the same for at least a decade, they've just changed allocation to other routes. Where are you looking?
At least 20
Not really looking, just interested. Shame to hear they are so poor though
As far as I know- Banbury/Oxford- Didcot Parkway, Reading- Gatwick Airport, Twyford- Henley, Maidenhead- Marlow, Slough- Windsor & E C, West Ealing- Greenford, Bristol TM- Avonmouth/Severn Beach and of course this route. Also often Weymouth routes. So actually quite a few...
All 165/1s and all 21 166s
Come on Armstrong Powerhouse. We need the Class 166 EP.
I think they should be enhanced in real life first! 😝
Arent these the diesel variants of Southeastern's (third rail) 'Networker' train that plies much of Kent?
Southeastern name the 465s and 466s networkers as well
On trow the drive in cinema was never there. For long I never saw it there I live and go to school by the train station
Interesting, thank you for the history :)
Good evening I apologise for the late response a nice journey I suppose you don’t like these trains I remember the previous one trains that used to operate in this line the class 158’s they are good trains in other countries like Germany DB have a mixture of modern & elderly DMUs one I remember is the class 628 in Austria they are much more modern as well.
11:16 I don't see a point in having toilets on a regional train. Intercity probably, but not when you're travelling from Bath to Bristol as it's very close. It's also impractical as it takes up space that would otherwise be useful for more seats. If you need the toilet, pop into one before going!
I thought that Ryanair called and wanted their legroom back? That is what Dylan stated.
In fairness, it actually doesn't look too bad; the seat-to-window alignment makes it great for scenic routes as is evident from the video and the seats themselves seem reasonably comfortable when it's less busy as pictured and you can have three seats to yourself; I wonder why you didn't just move seats when the train got more empty, as the facing seats would allow better legroom when free, as that's what I'd have done; of course, it is certainly better than a 150. However, I do agree it is definitely a downgrade from the 158s; it would've made more sense to keep all Turbos on the shorter services like Bristol and Exeter locals, so more 158s would be freed up to focus solely on these long distance runs through Wiltshire (Cardiff-Portsmouth, Gloucester-Weymouth, GtMalvern-Brighton) which would in itself boost capacity.
I just don't think there are enough 158s for all the routes they'd be best for. There used to be 150s and 156s that ran to Portsmouth and I think what they need to do is put in seats that are more suited to the journeys they do now and give them a deep clean.
@@grassytramtracks165s and 166s are not suitable for the Portsmouth Harbour to Cardiff Central services as 158s are better for the route
It’s a good thing it wasn’t a 165/0 on this journey, that would’ve been tragic
One unit has received an internal refurbishment, 166205. Not much more than seat recolouring though really. I travel on these things all the time and I don't think I've enjoyed it once.
That's right. But it's just as filthy sadly, only the seat covers and carpet are better. 😐
Your Knees Make a Good Seatback table Albs! 😂
Improv. 🙌
Normally The IETs Operate From Platforms 14 & 15 For Services To London Paddington. Why Did They Run From Platform 4 Instead?
Not a clue!
@@SuperalbsTravels Oh
Yasss
😌😌😌
@@SuperalbsTravels favourite train in my city YOU KNOW IM LIKING
@@prime6134 lol
To bad it wasn’t a good review considering the newer 387
Thanks, quite enjoyed that but if I may make a constructive comment I'd really appreciate a spoken commentary as having to constantly monitor the screen and read the commentary really detracts from the viewing experience. A very interesting line which I've traveled once or twice, the slightly better and interesting route is via Yeovil Pen Mill. Totally agree about the suitability of these units and rather typical of Frist Group and GWR for lack of maintenance, investment, and pricing. When FG also got the the SWR franchise the services to Exeter from to London went downhill and prices went up on both routes.
Appreciate the comment. It's a coincidence really, as I just posted my first foray into voiceover content as the previous week's video.
Please, let me know your thoughts!
ua-cam.com/video/rVY-IF-14yY/v-deo.html
Why didn't you start your trip at Cardiff?
Because I wasn't in Cardiff.
why do people dislike the 166 and 165’s so much
Because Some People Are Jealous Of Them That's Why
I like the class 80X trains and the class 166/165 trains, though the seat arent the best
I've heard a rumour that GWR are stopping services to/from Brighton in the May 2022 timetable change.
That's correct!
I'm not keen on 3+2 seating at any time, but it is wholly inappropriate on long, rural routes like this one. To think that the 166s were built alongside the 165s as they supposedly offered a higher standard of comfort for passengers making longer journeys ... be grateful you weren't using these on busy commuter services into London from Oxford or beyond!
Mechanically they should have at least another 10 years left in them, but they do need a full internal refurbishment including new 2+2 seating with better legroom if they are going to continue to be used on anything other than short branch line services.
I hope they get fixed up...
They were awful on London commutes, the absolute stench of sweat on a hot day isn't one I'd like to recall...
The 365s got replaced young. Which shows that Networkers aren't that high quality by design, if the "best" version gets replaced at 25 years old. They have some good features but a lot of it is wasted potential imo.
It's unfortunate that they still use these on these lines 158s should really be doing things like this
GWR could maybe do with some new units too
@@journeysofjames1116 There's not much case for GWR to have any new units for their provincial routes. The 165s and 166s just need a good internal refurbishment and that should give them at least another 10 years of useful life.
There should be no more diesel units bought for the UK, at worst we should be buying bi-mode trains. But it makes sense to deploy bi-mode trains on partially electrified networks (ie, not like Greater Anglia!) and cascade the trains from there onto non-electrified routes. The 150s used on the branch lines probably don't have too long left, but they can more sensibly be replaced by stock displaced from elsewhere rather than buying new.
@@stevieinselbywhen GWR refurbished the 165s and 166s they should've been given 2+2 seating
The interior layout of the 165s/166s reminds me of the layout of the Class 313 😧
Not what you want on a long route, is it?
@@SuperalbsTravels Nope…
I was on a 165 yesterday but I agree it’s not the best.
Ah right, which route did you use?
@@SuperalbsTravels Oxford to Reading
@@Oskarminepro Could be worse!