There’s very specific testing and milestones to be completed and achieved, and then staff training that has to be done.
The CAF logo has gone up at Chester depot, replacing Alstom.
These units were needed several years ago - the loss of the 150s only makes it even worse. However......
..... This is exactly the issue. I'm not sure why people think TfW would be any happier than anyone else is at the ongoing delays; they want these units in service ASAP.
It does but it's not really news - CAF were always meant to be taking over the depot, and that has gone ahead. They are also taking over maintenance of the 175s at least in the short term.
I think Cambrian testing when it happens, usually late at night. Line is placed into engineering block that allows testing to happen. Train movements will not show on OTT line map.
Hmm, I did wonder. And that's despite the train between Machynlleth and Welshpool/Shrewsbury I was referring to showing up (as 5Z97 IIRC)?
5Z97 would have been it delivered to Machynlleth. Test trains are normally 3Qxx If they rae in the system. There has been no further tests on the Cambrian thus far.
Stored at Donnington Rail Freight Terminal are: 5x Class 197/0, 197103, 197009, 197012,197104 and 197018. Stored at Bicester MOD are: 197006,197007 and 197008. Haven't been to Donnington for a little while but that's what I have at the moment.
I was under the impression they had gone for storage at Bicester MOD? Why would they have moved?
Anyone know when 197018 arrived?
30/6/22 when I saw it so during that week it arrived.
There are eight unnumbered sets at Donny
Wonderful rate of progress. The 197s have really rather shown up other classes so far, including their own sister fleet of the West Midlands.
In my opinion, 197s. Purely because the Mk4s aren't meant to start until December, and I don't know whether they've yet been cleared between Shrewsbury and Crewe.
Hopefully this should mean a solid 175 service on Manchester Milford Haven at last, with 175s taken off Llandudno Manchester allowing them to get rid of the odd 153 pair (like the one running this route today while a 175 does Liverpool shuttles!) and 158.
I think the intendion on my understanding is the 197001/02, 197004-197021 & 197101-112 are to replace everything 175 operated. The will start on the Blaenau branch and Chester-Liverpool. The 175 withdrawal will start 175 for a 197 on individual basis until 175s are all gone.
I believe the plan was recently changed and the 175s would be leaving later than expected now. It was mentioned upthread by @wobman I think, but I don't know for certain.
