EE Andy b1
Established Member
Oh the joys of rail travel!
How would some of these bus companies survive without the railways?
When TfW get there Mk4 sets, could they not hire a couple more Class 67s and keep the Mk3s to lessen the traction shortage.
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ATW/Keolis Amey Wales stock shortages
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Oh the joys of rail travel!
How would some of these bus companies survive without the railways?
When TfW get there Mk4 sets, could they not hire a couple more Class 67s and keep the Mk3s to lessen the traction shortage.
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krus_aragon
Established Member
That shuttle to the Junction is normally operated by the unit on the Conwy Valley, so it would have been a scheduled bustitution. Yesterday was the last day of bustition before the (partial) reopening of the line, so you got the last bus on that service for a while. Today it was operated by a 150.
(A few years back, that shuttle would have been operated by the 175 off a Manchester-Llandudno service during its turnaround time, but the Loco-hauled service has mucked things up a bit by running to Holyhead instead.)
Cardiff123
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No, as usual, due to the PRM deadline of 1/1/2020
PHILIPE
Veteran Member
I saw that on the TFW site before details of the special were released
childwallblues
Established Member
Yesterday there were two seperate buses the 1246 to Llandudno Junction and 1308 to Blaneau Ffestiniog. Today the train is reinstated to North Llanryst but the 1240 still runsso it could be a bus again.
PHILIPE
Veteran Member
They used to work them on the past but were replaced because they proved to be unsuitable due to poor performance and capacity
krus_aragon
Established Member
Word from a TfW spokesman in Llanrwst was that the 230s were expected in September, but that they would be going straight to the Borderlands and not coming to the Conwy Valley.
A lone 153 would probably be insufficient for summer loadings on the Conwy Valley, but I could see them working the line in autumn and winter, if there's still a backlog of 150s to send to the workshop. You'd presumably need to refresh crew knowledge on the 153s, of course.
PHILIPE
Veteran Member
I've just recalled that a 153 worked the Conwy Valley in the Winter and changed over with a 150 on the Shrewsbury to Crewe local for the Summer.
I’ve seen them rumours too. There would have to be a lot of staff training on them (even if it is a 1 day conversion course) if they want them on the borderlands. Only about 40% of drivers sign them at Chester. The top and bottom links don’t sign them but have over 50% of the work for Bidston. Think it’s be too much of a pain to sort that out.
PHILIPE
Veteran Member
Is it right that when the 153s worked on the Borderlands previously they had difficulty in keeping time
Before my time sorry. But I can’t imagine they’d be much use up Hawarden bank. I also believe they were only taken off then Conway valley as passengers couldn’t see out the high windows properly and were missing the view.
krus_aragon
Established Member
An un-cited claim on Wikipedia's article about the Borderlands line claims that ATW started doubling up their 153s or using 150s in October 2006, and stopped using the 153s altogether in December 2006. Cross-referencing that with the archives of nwrail.org.uk, I see that was when ATW had a significant fleet shuffle. As well as TPE stopping sub-leasing 175s (and ATW off-leasing some now spare 158s) they'd taken on eight 150s from FGW, and put four 153s into storage.
That doesn't answer your question categorically either way, but may help add some context to the situation at the time.
craigybagel
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I too have heard the rumour regarding 153s, although my understanding was it was to keep 150s in the South and 153s in the North, with Borderlands getting 230s. There are also rumours about 170s possibly going onto South Wales - Manchester rather then the original plan to keep them closer to Cardiff for the first few years.
But it's the railway - who knows what will actually happen?!
But it's the railway - who knows what will actually happen?!
Cardiff123
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170s on South Wales - Manchester would make much more sense than the 150s that seem to be running half of the north - south services these days.
Meanwhile the 769s are still stuck in the shed at Canton every time I pass on the train.
PHILIPE
Veteran Member
Apart from Sundays there are enough 175s (on paper) to operate the Marches route. The reason for so many 150s is due to the number of 175s being stopped and not due to diagramming these 150s..
