Class 175 to GWR

[RPI]

If traincrew and engineering familiarisation only start at the end of November with just two units transferred, it seems a stretch to think that some will be available by mid-December.

Last I saw the plan was for May 2025 introduction?

 

[John R]

Last I saw the plan was for May 2025 introduction?

Which seems a much more realistic timeframe.

 

[TurboMan]

Will they be coming down on own power or dragged?

Not sure, the original plan was for the units to move under their own power, but that may have changed to being dragged after 2 units failed at March on one of the moves from Landore to Ely.

 

[GoneSouth]

Not sure, the original plan was for the units to move under their own power, but that may have changed to being dragged after 2 units failed at March on one of the moves from Landore to Ely.

Oh dear, that’s not a great start

 

[BillStampy]

Not sure, the original plan was for the units to move under their own power, but that may have changed to being dragged after 2 units failed at March on one of the moves from Landore to Ely.

I feel as if a double fail on two units can't just result in the entire fleet being dragged down, unless ROG really want to flex their 37s

 

[Whistler40145]

Are there drivers with the necessary route and traction knowledge to take the units from Ely to Laira?

 

[fgwrich]

Are there drivers with the necessary route and traction knowledge to take the units from Ely to Laira?

Knowing ROG, I'm sure someone will be available. Most did manage Landore to Ely down the Great Western, and ROG has conducted many a Laira to Elly move in the past (sadly).

 

[Whistler40145]

Knowing ROG, I'm sure someone will be available. Most did manage Landore to Ely down the Great Western, and ROG has conducted many a Laira to Elly move in the past (sadly).

Thank you

 

[northernbelle]

Will they be coming down on own power or dragged?

I expect they will be dragged as per all recent 175 moves.

 

[Express380]

Not sure, the original plan was for the units to move under their own power, but that may have changed to being dragged after 2 units failed at March on one of the moves from Landore to Ely.

I expect they will be dragged as per all recent 175 moves.

Many thanks for the responses

 

[Harpo]

I expect they will be dragged as per all recent 175 moves.

Useful first bit of training for GWR staff? How to attach/detach a loco with a 175.

 

[GW43125]

Useful first bit of training for GWR staff? How to attach/detach a loco with a 175.

Might need it if their reliability is anything like their 125mph cousins...

 

[Russel]

Might need it if their reliability is anything like their 125mph cousins...

Item 1 on the first day of training, location of fire extinguishers...

 

[BillStampy]

If you maintain the units properly I'm sure they'll be fine, only reason most caught fire in the first place was slipping maintenance during the switchover. Although, if you don't, you may want to know where the fire extinguishers are...

 

[RPI]

Most have been stored for a year or more now, until they get back into regular use there will be some issues

 

[fgwrich]

Most have been stored for a year or more now, until they get back into regular use there will be some issues

Indeed, coupled with Laira having to get to grips with their foibles too. But I’m sure they’ll get them to settle down and be great units for the West Country.

 

[Thornaby 37]

Thanks @Mag_seven . The first two class 175 units are due to move to Laira later this month, one 2-car on 19th November, one 3-car on 26th. This is for the start of traincrew/engineering familiarisation, but the units won't be seen on the mainline just yet.

Out of curiosity, are the first movements to Laira expected to come from Ely or Landore ?

 

[simonmpoulton]

I don't understand why people keep bashing the reliability of these units. When they were maintained properly in Arriva Trains Wales days there were very few issues with them - I personally only remember one fire incident back then and it was with 175109. The major problems started when CAF took over the maintenance from Alstom.

I'm sure if GWR maintain them properly they will provide years of reliable service.

 

[Doomotron]

The question is whether GWR are capable of actually maintaining them properly.

I don't understand why people keep bashing the reliability of these units. When they were maintained properly in Arriva Trains Wales days there were very few issues with them - I personally only remember one fire incident back then and it was with 175109. The major problems started when CAF took over the maintenance from Alstom.

I'm sure if GWR maintain them properly they will provide years of reliable service.

 

[Towers]

The question is whether GWR are capable of actually maintaining them properly.

Why do you say that? GWR have decades of experience of running ageing DMU fleets on very intensive diagrams, from sheds in both Exeter and Bristol, not to mention huge experience in maintaining their former HST fleet. They were also credited with achieving a hitherto unseen degree of reliability out of the closely related class 180s when they returned there for a second life. It has been repeated many a time that the current fleet availability issues are being excacerbated by a general lack of spares for second gen fleets across the network, that’s not GWR’s fault!

 

[RPI]

The question is whether GWR are capable of actually maintaining them properly.

Well, look at the evidence, they manage to keep an incredibly aged and mix matched west fleet going pretty well, hampered in the main by the supply chain!

 

[TurboMan]

Out of curiosity, are the first movements to Laira expected to come from Ely or Landore ?

Ely. There aren't any units left at Landore.

 

[BillStampy]

Ely. There aren't any units left at Landore.

There's a few, I'm talking 2 or 3, left at Landore now. Rest are at Ely.

 

[43096]

There's a few, I'm talking 2 or 3, left at Landore now. Rest are at Ely.

Think it is four units still on handback repairs and therefore still on lease to TfW.

 

[Doomotron]

Why do you say that? GWR have decades of experience of running ageing DMU fleets on very intensive diagrams, from sheds in both Exeter and Bristol, not to mention huge experience in maintaining their former HST fleet. They were also credited with achieving a hitherto unseen degree of reliability out of the closely related class 180s when they returned there for a second life. It has been repeated many a time that the current fleet availability issues are being excacerbated by a general lack of spares for second gen fleets across the network, that’s not GWR’s fault!

It's been quite a while since they had 180s, and past success is not a guarantee of future success either. We'll have to wait and see.

 

[Whistler40145]

Getting the 175s in service is first priority before even thinking about 180s

 

[Doomotron]

Getting the 175s in service is first priority before even thinking about 180s

Who was thinking about 180s? I'm just comparing them.

 

[TurboMan]

The first two class 175 units are due to move to Laira later this month, one 2-car on 19th November, one 3-car on 26th. This is for the start of traincrew/engineering familiarisation, but the units won't be seen on the mainline just yet.

An update on this, the 2-car on the 19th is 175002 and the 3-car on the 26th is 175108.

 

[fgwrich]

An update on this, the 2-car on the 19th is 175002 and the 3-car on the 26th is 175108.

Minorly interesting pairing as they both ran as a pair from Landore to Ely on the 22nd of August.

 

[BillStampy]

By the looks of it, it'll be dragged, since I've just seen 5L46 from Derby to Ely but no return in yet, we'll see what happens with that, just a quick look though.