TfW to operate HSTs between Cardiff and Holyhead?

[sw1ller]

Mod Note: Posts #1 - #38 originally in this thread.

Ive also heard the HST rumour. Conflicting rumours but sounds true enough. The one I’ve heard is 4x GWR sets with mk2 coaches. Holyhead have been told to expect training soon apparently. I would think other depots have too if that’s true. Can’t imagine them having more than 5 coaches though.

 

[Phil from Mon]

HST rumours for North Wales - Cardiff services are still a possibility later in the summer

Would that be instead of the Mk 4s coming in December, or in addition?

 

[PHILIPE]

Would that be instead of the Mk 4s coming in December, or in addition?

Completely different issue.

 

[Brissle Girl]

Surely if HSTs are used they would use existing Mk 3 stock, especially if it is for such a short time. There would probably be some type of arrangement with GWR in terms of maintenance who would be well equipped to do so, given they already have a fleet of short HSTs which cycle to and from Cardiff.

 

[Phil from Mon]

Completely different issue.

Sorry, don’t understand. We have been told there are Mk 4s coming in December for N Wales to Cardiff services. There is now a rumour that HSTs are coming for that as well, as quoted above. So, surely it is valid to ask if they are instead of, or in addition, or maybe even just until December to allow other stock to move elsewhere?

 

[PHILIPE]

Sorry, don’t understand. We have been told there are Mk 4s coming in December for N Wales to Cardiff services. There is now a rumour that HSTs are coming for that as well, as quoted above. So, surely it is valid to ask if they are instead of, or in addition, or maybe even just until December to allow other stock to move elsewhere?

The Mark 4s are long term, the short HSTs are just temporary until such time due to current shortage of DMUs

 

[Phil from Mon]

The Mark 4s are long term, the short HSTs are just temporary until such time due to current shortage of DMUs

Thamks

 

[158srule]

Would that be instead of the Mk 4s coming in December, or in addition?

In addition

 

[hexagon789]

The Mark 4s are long term, the short HSTs are just temporary until such time due to current shortage of DMUs

Are the HSTs going to replace the 67+Mk3 used on certain services out of Holyhead and Llandudno?

 

[Ted172]

Are the HSTs going to replace the 67+Mk3 used on certain services out of Holyhead and Llandudno?

The HSTs are not going to replace the 67+Mk3 sets. The HSTs would likely be a temporary measure so most of the stock gets the PRM-TSI modifications before December 2020. The 67+Mk3 sets will get Mk4 coaches from LNER, but they will still have Class 67s.

 

[hexagon789]

The HSTs are not going to replace the 67+Mk3 sets. The HSTs would likely be a temporary measure so most of the stock gets the PRM-TSI modifications before December 2020. The 67+Mk3 sets will get Mk4 coaches from LNER, but they will still have Class 67s.

Not the Premier Service set, the other one.

 

[craigybagel]

Bear in mind folks none of this has been announced officially yet, so I wouldn't make any assumptions about where the fleets are going and what they might be working.

 

[sw1ller]

Bear in mind folks none of this has been announced officially yet, so I wouldn't make any assumptions about where the fleets are going and what they might be working.

Agreed. I wasn’t gonna say anything at all as I know very little, but someone had already got the ball rolling.

 

[krus_aragon]

Not the Premier Service set, the other one.

It's my understanding that both 67+MkIII sets are staying until December, when the MkIVs are due to arrive. The MkIV rakes would (eventually?) be used on Holyhead-Cardiff services, with displaced 175s being used to replace the second MkIII rake on the Manchester-Llandudno/Holyhead diagram.

That's apparently what the plan was at franchise renewal. There's been a lot going on since, but nothing that would suggest the second MkIII rake needs replacing before December.

 

[hexagon789]

It's my understanding that both 67+MkIII sets are staying until December, when the MkIVs are due to arrive. The MkIV rakes would (eventually?) be used on Holyhead-Cardiff services, with displaced 175s being used to replace the second MkIII rake on the Manchester-Llandudno/Holyhead diagram.

That's apparently what the plan was at franchise renewal. There's been a lot going on since, but nothing that would suggest the second MkIII rake needs replacing before December.

Okay, thanks for clarifying.

So TfW are replacing the Premier Mk3 set and other Mk3 set with three Mk4 seats all with First Class and a buffet?

 

[krus_aragon]

Okay, thanks for clarifying.

