You suggested forcibly moving train crew rest days although you've since deleted that so perhaps you've realised how completely unreasonable (and impossible) that would be. Saturdays are part of the working week, same as Mon-Fri, but you must be able to see that they are more popular for leave due to outside commitments and the fact that most of the country operates on those being days off. Staff take the job knowing they are expected to work Saturdays (and committed Sundays) but also knowing they are as entitled to use their leave as anyone in any other industry. Equally, train crew who are off don't really want to give up their Saturdays, same as I'm sure most people in other industries wouldn't.
Your frustration seems to be at staff and particularly unions but as has been said, front line staff don't design the diagrams, the depot establishment, the training processes, aslef want sundays in the week and train crew can't be expected to tell you why TFW aren't making public announcements, because they don't know.
I've never said anything about moving train crew rest days, so not sure where you've got that from. I've also never said train crew should be forced to work overtime, and I also haven't edited or deleted any of my posts.
What I have said is there's an outdated setup within the railway that isn't fit for purpose of running a 24/7 operation, hence my comment about the setup not being in the interest of the passener.
I've been told by train crew myself that there would be many unhappy train crew and unions if overtime opportunities were taken away from train crew, and that if Sundays were to become part of the working week that they would expect pay rises to match that of the overtime being earned.
What's the solution as I see it? All new contracts are separate from old contracts, Sunday is part of the working week and wages remain the same. I don't believe that pay rises should automatically be given based on overtime that is earned because overtime shouldn't be guaranteed. Old contracts stay as they are until eventually the fizzle out, with some level of overtime still being made available for old contract staff if they want it as an option. If anyone wants to move to a Sunday contract then a relevant pay rise should be due but not the expected big pay rise. Working weekends works for some people.
There has to be a balance, and we all know the railway doesn't allow for balance, and it's unlikely separate contracts would ever be allowed by unions. It happens in many different companies. BA being one of the biggest examples.
I disagree, what was needed was any old train, but they went down what's been proved to be the silly rabbit hole of entertaining experimental recycling of old trains. That's the fault of one or more of them - somebody made that decision.
Every TOC is the uk is scrambling for additional stock. The issue for TfW is that only 150's can work Taf Valley lines. The 170's were brought in to work their current routes and the long term plan was to move the to West Wales. Whichever person didn't do their homework to realise the work required to get them cleared via the VOG or past Bridgend should've been sacked, as they have been very much under utilised at a time when TfW needed stock and they are ideal for Cardiff - Swansea/Carmarthen trips. No other TOC was willing to give up stock suitable for TfW's requirements.
In an ideal world a few more 150's and 158's would've been perfect. Minimal training, common fleet and can work the majority of the network, but they weren't forthcoming.
A lot of blame has been put on Covid for the delays in training, but the reality is if the 769's and 230's were in service on time (I think they were due to be in service by late 2018 and 2019 respectively?) then training wouldn't have even been happening during Covid.
The next 6 months is going to be a rough ride. And even then the introduction of the new fleets will be a challenge if only a fraction of train crew are trained up at the start, unless train crew workings are specifically designed to work a specific roster to cover 197's usage, otherwise there'll be all manner of unit workings.
People forget using non prm compliant loco and stock sets would require dispensation from the DFT, then they need security of board and at stations on route. Tfw used a 37 and coaches in the south and it was a nightmare to run, having trained staff is very complicated as it were the units get maintained etc
Tfw got the ex GC mk4 sets and they need extensive mods and tfw are looking for more but the 67s need extensive mods aswell. There's traincrew training on top of other training needed whilst running services.
Using DMUs is far easier for tfw and they are trying to get anything available, there's just nothing available .
There's only been one out the past week. There's one been parked up in Chester for several days and another hasn't been seen out for at least a week. So appears to be maintenance issues arising with them already.
Agree with the poster above who suggests an emergency timetable, it seems the only sensible solution. I do wonder if tfw have a good enough handle on where they are lacking to be able to properly implement it mind. Would like to see them.be more aggressive in chasing the rest of the stored 153s, fight for the dispensations and get them in of possible
They've issued a short notice timetable today and tomorrow for the storm, so it should be possible. Probably a huge amount of political pressure to maintain the service though.
It's unlikely they would allow any more unmodified 153's in service, they would at least need the basic mods which takes about 3-4 weeks per unit. With there still being some left to do it may be March by the time any additional units would be in service and they'd only get a few months out of them until the new fleet starts to be introduced.