Jacob Porrett
On Moderation
196102 with conductor training today on the Salop. A step closer to entering service. 5Q72/73/74/75 today between Birmingham and Shrewsbury.
Its actually on instructor driver training.196102 with conductor training today on the Salop. A step closer to entering service. 5Q72/73/74/75 today between Birmingham and Shrewsbury.
Yes, I've seen on Facebook today. Someone thought it was conductor training originally but it wasn't.Its actually on instructor driver training.
Controls are in, Driver training first. Conductor training is due to start soon, can't remember the new date given.Have there been any conductors passed out on the 196s or have the door controls not yet been sorted out?
How long will the Conductor & Driver training take place before they enter passenger service?Controls are in, Driver training first. Conductor training is due to start soon, can't remember the new date given.
Edit: conductor training due to start next Monday (13th)
A while until sufficient of each are trained. As far as im aware it’s only instructors being trained at present as well.How long will the Conductor & Driver training take place before they enter passenger service?
At least 4-6 weeks I'd have thought. Think conductors are doing 2-day traction courses but not 100% as I won't be signing themHow long will the Conductor & Driver training take place before they enter passenger service?
4 - 6 weeks will only get about 12 drivers trained assuming they release 2 a week. It will take a lot longer to get sufficient drivers trained to allow an introduction to service.At least 4-6 weeks I'd have thought. Think conductors are doing 2-day traction courses but not 100% as I won't be signing them
Exciting times ahead. More progress towards an entry into service date.Controls are in, Driver training first. Conductor training is due to start soon, can't remember the new date given.
Edit: conductor training due to start next Monday (13th)
Do things seem to be on track then? I haven’t seen any on test of late but then again they often do them in the early hoursExciting times ahead. More progress towards an entry into service date.
Considering how late into service they already are, back on track probably wouldn't be how I'd describe it lol. They are onto train crew traction training finally.Do things seem to be on track then? I haven’t seen any on test of late but then again they often do them in the early hours
Are they not getting much uptake in RDW for traction? I know it's been offered to conductors, presumably the same for drivers. I'd also be expecting cross cover to be in place to help Shrewsbury release a few more at a time.4 - 6 weeks will only get about 12 drivers trained assuming they release 2 a week. It will take a lot longer to get sufficient drivers trained to allow an introduction to service.
Last i Heard rest day work hadn’t been agreed for driver training. Nothing political, just ensuring the instructors get days off!Considering how late into service they already are, back on track probably wouldn't be how I'd describe it lol. They are onto train crew traction training finally.
Are they not getting much uptake in RDW for traction? I know it's been offered to conductors, presumably the same for drivers. I'd also be expecting cross cover to be in place to help Shrewsbury release a few more at a time.
They have been on test on the salop in recent weeks but not this week so far.Do things seem to be on track then? I haven’t seen any on test of late but then again they often do them in the early hours
Probably was yes. Normal path for test runs.There was a 5Q22 running this morning from Tyseley to Stratford UA and back, not sure if it was a 196
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:P97366/2022-06-07/detailed
They clearly don't think this is a problem, as they'll fob off a bunch of the units to EWR.On a slightly different note, I took a pair of 170s between Hereford and Birmingham on Saturday, and (especially on the return) 4 coach trains are consistently running full. Considering the 196s will either be 4 coaches or a pair of 2 car sets, it’s a bit concerning. Is there a possibility of additional centre cars to allow for 5 coach operation?
The Birmingham to Hereford trains were especially busy on Saturday due to a Ladies Day at Worcester racecourse, and a festival at Eastnor, which was served by a shuttle bus from Ledbury. 4 coaches are usually sufficient for off peak Hereford trains.On a slightly different note, I took a pair of 170s between Hereford and Birmingham on Saturday, and (especially on the return) 4 coach trains are consistently running full. Considering the 196s will either be 4 coaches or a pair of 2 car sets, it’s a bit concerning. Is there a possibility of additional centre cars to allow for 5 coach operation?
