TfW 15x/17x withdrawals (17x now finished)

[SuperLuke2334]

109 now unallocated. Doesn't seem to be any out now sadly!

 

[sd0733]

10:30 Cardiff to Cheltenham looks like it's been swapped for a 150? https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:L98799/2023-10-15/detailed

Certainly looks to have been. Internal system now shows a 150 too although a different one to RTT!

 

[Anonymous10]

Sounds about right. From what I know the PRM lites won't be converted but those along with the ACUs will have their small toilets re-activated as there's now a solution to getting the tank for those which I believe Scotrail have done.


109 is booked:
10:30 Cardiff to Cheltenham
12:35 Cheltenham to Maesteg
15:17 Maesteg to Cardiff

There's also another 175 diagram in the evening, currently not allocated to anything:
18:29 Cardiff to Cheltenham
20:10 Cheltenham to Cardiff
22:35 Cardiff to Gloucester
Ecs to Canton
That's not yet allocated so may or may not end up as a 175.

That's good news given the long distance that the HOWL will get 2 loos not just 1.

 

[animationmilo]

Sounds about right. From what I know the PRM lites won't be converted but those along with the ACUs will have their small toilets re-activated as there's now a solution to getting the tank for those which I believe Scotrail have done.


109 is booked:
10:30 Cardiff to Cheltenham
12:35 Cheltenham to Maesteg
15:17 Maesteg to Cardiff

There's also another 175 diagram in the evening, currently not allocated to anything:
18:29 Cardiff to Cheltenham
20:10 Cheltenham to Cardiff
22:35 Cardiff to Gloucester
Ecs to Canton
That's not yet allocated so may or may not end up as a 175.

I think its because at the moment Heart of Wales has 4 full diagrams and also the 0447 Carmarthen to Llandovery and 06:26 Llandovery to Swansea which goes to Fishguard. So that could be a single 153

 

[Western 52]

I think its because at the moment Heart of Wales has 4 full diagrams and also the 0447 Carmarthen to Llandovery and 06:26 Llandovery to Swansea which goes to Fishguard. So that could be a single 153

From what I've seen of that diagram a 153 is more than enough! It only has a reasonable number of passengers Llanelli to Swansea.

 

[animationmilo]

From what I've seen of that diagram a 153 is more than enough! It only has a reasonable number of passengers Llanelli to Swansea.

I thought they were keeping 13 in total. 303, 312, 318, 327, 353, 362, 968, 972, 382 and the 4 ACU ones which are going to be 507, 528, 531, 552

 

[Jez]

109 now unallocated. Doesn't seem to be any out now sadly!

Did any 175s run yesterday? I noticed 175101 was allocated earlier in the day for Cheltenahm's I think but then swapped? I didnt see any on my travels yesterday. Not any on the move anyway just a few in sidings near Crewe.

 

[sd0733]

Did any 175s run yesterday? I noticed 175101 was allocated earlier in the day for Cheltenahm's I think but then swapped? I didnt see any on my travels yesterday. Not any on the move anyway just a few in sidings near Crewe.

Looks like it never left Canton yesterday so none ran.

Only one that could end up out today is the evening Cheltenham diagram but could not be too.

As it stands looks like 175101 on 22:58 Cheltenham to Cardiff on Friday is the last to have run

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Looks like it never left Canton yesterday so none ran.

Only one that could end up out today is the evening Cheltenham diagram but could not be too.

As it stands looks like 175101 on 22:58 Cheltenham to Cardiff on Friday is the last to have run

“The last” as in, the end for 175s with TfW? Or the last as in most recent, haha

 

[Anonymous10]

“The last” as in, the end for 175s with TfW? Or the last as in most recent, haha

Believe he means end of them with tfw

 

[Tynwald]

Should be able to go to simms under their own power ?

 

[sd0733]

“The last” as in, the end for 175s with TfW? Or the last as in most recent, haha

Yep with TFW! As far as I know they're officially part of the fleet until the end of the month so still a potential for one or two to sneak out for another few days.

 

[Jez]

Looks like the 1829 Cardiff to Cheltenham Spa is cancelled due to a shortage of train crew!

Will there by any 175 diagrams from tomorrow or will they just stay with TFW as 'spares' until the end of October ?

 

[sd0733]

Looks like the 1829 Cardiff to Cheltenham Spa is cancelled due to a shortage of train crew!

Will there by any 175 diagrams from tomorrow or will they just stay with TFW as 'spares' until the end of October ?

There's showing as 2, both on Cheltenham-Maestegs. Whether they'll actually be one or not is another matter but if they are:


ECS Canton to Cheltenham
05:37 Cheltenham to Maeste²g
08:03 Maesteg to Cheltenham
10:42 Cheltenham to Maesteg
13:15 Maesteg-Cardiff C
14:17 Cardiff C-Maesteg
15:15 Maesteg-Cheltenham
17:45 Cheltenham-Maesteg
20:10 Maesteg-Cheltenham
22:58 Cheltenham-Cardiff C

ECS Canton to Bridgend
06:35 Bridgend to Cheltenham
08:46 Cheltenham to Maesteg
11:15 Maesteg-Cheltenham
13:45 Cheltenham-Maesteg
16:16 Maesteg-Cheltenham
18:46 Cheltenham-Maesteg
21:13 Maesteg-Cardiff C

With 197s running to Carmarthen from tomorrow that does appear to be the end of 175s on long distance work for TFW.

