Class 153 updates.

[adrock1976]

Correct, they're overnighting in Carmarthen. Going to Cardiff in the morning and on to Canton, then in the afternoon they're back out with a trip to Swansea and then on to Fishguard.

Many thanks.

 

[Jez]

Thought id post this here as its mainly to do with 153s.

I have a query about how TFW are swapping 153s between Canton and Swansea/Carmarthen for the Heart of Wales services. Before Covid the morning and late evening swanline services were I think used to swap 153s I think. But of course now due to the reduced timetable most Swanline servies are incorporated into the Manchester timetable and the only other one comes from Holyhead and returns to Chester. All of these are booked 175s.

The only services I can see that are not booked 175 between Carmarthen and Cardiff are 0500, 0613, 1347 and 1850. In the other direction between Cardiff and Carmarthen the 0632, 1602, 1806 (to Swansea but thank may end up in Carmarthen?), 2108 and possible the 2315 (although ive seen a 175 recently). Are any of these used to swap 153s for HOW or are they swapped on the evening Cardiff-Shrewsbury/Crewe via the marches.

 

[47827]

Thought id post this here as its mainly to do with 153s.

I have a query about how TFW are swapping 153s between Canton and Swansea/Carmarthen for the Heart of Wales services. Before Covid the morning and late evening swanline services were I think used to swap 153s I think. But of course now due to the reduced timetable most Swanline servies are incorporated into the Manchester timetable and the only other one comes from Holyhead and returns to Chester. All of these are booked 175s.

The only services I can see that are not booked 175 between Carmarthen and Cardiff are 0500, 0613, 1347 and 1850. In the other direction between Cardiff and Carmarthen the 0632, 1602, 1806 (to Swansea but thank may end up in Carmarthen?), 2108 and possible the 2315 (although ive seen a 175 recently). Are any of these used to swap 153s for HOW or are they swapped on the evening Cardiff-Shrewsbury/Crewe via the marches.

It's probably one Craigybagel could answer better but at one time the 153s or units off the Heart of Wales circuits also used to link in with other stuff that overnighted at Crewe and there were a few services via the Marches in early mornings and late evenings that sets could be attached to in order to allow swaps. Before 175s on the Marches it was easy with the numbers of 158s on that route. The 153s that work off Chester/the Coast on a limited number of services also presumably have to find something that isn't a 175 on the Marches to get to and from Canton. I've seen 150s using the same methods to get to or from South Wales. Sorry if I can't be any more specific as I don't have the most up to date knowledge.

Realtime Trains | 1V89 0610 Shrewsbury to Cardiff Central | 10/01/2022

Real-time train running information for 1V89 0610 departure from Shrewsbury to Cardiff Central on 10/01/2022. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

The above service appears to one timed to allowed for these sprinter swaps. Whether its used in practice, you'd have to watch the allocations regularly.

 

[craigybagel]

There are still the same trains that have been used for years to get Sprinters between the North and South - namely, 2155 Cardiff - Crewe and 2309 Shrewsbury - Cardiff. The former is currently booked for a 150+153 with the 153 coming off at Shrewsbury. I'm not sure what's actually booked for the latter but it's notorious for having all sorts turning up on it with formations wildly different from night to night.

In days gone by these were only normally used for rotating the 150s, with the 153s rotating via the HOWL, but with most of the former 150 turns outside of Cardiff being replaced with 153s, they're now a much more common sight on these services as well.

 

[Anonymous10]

Thought id post this here as its mainly to do with 153s.

I have a query about how TFW are swapping 153s between Canton and Swansea/Carmarthen for the Heart of Wales services. Before Covid the morning and late evening swanline services were I think used to swap 153s I think. But of course now due to the reduced timetable most Swanline servies are incorporated into the Manchester timetable and the only other one comes from Holyhead and returns to Chester. All of these are booked 175s.

The only services I can see that are not booked 175 between Carmarthen and Cardiff are 0500, 0613, 1347 and 1850. In the other direction between Cardiff and Carmarthen the 0632, 1602, 1806 (to Swansea but thank may end up in Carmarthen?), 2108 and possible the 2315 (although ive seen a 175 recently). Are any of these used to swap 153s for HOW or are they swapped on the evening Cardiff-Shrewsbury/Crewe via the marches.

i believe theres a cardiff to Fishguard returning to carmarthen service usually a 3 car unit it's possible they use this to rota units on and off howl and Pembroke dock branch also think 2 services on howl either start or finish here

 

[Caaardiff]

According to the RTT website, both of my final 153s for haulage are coupled together today (320+935), however not where I would have preferred them to be i.e. around the Crewe area.

