WAG Express discussion

[merlodlliw]

I can confirm it was 57311 Parker hauling the 1615 to Holyhead on 30th November. I know because I was on it! Dinner was very nice too!

Thanks for the confirmation,were there many in 1st? out of interest. I have also asked Charlie Hume of North Wales Rail to find out what stock will be used from week on Monday,
if anyone can find out Charlie will be the man, due to his excellent contacts,hopefully he will put it up next Tuesday(rotas/diagrams etc). ATW/VT are keeping it all close to their chests


Bob

 

[bnm]

First Class was moderately well loaded on 30th November. I counted 14 (including me) on departure from Newport. A group of 4 also joined at Shrewsbury, travelling to Bangor. Photo below shows the 1st Class carriage that evening. Two to my left not in shot and a fellow basher who was in the bay of 4 nearest the kitchen was window hanging behind me.

I'd say that was a respectable load for a Wednesday evening.

As for the continuation of the service, the chef was adamant that it was continuing well into next year with a change of route via Wrexham and top and tailed Class 67s. Although the TM was rather less forthcoming when I asked him about the service, possible changes or withdrawal.

I've not really followed the politics of this service, but the recent murmurings that it may soon end were enough impetus for me to try it out.

 

[merlodlliw]

First Class was moderately well loaded on 30th November. I counted 14 (including me) on departure from Newport. A group of 4 also joined at Shrewsbury, travelling to Bangor. Photo below shows the 1st Class carriage that evening. Two to my left not in shot and a fellow basher who was in the bay of 4 nearest the kitchen was window hanging behind me.

I'd say that was a respectable load for a Wednesday evening.

As for the continuation of the service, the chef was adamant that it was continuing well into next year with a change of route via Wrexham and top and tailed Class 67s. Although the TM was rather less forthcoming when I asked him about the service, possible changes or withdrawal.

I've not really followed the politics of this service, but the recent murmurings that it may soon end were enough impetus for me to try it out.

Thanks for that,as you can make out, its total confusion, must say this is the best load in first I have seen.
We know whatever happens a week Monday, it wont be DVT, so using two 67s is possible,but not via Wrexham as WAG1.

Bobn
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First Class was moderately well loaded on 30th November. I counted 14 (including me) on departure from Newport. A group of 4 also joined at Shrewsbury, travelling to Bangor. Photo below shows the 1st Class carriage that evening. Two to my left not in shot and a fellow basher who was in the bay of 4 nearest the kitchen was window hanging behind me.

I'd say that was a respectable load for a Wednesday evening.

As for the continuation of the service, the chef was adamant that it was continuing well into next year with a change of route via Wrexham and top and tailed Class 67s. Although the TM was rather less forthcoming when I asked him about the service, possible changes or withdrawal.

I've not really followed the politics of this service, but the recent murmurings that it may soon end were enough impetus for me to try it out.

Thanks for that,as you can make out, its total confusion, must say this is the best load in first I have seen.
We know whatever happens a week Monday, it wont be DVT, so using two 67s is possible,but not via Wrexham as WAG1.
Bob

 

[junglejames]

If they wont be going via Wrexham yet, why do they need two 67s?

 

[Rhydgaled]

If they wont be going via Wrexham yet, why do they need two 67s?

Doesn't WAG2 go via Wrexham? Since WAG have paid for 67s and DVTs on WAG2 but the DVTs aren't available yet, top&tail 67s on WAG2 sounds like a good guess since it is the nearest possible result to what was paid for, but a guess is all it is (coming from me at least). WAG 1 is harder to work out, but will probablly still be a single loco, or perhaps the 175 off WAG 2.

 

[jones_bangor]

Doesn't WAG2 go via Wrexham? Since WAG have paid for 67s and DVTs on WAG2 but the DVTs aren't available yet, top&tail 67s on WAG2 sounds like a good guess since it is the nearest possible result to what was paid for, but a guess is all it is (coming from me at least). WAG 1 is harder to work out, but will probablly still be a single loco, or perhaps the 175 off WAG 2.

