The TfW ones are still fairly pleasant when not crush loaded and not for more than hour long journeys, and as far as I'm aware they're still reliable as they've always been.
I've asked this before but didn't get an answer. Isn't it very shortshighted to not replace ageing 153s that have never been good trains even when new? How can TfW have no plan for replacing them? Fine if you don't have an answer but does anyone know?
I believe it was due to the basket cases nature of the route, could be that they wish to procure further stock at a later date to replace these.
You're correct on both counts. If they're anything like the 231s, they'll only start driver training once the Swindon runs are nearly complete.
Using 170s on the HOWL was a recipe for disaster, which thankfully didn't happen. 170s are best used on higher speed interurban services, and not for growling along steep and slow single lines - even though the passenger saloons are nice and comfortable for the punters. Obviously, the powertrains could be modified with maybe Voith of ZF gearboxes, but that would involve TfW splashing cash
The 153's will be used on the how line for many years to come. Tfw now have 15 units on their books. They are still to be used on the Dock line until the end of the year.
I believe they actually have 26 units.
That rarely runs as far as I am aware, and if it does it is booked a sprinter.
Fair enough
Only if electrification is at a suitable stage on the relevant lines. Including Rhymney.
seems a bit bizzare, obviously won't be met by the passengers with much happiness...
I hope at minimum the 150s are doubled up....
The plan timetable is cardiff to Cheltenham and Maesteg to Ebbw vale Town
Ah, interesting! Maesteg to Ebbw Vale makes sense to me.
Certainly the plan (see my previous post on the current timeline for completion) is for wires to be live as far as Coryton and Caerphilly in November this year, which would allow 756s to run on the the 4tph to Penarth (2 tph to Coryton, 2tph to Caerphilly), assuming that the 398s are available to replace them on the Treherbert, Aberdare and Merthyr lines. So my fellow Penarth residents shouldn't be downgraded for too long, but people in the Rhymney valley north of Caerphilly may find they're stuck with sprinters until the wires are energised to Rhymney in September 2025.
Plans were submitted long whole ago to extend Ty Glas, no idea if anything's been started yet. Judging by the Crwys Rd construction progress, probably not.
Would this mean a reduction in frequency to Bargoed and Rhymney?
No. In fact, Rhymney is expecting an increase in frequency.
From November or from 2025? Sorry my post was referring to from this November.
Rhymney is due an increase to 2tph from June this year, but one of those trains will be limited-stop. The June timetable change is based around existing rolling stock that's available to TfW, so the introduction of new trains simply means that units get substituted rather than being used to run additional services (this is also good risk management, as it means that new trains being introduced can be substituted with others if there are teething problems).
And of course Penarth to central is a very short journey.