WMR Class 196 Build and Implementation

[Mordac]

Is there any plan to get them working? What's the hold up?

Thanks for the reply btw!

 

[172007]

I heard a whisper that the last two won't be accepted from CAF until acceptable Mods are completed on the rest of the fleet. Items including the fact some systems operate on such an outdated Android operating system that they can't be used as its not now supported and won't work on newer devices.

 

[DannyMich2018]

Is there any plan to get them working? What's the hold up?

Thanks for the reply btw!

I'd imagine there's no rush to get them in service as usually only about half of the 26 196s are used daily. More of course be used when Camp Hills opens and some go to East-West route. Had my first proper encounter of one a few week's ago at Nuneaton. Wow, the acceleration is amazing!! Even better than the 172s.

 

[MrJeeves]

Items including the fact some systems operate on such an outdated Android operating system that they can't be used as its not now supported and won't work on newer devices.

I can only assume this is the PIS displays? I hope nothing else is running on Android.

 

[AJDesiro]

I can only assume this is the PIS displays? I hope nothing else is running on Android.

I'd imagine it's the mobile PIS app developed by Televic.

CAF - West Midlands Trains Class 196 | Televic

Televic GSP, CAF and West Midlands Trains with Regional Trains.

www.televic.com

The first complete Class 196 has arrived in the UK for testing and commissioning at Tyseley. It is the first of 80 vehicles, being built in two-car and four-car formations, that will be constructed by manufacturer CAF.

Mobile app for more connectivity, flexibility and availability

As part of the real-time passenger information system, Televic GSP will provide a new mobile app to increase the staff’s connectivity, flexibility and availability. From now on, the train staff can easily interact with the driver from any location on the train, give direct support to passengers who have activated the alarm and share emergency location coordinates.

Other features include:

• Activating prerecorded messages
• Making live announcements
• Changing journeys when entering a station
• Skipping stations along the route

 

[craigybagel]

I can only assume this is the PIS displays? I hope nothing else is running on Android.

Assuming it's the same as on 197s, the TCMS runs on Linux.

 

[Peter Sarf]

I have noticed a pattern.

Apart from the fact that, as I feared, only two 196/0s are currently getting used (so the rest are harder to get).
The surprise is it is always the same two 196/0s on the Leamington to/from Nuneaton route. For today and the previous two working days it has been 196003 & 196011. Obviously they alternate on the diagrams but Tyseley keeps putting the unit just returned back out the next day. I could not check further back as either PTS is having a fit or my browser is having a fit but I feel it might be similar/same (I have been looking most weekdays days).

Also I notice two 196/1s have ventured out on Shrewesbury diagrams today (Monday 18/03/2024) so maybe the landslip is near to a fix ?.

 

[nigelsporne]

Two 196/0 have been used on a morning peak time run from Shrewsbury.

 

[AJDesiro]

I have noticed a pattern.

Apart from the fact that, as I feared, only two 196/0s are currently getting used (so the rest are harder to get).
The surprise is it is always the same two 196/0s on the Leamington to/from Nuneaton route. For today and the previous two working days it has been 196003 & 196011. Obviously they alternate on the diagrams but Tyseley keeps putting the unit just returned back out the next day. I could not check further back as either PTS is having a fit or my browser is having a fit but I feel it might be similar/same (I have been looking most weekdays days).

Also I notice two 196/1s have ventured out on Shrewesbury diagrams today (Monday 18/03/2024) so maybe the landslip is near to a fix ?.

There's a limited service (1tp2h) in place shuttling between Shifnal and Birmingham. I wonder what's going on with Shrewsbury-based traincrew?

 

[Peter Sarf]

Two 196/0 have been used on a morning peak time run from Shrewsbury.

Not recently but I expect they might return once the landslip is fixed - unless 196113 & 196114 finally enter service.

There's a limited service (1tp2h) in place shuttling between Shifnal and Birmingham. I wonder what's going on with Shrewsbury-based traincrew?

I suppose Shrewsbury based WMT crew might currently be catching up on textbook training or something ?.

Are TfW crews and trains filling the Void on the Shrewsbury side ?.

 

[craigybagel]

There's a limited service (1tp2h) in place shuttling between Shifnal and Birmingham. I wonder what's going on with Shrewsbury-based traincrew?

They're working some of the Shifnal services, with taxis to/from Shrewsbury.

 

[387star]

How have WMR released all 170s before all 196s are in service?

 

[Liam L]

Any updates on 196113 & 196114? I believe these have still not worked a passenger service as of yet?

 

[Peter Sarf]

Any updates on 196113 & 196114? I believe these have still not worked a passenger service as of yet?

I have not seen reports of 196113 or 196114 being used and I have been looking daily.

There is no pressure to get them used afaikt because there is plenty of slack in the fleet as currently WMT only have 13 diagrams (4 x 2car and 9 x 4car) for 26 units. So only 50% needed !.

I think 8 more diagrams might be added once Camp-Hill (2 units) and East-West-Rail (6 x 2car units) happens.

 

[DavidGrain]

Regarding the 6 x 2 car units for EWR, have they been designated yet? If so will they be re-liveried? I understand that drivers are now being recruited for this service.

 

[Roger B]

Any updates on 196113 & 196114? I believe these have still not worked a passenger service as of yet?

Where are 196113 and 196114 currently stored?

 

[DannyMich2018]

Where are 196113 and 196114 currently stored?

I think both are at Tyseley as far as I know.

 

[fodphil]

I think both are at Tyseley as far as I know.