WAG1 only needs to be a single loco as the service is, as you intimate, not required to reverse. However, the timetable indicates that this will carry on as now with LHCS and First Class - possibly with 67 (but I wonder whether a 67 would keep the same timings as a 57, with speed restrictions etc etc....).

WAG2 might be 2 67s, which could in theory reverse at Chester...not sure whether that is practical. ATW have enough spare mk2's to make this happen, the service is marked down for trolley service only, so presumably no restaurant car, and no first class indicated on the timetable.

 

[bnm]

To add to what I was told by the chef; (nice young chap and a great cook!) he was of the opinion that WAG2 isn't going to happen and WAG1 will remain as is although re-routed via Wrexham.

I'm no more clued up as to what is actually going to happen, just glad that I got a 1st Class ride on WAG1 as it currently runs....

Probably not the right thread for pics of the scran I had on my journey, but what the heck. Huge thanks to the Welsh taxpayer for allowing me a 3 course meal and 1st Class accommodation for the bargain price of £26.40 (railcard) on top of my Wales Flexipass Rover. I did my bit in repaying the Welsh taxpayer by also purchasing two G+Ts and nice half bottle of Claret. Suitably filled and slightly sozzled by the time I arrived at Llandudno Junction!

Starter: Garlic wild mushrooms on toasted onion bread.
Main: Rack of lamb with a herb and black pepper crust on a bed of onion mash with roasted vegetables and a red wine jus.
Dessert: Chocolate fudge cake with fresh cream.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Huge thanks to the Welsh taxpayer for allowing me a 3 course meal and 1st Class accommodation for the bargain price of £26.40 (railcard) on top of my Wales Flexipass Rover. I did my bit in repaying the Welsh taxpayer by also purchasing two G+Ts and nice half bottle of Claret!

Glad you liked it. The breakfast is good too.

By the way it's not Welsh taxes paying for it, it's UK taxes doled out by HMG to Cardiff for them to spend on what they want. So you actually paid for some of it...

(retires to wait for brickbats from the Cardiff Bay direction...)

 

[jones_bangor]

To add to what I was told by the chef; (nice young chap and a great cook!) he was of the opinion that WAG2 isn't going to happen and WAG1 will remain as is although re-routed via Wrexham.

TBH, WAG 2 hasn't happened, just another 175 service.

If we were to get a proper LHCS WAG 2, then it should be northbound in the morning.

 

[Gareth Marston]

The recent increases in loadings may be due to people riding it before it goes.

I have a meeting in Penarth tomorrow that will probably see me having to hang around somewhere en route home as I wont make it to Salop in time for 1727 to Aberystwyth. Will have a go at northbound WAG1.

 

[Michael.Y]

The recent increases in loadings may be due to people riding it before it goes.

I have a meeting in Penarth tomorrow that will probably see me having to hang around somewhere en route home as I wont make it to Salop in time for 1727 to Aberystwyth. Will have a go at northbound WAG1.

You mean Monday? the WAGs don't run on Sundays.

 

[jones_bangor]

The recent increases in loadings may be due to people riding it before it goes..

I was under the impression it was going nowhere, bar the 57.....??

 

[Gareth Marston]

You mean Monday? the WAGs don't run on Sundays.

Yes Monday.
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I was under the impression it was going nowhere, bar the 57.....??

Given the lack of clear intent over its future and the subsequent speculation in recent months its not surprising.

 

[All Line Rover]

The recent increases in loadings may be due to people riding it before it goes.

I have a meeting in Penarth tomorrow that will probably see me having to hang around somewhere en route home as I wont make it to Salop in time for 1727 to Aberystwyth. Will have a go at northbound WAG1.

I doubt it. Some days it is very quiet, other days it is very busy. When I travelled on it in late October, First Class was actually FULL! Some people wanted to upgrade but couldn't!

 

[Rhydgaled]

TBH, WAG 2 hasn't happened, just another 175 service.

If we were to get a proper LHCS WAG 2, then it should be northbound in the morning.

