TfW ‘Active Travel’ Class 153s

[50002Superb]

Is there a list of the current diagrams that the AT units are supposed to be allocated to as it stands please?

 

[tfw756rider]

(...) I think there are several things about their condition that are disappointing.

(...) ...the second one I travelled on only the other day, AT02 on the early-morning 2M00 0448 Carmarthen-Shrewsbury, had several issues.

For one, the heating was faulty, apparently tripping on and off in 153528 according to the Carmarthen-Llandrindod guard, but not working sufficiently in 153353 either (...)

Also, the interior engine sounds of the two vehicles were very different to each other. 153353's interior engine sound was completely normal, but 153528's interior engine sound was a very strange and relatively unpleasant sort-of groaning/straining sound that I don't know how else to explain, if anyone else knows what I mean, or what the cause of that would be?

Finally, there were interior condition issues on 153353, such as the wood grain-effect vinyl veneer missing from one table (therefore it had a bare Medium Density Fibreboard - or whatever - table top, complete with the stains you'd expect from the use of that), at least one rubber window seal that looked like it had somehow been chewed at, and ex-Arriva Trains Wales "Smile, You're on Camera" notices on some of the windows - would they be difficult to remove or something? (I'm not sure if the lop-sided moquette on probably a small proportion of the seats counts, but, although obviously not the end of the world, it's still not ideal from a quality standpoint).

I do appreciate the work that has been done (I know member(s) of the team that did it are on this site), and I know this is old equipment, but it would just be nice if the issues (or some of them) were "looked at"

I since saw Transport for Wales' mention of a launch event in the summer for these sets. Are any of the issues going to be fixed in time for that, or are they just going to use the set with the least issues / that's in the best condition?

 

[sd0733]

Is there a list of the current diagrams that the AT units are supposed to be allocated to as it stands please?

While there's only a couple of sets and the Heart of Wales is closed beyond Llandrindod they're booked to be mostly in the North on Shrewsbury to Crewe and Llandrindod workings to try and minimise 150s in the area, as @craigybagel says crew knowledge in the north is dwindling on them.

Once the line reopens fully and the New diagrams are in place they are booked to spread their wings to Crewe, Fishguard and Swanline alongside their Heart of Wales work.

 

[50002Superb]

While there's only a couple of sets and the Heart of Wales is closed beyond Llandrindod they're booked to be mostly in the North on Shrewsbury to Crewe and Llandrindod workings to try and minimise 150s in the area, as @craigybagel says crew knowledge in the north is dwindling on them.

Once the line reopens fully and the New diagrams are in place they are booked to spread their wings to Crewe, Fishguard and Swanline alongside their Heart of Wales work.

Noted thanks, it’s difficult to track them at the moment via RTT, I think due to the new AT numbering

 

[47444]

Pairings so far are:
AT02- 153528+153353
AT03- 153531+153303
AT04- 153552+153382

To come are (formations expected but may yet change before released)
AT01- 153507+153312
AT05- 153568+153327
AT06- 153572+153318

Spare vehicle- 153362

Am I right in thinking that these 13 class 153 cars will be (or may already be) the only 153s staying with TfW?

 

[Anonymous10]

Am I right in thinking that these 13 class 153 cars will be (or may already be) the only 153s staying with TfW?

They're the only ones left.

 

[47444]

They're the only ones left.

Thanks

 

[Jez]

AT02 ran the 1543 Cardiff - Swansea (Swanline) on Friday. Was my first ride on one. Is that a regular diagram?

I managed to get an active travel set on this journey today (Id done a journey on Swanline to get 197035 and this was my return journey). It was very busy so sat on one of the 'side seats' by the bike area.

I was quite surprised to see this as for some reason I expected a 197. I totally forgot the Sprinters still have a few booked diagrams on Swanline!

It was 153552+153382 which I think was the same one I had on my first journey back in February.

 

[Kite159]

I wonder if at any point the allocations will show on RTT, even just as the 'AT' numbers.

 

[Jez]

I wonder if at any point the allocations will show on RTT, even just as the 'AT' numbers.

It would be very useful if they did. I only noticed the number after I had got off the train and it was departing.

 

[sd0733]

I was quite surprised to see this as for some reason I expected a 197. I totally forgot the Sprinters still have a few booked diagrams on Swanline!

That one looks to continue into the new timetable too, a few booked 'AT's on the Swanline.

 

[Jez]

That one looks to continue into the new timetable too, a few booked 'AT's on the Swanline.

Yeah I should have known it was booked a Sprinter but for some reason I totally forgot today lol

Out of interest which ones are booked for Sprinters from the new timetable? The 0827 from Swansea-Cardiff still?

 

[sd0733]

Yeah I should have known it was booked a Sprinter but for some reason I totally forgot today lol

Out of interest which ones are booked for Sprinters from the new timetable? The 0827 from Swansea-Cardiff still?

The ones I can see that yes the 08:27 Swansea to Cardiff and 15:43 return is both the same pair of 153s, goes ECS to Swansea with a 150 for the Heart of Wales (the 150 will change to an AT unit before long), upto Cardiff on the 08:27 sits at Canton until the 15:43 then goes to Fishguard and back to Carmarthen for and spends the night there ready for Heart of Wales services next day.

 

[Jez]

The ones I can see that yes the 08:27 Swansea to Cardiff and 15:43 return is both the same pair of 153s, goes ECS to Swansea with a 150 for the Heart of Wales (the 150 will change to an AT unit before long), upto Cardiff on the 08:27 sits at Canton until the 15:43 then goes to Fishguard and back to Carmarthen for and spends the night there ready for Heart of Wales services next day.

Thank you.

 

[D6975]

Seen on 15/05/25 at St Georges Church UWC (just west of Cardiff) ecs LE to CF. (552+382)

 

[BillStampy]

Just had my first experience with one of the new sets, formed of AT03 AND AT04 on 2B73 today (happened yesterday too). Both go on to form services to Llanelli and Fishguard later.

The seats are about as I expected from previous comments but are still bearable but the bike space is lovely and spacious. I do love the livery, too!

 

[Jez]

Just had my first experience with one of the new sets, formed of AT03 AND AT04 on 2B73 today (happened yesterday too). Both go on to form services to Llanelli and Fishguard later.

The seats are about as I expected from previous comments but are still bearable but the bike space is lovely and spacious. I do love the livery, too!

I guess as now HOWL services in the South they are using one to run the evening Llanelli. Surprised they are bothering with that to be honest as it mainly exists so the set can run back ECS via the Swansea District Line I assume to keep train crew route knowledge up to date.

I love the livery too but wish they had done both units in each set the same. I know the other unit isnt an active travel carriage but it would have looked nice if the colours were the same I think.

 

[BillStampy]

Surprised they are bothering with that to be honest as it mainly exists so the set can run back ECS via the Swansea District Line I assume to keep train crew route knowledge up to date.

Especially as 153s are now becoming a bit of a rarity with most of the fleet stood down at Landore!