Cambrian hourly service consultation

[ChiefPlanner]

Perhaps a facility could be installed and manned at certain times

You must be joking - unless it was for a dedicated birdwatcher - (I cannot think of anything much more pointless) - also , in summer - the path to Glandyfi is apparently a good spot for basking adders.

There were some hideous 1950's wooden (and presumably asbestos ridden) buildings there up to the mid 1970's , as well as the plywood wonder signalbox Even in those days ,and I did my 1st degree at Aber 1976 to 1979 the guards always recommended changing at Machynlleth.

 

[merlodlliw]

when this was first shown my Twitter feed almost broke with the number of Mid Wales/Aber Uni Graduates saying things along the lines of, "Got to be fake, just saw five trains in one hour, that can't be Mid Wales"

The English Language version was transmitted Monday 27th January at 9pm,which is probably what the students are on about. The programme is of course fictitious, but excellent.

The Welsh language version was transmitted late last year. It is a joint S4C/BBC Wales production. As for the trains,they were 158s.

 

[anthony263]

You must be joking - unless it was for a dedicated birdwatcher - (I cannot think of anything much more pointless) - also , in summer - the path to Glandyfi is apparently a good spot for basking adders.

There were some hideous 1950's wooden (and presumably asbestos ridden) buildings there up to the mid 1970's , as well as the plywood wonder signalbox Even in those days ,and I did my 1st degree at Aber 1976 to 1979 the guards always recommended changing at Machynlleth.

I was joking actually and yes I can see what you mean

 

[Squaddie]

The Welsh language version was transmitted late last year. It is a joint S4C/BBC Wales production.

Not strictly true: the programme was produced by an independent Welsh production company (Fiction Factory) for BBC Cymru Wales and S4C, and was partly funded by the Welsh Government. (The funding was in the form of a repayable loan, so it's probably not the reason for the scaling back of the Wrexham redoubling. ). It's already been bought by Danish television.

 

[Gareth Marston]

You must be joking - unless it was for a dedicated birdwatcher - (I cannot think of anything much more pointless) - also , in summer - the path to Glandyfi is apparently a good spot for basking adders.

There were some hideous 1950's wooden (and presumably asbestos ridden) buildings there up to the mid 1970's , as well as the plywood wonder signalbox Even in those days ,and I did my 1st degree at Aber 1976 to 1979 the guards always recommended changing at Machynlleth.

Through train Aberystwyth dep 1114 to Pwllheli that reversed at Dovey Junction in the late 1970's, though other connections were hit and miss according to the working tt.

 

[Arglwydd Golau]

Through train Aberystwyth dep 1114 to Pwllheli that reversed at Dovey Junction in the late 1970's, though other connections were hit and miss according to the working tt.

I do recall people changing at Dovey Junction when I was at Aberystwyth from 1973-1976...perhaps it was this train, then.
I only remember having to change there once, in 1964, obviously late on in the day as there wasn't a train going all the way to our destination, Pwllheli. The train waiting was terminating at Portmadoc (as it was then) and then ecs to the carriage sidings in Pwllheli. However, the friendly driver offered to take us there as long as we kept our heads down as we went through Criccieth! (I'm sure that my father would have said that he was a BR employee and perhaps spoken in Welsh)

 

[PHILIPE]

Reported on HTV Wales News tonight that due to threat of serious flooding students moved out of their accomodation on the seafrontand sent home with Uni paying train fares. The report stated that extra carriages provided by ATW.
At the present time they could all run as 4 cars to Aberystwyth because of the Pwllheli portions not being attached/detached at Machynlleth due to Coast line closure. So, I am wondering if any trains continued beyond Machynlleth with 6 cars with available units at Machynlleth due to this Coast closure.
If my eyes don't decieve me there was a clip of Aberystwyth station showing a train in Platform 1 (normal) and another 158 standing on the opposite and not normally used platform. It was not possible to see the number of coaches on Platform 1 in the clip. No additional services on RTT.

 

[Llanigraham]

Yes, some of them certainly ran as 6 car.
I saw that at Aber station and would agree with you, both platforms in use.
I understand that the Uni talked to ATW before they decided what was going to happen, and before they announced they would pay for the tickets. Damn good idea, and well done, on both sides.

 

[D1009]

From my recollection of Aberystwyth, only one platform is available for passenger use, the other platform is effectively a siding or run round loop, and if a set was stabled there to form or attach to a subsequent service it would have to be shunted to the usual platform.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

You must be joking - unless it was for a dedicated birdwatcher - (I cannot think of anything much more pointless)

A bit like trainspotting and fishing then

 

[Gareth Marston]

Yes, some of them certainly ran as 6 car.
I saw that at Aber station and would agree with you, both platforms in use.
I understand that the Uni talked to ATW before they decided what was going to happen, and before they announced they would pay for the tickets. Damn good idea, and well done, on both sides.

