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Ex Anglia and TfW 170201-208 have finally all transferred to EMR. Since the timetable change these 170s have been appearing in Lime Street. The 0951 to Norwich is normally a pair and on Tuesday produced 170202 and 170201.

170202 and 170201 were again on the 0951 from Lime Street yesterday.

Ex EMR 180109 has been moved from store ar=t Elyto the Alstom Tech Depot at Widnes. No further details as yet.

Interesting working following disruption yesterday:
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service...allox_id=0

Possibly the longest class 158 formation in a long time.

(06/06/2025 17:19)knutstransport Wrote: [ -> ]Interesting working following disruption yesterday:
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service...allox_id=0

Possibly the longest class 158 formation in a long time.

I wonder what the maximum number of units can physically be in one formation?

I think the platform length is more of a limiting factor rather than the physical coupling of 4 sets.
Remember the 18 car 507/508 on Merseyrail several years ago?

(06/06/2025 17:19)knutstransport Wrote: [ -> ]Interesting working following disruption yesterday:
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service...allox_id=0

Possibly the longest class 158 formation in a long time.

Not as rare as you think,if one EMR service is cancelled out of Lime St it more than often couples to the next and this is what you highlighted in this instance,usually happens at least a couple of times a month dependent on disruption of course.

(06/06/2025 23:04)Gordon V Wrote: [ -> ]Not as rare as you think,if one EMR service is cancelled out of Lime St it more than often couples to the next and this is what you highlighted in this instance,usually happens at least a couple of times a month dependent on disruption of course.

What was strange about the working I highlighted was EMR decided to cancel stops, over locking carriages out-of-use. I get after a cancelled service it's not uncommon for an operator to couple the units to something else, run a short notice ECS, or run the original service very late with most stops omitted to get the units moved.

(06/06/2025 18:16)Y458 KNF Wrote: [ -> ]I wonder what the maximum number of units can physically be in one formation?

I've since learnt that SWR regularly use up to 9 car 158/159 formations as well as a booked 10 car working on Saturdays, which is technically not the longest 158 formation, but the 159s are almost the same train.

(06/06/2025 22:03)507022 Wrote: [ -> ]I think the platform length is more of a limiting factor rather than the physical coupling of 4 sets.
Remember the 18 car 507/508 on Merseyrail several years ago?

I think Pacers (or formations including them) had a 8 car limit. Perhaps there isn't a blanket upper limit for Sprinters?

Platform length isn't the only infrastructure limitation - there's the signal and point positions to consider when a train is stopping too, as well as a few other things. Not to mention if outside the scope of any ASLEF agreement then most of the drivers won't work it, even if it's technically possible.