Transport for Wales

[Rachvince53]

Trainpal & NationalRail sites

You did select Wolverhampton rather than Wolverton on the drop down menu?

[Jay71]

You did select Wolverhampton rather than Wolverton on the drop down menu?

Nope

[Rachvince53]

Nope

Okay. I'm still puzzled how you got different fares info to me?

[Wba_lad]

Was just in Birmingham international I noticed an unusual service 21:09 to Warrington bank quay via Shrewsbury, anyone know how long this service has been running. 

[uniquicity]

Was just in Birmingham international I noticed an unusual service 21:09 to Warrington bank quay via Shrewsbury, anyone know how long this service has been running.

Normally a service to Manchester Piccadilly. Shortened slightly this week for presumed engineering works

[Wba_lad]

Normally a service to Manchester Piccadilly. Shortened slightly this week for presumed engineering works

Ah I see, I remember transport for wales running one service from Birmingham International to Manchester Piccadilly but then today when I seen the Warrington bank Quay I was shocked. As you said it may be somthing to do with engineering works taking place meaning it has to be shortened. 

[Stu]

If it's a service to both Aberystwyth and Pwllheli, an additional 158 will be coupled up at Shrewsbury for when the services would split at Machynlleth.

Typically the Birmingham - Holyhead services are at 2 car along the North Wales Coast but then have to be 4 car at Birmingham as they swap routes ie Holyhead - Birmingham - Aberystwyth/Pwllheli and reverse.

I was away on holiday in Wales again last week. The outbound train previous Saturday was only two coaches, and was a bit uncomfortable between New Street and Shrewsbury.

I checked on Realtime Trains in the morning, and it showed only two coaches booked. The service does originate at Holyhead and according to RTT it is supposed to 'gain coaches' at Chester, before continuing to Birmingham International. From where it would then run as a four-coach service to Aberystwyth and Pwllheli, which then splits at Machynlleth.
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:L39990/2024-09-14/detailed

The reality for me was that when we arrived at Machynlleth, passengers heading towards Pwllheli had to disembark and wait a few minutes for a new train to arrive. It wasn't a major issue though, as thankfully the conductor who was checking tickets after Shrewsbury was clearly telling passengers what they needed to do on arrival at Machynlleth, and despite the delays earlier on, was only five minutes late arriving into Tywyn.
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:L42524/2024-09-14/detailed

The return journey home went like a dream, no hitches or disruption.

For anyone who likes a nice scenic train ride, I can highly recommend taking a trip on the Cambrian Coast Line between Machynlleth and Pwllheli.

[BlackCountryBusSpotter]

No services yesterday between Shrewsbury and Birmingham due to shortage of trains 

[888DUK]

I was away on holiday in Wales again last week. The outbound train previous Saturday was only two coaches, and was a bit uncomfortable between New Street and Shrewsbury.

I checked on Realtime Trains in the morning, and it showed only two coaches booked. The service does originate at Holyhead and according to RTT it is supposed to 'gain coaches' at Chester, before continuing to Birmingham International. From where it would then run as a four-coach service to Aberystwyth and Pwllheli, which then splits at Machynlleth.
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:L39990/2024-09-14/detailed

The reality for me was that when we arrived at Machynlleth, passengers heading towards Pwllheli had to disembark and wait a few minutes for a new train to arrive. It wasn't a major issue though, as thankfully the conductor who was checking tickets after Shrewsbury was clearly telling passengers what they needed to do on arrival at Machynlleth, and despite the delays earlier on, was only five minutes late arriving into Tywyn.
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:L42524/2024-09-14/detailed

The return journey home went like a dream, no hitches or disruption.

For anyone who likes a nice scenic train ride, I can highly recommend taking a trip on the Cambrian Coast Line between Machynlleth and Pwllheli.

Good job you did it while you still could

https://www.facebook.com/groups/112044982303402/permalink/2878327945675078/?mibextid=rS40aB7S9Ucbxw6v

[Stu]

Good job you did it while you still could

https://www.facebook.com/groups/112044982303402/permalink/2878327945675078/?mibextid=rS40aB7S9Ucbxw6v

It's only a temporary arrangement, as long as it doesn't extend beyond Friday 22nd!

I assume a few Class 158 units are out of action for maintenance and repairs following the accident the other week caused by an apparent failed sanding unit:
https://wmbusphotos.com/forum/index.php?msg=336281

[Stu]

Great news!

Longer trains set for popular commuter route

A rail operator is introducing new trains on a popular commuter route in a bid to reduce overcrowding on services.
New trains with more than two carriages, are expected to be added to line between Shrewsbury and Birmingham in the spring, Transport for Wales (TfW) said.
The increase was confirmed after the MP for Shrewsbury, Labour's Julia Buckley, told TfW bosses the service was unable to support the area's demand.
"It should be three carriages and we're only getting two. There's more people who need to get from Shrewsbury to Birmingham, or Wolverhampton every day and that is the service that is letting us down", she said.
"Top-end businesses are telling me they want to expand, invest and employ more people, but this is impossible until we get better services".
The trains will be introduced on the Cambrian line, which runs between the Midlands and the Welsh coast, as part of an £800m investment to transform rail services.

from: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c8xq5eyjejdo

While I'm glad to hear this - as I'm hoping to have a few more trips over to west Wales this year - does this MP not realise that there are other rail services between Shrewsbury, Wolverhampton and Birmingham?

[twbc99]

Great news!

Longer trains set for popular commuter route
from: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c8xq5eyjejdo

While I'm glad to hear this - as I'm hoping to have a few more trips over to west Wales this year - does this MP not realise that there are other rail services between Shrewsbury, Wolverhampton and Birmingham?

Most if not all services are 4 car anyway are they not? Anyway a test of a 7 car 197 took place recently so I presume they will enter service between Birminahm and Holyhead soon.

[Stu]

Most if not all services are 4 car anyway are they not? Anyway a test of a 7 car 197 took place recently so I presume they will enter service between Birminahm and Holyhead soon.

I don't know about the service to Holyhead, I'm more familiar with the Cambrian lines to be honest.

As far as I am aware, the trains to Aberystwyth/Pwllheli are *supposed* to be four car units between Bham Intl and Machynlleth (where the service splits into two 2-car units), but on many occasions this isn't the case. Indeed out of the four journeys I've made in the last couple of years, two of them ended up 'short-formed' with only two cars, which made for uncomfortable journeys between New Street and Shrewsbury. I have heard that this is quite common though.

I did read something a while back where TfW were planning to have four-car units on some journeys along the Cambrian Coast Line, between Machynlleth and Pwllheli, in order to boost capacity during the busier summer months, ie "tourist season".

I do know there is some interworking of the Holyhead and Cambrian services at Bham Intl, so it does look like both services will benefit.

[Roy]

The units that will be used on these services will all be 197/0 2-car units, mostly running in multiple formations.  21 sets (197003 and 197022 to 197041) will be fitted with ETCS for use on the Cambrian line.  Holyhead services will have to use these sets as Cambrian and Holyhead services interwork at Birmingham International (i.e. a train arriving from Holyhead returns to Aberystwyth/Pwllheli, and vice versa).   

[Tony]

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