The mainline arrival platform the former number 3 is the only one left for passenger use at Aber as it has a locomotive realease ability. The former 2 and 1 have been used by the vale of rheidol trains since 1968. The track was taken out number 4 in 1982 when the signalbox was ripped out but the other face of that island 5 stayed until the early 90's. The loop was a third line between 3 and 4 which joined with 4 at the east end as the platform curved. The 4/5 island has been demolished apart from the buffer end and is now a second hand furniture store.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Reported on HTV Wales News tonight that due to threat of serious flooding students moved out of their accomodation on the seafrontand sent home with Uni paying train fares. The report stated that extra carriages provided by ATW.
At the present time they could all run as 4 cars to Aberystwyth because of the Pwllheli portions not being attached/detached at Machynlleth due to Coast line closure. So, I am wondering if any trains continued beyond Machynlleth with 6 cars with available units at Machynlleth due to this Coast closure.
If my eyes don't decieve me there was a clip of Aberystwyth station showing a train in Platform 1 (normal) and another 158 standing on the opposite and not normally used platform. It was not possible to see the number of coaches on Platform 1 in the clip. No additional services on RTT.

All 4 to Aber since coast closed hell to pay when it goes back to 2 though.

 

[merlodlliw]

Reported on HTV Wales News tonight that due to threat of serious flooding students moved out of their accomodation on the seafrontand sent home with Uni paying train fares. The report stated that extra carriages provided by ATW.
At the present time they could all run as 4 cars to Aberystwyth because of the Pwllheli portions not being attached/detached at Machynlleth due to Coast line closure. So, I am wondering if any trains continued beyond Machynlleth with 6 cars with available units at Machynlleth due to this Coast closure.
If my eyes don't decieve me there was a clip of Aberystwyth station showing a train in Platform 1 (normal) and another 158 standing on the opposite and not normally used platform. It was not possible to see the number of coaches on Platform 1 in the clip. No additional services on RTT.

The BBC had a similar story,but said the students could remain in the Uni or return home,it also stated all courses etc cancelled Friday to Tuesday.
No comment about free rail travel,presume many of the students are from abroad, so will remain at the University.
Good planning in my opinion, taking advantage of spare coast stock.Suppose the spare stock will be used on Monday for the return.

 

[quarella]

In the TEB/NRES part of my life we would get the Butlins Brigade and their successor going to Pwllheli (Penychain to be precise or Penny chain as was oft requested). The call would sometimes include the following. " Change at Machynlleth and...."
"Where?!"
"Machynlleth"
"Where."
"Change at Dovey Junction arriving at Penychain at XXXx"
"Thank you."

I expect on the guidance of the guard most would have changed at Machynlleth should they needed to. There was a period where not all through services were shown as such in the timetable and the computer systems certainly couldn't cope with a set detaching.

 

[Rhydgaled]

From my recollection of Aberystwyth, only one platform is available for passenger use, the other platform is effectively a siding or run round loop, and if a set was stabled there to form or attach to a subsequent service it would have to be shunted to the usual platform.

There is only one standard guage platform and one narrow gauge. The second standard guage track (run round loop) is not suituated close to a platform.

There is I think currently room for track to be installed to introduce a second standard guage platform next to the narrow guage one (former platform 2 I believe) if they move some of the narrow guage sidings.

 

[berneyarms]

Reported on HTV Wales News tonight that due to threat of serious flooding students moved out of their accomodation on the seafrontand sent home with Uni paying train fares. The report stated that extra carriages provided by ATW.
At the present time they could all run as 4 cars to Aberystwyth because of the Pwllheli portions not being attached/detached at Machynlleth due to Coast line closure. So, I am wondering if any trains continued beyond Machynlleth with 6 cars with available units at Machynlleth due to this Coast closure.
If my eyes don't decieve me there was a clip of Aberystwyth station showing a train in Platform 1 (normal) and another 158 standing on the opposite and not normally used platform. It was not possible to see the number of coaches on Platform 1 in the clip. No additional services on RTT.

Your eyes did deceive you - you saw a reflection!!

http://www.itv.com/news/wales/2014-...ty-students-evacuated-as-high-tides-expected/

 

[Gareth Marston]

Your eyes did deceive you - you saw a reflection!!

http://www.itv.com/news/wales/2014-...ty-students-evacuated-as-high-tides-expected/

In a furniture store window!

 

[PHILIPE]

A story was written by Agatha Christie, I believe, "They do it with mirrors".
My eyes didn't decieve me but on the other hand, they did.