They were on the Fishguard Harbour workings today (28/12/21) and I cannot find any trace of their movements after the 19:05 Fishguard - Carmarthen (see https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:C24964/2021-12-28/detailed). Initially, I thought they would return to Cardiff on the 2012, but that is a 175.

Will these be overnighting in Carmarthen, as I cannot find any further workings (assuming there has been no swaps mid diagram)?

They are currently working Chester - Liverpool services today so will likely be around Chester for a few days.

 

[Jez]

Thank you for the replies.

I the Liverpool to Chester back to being booked for a pair 153s? Or are they just covering. I thought the only 153s booked for the North are the pair that due Crewe-Chester and possibly one for Conwy Valley.

 

[craigybagel]

Thank you for the replies.

I the Liverpool to Chester back to being booked for a pair 153s? Or are they just covering. I thought the only 153s booked for the North are the pair that due Crewe-Chester and possibly one for Conwy Valley.

Liverpool - Chester and Conwy Valley are suspended from today owing to the emergency timetable.

The only other booked 153 work I'm aware of in the North you've not mentioned is the single unit on the Crewe - Shrewsbury local. They do tend to turn up all over the place at the moment however covering for other units - basically what the 150s used to do before most of them were required to stay on the Valleys. There are even 153s on one of the MKIV diagrams today.

The two units you're after are on Crewe - Chester shuttles all day today.

 

[adrock1976]

They are currently working Chester - Liverpool services today so will likely be around Chester for a few days.

Liverpool - Chester and Conwy Valley are suspended from today owing to the emergency timetable.

The only other booked 153 work I'm aware of in the North you've not mentioned is the single unit on the Crewe - Shrewsbury local. They do tend to turn up all over the place at the moment however covering for other units - basically what the 150s used to do before most of them were required to stay on the Valleys. There are even 153s on one of the MKIV diagrams today.

The two units you're after are on Crewe - Chester shuttles all day today.

Many thanks both.

I've had a look at the RTT website, and it appears that the 153s are on Aberystwyth - Birmingham International (coupled to a 158 at Shrewsbury as they do not have the ERTMS equipment fitted), 11:06 International - Holyhead (the 158 uncoupling at Shrewsbury), and 15:38 Holyhead - International for today.

I will try to get them today.

 

[Phil Scott]

153364 has apparently been disposed of for scrap from Burton to Sims at Beeston. Wonder if 153366 will follow?

 

[50002Superb]

153364 has apparently been disposed of for scrap from Burton to Sims at Beeston. Wonder if 153366 will follow?

I just passed a 153 on a low loader this morning on the A52.

Was that 364 or has it already been cut?

 

[ExRes]

I just passed a 153 on a low loader this morning on the A52.

Was that 364 or has it already been cut?

That was 364, there are a couple of photos on WNXX (subscription) of it being loaded yesterday

 

[47827]

Pretty sure these could be the first production run sprinter vehicles to be scrapped. With the way these and other vehicles from those classes have found uses and evaded scrap many times in recent years I was half surprised nothing miraculously came up at the 11th hour to save them. Then again they can't live forever.

 

[43096]

Pretty sure these could be the first production run sprinter vehicles to be scrapped. With the way these and other vehicles from those classes have found uses and evaded scrap many times in recent years I was half surprised nothing miraculously came up at the 11th hour to save them. Then again they can't live forever.

153302 went to Kingsbury for disposal a few months back. It was the first Sprinter vehicle to be disposed of as surplus.

 

[LowLevel]

Pretty sure these could be the first production run sprinter vehicles to be scrapped. With the way these and other vehicles from those classes have found uses and evaded scrap many times in recent years I was half surprised nothing miraculously came up at the 11th hour to save them. Then again they can't live forever.

Such is life - they've had their time. The ex LM ones at Burton were bound for Wales until one of the units being transferred blew up south of Birmingham and wrecked the rake, they were returned to Burton in disgrace and they got some more ex EMR ones instead.