 

[Techniquest]

109 now unallocated. Doesn't seem to be any out now sadly!

Oh good! I didn't miss out after all! I will shortly have a mini trip report out, I haven't typed it at all yet but I am relieved to hear that I didn't miss the 175 after all. I'm getting more and more glad I did that 175 on impulse the other week, also more and more impatient with finding out who's taking them on but that's another story!

I'm going to miss those really comfortable seats, it must be said!

 

[Lurcheroo]

I'm unsure of the amount of units but the Active travel 153s are nearing the end of their overhaul and conversion at Landore.
They'll all be liveried in a special Heart of Wales livery and semi-permanently coupled as a normal 153 with a big toilet and an ACU (Active travel unit).

I think someone said somewhere it was 8 of the existing 153 fleet - 6 PRM and 2 PRM lite, with the 4 active travel units. Thought it was mentioned that the 2 lite units were also to be converted to ACU but I may be wrong there.

Thank you both.
Look forward to seeing the special livery.
Looking at Scotrails 153’s they seem pretty well designed and laid out.
I feel like the Cambrian coast use one of those types of coaches in the summer

 

[Rhydgaled]

Thank you both.
Look forward to seeing the special livery.
Looking at Scotrails 153’s they seem pretty well designed and laid out.
I feel like the Cambrian coast use one of those types of coaches in the summer

Even leaving aside the ETCS issue, putting 153s on the Cambrian Coast would be problematic. With their 75mph top speed, I'm guessing they couldn't keep to time between Dovey Junction / Machynlleth and Shrewsbury (pre-ETCS there were some sections with a linespeed of at least 80mph - now with ETCS it is all in kph of course but still works out above the 153's max) so they would have to be a micro-fleet marooned at Machynlleth depot.

 

[CHAPS2034]

AFAIK it's never been in the shed or certainly not for a long time. It's been sat in the same place outside for months.

That is correct. 175111 is easily visible at the south end of the depot from the running lines.

 

[Lurcheroo]

Even leaving aside the ETCS issue, putting 153s on the Cambrian Coast would be problematic. With their 75mph top speed, I'm guessing they couldn't keep to time between Dovey Junction / Machynlleth and Shrewsbury (pre-ETCS there were some sections with a linespeed of at least 80mph - now with ETCS it is all in kph of course but still works out above the 153's max) so they would have to be a micro-fleet marooned at Machynlleth depot.

Oh yes, to have 153’s on the Cambrian in any form would have a number of issues. But we already struggle massively on the 158’s with cycles and luggage space (let’s not mention overcrowding during summer) unfortunately it is hard to see the 197’s as an upgrade in anyway for the Cambrian coast line.

 

[158841]

175101 and 109 are currently on Cheltenham - Maesteg's.

 

[anthony263]

Those two 175s refusing to go quietly i see

 

[sd0733]

No 175 diagrams at all tomorrow. Potentially could escape out if needed but nothing booked after today.

 

[craigybagel]

Disappointing as I don't think I'm going to be in Cardiff tomorrow . It's such a shame to see them leaving. Is the next class to leave set to be 150? 153*? Or 158? I'm excluding the 170s as we know they'll leave soon too.

* for these I mean the reduction in fleet size.

150s may not be leaving the overall TfW fleet any time soon, but training on these units for new traincrew in the north has already ended, so it appears they'll be getting confined to South Wales fairly soon.

 

[Jez]

According to RTT the 0512 Cardiff to Holyhead is being formed of 175101 and 175109 before being replaced by a 197 at Chester.

in passenger service rather than ECS to get them back to Chester.

 

[SuperLuke2334]

According to RTT the 0512 Cardiff to Holyhead is being formed of 175101 and 175109 before being replaced by a 197 at Chester.

in passenger service rather than ECS to get them back to Chester.

It looks like that may well have been the last 175 in passenger service! I don't think any others are out.

 

[Liverpool 507]

Are any 175s lurking in the sidings at Chester?

 

[Rhysdabeast]

I believe 175114 and 175109 have just arrived at Crewe working 5T75 10:35 Chester to Crewe Gresty Green

 

[Western 52]

Where did 175101 end up after arrival at Chester from Cardiff earlier this morning? Still at Chester?

 

[Bletchleyite]

Should be able to go to simms under their own power ?

Unless something has changed they're not going to Sims. It was stated a while back that a TOC has signed for the whole fleet (hence why the leases could not be extended). We're yet to find out which, though - I imagine we will soon!

(Speculation on where goes here: https://www.railforums.co.uk/thread...e-given-a-new-home.254140/page-2#post-6408212)

 

[simonmpoulton]

Are any 175s lurking in the sidings at Chester?

Plenty of them lurking around Chester as of this morning - there was one in Platform 2 or 3 (couldn't tell) 175115 has been sat in the sidings next to the bridge which the Chester to Manchester line goes under for quite a while now. Another unit has been parked behind it this morning (again couldn't tell the number). Theres at least two units sitting in the sidings off Platform 7 as well. I also saw this morning 175114 which appeared to be heading in the Manchester direction.