 

[merlodlliw]

A story was written by Agatha Christie, I believe, "They do it with mirrors".
My eyes didn't decieve me but on the other hand, they did.

Dont worry Philipe, ITV Wales only broadcast Welsh News in standard definition,if & when ITV Wales stop broadcasting Central News in High Definition in Wales & switch to its own HD news ,you & me would spot the difference,must say at first view it did look like two 158s.

 

[PHILIPE]

Dont worry Philipe, ITV Wales only broadcast Welsh News in standard definition,if & when ITV Wales stop broadcasting Central News in High Definition in Wales & switch to its own HD news ,you & me would spot the difference,must say at first view it did look like two 158s.

After seeing the clip for the first time, I watched again later and noticed that the 158 at Platform 1 was drawing to a stand and that the "other" one was also drawing to a stand simultaneously !!!

 

[merlodlliw]

After seeing the clip for the first time, I watched again later and noticed that the 158 at Platform 1 was drawing to a stand and that the "other" one was also drawing to a stand simultaneously !!!

Smoke/mirrors and ghost trains.Anyone know of extra capacity on the Cambrian downs yesterday.

Bob

 

[Gareth Marston]

Carno Station Action Group have met with Minister once and with senior WG and NR officials subsequently in recent weeks. WG have admitted that Capita Symonds previous business case work had several floors in it, there seems to be some general falling out between Capita and WG from what they gather. The case is being reassessed with more input from NR and CSAG have been told the working assumption for the tt on the line includes 8 extra trains a day.

 

[Rhydgaled]

8 extra trains a day.

Both ways? Would that be enough to go hourly from 7:30am to 9:30pm?

 

[Llanigraham]

Both ways? Would that be enough to go hourly from 7:30am to 9:30pm?

Surely logic tells you that it should be hourly in the morning (3) again around lunch time (2) and then again in the early evening (3)

 

[Gareth Marston]

Both ways? Would that be enough to go hourly from 7:30am to 9:30pm?

4 each way possibly

 

[berneyarms]

4 each way possibly

While that would be an improvement, it would be rather disappointing - that would still mean plenty of two hour gaps.

Surely an hourly service from 07:30 to 19:30 is what is being looked at as a minimum - that would mean 6 extra workings between Shrewsbury and Aberystwyth in either direction, and 1 additional short working from Machynlleth to Aberystwyth in either direction.

 

[Llanigraham]

But is an hourly service all day needed?
Certainly all my friends are saying that a bit more choice in the morning, possibly lunch time, and then again in the late afternoon/evening is what is needed.
Typically for Caersws that would be (roughly) 0730. 0830, 0930 and 1030 to Salop, perhaps a 1330 lunch time, and similar in the late afternoon.

 

[D1009]

But is an hourly service all day needed?
Certainly all my friends are saying that a bit more choice in the morning, possibly lunch time, and then again in the late afternoon/evening is what is needed.
Typically for Caersws that would be (roughly) 0730. 0830, 0930 and 1030 to Salop, perhaps a 1330 lunch time, and similar in the late afternoon.

That would require as much rolling stock as an hourly service all day, so if you have the rolling stock why not use it?

 

[Gareth Marston]

That would require as much rolling stock as an hourly service all day, so if you have the rolling stock why not use it?

The worst case scenario is that the Minister will say that this work will inform the next franchise- this will not go down at all well given the various "promises" and plans. Personally even if we just get a train that arrives into Shrewsbury around 0830 it will be a big move forward.

 

[merlodlliw]

The worst case scenario is that the Minister will say that this work will inform the next franchise- this will not go down at all well given the various "promises" and plans. Personally even if we just get a train that arrives into Shrewsbury around 0830 it will be a big move forward.

It would also be an improvement now, if the Cambrians allowed passengers to join the Chester train without this silly missing it by a minute and having to wait an hour.
As for the Ministers worst case scenario,you well be right,politicians promises & plans indeed.

 

[impster]

4 trains each way. yes that sounds about right.

Logic says 2 of those in the morning to allow commuting from Shrews to Aber and/or vice versa well in time for a 9am start at either end.

Let's hope that people working until 1730 at Shrewsbury have the option of a 1827 added in as well.

If it is extra 8 trains, it is a huge step forward. If a couple of them each way could start/terminate at B'ham Intl it would be even better.

At least we've passed the 'not enough stock' and 'infrastructure not ready' arguments.

 

[Llanigraham]

It would also be an improvement now, if the Cambrians allowed passengers to join the Chester train without this silly missing it by a minute and having to wait an hour.

I suspect that is more a signalling matter at Salop, and not anything more sinister.