A 4 car 196 has more capacity than a 4 car 170. Can’t remember the difference but it’s a reasonable amount. 2 x 2 car 196 are similar to the 170’s the. It’s the middle cars on the 196’s that provide the additional capacityOn a slightly different note, I took a pair of 170s between Hereford and Birmingham on Saturday, and (especially on the return) 4 coach trains are consistently running full. Considering the 196s will either be 4 coaches or a pair of 2 car sets, it’s a bit concerning. Is there a possibility of additional centre cars to allow for 5 coach operation?
Yeah, I noticed the Eastnor Festival in particular, but even without it I’m finding that 4 coaches might be starting to struggle. They’re generally sufficient at the moment but the mid afternoon services on BHM-HFD are really in need of a bit more.The Birmingham to Hereford trains were especially busy on Saturday due to a Ladies Day at Worcester racecourse, and a festival at Eastnor, which was served by a shuttle bus from Ledbury. 4 coaches are usually sufficient for off peak Hereford trains.
Do we know anything about whether the 4 car sets will be predominantly deployed on the Shrewsbury or Hereford route? I’m not sure how the former is coping, it might need the extra capacity more than Hereford.A 4 car 196 has more capacity than a 4 car 170. Can’t remember the difference but it’s a reasonable amount. 2 x 2 car 196 are similar to the 170’s the. It’s the middle cars on the 196’s that provide the additional capacity
I’m sure they’ll be pooled between the two as the 2 and 3 car 170s were previously no? Then again, in my experience you were more likely to see a 3 car to Hereford than to Shrewsbury…Yeah, I noticed the Eastnor Festival in particular, but even without it I’m finding that 4 coaches might be starting to struggle. They’re generally sufficient at the moment but the mid afternoon services on BHM-HFD are really in need of a bit more.
Do we know anything about whether the 4 car sets will be predominantly deployed on the Shrewsbury or Hereford route? I’m not sure how the former is coping, it might need the extra capacity more than Hereford.
Before some of the 196s were diverted to EWR, was there any plans to run 196s in 6-car formations (either 3x2-car or 4-car + 2-car)?They clearly don't think this is a problem, as they'll fob off a bunch of the units to EWR.
Interesting you should say that as I used to see 2x2-170s dominate Herefords with 3-170 on Shrewsbury most days when I was in B’hamI’m sure they’ll be pooled between the two as the 2 and 3 car 170s were previously no? Then again, in my experience you were more likely to see a 3 car to Hereford than to Shrewsbury…
I have an awful lot of photo evidence to back that up! I seem to have found that Shrewsbury was allocated a pair of 2 coach sets. I think WMR have realised that 3 cars is not enough on either route so most will operate as 4 presumably. But which routes will get what I don’t know.I’m sure they’ll be pooled between the two as the 2 and 3 car 170s were previously no? Then again, in my experience you were more likely to see a 3 car to Hereford than to Shrewsbury…
As far as I’m aware, the 196s for EWR will be a separate order, they’re not coming out of WMR’s fleet. 6 car formations might be useful for some busy services, but platform lengths at Colwall and Ledbury could be an issueBefore some of the 196s were diverted to EWR, was there any plans to run 196s in 6-car formations (either 3x2-car or 4-car + 2-car)?
I was most certainly under the impression that they were to be 'borrowed' from WMTs fleet until some new bimodes could be ordered.I have an awful lot of photo evidence to back that up! I seem to have found that Shrewsbury was allocated a pair of 2 coach sets. I think WMR have realised that 3 cars is not enough on either route so most will operate as 4 presumably. But which routes will get what I don’t know.
As far as I’m aware, the 196s for EWR will be a separate order, they’re not coming out of WMR’s fleet. 6 car formations might be useful for some busy services, but platform lengths at Colwall and Ledbury could be an issue
196108A 196 came through Birmingham New Street today at 11-35 am didn't catch the number