Cross Country class 170 off of their usual routes.

[swt class 450]

Does anyone know any other AXC 170 units that have been off route? I am trying to make a list of all the days and units. So far i know of these.

14/01/2017 - 170 105 - Manchester Piccadilly
23/07/2016 - 170 518 + 170 522 - Manchester Piccadilly
12/03/2016 - 170 114 + 170 521 - Bristol Parkway
12/03/2016 - 170 114 + 170 521 - Manchester Piccadilly
12/01/2014 - 170 113 + 170 117 - Manchester Piccadilly
14/07/2013 - 170 523 - Manchester Piccadilly

It must be a nice surprise for passengers when they get a 170 instead of the usual 220 or 221. Turbostars are a million times better to travel on than Voyagers (or Pendolinos).

Also are they able to go anywhere else off route other than Bristol Parkway and Manchester Piccadilly? For example could they go to Guildford if neccesary? I presume that only some Drivers and some Guards are trained on 170s?

 

[168lover]

I seem to remember a few months back Cross Country 170s working Leamington Spa-Coventry Shuttles due to disruption somewhere.

 

[Bletchleyite]

It must be a nice surprise for passengers when they get a 170 instead of the usual 220 or 221.

Provided they get two of them. Rather an uncomfortable seat than no seat...

 

[185143]

I saw one in Manchester after a United match once... I was just leaving on a pendo though so didnt get the unit number.

 

[TheBigD]

All of XC's 170's have visited Clacton for a week or 2...

Doesn't happen now as the traincrew route knowledge has been removed but Birmingham-Stansted services used to be diverted via Nottingham and Grantham on quite a few Saturdays and Sundays due to engineering work...

 

[swt class 450]

Thanks for all of the info. Out of interest what were they doing at Clacton On Sea?

I have also now remembered that 170 113 and 170 117 visited Manchester Piccadilly on the 12/01/2014.

 

[TheBigD]

Thanks for all of the info. Out of interest what were they doing at Clacton On Sea?

They were refurbished there back in 2009...

 

[swt class 450]

They were refurbished there back in 2009...

Ok. Thanks for the info. I forgot about those refurbishments.

 

[PHILIPE]

Reported that 170 working 1V55 XC Manchester Picc to Exeter today and will terminate Bristol Parkway due to route restriction reasons. Subsequent working not yet known.

 

[swt class 450]

Reported that 170 working 1V55 XC Manchester Picc to Exeter today and will terminate Bristol Parkway due to route restriction reasons. Subsequent working not yet known.

Thanks for the info. Thats good to hear. I dont suppose you know the unit number(s) yet?

 

[LowLevel]

170105.

 

[Minilad]

170 Only working as far as New St. Will set swop for a Voyager there

 

[XCTurbostar]

You can tell its a Class 170 because its just loosing time on the Voyager diagram!

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/P31973/2017/01/14/advanced

Looks like it will be swapped with this;
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/O64063/2017/01/14/advanced

Thanks,
Ross

 

[Class 170101]

You can tell its a Class 170 because its just loosing time on the Voyager diagram!

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/P31973/2017/01/14/advanced

Looks like it will be swapped with this;
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/O64063/2017/01/14/advanced

Thanks,
Ross

Not as much as I would have expected though.

 

[Ze Random One]

Not as much as I would have expected though.

Most of the route between Bristol and Birmingham is 90 or 100mph, with lower limits up the Lickey and along the cross-city

 

[Minilad]

Most of the route between Bristol and Birmingham is 90 or 100mph, with lower limits up the Lickey and along the cross-city

But it didn't go that far. Was set swopped at New St. A Voyager took over for the rest of the way

 

[craigybagel]

Also are they able to go anywhere else off route other than Bristol Parkway and Manchester Piccadilly? For example could they go to Guildford if neccesary? I presume that only some Drivers and some Guards are trained on 170s?

AIUI when the 170s run off route they have to carry two guards - a TM and a Senior Conductor. The senior conductors don't sign the routes worked by Voyagers and the TM's don't sign 170s, so both need to be on board.

 

[221129]

AIUI when the 170s run off route they have to carry two guards - a TM and a Senior Conductor. The senior conductors don't sign the routes worked by Voyagers and the TM's don't sign 170s, so both need to be on board.

Not entirely true, some TMs know 170s.

 

[craigybagel]

Not entirely true, some TMs know 170s.

Really? Seems odd given that TMs and SCs are on completely different contracts.....

 

[221129]

Really? Seems odd given that TMs and SCs are on completely different contracts.....

Some TMs that were SCs have retained traction knowledge for 170s so Yes really...

 

[craigybagel]

Some TMs that were SCs have retained traction knowledge for 170s so Yes really...

But are they still permitted to use that knowledge once they change from one side to the other? Genuinely curious - I know some TOCs allow you to retain previous route/traction knowledge if you move depots whilst at others (including my own) anything you signed at your old depot that isn't signed at your new depot comes off your card the day you transfer. Given how many years they've been one company and the guards are still on two separate contracts (despite the driver's now working both fleets) it seems strange to me that the union's would permit such things to take place....

 

[221129]

But are they still permitted to use that knowledge once they change from one side to the other? Genuinely curious - I know some TOCs allow you to retain previous route/traction knowledge if you move depots whilst at others (including my own) anything you signed at your old depot that isn't signed at your new depot comes off your card the day you transfer. Given how many years they've been one company and the guards are still on two separate contracts (despite the driver's now working both fleets) it seems strange to me that the union's would permit such things to take place....

As far as I'm aware, but will ask when I am back in work tomorrow. Only would be for shortages though and not day to day.

 

[Jonfun]

But are they still permitted to use that knowledge once they change from one side to the other? Genuinely curious - I know some TOCs allow you to retain previous route/traction knowledge if you move depots whilst at others (including my own) anything you signed at your old depot that isn't signed at your new depot comes off your card the day you transfer. Given how many years they've been one company and the guards are still on two separate contracts (despite the driver's now working both fleets) it seems strange to me that the union's would permit such things to take place....

It has happened in the past.

Whether it should have is an entirely different argument altogether and I suspect the answers will differ depending on who you ask!

 

[ValleyLines142]

170112 worked the 0809 Nottingham to Cardiff yesterday with 3 cars, the centre being from 170110! What is that all about?

 

[PHILIPE]

170112 worked the 0809 Nottingham to Cardiff yesterday with 3 cars, the centre being from 170110! What is that all about?

Damaged car when 110 ran into cattle near Lydney so making use of the good one. Much like GWR 150938

http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=135086

 

[craigybagel]

It has happened in the past.

Whether it should have is an entirely different argument altogether and I suspect the answers will differ depending on who you ask!

Thanks, I did wonder if it was something like that!

 

[LowLevel]

Bristol based senior conductors (odd I know!) also sign both 22X and 170.

 

[craigybagel]

Bristol based senior conductors (odd I know!) also sign both 22X and 170.

Bristol drivers sign both. Unless it's a very recent change the Bristol SC's don't.....

 

[Crossover]

I have a photo taken from Crewe North Jn Signalbox of a 170 heading through Crewe to Manchester back in 2011 - if I remember correctly, the route via Stoke was shut for engineering work that day so Crewe was a bit busy!

 

[221129]

Bristol based senior conductors (odd I know!) also sign both 22X and 170.

Do they?