Agreed, 1 LHCS set going Holyhead - Cardiff - Swansea in the morning and Swansea - Cardiff - Holyhead in the evening and another going Swansea - Cardiff - Holyhead in the morning and Holyhead - Cardiff - Swansea in the evening would be better than the current WAG express and fake WAG (175) going in the same direction. That 175 should be used to keep 150s, 153s and Pacers off long-distance semi-fast/fast workings, not providing a Holyhead-Cardiff express and sitting for hours in Cardiff. The LHCS shouldn't sit around either, the one going southbound in the morning should go Swansea - Manchester and the other Holyhead - Manchester - Llandudno, although you may need extra LHCS sets on the Manchester - Llandudno/Swansea routes to ensure a set is about for the return working of the Holyhead - Cardiff expresses.

 

[All Line Rover]

To add to what I was told by the chef; (nice young chap and a great cook!) he was of the opinion that WAG2 isn't going to happen and WAG1 will remain as is although re-routed via Wrexham.

I agree!

 

[merlodlliw]

Well as I said, we shall all know in a weeks time,a few colleagues are using WAG1 next week due to its uncertainty, amazing no leaks from anyone about what's to happen,
IE diagrams, so its up to Charlie on Tuesday to tell us.

However I can not see anything loco hauled going via Wrexham(the intended route) next week, I agree with Gareth, like W/S more enthusiasts will use the service due to its uncertainty.

Bob
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Glad you liked it. The breakfast is good too.

By the way it's not Welsh taxes paying for it, it's UK taxes doled out by HMG to Cardiff for them to spend on what they want. So you actually paid for some of it...

(retires to wait for brickbats from the Cardiff Bay direction...)

You are of course correct about taxes.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

To add to what I was told by the chef; (nice young chap and a great cook!) he was of the opinion that WAG2 isn't going to happen and WAG1 will remain as is although re-routed via Wrexham.

Shows the uncertainty, however there is no path via Wrexham between 0700 & 0800,

 

[Gareth Marston]

I doubt it. Some days it is very quiet, other days it is very busy. When I travelled on it in late October, First Class was actually FULL! Some people wanted to upgrade but couldn't!

Labours election manifesto on transport consisted of "a re prioritisation of the national transport plan" of which WAG Expresses are a part. All enquirers to WG since May have had the stock response that the reprioritisation will be "announced in the autumn". The WAG Express is widely perceived as a product of Plaid when in coalition before May election and not Labour policy.

 

[jones_bangor]

Labours election manifesto on transport consisted of "a re prioritisation of the national transport plan" of which WAG Expresses are a part. All enquirers to WG since May have had the stock response that the reprioritisation will be "announced in the autumn". The WAG Express is widely perceived as a product of Plaid when in coalition before May election and not Labour policy.

The One Wales document was a Plaid-Labour policy. As I have previously written, Labour have (probably) realised that withdrawing WAG 1 would incense Plaid, and have taken the "long view" on this i.e. they may need Plaid in 4 years time to stay in power, particularly if the Lib Dems evaporate from UK politics. The current minister may well have been overruled on this.

Shows the uncertainty, however there is no path via Wrexham between 0700 & 0800,

Clearly there's uncertainty about may aspects of running the service via Wrexham, but it's certain from looking at the timetable that it won't happen until May.

 

[junglejames]

Doesn't WAG2 go via Wrexham? Since WAG have paid for 67s and DVTs on WAG2 but the DVTs aren't available yet, top&tail 67s on WAG2 sounds like a good guess since it is the nearest possible result to what was paid for, but a guess is all it is (coming from me at least). WAG 1 is harder to work out, but will probablly still be a single loco, or perhaps the 175 off WAG 2.

Sorry i was just thinking of WAG1. Didnt realise WAG2 would possibly be changing as well.

 

[merlodlliw]

The One Wales document was a Plaid-Labour policy. As I have previously written, Labour have (probably) realised that withdrawing WAG 1 would incense Plaid, and have taken the "long view" on this i.e. they may need Plaid in 4 years time to stay in power, particularly if the Lib Dems evaporate from UK politics. The current minister may well have been overruled on this.



Clearly there's uncertainty about may aspects of running the service via Wrexham, but it's certain from looking at the timetable that it won't happen until May.

