WMR Class 196 Build and Implementation

[12LDA28C]

The gossip has been that 196007 - 196012 will be the units allocated to EWR. When Chiltern ran test trains over the Bicester-Bletchley EWR two weeks ago they used their own trains and their own drivers reportedly with drivers from several Chiltern depots. The move of the units to EWR will presumably be determined by the stage at which the newly recruited drivers have reached in their training.

The testing was done with Chiltern units because the GSM-R needed testing and nobody at Chiltern has yet been trained on 196s. The move of units to EWR will not be determined by what stage the drivers have reached in their training - more the other way round. Driver training on the units is waiting to commence as soon as the units are provided.

 

[43096]

I note that 196009 & 196010 have been "off lease" since 13/08/2024 or before. Not that I am sure what "off lease" means with these.
They were unused since July 2024.
To recap 196009 went to Long Marson 21/10/2024.

They are not off lease - they are sub-leased to Chiltern from West Mids.

 

[Peter Sarf]

The testing was done with Chiltern units because the GSM-R needed testing and nobody at Chiltern has yet been trained on 196s. The move of units to EWR will not be determined by what stage the drivers have reached in their training - more the other way round. Driver training on the units is waiting to commence as soon as the units are provided.

Is there any information on where the EWR 196s would be based ?.
I vaguely recall it might be Tyseley but then that seems unlikely if Tyseley are already sending them (out of the way ?) to Long Marston.

 

[DavidGrain]

Is there any information on where the EWR 196s would be based ?.
I vaguely recall it might be Tyseley but then that seems unlikely if Tyseley are already sending them (out of the way ?) to Long Marston.

The information we have been given is that the units will be based at Bletchley. However looking at the ghost timetable, it appears that two units will overnight at Oxford. I have not worked through the timetable but I assume they will operate on the basis that it will be a different two units each night to rotate the stock. The tests, that Chiltern did, included accessing Bletchley Depot by reversing at Fenny Stratford on the Bletchley - Banbury Line. EDIT This should have read Bedford not Banbury
The units will be required to return to Tyseley from time to time for the more heavy maintenance.

 

[12LDA28C]

Is there any information on where the EWR 196s would be based ?.
I vaguely recall it might be Tyseley but then that seems unlikely if Tyseley are already sending them (out of the way ?) to Long Marston.

This has already been answered either upthread or on the EWR thread, I forget exactly where. They will be based at Bletchley but heavier maintenance will be carried out at Tyseley.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 7 Nov 2024 ==

The information we have been given is that the units will be based at Bletchley. However looking at the ghost timetable, it appears that two units will overnight at Oxford. I have not worked through the timetable but I assume they will operate on the basis that it will be a different two units each night to rotate the stock. The tests, that Chiltern did, included accessing Bletchley Depot by reversing at Fenny Stratford on the Bletchley - Banbury Line.
The units will be required to return to Tyseley from time to time for the more heavy maintenance.

The tests did involve a few reversals at Fenny but again that was for GSM-R testing and did not access Bletchley Depot which is currently in the process of being upgraded with additional capacity provided for stabling, as well as new staff accommodation being constructed.

Fenny Stratford is on the Bletchley - Bedford 'Martson Vale' line, there is no direct line linking Bletchley and Banbury.

 

[Peter Sarf]

This has already been answered either upthread or on the EWR thread, I forget exactly where. They will be based at Bletchley but heavier maintenance will be carried out at Tyseley.

Now you mention it that rings a bell.

The tests did involve a few reversals at Fenny but again that was for GSM-R testing and did not access Bletchley Depot which is currently in the process of being upgraded with additional capacity provided for stabling, as well as new staff accommodation being constructed.

Fenny Stratford is on the Bletchley - Bedford 'Martson Vale' line, there is no direct line linking Bletchley and Banbury.

That makes sense, thankyou for finding it.

 

[nigelsporne]

57310 and 305 top and tailed 196108 through New Street at 16.55. 196008 was on a Hereford and 196011 on Shrewsbury.

 

[Jez]

Had my first journey on a 196 yesterday. Hereford to Birmingham New Street and return. Thought they were really nice and seats much better than a 195.

I am a big fan of the 197s and thought they were pretty much on a par with them in terms of comfort. Also at 4 carriages there was plenty of space on the outward journey, was full on the 1550 ex Birmingham but to be expected leaving a major city at that time of day but i did manage to get a seat. It got quieter the closer it got to Hereford.

 

[172007]

Class 172's still standing in for 196's on Herefords.

 

[Peter Sarf]

Class 172's still standing in for 196's on Herefords.

