FrodshamJnct
Established Member
Is there an update on the cause of the fire on 197104?
Facebook group says it was a fire bottle activation rather than an actual fire.
Is there an update on the cause of the fire on 197104?
That was said at the time but after a proper inspection at the depot there was evidence of a fire.Facebook group says it was a fire bottle activation rather than an actual fire.
In my experience, passengers are surprisingly clued up about the train types. I’ll often hear them appropriately pleased/upset when they see one approach, even if they don’t know what class it actually is (or that they even have classes).Indeed. And until all the 197s are on roster, I’d prefer that they run a pair of 150s ahead of a single 197 on busy services. Most passengers don’t pay much attention to the kind of rolling stock they’re on (and most are making shorter journeys anyway), but all notice having to stand.
Some are, but many aren't. I've had lots ask when the new trains are finally coming whilst on a 197 and some say how much nicer these new trains are whilst on a 153!!In my experience, passengers are surprisingly clued up about the train types. I’ll often hear them appropriately pleased/upset when they see one approach, even if they don’t know what class it actually is (or that they even have classes).
The most common comment I hear from TfW customers is "Oh god, did we get on the London train by mistake" when they see the MK4 reservations marked to London Kings Cross. That happens almost every time I take a MK4. It's shockingly poor that they didn't bother wiping those.In my experience, passengers are surprisingly clued up about the train types. I’ll often hear them appropriately pleased/upset when they see one approach, even if they don’t know what class it actually is (or that they even have classes).
Other than 1 coach that wont clear for some reason the rest were cleared off a long time ago. The company that gave the software weren't willing to provide their services for 3 sets but when it went to 7 they were all done so just display a generic barcode type thing now apart from the TOE of HD01 that does Still have the likes of Kings Cross, Peterborough and Grantham displayed.The most common comment I hear from TfW customers is "Oh god, did we get on the London train by mistake" when they see the MK4 reservations marked to London Kings Cross. That happens almost every time I take a MK4. It's shockingly poor that they didn't bother wiping those.
Can't the displays just be turned off?Other than 1 coach that wont clear for some reason the rest were cleared off a long time ago. The company that gave the software weren't willing to provide their services for 3 sets but when it went to 7 they were all done so just display a generic barcode type thing now apart from the TOE of HD01 that does Still have the likes of Kings Cross, Peterborough and Grantham displayed.
They actually are but they still display whatever was last on them.Can't the displays just be turned off?
A reference to the rough riding maybe?The guard on 197107 clearly doesn’t like 197s. “Right we’re finally approaching Cardiff, I have to say if you’ve sat on this since Holyhead you deserve some kind of medal”
It was on time arriving, so clearly it’s the stock he finds a challenge
Perhaps. It was a 3 carriage 197, and many long distances were two carriage 150s today. If those on the former deserve a medal, those on the latter deserve a trophy and a week in the Maldives.A reference to the rough riding maybe?
I overheard a conversation of TfW crew whilst on a 197 - most of it was spent complaining about them! They’re clearly not universally liked, to say the least…The guard on 197107 clearly doesn’t like 197s. “Right we’re finally approaching Cardiff, I have to say if you’ve sat on this since Holyhead you deserve some kind of medal”
It was on time arriving, so clearly it’s the stock he finds a challenge
That's a very polite way of putting itThey’re clearly not universally liked, to say the least…
No, but I'm asserting it anywayDo you have a source to back up this assertion, speaking as a Cardiff resident who has used to travel on 2.5-3.5 hour journeys to Whitland, Pembroke and Shrewsbury more times than I'd be able to count in the last few months?
Northern staff on the 195s seemed to absolutely hate them when they first came in. I think it's partly about getting used to new, and more complex, equipment.I overheard a conversation of TfW crew whilst on a 197 - most of it was spent complaining about them! They’re clearly not universally liked, to say the least…
I overheard a conversation of TfW crew whilst on a 197 - most of it was spent complaining about them! They’re clearly not universally liked, to say the least…
To be fair, my personal opinion is that as a driver there isn't a nicer train in the fleet to drive. A very comfortable drivers seat, with many options for adjustment, coupled to a decent HVAC system, quiet surroundings and a unit that's quicker to accelerate than anything in the fleet, makes for quite a pleasant place to spend your day. 67s are more fun, and give more of a full body workout, but 197s are much more relaxing.That's a very polite way of putting it
.Do you have a source to back up this assertion, speaking as a Cardiff resident who has used to travel on 2.5-3.5 hour journeys to Whitland, Pembroke and Shrewsbury more times than I'd be able to count in the last few months?
