Transport for Wales

[Rachvince53]

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/15c2MLJiJn/

For those on Facebook the video link above shows a 8 car leaving Wolverhampton, although looks like only four carrying passengers.

158+150+158+153+153

There are more than 4 passengers on board. The last carriage appears empty but it could be that the unit is not in service.

[Tony]

There are more than 4 passengers on board. The last carriage appears empty but it could be that the unit is not in service.

I put "only 4 carrying passengers" the front 4 are full the rear four are empty

[Rachvince53]

I put "only 4 carrying passengers" the front 4 are full the rear four are empty

Sorry I misread it as "only 4 passengers on board"!  

[BlackCountryBusSpotter]

Front four carriages were rammed apparently the last four were locked out of use In case the train needed to split as it was delayed due to Flooding at Wellington 

[Budgie]

I note there is a 197 scheduled for Tywyn tomorrow. Not that common is it?  2J11 to Pwllheli at 1325 and 17:27 return to 2G65 Machynlleth. Unit 197044

[Roy]

I note there is a 197 scheduled for Tywyn tomorrow. Not that common is it?  2J11 to Pwllheli at 1325 and 17:27 return to 2G65 Machynlleth. Unit 197044

According to RTT, 2J11 has left Machynllech with 158838 in charge.  I'm not surprised as this service starts at Birmingham International as 1J11 and is split at Machynllech.  In addition, ETMS fitted Class 197s are not yet cleared for passenger service although the rail press has reported that test runs between Shrewsbury and Machyllnech are being undertaken.  Finally, 197044 is not ETMS fitted for use on the Cambrian lines.

[Budgie]

Thanks Roy. All of that is as I thought should be the case. I knew it was the 1st weekday of a new month but still was surprised to see the schedule as I didn't expect a 197 in passenger service to my parents yet. 

Looking at RTT, 197044 did its 1st journey's as per what was stated yesterday. It then swapped with 158838 at Chester with 197044 heading to Holyhead. 158838 bringing in 1D10 from Crewe (06:69-07:20). 1D10 is scheduled to arrive and depart Chester to Holyhead at 07:20 but arrived on time, not surprisingly departed at 07:24. 158838 took over the 1J93 to Shrewsbury.

[Roy]

There was a planned movement of ETMS fitted units 197030 and 197034 from Holyhead to Machyllnech last Thursday but it was cancelled at Chester.

[Stu]

Vital £15m engineering work to close parts of the Cambrian line for 16 days from mid-March

Passengers are being urged to check before they travel on the Cambrian line �from mid-March to early April when Network Rail will be carrying out a range of work across a 16-day period.
As part of a £15 million investment in the railway, engineers will be carrying out multiple track and drainage renewals, a bridge renewal, embankment work, vegetation management and track maintenance across various sites, between Monday 17 March and Wednesday 2 April.

https://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/news/vital-gbp-15m-engineering-work-to-close-parts-of-the-cambrian-line-for-16-days-from-mid-march

In the current day and age, it is remarkable to actually see some 'forward-thinking' being used, with the opportunity being taken to carry out works that would have otherwise been scheduled over the next couple of years.

While the disruption will no doubtedly inconvenience a number of passengers, it does make sense to do this work ahead of the Easter and summer holiday periods. And there is one positive to come from this too:

In addition to the continued safe and reliable running of train services along this busy route, the track renewal at Machynlleth station will pave the way for the introduction of TfW's new Class 197 trains.

I'm off for a short break to Fairbourne early next month, so could this be the last time I get to ride on one of TfW's class 158s?

[Stu]

I'm off for a short break to Fairbourne early next month, so could this be the last time I get to ride on one of TfW's class 158s?

To add to the above, TfW seem to have some great prices on advance single tickets at the moment, so my trip from New Street to Fairbourne and back is only costing me £29.40, with no splitting of tickets required!

Well done TfW!

[Budgie]

I'm off to Tywyn tomorrow, buying my tickets yesterday from Sandwell and Dudley costing just £30.40 return which given the late purchase of the outbound is excellent.

Never understood the flexible tickets. Currently to Tywyn, £50.90 from Wolverhampton, £71.10 from Birmingham. So I always look to buy from closer to Wolverhampton.

My train to Sandwell and Dudley from HDM semi flexible is £32.40, same price from HDM to Leamington Spa. So effectively, Leamington to Sandwell is free.

So 100% agree with your comments Stu but in my case, definitely best to split ticket. 

[Gareth]

Managed to sample a 197 on a trip from BHI to BHM last night. Quite pleasant journey. One thing I did notice was the very high step up to the train from the platform at International, and it wasn't much better at New Street. Not the most easily accessible train and a noticeable difference to a 730.

[Stu]

OK, so I did unexpectedly get to sample the new 197 on my trip to Wales.

Four car coach arrived at New Street heading towards Aberystwyth/Pwllheli.

Very smart and plush interiors, only complaint was fewer luggage rack spaces, though it seems the overhead racks have been designed to accomodate larger suitcases/bags.

Unfortunately the excitement soon wore off, once we were told that we'd all have to change trains at Shrewsbury, as the 197s haven't yet been tested on the Cambrian line. That's what the conductor was telling everyone anyway.

[Budgie]

What did you think about needing to change trains Stu?  For me, I like it if it guarantees 4 carriages throughout the journey as opposed to splitting two 158s to provide 2 car services.  But I can imagine my parents wouldn't like needing to change, especially with luggage.

[Stu]

What did you think about needing to change trains Stu?  For me, I like it if it guarantees 4 carriages throughout the journey as opposed to splitting two 158s to provide 2 car services.  But I can imagine my parents wouldn't like needing to change, especially with luggage.

To be honest, it wasn't a massive inconvenience on this occasion, as we'd already been informed in advance by the train staff that a change would be required. On arrival at Shrewsbury, it was just a case of having to walk round to the next platform, so at least there weren't any stairs to negotiate. Our train was the incoming one from Aberystwyth/Pwllheli so was another 4-car unit anyway, and those passengers had to do the same and change onto the train we'd arrived on in order to continue towards Birmingham. In the end there was no delay anyway, as the train normally has to wait for a bit while crews changeover.

The problem we had a few years ago when returning from Borth was that we were unaware that a change of trains would be required at Shrewsbury as the on-board audio announcements were barely audible!