They are, i passed last week and they were both visible from the train

 

[alan71]

I have not seen reports of 196113 or 196114 being used and I have been looking daily.

There is no pressure to get them used afaikt because there is plenty of slack in the fleet as currently WMT only have 13 diagrams (4 x 2car and 9 x 4car) for 26 units. So only 50% needed !.

I think 8 more diagrams might be added once Camp-Hill (2 units) and East-West-Rail (6 x 2car units) happens.

Are there any extra diagrams from June when the Shrewsbury service becomes 2tph? Or is it just the ones that head to TS for a rest staying out all day?

 

[Peter Sarf]

They are, i passed last week and they were both visible from the train

Ah ha. Me thinks it is time for me to fly past Tyseley again now that the sun is higher in the sky. I could not make anything out back in the shorter days (late November) with a low sun behind the trains in the sidings and the filthy windows. I recommend using the services Moor Street to/from Stratford as these use the pair of lines nearest to the sidings so the embankment & tracks are less of an obstruction.

Are there any extra diagrams from June when the Shrewsbury service becomes 2tph? Or is it just the ones that head to TS for a rest staying out all day?

I hope more than just an all day 2tph but I vaguely recall that is it. Others may know better.

 

[12LDA28C]

Regarding the 6 x 2 car units for EWR, have they been designated yet? If so will they be re-liveried? I understand that drivers are now being recruited for this service.

I doubt if the units for EWR have been identified yet, although they are due to move to EWR in August. Drivers have been recruited and are currently in training.

 

[Roger B]

I think both are at Tyseley as far as I know.

Many thanks DannyMich 2018 and fodphil - much appreciated. Think I'll take a trundle past .....

 

[newtownmgr]

113 & 114 are still owned by CAF.
Whilst they are still CAF owned the warranty clock doesn’t start running down on the fleet! Read into that what you want but there are still many problems with the units.

 

[Peter Sarf]

113 & 114 are still owned by CAF.
Whilst they are still CAF owned the warranty clock doesn’t start running down on the fleet! Read into that what you want but there are still many problems with the units.

Furthermore I have noticed some of the other 196s seem to get very little use - e.g. 196012.

 

[newtownmgr]

Furthermore I have noticed some of the other 196s seem to get very little use - e.g. 196012.

Only 4 diagrams for 2 cars (2 individual & 1 pair). They all get used to equal out mileage etc. Think 012 was working off Worcester a week or two back as part of a pair vice a 4 car

 

[Peter Sarf]

Only 4 diagrams for 2 cars (2 individual & 1 pair). They all get used to equal out mileage etc. Think 012 was working off Worcester a week or two back as part of a pair vice a 4 car

Yes for the 2car 196/0s there are generally :-
Two on the NuCLe (Nuneaton-Coventry-LeamingtonSpa;
Two on the 2car diagrams Birmingham to/from Shrewesbury that largely work as a pair but seem to do the start and end of day a little differently but I may be missing something ?.

There are also sometimes pairs of 2car 196/0s on one or two of the Hereford/Worcester diagrams - that then reduces the number of 4car 196/1s out by one or two.
So between four and eight of the 2car 196/0s are out daily. But sometimes less than four.

Sometimes there is a 2 or 4car diagram not covered - I have not checked thoroughly but I seem to notice covered by a 172. So possibly indicating a shortage of trained crew rather than a shortage of 196s. For NuCLe the pair can be replaced by busses I believe and with at least four 2car units spare i can guess crew.

 

[newtownmgr]

Yes for the 2car 196/0s there are generally :-
Two on the NuCLe (Nuneaton-Coventry-LeamingtonSpa;
Two on the 2car diagrams Birmingham to/from Shrewesbury that largely work as a pair but seem to do the start and end of day a little differently but I may be missing something ?.

There are also sometimes pairs of 2car 196/0s on one or two of the Hereford/Worcester diagrams - that then reduces the number of 4car 196/1s out by one or two.
So between four and eight of the 2car 196/0s are out daily. But sometimes less than four.

Sometimes there is a 2 or 4car diagram not covered - I have not checked thoroughly but I seem to notice covered by a 172. So possibly indicating a shortage of trained crew rather than a shortage of 196s. For NuCLe the pair can be replaced by busses I believe and with at least four 2car units spare i can guess crew.

If a 172 is out vice a 196 it will be unit issues,at least as regards the Hereford circuits. Would expect the same reason for the Leam-Nuneaton services. As regards Worcester all drivers that sign Hereford-New St sign 196’s.

 

[Peter Sarf]

If a 172 is out vice a 196 it will be unit issues,at least as regards the Hereford circuits. Would expect the same reason for the Leam-Nuneaton services. As regards Worcester all drivers that sign Hereford-New St sign 196’s.

Thanks. So not really getting enough availability when only needing 13 units out of 26 (24 if 113 & 114 are not yet accepted) is rather poor - 50% ?.
I am sure it will improve with time though.

 

[RobK]

There are usually 1 or 2 196/0 used on the Tyseley to Wolverhampton empty stock workings. Plus a 196/1 runs most days between Wolverhampton to Bescot and return empty stock workings

 

[12LDA28C]

Thanks. So not really getting enough availability when only needing 13 units out of 26 (24 if 113 & 114 are not yet accepted) is rather poor - 50% ?.
I am sure it will improve with time though.

Possibly, but this will be impacted by the loss of 6 x 2-car 196s to EWR which will be happening in a few months' time.