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Welsh Assembly Government still planning Cambrian hourly for 2011

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Yes, it's a nice run. The coast line is even more scenic, assuming you like estuaries, castles and cliffs! There are some lovely views of Portmeirion between Harlech and Penrhyn too!

Love all the stuff. The recent Cambran trip was part of a one day adventure. London Paddington -> Cardiff -> Carmarthen ->(bus)->Aberystwyth->Birmingham->London. Made a little video for Youtube, using my alias here.
 
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Beveridges

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9 months ago I applied for the Trainee Drivers position with ATW for Pwllheli and Machynlleth. They advertised at these depots so that they have the extra drivers required for the hourly service.
I passed the selection process for the positions at Pwllheli but got put "on hold" because they won't start any driver training until they have recieved the grant from the WAG.
I am extremely frustrated.

There is no way that the hourly service will come in 2011 if the ERTMS has been delayed until February. It will be at least 2012. They will only start training the extra drivers required for the hourly service once they have got the grant from the government (and once the ERTMS is working), and the Driver training will take a further 12 months.
 

Gareth Marston

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The link is a story speculating about the effect that spending cuts might have on Welsh local authorities. No doubt there will need to be budget savings in the WAG, but I'm not seeing any direct link there between forthcoming spending cuts by central government and the Cambrian Line.

much speculating and little hard fact!
 

merlodlliw

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9 months ago I applied for the Trainee Drivers position with ATW for Pwllheli and Machynlleth. They advertised at these depots so that they have the extra drivers required for the hourly service.
I passed the selection process for the positions at Pwllheli but got put "on hold" because they won't start any driver training until they have recieved the grant from the WAG.
I am extremely frustrated.

There is no way that the hourly service will come in 2011 if the ERTMS has been delayed until February. It will be at least 2012. They will only start training the extra drivers required for the hourly service once they have got the grant from the government (and once the ERTMS is working), and the Driver training will take a further 12 months.

I feel for you, as the job will be the highest paid semi private employment in your area.Anyhow the hourly service promised for 2011 is now impossible

Today we have details of a merger of three statutory WAG bodies, Countryside Council for Wales, environment agency & forestry commission.
Many duplications take place between the three, so WAG is looking for 25% saving from each for a start. Transport is not a sacred cow, I fully expect cuts from the Anglesey twins, I also note the Minister is delaying answers to written questions from A.Ms about the future of the WAG express which is totally funded by WAG.
 

The Planner

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Why would it be impossible ?? nothing to stop ATW introducing more services in the middle of the timetable by the spot bid process.
 

merlodlliw

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Why would it be impossible ?? nothing to stop ATW introducing more services in the middle of the timetable by the spot bid process.

Of course they could, but I do not see it occurring in 2011 with the never ending farce. Plus Politics want a big lead up to a set date,which they can not get.

A lot of questions are going to be asked this weekend at Aber over this promise of failing to deliver by Net Rail , & the promises made by the Minister over this hourly service.

I would love to be a fly on the wall at the ATW & Net Rail stands:) No doubt Sarpa will also take this opportunity to do some lobbying.

(Plaid Annual Conference Fri/Sun Aberystwyth)
 
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Beveridges

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While its definetely going to be delayed into 2012 (maybe even 2013 with this never ending farce), does anyone think theres a possibility that the hourly service may be cancelled altogether?
 

Gareth Marston

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The WAG website is still saying 2011 but it's absolutely impossible now even for December 2011
http://wales.gov.uk/topics/transpor...Ls2GSFsjcNt1GyB1pq5ynGCyQQ!1374926234?lang=en


Arriva Trains Wales In house magazine is saying that the glare issue on the in cab displays on the 158's will be resolved by Feb 11. My understanding is that this is the only real issue preventing the full implementation of ERTMS and hence the reinstated capacity being usable. Assuming of course the Comprehensive Spending Review doesn't force NR to bin ERTMS!
 

The Planner

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It will get switched on. If it is sorted by Feb like ATW claim then Id be suprised if you didnt get some sort of increase of services by the summer.
 

The Planner

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No, its another Holyhead Cardiff. As for Wrexham to Salltney, its still in the same place as before, the WAG havent said the money put aside for it has gone and NR are still working up the scheme plans.
 

merlodlliw

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Is WAG2 planned to start/terminate in Pwllheli?

Only when a WAG Minister lives there:) like Holyhead
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
No, its another Holyhead Cardiff. As for Wrexham to Salltney, its still in the same place as before, the WAG havent said the money put aside for it has gone and NR are still working up the scheme plans.

Thanks Planner, its gone too quiet I have ensured a few A.Ms have asked questions, waiting for answers
 

Beveridges

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Arriva Trains Wales In house magazine is saying that the glare issue on the in cab displays on the 158's will be resolved by Feb 11. My understanding is that this is the only real issue preventing the full implementation of ERTMS and hence the reinstated capacity being usable. Assuming of course the Comprehensive Spending Review doesn't force NR to bin ERTMS!

What makes Arriva Trains Wales think that the glare issues will be resolved by February? Have they come up with a solution yet?
 

Beveridges

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Hows the ERTMS project progressing now? Is Feb 11 still the date that it is on target for, or have the problems delayed it even further yet again?
 

The Planner

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Top end went live last week, Id expect the rest to get comissioned in the Feb half term.
 

merlodlliw

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Top end went live last week, Id expect the rest to get comissioned in the Feb half term.

We shall know on the 17th November, if the hourly service will commence & if the double track at Wrexham may be scrapped, my A.M asked the Minister this question, response below




WRITTEN ASSEMBLY QUESTION
FOR ANSWER BY THE MINISTER FOR
THE ECONOMY & TRANSPORT
ON 25 OCTOBER 2010

Mark Isherwood (North Wales): With the GRIP report being undertaken by Network Rail likely to be 9 months late in its delivery, what impact does that have on taking the options forward in light of any time limits that the SCIF funding identified for this project may have. (WAQ56635)

Ieuan Wyn Jones: Capital expenditure for future years is being considered in light of the Spending Review announcement. Budgets will be set out in the Assembly Government’s Draft Budget on 17 November.
 

4SRKT

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Is there anything to stop this happening in the May timetable? Obviously it isn't happening in December's (we can see that on National Rail Enquiries), but it'd be great if there was an 08:27 Shrewsbury > Aberystwyth that connected with WCRC's Cambrian steam service at Machynlleth next summer.
 

The Planner

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Nothing to stop it happening the day they switch the rest on if they were so inclined. ATW can just spot bid the services. The May 11 timetable is offered to the TOCs next week so its far too late to get them in that way.
 

Gareth Marston

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Nothing to stop it happening the day they switch the rest on if they were so inclined. ATW can just spot bid the services. The May 11 timetable is offered to the TOCs next week so its far too late to get them in that way.

Theirs never been anything stopping more trains apart from cold feet on the Cambrian, ATW claim an 8% increase on 09 for the Cambrian so much for the recession dampening demand.
 

Beveridges

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We would be lucky if we get the hourly service at all if you read "ERTMS live and working" thread. Also they have to training new drivers which takes about 12 months, so I'd expect it to be about December 2011 timetable change if it is to happen
 
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