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ATW/Keolis Amey Wales stock shortages

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Kyle1

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I was thinking DMUs, but I can't remember if the Valley lines are getting electrified or not.

The Merthyr, Treherbert and Aberdare lines are getting Stadler trams and are being fully electrified iirc, with all trams terminating in Cardiff.

The Rhymney Valley line is being mostly electrified and is getting Stadler Flirts like the new GA stock, but Rhymney services are also serving the Vale of Glamorgan and the Vale of Glamorgan isn't being electrified meaning the Flirts have to be diesel powered too to run through to Penarth, Barry and Bridgend.
 

craigybagel

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The Merthyr, Treherbert and Aberdare lines are getting Stadler trams and are being fully electrified iirc, with all trams terminating in Cardiff.

The Rhymney Valley line is being mostly electrified and is getting Stadler Flirts like the new GA stock, but Rhymney services are also serving the Vale of Glamorgan and the Vale of Glamorgan isn't being electrified meaning the Flirts have to be diesel powered too to run through to Penarth, Barry and Bridgend.

Although both the tram trains and Flirts will have batteries as the routes concerned won't be 100% electrified. The short on street section down to Cardiff Bay will not be electrified and neither will other awkward sections. The Flirts will be tri - mode (electricity, diesel, battery).
 

hexagon789

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The Merthyr, Treherbert and Aberdare lines are getting Stadler trams and are being fully electrified iirc, with all trams terminating in Cardiff.

The Rhymney Valley line is being mostly electrified and is getting Stadler Flirts like the new GA stock, but Rhymney services are also serving the Vale of Glamorgan and the Vale of Glamorgan isn't being electrified meaning the Flirts have to be diesel powered too to run through to Penarth, Barry and Bridgend.

Lord that's complicated!

I assume that despite use of Stadler Trams, those routes will remain heavy rail?
 

Cardiff123

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Bare in mind we are straying off topic here talking about the Metro and new trains before the thread police come along.

But from all available info since the award of the new franchise, the Valley lines are staying heavy rail and will be upgraded and maintained to heavy rail standards, the electrification will be 25 kV OHLE as well.
 
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Minister for Economy and Transport, Ken Skates has visited rolling stock manufacturer Vivarail to see the new Transport for Wales trains that will transform the customer experience for rail users in North Wales.

The trains are part of the £5 billion investment being made by Transport for Wales across Wales and the Borders and are expected to go into service first, in North Wales, during 2019.

With fully accessible toilets, power sockets, electronic passenger information, Wi-Fi, bike racks and air conditioning, the trains are a significant milestone for Transport for Wales, as they continue to deliver on their plans to transform rail services throughout Wales and the borders.

The additional trains will provide a more efficient and environmentally friendly service with modern diesel-electric engines. The new hybrid units, using diesel and batteries, will be the first used in regular passenger service in the UK.

Each train will have 3 carriages containing 125 seats with a total capacity of 293. North Wales will be the first to benefit from the additions to the fleet along the Wrexham to Bidston, Crewe to Chester and Llandudno to Blaenau Ffestiniog routes.

Minister for Economy and Transport Ken Skates said: “It’s been great to visit our rolling stock manufacturer, Vivarail and to see the Transport for Wales trains that will be running on routes in North Wales later this year.

“We’ve had an opportunity to take a ride on the trains on Vivarail’s test track and gain a real understanding of the hybrid engine. Not only will these transform the experience on board for rail passengers in North Wales, they will use 25% less fuel and have a regenerative braking system that captures energy back into the batteries.

“These modern trains demonstrate our commitment to sustainability and the environment, as well as our ambitious plans to transform the experience for rail users.

“The Welsh Government is absolutely committed to improving our rail services and through our investment I am confident over the coming years people across Wales will be benefiting from the best passenger rail service in the UK which will be a vital step change as we leave the European Union.”

James Price, Transport for Wales CEO added: “Customers are at the heart of everything we do at Transport for Wales. Our new trains with hybrid engines and modern facilities will significantly improve the customer experience.

“We are continuing our journey to transform the transport network in Wales and deliver on our promises. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all our staff and partners, who are helping us achieve our vision.”

No update/confirmation on an expected delivery date.

https://www.railbusinessdaily.com/n...e7838eb23d632c4987&utm_source=Email marketing
 
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As reported in the GWR Cascade thread 5x153s have now arrived in Canton.

Does anyone know if those five units are going straight out into service or are they going for PRM Mods?
 

anamyd

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not sure but I'm at Central for a few hours so will let you know if any come out :)
for the video footage of them coming in filmed from 175-103 because I overslept :p but hey, it's better than nothing :D
 

PHILIPE

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As reported in the GWR Cascade thread 5x153s have now arrived in Canton.

Does anyone know if those five units are going straight out into service or are they going for PRM Mods?

I'm not quite sure re the policy regarding 153s but none anywhere have had PRM Mods.
 

Cardiff123

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There's no way the first two 153s in that train will be allowed out without a repaint or re-vinyl
 
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I don't think us passengers care. Just get the bloody things into service!

The passengers will probably think it's graffiti:):)

I agree just get the damn things out. By all means tart up/PRM modify the 769 as that is a new train.