 

[fgwrich]

Such is life - they've had their time. The ex LM ones at Burton were bound for Wales until one of the units being transferred blew up south of Birmingham and wrecked the rake, they were returned to Burton in disgrace and they got some more ex EMR ones instead.

Indeed, and somewhat ironically most are the ex Wales and West / Great Western 153s.

 

[warwickshire]

Such is life - they've had their time. The ex LM ones at Burton were bound for Wales until one of the units being transferred blew up south of Birmingham and wrecked the rake, they were returned to Burton in disgrace and they got some more ex EMR ones instead.

Wasn't 153364 the one with the damaged Cardon shaft. That eventually got moved to burton.
However has just been moved by road due to it being to far damaged to go by rail for scrap.

 

[Mat17]

Pretty sure these could be the first production run sprinter vehicles to be scrapped.

No they aren't. At least one, possibly two accident damaged class 150 vehicles were scrapped some years ago, one at Vic Berry I believe.

 

[HamworthyGoods]

Pretty sure these could be the first production run sprinter vehicles to be scrapped. With the way these and other vehicles from those classes have found uses and evaded scrap many times in recent years I was half surprised nothing miraculously came up at the 11th hour to save them. Then again they can't live forever.

153302 has already been shredded

No they aren't. At least one, possibly two accident damaged class 150 vehicles were scrapped some years ago, one at Vic Berry I believe.

Correct, 2 x 150/2s were involved in collisions early in life and each lost a vehicle, one at Seamer and one at St Helen’s. The remaining two vehicles formed a hybrid set.

 

[43096]

Correct, 2 x 150/2s were involved in collisions early in life and each lost a vehicle, one at Seamer and one at St Helen’s. The remaining two vehicles formed a hybrid set.

There was also 52861 from 158861 that was written off in a collision at Hazel Grove and replaced by a spare bodyshell.

 

[50002Superb]

That was 364, there are a couple of photos on WNXX (subscription) of it being loaded yesterday

Thanks, I might try and get a pic in the morning.

 

[43102EMR]

Such is life - they've had their time. The ex LM ones at Burton were bound for Wales until one of the units being transferred blew up south of Birmingham and wrecked the rake, they were returned to Burton in disgrace and they got some more ex EMR ones instead.

I was looking forward to seeing the ex-LM livery with TfW branding… but as you said, such is life. Transferring the ex-EMR ones made sense as they were the ex-GWR examples which recently had repaints.

 

[Neptune]

153302 has already been shredded



Correct, 2 x 150/2s were involved in collisions early in life and each lost a vehicle, one at Seamer and one at St Helen’s. The remaining two vehicles formed a hybrid set.

52212 from Seamer and 52209 from St Helen’s.

 

[meld3]

That was 364, there are a couple of photos on WNXX (subscription) of it being loaded yesterday

WNXX pictures say its 366 being loaded ??
Has 364 already gone maybe ?

 

[Pkh72]

153366 was the unit taken out of Burton last night, 153364 is still in one piece in the yard for the time being.

 

[ExRes]

WNXX pictures say its 366 being loaded ??
Has 364 already gone maybe ?

Cheeky devils, it definitely said 364 this morning, honest guv .........

 

[RodS]

153364 has apparently been disposed of for scrap from Burton to Sims at Beeston. Wonder if 153366 will follow?

An ex-LM 153 body is now at Sims McIntyre's. Bodyshell is complete except for doors and most windows. Numbers appear to have been cut out, so unable to confirm which vehicle!

 

[45076]

An ex-LM 153 body is now at Sims McIntyre's. Bodyshell is complete except for doors and most windows. Numbers appear to have been cut out, so unable to confirm which vehicle!

According to WNXX it definitely is 153364. It was loaded at Burton on the transporter that delivered 47640 to Nemesis. 364 was the first 153 I have rode on. RIP

 

[Pkh72]

As stated above, it’s 153366 that has left Burton for scrap. 153364 is still in one piece at Burton.
It was also a different transporter to that which delivered the 47.

 

[NoOnesFool]

A quick question are the Long Marston Storage facilities the Porterbrook Innovation Centre or somewhere else?