Unless things have changed since my ticket checking days (and from what I've seen looking out the cab window, it hasn't) it's a fair assertion. There are plenty of people making long journeys from Cardiff - but the majority are making shorter journeys. And for the Marches at least, the same holds throughout.No, but I'm asserting it anyway
Were there any complaints or comments made by staff and passengers of Northern/WMT 195s/196s about the ride quality?Northern staff on the 195s seemed to absolutely hate them when they first came in. I think it's partly about getting used to new, and more complex, equipment.
I was chatting to a Northern driver at Manchester Airport the other week who had just turned up to prep a unit. He asked to have a look at the 197 I was working and began ranting about 195s and what CAF stands for (Cheap as....)Were there any complaints or comments made by staff and passengers of Northern/WMT 195s/196s about the ride quality?
careful i got called out for suggesting they were as bad as 142sIt's the nearest thing us older northerners can get nowadays to a ride on a 142
I mean it's pretty insulting to the CAFs, really They have heating, air conditioning, tables, armrests, advanced PIS, accessible toilets, reservation systems, rapid acceleration, plug sockets, Wi-Fi, and god knows what else over a 142.careful i got called out for suggesting they were as bad as 142s
I wonder what most Northern passengers that use them would say. At one point, Northern was famous for being one of the most dire TOCs in the country. I personally think the widespread introduction of the CAFs have revolutionised it, and made the experience of catching a Northern service wholly nicer. (Even if the voice overs I did for them some years ago have since been removed )I was chatting to a Northern driver at Manchester Airport the other week who had just turned up to prep a unit. He asked to have a look at the 197 I was working and began ranting about 195s and what CAF stands for (Cheap as....)
I'm shocked that some still haven't learned how to work the doors. I still see them closing on people, and an elderly woman almost got trapped the other day. Even I know you need to keep your finger pressed down with these.I overheard a conversation of TfW crew whilst on a 197 - most of it was spent complaining about them! They’re clearly not universally liked, to say the least…
Agreed. Unfortunately, it’s been the complete opposite so far! I do think they can pull it off, but it’ll take a lot of work.The second paragraph above could be the crucial factor. With the Welsh Government having devolved powers for Transport TfW really need to show the improvements before the upcoming General Election. The already announced cuts in capital expenditure are bound to affect transport but it would be suicidal for the Government to announce these beforehand. This therefore gives TfW about a year at least to put together a transport system that the people deserve and have and will continue to pay for and to be proud of.
I can guess that the next government will get the credit (or blame) for the efforts of the current Welsh government. That is because things take so long to come to fruition (it is unavoidable).Agreed. Unfortunately, it’s been the complete opposite so far! I do think they can pull it off, but it’ll take a lot of work.
In theory yes but in reality it's not that simple. To get 150s onto the Bidston you need to cycle units through the North again as they'll need to be maintained at Canton so that needs further Marches runs to facilitate that. They used to swap on the late night service to Crewe and run ecs to Chester but that no longer works as some days when it's booked to come off Crewe the Bidston unit and the Bleanau unit run together to Chester so if ones a 150 and ones a 197 it requires an additional empty stock.There are currently two 197s on the Wrexham - Bidston line (which used to be 150 operation?) to cover for the 230 shambles. This is about an hour journey and kind of a commuter service. At the same time 150s are still being put on west Wales - Manchester services due to a lack of 197s to cover everything. Surely there is an obvious swap here?!
IIRC North crews are no longer being trained on 150s, so there's a potential risk of services not running due to crew traction knowledgeThere are currently two 197s on the Wrexham - Bidston line (which used to be 150 operation?) to cover for the 230 shambles. This is about an hour journey and kind of a commuter service. At the same time 150s are still being put on west Wales - Manchester services due to a lack of 197s to cover everything. Surely there is an obvious swap here?!
Currently en route to Holyhead then works 16:36 Holyhead to Cardiff then onto Canton for the night.What is 197107 on today?
There were 2x 230s on this morning but 230010 seems to have been replaced by a 197 at some pointThere are currently two 197s on the Wrexham - Bidston line (which used to be 150 operation?) to cover for the 230 shambles. This is about an hour journey and kind of a commuter service. At the same time 150s are still being put on west Wales - Manchester services due to a lack of 197s to cover everything. Surely there is an obvious swap here?!