So TfW are replacing the Premier Mk3 set and other Mk3 set with three Mk4 seats all with First Class and a buffet?

Yeup. The long term intention is for two rakes doing three Holyhead-Cardiff runs each day (for three first class services each way per day), with one rake spare.

 

[hexagon789]

Yeup. The long term intention is for two rakes doing three Holyhead-Cardiff runs each day (for three first class services each way per day), with one rake spare.

Ah, so there will be a spare set, wondered if they'd just substitute a unit.

 

[158srule]

Onl

Yeup. The long term intention is for two rakes doing three Holyhead-Cardiff runs each day (for three first class services each way per day), with one rake spare.

Only 2 will be in traffic. Set 1 will work
0705 Cardiff - Holyhead
1132 Holyhead - Cardiff
1716 Cardiff - Holyhead

Set 2 will work
0551 Holyhead - Cardiff
1121 Cardiff - Holyhead
1650 Holyhead - Cardiff

Rake 3 will be spare.

 

[krus_aragon]

Onl

Only 2 will be in traffic. Set 1 will work
0705 Cardiff - Holyhead
1132 Holyhead - Cardiff
1716 Cardiff - Holyhead

Set 2 will work
0551 Holyhead - Cardiff
1121 Cardiff - Holyhead
1650 Holyhead - Cardiff

Rake 3 will be spare.

Nice to see some (presumable) confirmation of which six services will be loco hauled. Thanks.

 

[Arriva 175]

The 1121 Cardiff to Holyhead service is currently all request stops across Anglesey and a busy train for schoolkids travelling home from Bangor. That will be interesting to see how a rake of Mk 4s copes with one door only operation at Llanfair PG and Valley along with keeping to time.

 

[Phil from Mon]

Set 2 will work
0551 Holyhead - Cardiff
1121 Cardiff - Holyhead
1650 Holyhead - Cardiff

Rake 3 will be spare.

That’s a pity - Gerald is currently the 0534, arriving Cardiff just before 10.00. The 0551 arrives too late, even if accelerated, for many morning meetings.

 

[158srule]

That’s a pity - Gerald is currently the 0534, arriving Cardiff just before 10.00. The 0551 arrives too late, even if accelerated, for many morning meetings.

Sorry my error

0534 departure will remain

 

[Phil from Mon]

Sorry my error

0534 departure will remain

Good news. Thanks.

 

[craigybagel]

Onl

Only 2 will be in traffic. Set 1 will work
0705 Cardiff - Holyhead
1132 Holyhead - Cardiff
1716 Cardiff - Holyhead

Set 2 will work
0551 Holyhead - Cardiff
1121 Cardiff - Holyhead
1650 Holyhead - Cardiff

Rake 3 will be spare.

Source?

 

[PHILIPE]

Source?

I agree with your post here. With all the stories flying about, it might be a good idea to know if they are reliable sources or not.

 

[Bikeman78]

The 1121 Cardiff to Holyhead service is currently all request stops across Anglesey and a busy train for schoolkids travelling home from Bangor. That will be interesting to see how a rake of Mk 4s copes with one door only operation at Llanfair PG and Valley along with keeping to time.

On the plus side it has plenty of time at Holyhead and it's a ferry connection so it is very busy west of Chester. A four car train would be ideal.

 

[sw1ller]

If the HSTs do come, there’s an issue with space at holyhead, not a clue what it is but they can only shunt a 5 car onto fuel or something. So the HSTs will only be 3 carriages. Just something I overheard today.

 

[krus_aragon]

If the HSTs do come, there’s an issue with space at holyhead, not a clue what it is but they can only shunt a 5 car onto fuel or something. So the HSTs will only be 3 carriages. Just something I overheard today.

Either that, or there'll be a whole lot of shunting going on to send the power cars up to the fuel point one at a time!

 

[sw1ller]

Either that, or there'll be a whole lot of shunting going on to send the power cars up to the fuel point one at a time!

Ha, maybe that’s what this recruitment drive is for, extra staff to do all the shunts.

I don’t know the set up up there, but the WAG has 6 vehicles and I’ve just seen the loco on the back tonight. So I’m not too sure what the issue is with 5 cars.

 

[Bikeman78]

Either that, or there'll be a whole lot of shunting going on to send the power cars up to the fuel point one at a time!

Or fuel them at Cardiff Canton during the two hour layovers during the day.