ATW/Keolis Amey Wales stock shortages

[Honest Ross]

Didn’t look like a vinyl wrap to me. However, it was 7:30am, so the light may have been playing tricks. Definitely looked painted though.

 

[anamyd]

Freshly painted in the old Arriva livery, which I found slightly bizarre.

I believe the plan is to wrap it into TfW red and white livery

 

[anamyd]

There's no guarantee of Northern letting go of any Pacers, at the moment they are holding on to their Pacer fleet very tightly.
And as for the 769s............
And there's no guarantee there will be enough workshop capacity to condense the mods plan into 6 or 7 months, along with mods for Northern continuing on their 15x fleets, although I'm sure I've read somewhere than Canton will be doing PRM mods as well

Canton doing PRM mods will be interesting!

 

[PHILIPE]

Canton doing PRM mods will be interesting!

It might actually speed the process up.

 

[6Gtraincrew]

I believe the plan is to wrap it into TfW red and white livery

I'm surprised they are wrapping them. There won't be any more 175's wrapped. Rest are to be painted, and they go off lease before the 150's.

 

[43096]

I think it's a vinyl wrap and I can only assume there was a spare knocking around the depot and that was used.

Given that the transformation of the rolling stock is going to take a while, TfW have probably calculated that it's best to hold back on the cosmetic changes with the TfW branding especially so early on and given the 150s are 30 odd years old and *most* passengers will be *expecting* them to go soon.

The ATW livery is paint AFAIAA. More likely that the contract for the C6 overhaul was let by ATW and specified a repaint into the ATW livery. No doubt Arriva Traincare had bought sufficient quantities for the whole programme, so any change was going to cost more.

 

[tomuk]

Applying vinyl wraps is a bad idea in the long term, it just promotes corrosion. You could put you foot through the side of some of the wrapped fGW 150/2 before they went for C6 overhauls.
A sensible way forward would be to apply TfW logos in place of the removed ATW ones and only repaint any units that are due to be painted in the new TfW colours.
Spend the saved money on extra deep cleans and as regards pacers forget the power sockets.

 

[Cardiff123]

According to the article in the latest edition of Modern Railways, all of the former ATW fleet and any new additions must be fully re-branded internally and externally by 31 March 2021, and the legacy ATW fleet must have an interior refurbishment by the end of this year, presumably to tie in with PRM mods. It'll be interesting to see what is done to the 175s internally as they are in a very poor internal condition for a long distance fleet.

 

[anamyd]

It might actually speed the process up.

No no I'm totally with you!

 

[tomuk]

It'll be interesting to see what is done to the 175s internally as they are in a very poor internal condition for a long distance fleet.

I have travelled on 175s twice in the last week and they are very tired internally. The carpet on the sidewalls is particularly sad.
Yesterday both units I was on Shrewsbury to Manchester and return both had multiple blown double glazed window units.

 

[anamyd]

I have travelled on 175s twice in the last week and they are very tired internally. The carpet on the sidewalls is particularly sad.
Yesterday both units I was on Shrewsbury to Manchester and return both had multiple blown double glazed window units.

They're basically what the ATW 158s were like in 2010. Before their major refurbishment, they were the same age as the 175s are now and in about the same state. They are due to be repainted and fitted with power and USB sockets inside and air conditioning repaired soon, but not sure if any other interior work will be done. Seat repadding (NOT replacement!) would be nice ...but a full interior refurbishment would truly deliver their full potential of onboard travelling atmosphere which can actually be seen through to even in their current state.

 

[sprinterguy]

The TFW fleet seems to be continuing to feel the pinch a bit: The 16:09 Birmingham International - Aberystwyth/Pwllheli was formed of a single 2-car class 158 unit on Tuesday (Cosy!) and ran as a 150+158 formation yesterday (150 removed at Shrewsbury, of course).

 

[sprinterguy]

The TFW fleet seems to be continuing to feel the pinch a bit: The 16:09 Birmingham International - Aberystwyth/Pwllheli was formed of a single 2-car class 158 unit on Tuesday (Cosy!) and ran as a 150+158 formation yesterday (150 removed at Shrewsbury, of course).

Quoting myself for context, it's a pair of 150s today (150283+150262)! No conveyance beyond Shrewsbury tonight then, unless a 158's been laid on from there for the Cambrian section.

 

[PHILIPE]

Quoting myself for context, it's a pair of 150s today (150283+150262)! No conveyance beyond Shrewsbury tonight then, unless a 158's been laid on from there for the Cambrian section.

What they usually do is to swap over trains with the one going in the opposite direction which is at Shrewsbury at the same time on the opposite platform face. Disturbs the passengers, I know.

 

[sprinterguy]

What they usually do is to swap over trains with the one going in the opposite direction which is at Shrewsbury at the same time on the opposite platform face.

Seems sensible to maximise use of a reduced number of 158s where they're really needed. At least the train had the right number of carriages from Birmingham today, albeit short ones!

 

[Neen Sollars]

Wales stock shortages thread. Wales and Borders order for 230`s mentioned here.

http://vivarail.co.uk/230004-arrives-at-bletchley/

 

[anamyd]

Wales stock shortages thread. Wales and Borders order for 230`s mentioned here.

http://vivarail.co.uk/230004-arrives-at-bletchley/

Thanks for the link!

 

[Cardiff123]

The latest issue of RAIL (out digitally today) confirms that TfW have ordered 4 more 769s, to take the total ordered up to 9.
"The trains are due in service this year."