They were a bit challenging. Used to keep time if in good nick and nothing went wrong but any late running meant they generally stayed late.
Leaf fall was horrendous and they occasionally failed to get up Hawarden bank. I well remember one day when one slipped to a stand, eventually setting back to Shotton where the next service was attached. The pair then slipped to a stand several more times before struggling over the top a couple of hours after the first one should have done so.
On departure from Builth Road in the afternoon, there was ample room for everyone who wanted to board my train, as some people were staying later and planning to take another train.
Going to Builth Road in the morning, there were some people standing from (around) Llandovery onwards, but the loadings weren't as bad as you'd see in Cardiff at rush hour. Boarding further south was no problem: it was actually more than half-empty until after Llanelli!
My "if you feel there's room" was a bit of a disclaimer on my part, as I can't know what stock they'll have available for the service. I think the train was a pair of 150s when I visited, but I couldn't swear to it. It was a few years back now, and my overriding memories of the day are of trying to avoid the media scrum following Prince Charles around the showground, as he'd decided to visit on the same day.
Thank you both for the replies. Unfortunately now that I've seen the timings it would be a rather long wait of many hours for the special if I took an earlier service onto the HOWL to join it, so I think I'll have to give it a miss.
Markdvdman
Member
Just passed and the 7:14 to Builth Road off Platform 3A in Cardiff is 5 cars. 2 car pacer off the front, and 3 car 153 in the rear. Enough space but pacers on the front....
anthony263
Established Member
Just saw it leaving bridgend as I drove my bus from broadlands into bridgend bus station.a Class 142 an atw liveried 153 and fgw liveried 153 with tfw branding
Envoy
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I wonder if customers are fighting for seats on the 153’s and if those stuck in the Pacer get a discount for travelling 3rd class?
supervc-10
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Surely the people in the 153s are 3rd class, and those in the Pacer are in 4th? Or maybe 6th?
DavidGrain
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I have travelled on both a 142 and a 153 last week which is unusual for me as there are no Pacers in my area and 153s are normally only used as extra carriages. I have to say that I have been quite happy with my experiences. I found the legroom on a XC 170 more restrictive having travelled to both Cardiff and Nottingham in the same week but that could have been because I was in an end seat on a standing room only train.
LNW-GW Joint
Veteran Member
Refurbished units in the TfW fleet are now appearing with Wales & Borders branding.
That's the first time the franchise has recognized the "borders" in its branding.
One of these is 175 107, which was reduced to 2 coaches (one without aircon) on the Chester-Crewe shuttle today.
No change internally as far as I could see
That's the first time the franchise has recognized the "borders" in its branding.
One of these is 175 107, which was reduced to 2 coaches (one without aircon) on the Chester-Crewe shuttle today.
No change internally as far as I could see
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Yep saw it today. Still not moving.
tomwills98
Member
They are moving.... just pushed around by the 08 to different sheds. I'm surprised they are still an option given the pain they have caused.
DavidGrain
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Could someone remind me what the problem with the 769s is please. Is it mechanical or is it staff training?
krus_aragon
Established Member
From what's been posted on the forum, it's an issue with the clearance for the exhaust pipe. Unfortunately, because the exhaust pipe is considered an integral part of the engine system for emissions standards, the system needs to be re-accredited for any modification.
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tomwills98
Member
I don't think they've been used for staff training properly yet so I'll assume mechanical, but even then I don't know what's wrong with them. Have Northern got their's in service yet? (I know there's a thread, just a simple yes/no)
PHILIPE
Veteran Member
TFW have said they are hoping to start driver training in September. Rhymney Depot who are going to train initially are still tied up training on Class 37s.
There is ongoing discussion on the TFWs 769s here in a dedicated thread:-
www.railforums.co.uk/threads/transport-for-wales-769s.179770/page-4
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