Not sure whether it is stock issues or crewing issues ?.

 

[172007]

Not sure whether it is stock issues or crewing issues ?.

All crew sign that are required to sign 196's do.

 

[bnsf734]

Yes the 1250 Birmingham to Hereford was a 3 car 172 today (Tuesday)

 

[Spaceship323]

Class 172's still standing in for 196's on Herefords.

I wish they'd put 172's back on my line, has anyone else noticed how high the step is on a 196? It's right up at carriage floor level. The 172's are much easier to get on and off if you're disabled as the step seems to be half way down the bodyside. (Or the whole thing is lower...don't know which)

 

[DavidGrain]

I wish they'd put 172's back on my line, has anyone else noticed how high the step is on a 196? It's right up at carriage floor level. The 172's are much easier to get on and off if you're disabled as the step seems to be half way down the bodyside. (Or the whole thing is lower...don't know which)

If that is so then there will be a problem for me if the 196s come on to the Stourbridge Line as Platform 2 at Rowley Regis is very low. Some times I let a Chiltern loco hauled train go at Snow Hill and wait for a WMR train.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I wish they'd put 172's back on my line, has anyone else noticed how high the step is on a 196? It's right up at carriage floor level. The 172's are much easier to get on and off if you're disabled as the step seems to be half way down the bodyside. (Or the whole thing is lower...don't know which)

I've not noticed it on 196s, but Northern's 195s (similar bodyshell) do seem to have a very high step, I've noticed a few people struggling with it.

 

[Jacob Porrett]

196012 and 196011 sitting at Shrewsbury yesterday afternoon.

 

[dave6]

HI
Is anyone able to update the position regarding which 196's are now at Long Marston?
Many thanks Dave

 

[bnsf734]

196114 is back in traffic. Saw it myself on Saturday 14 December on the 1052 to Shrewsbury. Worked all day.

Not sure on any others at Long Marston but I know 114 was there as reported upthread.

 

[uniquicity]

196114 is back in traffic. Saw it myself on Saturday 14 December on the 1052 to Shrewsbury. Worked all day.

Not sure on any others at Long Marston but I know 114 was there as reported upthread.

It made it to Hereford today. First time?

(Ticked them all now)...

 

[newtownmgr]

It made it to Hereford today. First time?

(Ticked them all now)...

Been to Hereford a few times. Was working off Worcester a few days last week.

 

[uniquicity]

Been to Hereford a few times. Was working off Worcester a few days last week.

Kept seeing all the two cars in the week, not complaining now

 

[newtownmgr]

Kept seeing all the two cars in the week, not complaining now

Yeah plenty of 2 cars and 172’s about this week due to a couple of ongoing issues at Tyseley

 

[Peter Sarf]

I was tracking the 196 usage on Part Time Spotter. Really missing that now it has gone. I noticed how long it took before 196113 and 196114 started to get used. Then they did not get much use. I get the impression those two still do not get out much ?.

 

[DavidGrain]

Anyone got any more info on the units due to go to Chiltern? 196007-196012 are said to be the ones to go. Currently Chiltern are using one of their 165s doing route learning on the Oxford to Milton Keynes line.

 

[newtownmgr]

I was tracking the 196 usage on Part Time Spotter. Really missing that now it has gone. I noticed how long it took before 196113 and 196114 started to get used. Then they did not get much use. I get the impression those two still do not get out much ?.

114 is working off Worcester at present.

 

[12LDA28C]

Anyone got any more info on the units due to go to Chiltern? 196007-196012 are said to be the ones to go. Currently Chiltern are using one of their 165s doing route learning on the Oxford to Milton Keynes line.

I believe they are now all on sub-lease to Chiltern although traction training has yet to commence. There is no EWR route learning train in operation this week.

 

[Jacob Porrett]

114 is working off Worcester at present.

This was 196114 on the 1J56 14:52 off Birmingham New Street to Shrewsbury at Birmingham New Street today. I was on it back to Telford Central.

 

[newtownmgr]

just checked it was on one of the amended diagrams. Worked the first Malvern - New St this morning. Normally would have worked the 06:59 New St Hereford but it worked the 06:52 New St Shrewsbury instead with the Hfd not running today or tomorrow from New St.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

I was tracking the 196 usage on Part Time Spotter. Really missing that now it has gone. I noticed how long it took before 196113 and 196114 started to get used. Then they did not get much use. I get the impression those two still do not get out much ?.

I was under the impression there were no further updates as of 11/11?

 

[bnsf734]

I was under the impression there were no further updates as of 11/11?

Thats correct. We all have to rely on this forum and the mark 1 eyeball now.