WAG1 was Ieuan Wyn Jones idea as Minister of Welsh Rail, only he will be incensed, I have yet to meet anyone in Plaid who is in favour of Premier Class or WAGAIR.

2.A better service Wrexham to the North West is more important than Cardiff. The new Premier Inn with 85 bedrooms to be built immediately next door to Wrexham General is not a result of the exodus to Cardiff.

Bob
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Labours election manifesto on transport consisted of "a re prioritisation of the national transport plan" of which WAG Expresses are a part. All enquirers to WG since May have had the stock response that the reprioritisation will be "announced in the autumn". The WAG Express is widely perceived as a product of Plaid when in coalition before May election and not Labour policy.

Agree fully

 

[jones_bangor]

WAG1 was Ieuan Wyn Jones idea as Minister of Welsh Rail, only he will be incensed, I have yet to meet anyone in Plaid who is in favour of Premier Class or WAGAIR.

2.A better service Wrexham to the North West is more important than Cardiff. The new Premier Inn with 85 bedrooms to be built immediately next door to Wrexham General is not a result of the exodus to Cardiff.

1. I don't agree - IWJ was not the sole architect of Gerald - it came out of "One Wales". But I agree, Premier Class was maybe a step too far!

2. It's always one or the other with you! Wrexham benefits from good links to the North West, Midlands and South Wales - that's why it's there!!

 

[merlodlliw]

1. I don't agree - IWJ was not the sole architect of Gerald - it came out of "One Wales". But I agree, Premier Class was maybe a step too far!

2. It's always one or the other with you! Wrexham benefits from good links to the North West, Midlands and South Wales - that's why it's there!!

A few more direct Manchester's would be better, than to obscure termini s like Maesteg from Wrexham.

Yes agree Premier Class & Wagair were a step too far.

Bob

 

[Essexman]

I'm using WAG1 next week from Cardiff.
Can anyone tell me if they serve dinner on departure from Cardiff / Newport or can you order it when you want?

 

[Welshman]

When we used it we were asked when we would like it, and settled for about 6pm.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

A few more direct Manchester's would be better, than to obscure termini s like Maesteg from Wrexham.

Bob

I agree - and later through services to the North Wales Coast from Manchester wouldn't go amiss, rather than having to endure a cold wait on Chester station if you wish to leave later than 1750!

In fact, if the 2nd train per hour from Manchester to Chester comes about, is it too much to hope that the N.Wales service might run express from Manchester to Chester, calling at perhaps only Warrington Bank Quay? 60 minutes for a 40-mile journey from Chester-Manchester and vv is nothing to write home about in today's times!

 

[Squaddie]

A better service Wrexham to the North West is more important than Cardiff. The new Premier Inn with 85 bedrooms to be built immediately next door to Wrexham General is not a result of the exodus to Cardiff.

I don't really understand the connection between a Premier Inn being built in Wrexham and a rail link to Cardiff...

A few more direct Manchester's would be better, than to obscure termini s like Maesteg from Wrexham.

Maesteg is a sizeable community, and about half the size of Wrexham (the population of Maesteg is about 20,000, whereas that of Wrexham is about 42,000).

I really do feel that the hard-core north Wales group on this forum talks increasingly in riddles, and allows its hatred of the south to colour everything they write.

 

[Welshman]

I've never been described as "hard core" before!

 

[Gareth Marston]

42 in Standard after Abergavenny on WAG 1 tonight, 3 in first class. Table to self (in standard).

1715 ex CDF was even worse less than 20 still sitting on it after arrival at Salop.

 

[merlodlliw]

Latest from Charlie Hume, in this weeks http://www.nwrail.org.uk/nwnews.htm


Bob

 

[Rhydgaled]

Latest from Charlie Hume, in this weeks http://www.nwrail.org.uk/nwnews.htm


Bob

So continued waste of a 175 on WAG2 with hours sat in Canton depot. Disapointing. How is it being paid for, is it coming out of the money paid for the service with 67s or have ATW refunded that and charged WAG for a 175 instead? WAG had better not be paying twice for it.