Passengers will always find something to complain about. When I was on a PRM modified 150, to the untrained eye there wasn't much different. The toilet looked bigger from the outside, but to uneducated able bodied passengers that means nothing. Some will not even have noticed the plug sockets, and as the rest of the train hasn't changed they're not seen as any different. Especially when statistically speaking passengers will be back on a pacer/unmodified 150 the next day.
 
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PHILIPE

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I agree just get the damn things out. By all means tart up/PRM modify the 769 as that is a new train.

Passengers will always find something to complain about. When I was on a PRM modified 150, to the untrained eye there wasn't much different. The toilet looked bigger from the outside, but to uneducated able bodied passengers that means nothing. Some will not even have noticed the plug sockets, and as the rest of the train hasn't changed they're not seen as any different. Especially when statistically speaking passengers will be back on a pacer/unmodified 150 the next day.

Less seats also, the toilet taking up more space unfortunately
 

anamyd

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apparently the 769 has been having "coupling problems" and "split in half" or something...? and also has been "bashing into platforms" so they will run only on routes where they don't do that (think he said Ebbw Vale / Maesteg / Gloucester / Cheltenham). And "2 37s" will be introduced with training in or by May, can't remember which routes the TfW dispatcher told me. maybe to the valleys because that has been suggested on here. and apparently the "new" 153s will be "going West".
 
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Less seats also, the toilet taking up more space unfortunately

Oh yes, but only a few (I posted a photo of it on another thread).

But my point was not much has changed and most customers wont have been on a PRM modified 150 yet and even those that have, many probably won't have noticed. The only way you'd notice is if you went to the toilet/sat in one of the ten or so seats near it, if you hadn't nothing substantial has changed, it's still a clapped out 30 year old train, which many believe to be a pacer.
 

PHILIPE

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apparently the 769 has been having "coupling problems" and "split in half" or something...? and also has been "bashing into platforms" so they will run only on routes where they don't do that (think he said Ebbw Vale / Maesteg / Gloucester / Cheltenham). And "2 37s" will be introduced with training in or by May, can't remember which routes the TfW dispatcher told me. maybe to the valleys because that has been suggested on here. and apparently the "new" 153s will be "going West".

Wait and see. "Somebody told me" can mean anything but could be right. Can't understand the splitting issue as no coupling issues are involved as the 769s are 4 Car formations only unless it is taking it apart for Maintenance purposes rather than coupling to another one.
The 153s will work round with the rest of the TFW fleet, probably with additional diagrams employed to replace 150s in West Wales. Could be wrong though but doubt it.
 

Cardiff123

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I don't think us passengers care. Just get the bloody things into service!

I agree just get the damn things out. By all means tart up/PRM modify the 769 as that is a new train.

My point is that with TfW putting the emphasis on 'quality', 'step-change', 'transformation', and everything being 'world class' etc, they are not going to deploy a train into passenger service, that from the outside is in such a state that it looks like it's ready for scrap.

It can't take long to vinyl the doors in red and the body in white and put the 'T' logo on the side.
 

tomos dafis

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apparently the 769 has been having "coupling problems" and "split in half" or something...? and also has been "bashing into platforms" so they will run only on routes where they don't do that (think he said Ebbw Vale / Maesteg / Gloucester / Cheltenham). And "2 37s" will be introduced with training in or by May, can't remember which routes the TfW dispatcher told me. maybe to the valleys because that has been suggested on here. and apparently the "new" 153s will be "going West".
So the 769 has been out on test then? - must have missed reports on that. If clearance is a problem on routes apart from Ebbw Vale / Maesteg / Gloucester / Cheltenham) then they will not be introduced/used on the Rhymney line as planned until/unless modifications to accommodate them are made on that route.?
If 37's are to be introduced re-introduction to the Rhymney line is on the cards to release more 150 units used on valleys services for PRM work?
 

tomos dafis

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not sure but I'm at Central for a few hours so will let you know if any come out :)
for the video footage of them coming in filmed from 175-103 because I overslept :p but hey, it's better than nothing :D
not sure but I'm at Central for a few hours so will let you know if any come out :)
for the video footage of them coming in filmed from 175-103 because I overslept :p but hey, it's better than nothing :D
Thank you for posting this footage - couldn't get to Cardiff myself today to see the unusual cavalcade. I suppose, along with the delivery of the first 769 that it is some sort of start!
 

PHILIPE

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So the 769 has been out on test then? - must have missed reports on that. If clearance is a problem on routes apart from Ebbw Vale / Maesteg / Gloucester / Cheltenham) then they will not be introduced/used on the Rhymney line as planned until/unless modifications to accommodate them are made on that route.?
If 37's are to be introduced re-introduction to the Rhymney line is on the cards to release more 150 units used on valleys services for PRM work?


The 769 has't been out on test and was spotted at Canton today reformed up with all 4 vehicles. Latest from TFW is still for Rhymney.
The best thing is to believe it when you see it, I think, as there are so many rumours flying around and increasing. Speculation is rife
 

tomos dafis

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The 769 has't been out on test and was spotted at Canton today reformed up with all 4 vehicles. Latest from TFW is still for Rhymney.
The best thing is to believe it when you see it, I think, as there are so many rumours flying around and increasing. Speculation is rife
Fair comment - so there is no substance to the report that 769's have been "bashing platforms" and will have their use restricted to certain routes excluding Rhymney.
 
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