 

[PHILIPE]

The latest issue of RAIL (out digitally today) confirms that TfW have ordered 4 more 769s, to take the total ordered up to 9.
"The trains are due in service this year."

Some time between February and December

 

[Jez]

They're basically what the ATW 158s were like in 2010. Before their major refurbishment, they were the same age as the 175s are now and in about the same state. They are due to be repainted and fitted with power and USB sockets inside and air conditioning repaired soon, but not sure if any other interior work will be done. Seat repadding (NOT replacement!) would be nice ...but a full interior refurbishment would truly deliver their full potential of onboard travelling atmosphere which can actually be seen through to even in their current state.

I agree, the 175s are definitely in the need of a refurbishment. Its ridiculous that services of up to 5 or 6 hours don't have plug sockets. It seems crazy that much shorter distance services like Maesteg-Cardiff or Cardiff to Taunton (not a TFW service I know) sometimes have trains that have plug sockets whilst TFW's most long distance services don't unless a 158 is covering.

 

[Cardiff123]

I'll be honest, I don't understand the obsession with plug sockets. Most modern phones/tablets/laptops have a battery life of at least 5 - 6 hours from a full charge, can't people just make sure that their devices are fully charged before they leave home / the workplace?

 

[Jez]

On a day trip to Manchester (about 4 hours each way) if ive not been able to charge my phone at all during the day before my return journey it would have more or less run out. So it would be convenient to have sockets on the train. I don't think that's any sort of obsession to be honest when most long distance trains provide them now. If using phone for the internet or listening to music the battery can go down fast.

 

[anamyd]

I'll be honest, I don't understand the obsession with plug sockets. Most modern phones/tablets/laptops have a battery life of at least 5 - 6 hours from a full charge, can't people just make sure that their devices are fully charged before they leave home / the workplace?

sometimes my phone only lasts 30 minutes off the charger, it has a known battery management issue that means it doesn't charge properly. the battery itself is good. how ridiculous! changing it soon

 

[tomos dafis]

First TFW 142 re-branded with partial vinyls? Saw 142 075 today at Merthyr Tydfil station working 13.38 to Bridgend. Was carrying TFW vinyl along the sides - main message "A new journey is beginning" - bit more sensitive than the "These trains are leaving soon" on some 143's. All a bit premature/optimistic perhaps?

 

[anamyd]

First TFW 142 re-branded with partial vinyls? Saw 142 075 today at Merthyr Tydfil station working 13.38 to Bridgend. Was carrying TFW vinyl along the sides - main message "A new journey is beginning" - bit more sensitive than the "These trains are leaving soon" on some 143's. All a bit premature/optimistic perhaps?

thanks for the info!

 

[PHILIPE]

First TFW 142 re-branded with partial vinyls? Saw 142 075 today at Merthyr Tydfil station working 13.38 to Bridgend. Was carrying TFW vinyl along the sides - main message "A new journey is beginning" - bit more sensitive than the "These trains are leaving soon" on some 143's. All a bit premature/optimistic perhaps?

I think you'll find they will be gone by 2020 with no derogation. Aim of DFT

 

[Hwnt52]

143624 and 143614 on separate Rhymney Valley services this afternoon, both with 'The journey is almost over for old trains' along the side. I agree with the comments above about the insensitivity of these vinyls - not only are they inappropriate but it seems TFW cannot help themselves, shooting themselves in the foot at every opportunity. The Welsh version of the vinyl on the leading coach is not only not an exact translation of the English but is grammatically incorrect. Even Google Translate would have produced a better version.
I too have developed a grudging respect for these units, transporting hordes of commuters up and down the valley every day on a line with steep gradients climbing to nearly 1000 feet above sea level.

 

[anamyd]

143624 and 143614 on separate Rhymney Valley services this afternoon, both with 'The journey is almost over for old trains' along the side. I agree with the comments above about the insensitivity of these vinyls - not only are they inappropriate but it seems TFW cannot help themselves, shooting themselves in the foot at every opportunity. The Welsh version of the vinyl on the leading coach is not only not an exact translation of the English but is grammatically incorrect. Even Google Translate would have produced a better version.
I too have developed a grudging respect for these units, transporting hordes of commuters up and down the valley every day on a line with steep gradients climbing to nearly 1000 feet above sea level.

the "old trains" thing doesn't even make sense, because after 1987 142s are withdrawn, 1986 150s will remain in service for a few years...

 

[Honest Ross]

Are people REALLY getting upset and offended by a light hearted comment on the side of trains that most of the actual consumers cannot wait to get rid of?!

I use these trains every day and they are absolutely vile. The sooner they are replaced, the better. Good riddance to them.

 

[sw1ller]

Are people REALLY getting upset and offended by a light hearted comment on the side of trains that most of the actual consumers cannot wait to get rid of?!

I use these trains every day and they are absolutely vile. The sooner they are replaced, the better. Good riddance to them.

Not upset or offended, I’m fully aware of the misery that surrounds them. It just seems a bit insensitive to them, given their longevity. The success of the valleys is down to them, unfortunately, that success has been a bit too much and they can’t cope with the new demand. It’s not their fault. People tend to only remember the bad times.

I’m sure you’re not the only one to be glad to see the back of them and I fully understand your frustration with them.

I do find the timing of these banners to be a bit premature though, KA don’t seem to grasp the timescales on the railway and are being a bit naive. Nothing is ever on time.