Arriva Trains Wales Coradia repaints

[Philip Phlopp]

What stock is that then? I would guess it isn't in passenger service!

There are still Class 60 (mainly stored), Class 90 and Class 92 locomotives in the paint and livery they were delivered in fresh from the factory. There are Class 90 and Class 92 locomotives in their as delivered paint which have hauled the Caledonian Sleeper this year though.

I think there's a handful of Mark 2 coaches still in Intercity livery, they'll not have seen a paintshop in the best part of 25 years either, and stored on preserved railways, there's some Mark 3 Sleepers which probably haven't been repainted since they were built. They're generally tatty and a bit mossy, but there's certainly no reason why a good quality paint finish won't last the length of one and a half to two franchises (15 years +) if they're being cleaned regularly.

 

[43096]

There are still Class 60 (mainly stored), Class 90 and Class 92 locomotives in the paint and livery they were delivered in fresh from the factory. There are Class 90 and Class 92 locomotives in their as delivered paint which have hauled the Caledonian Sleeper this year though.

Which Class 90s carry their original coat of paint, then?

 

[Envoy]

Or follow GWR into looking classic, which seems in vogue at the moment, and have "Rheilffyrdd Cymru" with a nice crest.

The other suggestions, other than Trawscymru, sound a bit 80s.

“Rheilffyrdd Cymru” - what a daft suggestion. Most people could not pronounce it let alone know what it means. ‘Trawscymru’ is also a stupid name for the long distance bus services across Wales. I now await all the nationalists to come on here and say that only Welsh language names should be used. You will note that ‘Scotrail’ is not a Gaelic name. The fact is that anyone from abroad who is Googling for information about Welsh Train/Bus services is most unlikely to use the Welsh language. Just about everybody in Wales understands English and then we have the fact that trains of Welsh origin also serve substantial parts of England.

I note that Cardiff Central station has had some re-painting recently and that the colour looks like the green used by GWR. It is certainly not ATW turquoise. I wonder if this means that it is going to become a GWR station?

 

[transmanche]

“Rheilffyrdd Cymru” - what a daft suggestion. Most people could not pronounce it let alone know what it means.

Do people really need to know what a name means? What does Arriva mean? What does Abellio mean?

‘Trawscymru’ is also a stupid name for the long distance bus services across Wales. I now await all the nationalists to come on here and say that only Welsh language names should be used.

In Ireland, it's quite common for state or semi-bodies to only have an Irish-language name:

• An Garda Síochána (Garda) - Police
• Bord Bia - Food Board
• Bord Failte - Tourist Board
• Bord Gáis - Gas Board
• Luas (Speed) - Dublin trams

Personally I'd like it if they revived the 'Taith' brand name. Taith, means journey, trip or tour and is fairly easy for English-speakers to pronounce.

You will note that ‘Scotrail’ is not a Gaelic name.

Why would it be? Gaelic has never been the primary language spoken across the whole of Scotland. What was spoken (before Scots) in parts of southern Scotland has more in common with Welsh than Gaelic.

There are twice as many Welsh speakers in England as there are Scottish Gaelic speakers in total.

 

[Harbornite]

Which Class 90s carry their original coat of paint, then?

Quite a few- 90050, 90044 among others.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I note that Cardiff Central station has had some re-painting recently and that the colour looks like the green used by GWR. It is certainly not ATW turquoise. I wonder if this means that it is going to become a GWR station?

There was a time when Regional Railways North West was using a green (similar to GWR green) and red scheme for stations. I think that's still in use in places. Maybe that's being used as a suitable generic (and Welsh-looking) colour scheme?

e.g. Ulverston:

Much nicer than washed-out Arriva turquoise, anyway. If they must use Arriva colours, the darker blue "regional express" colour is much nicer.

 

[43096]

Quite a few- 90050, 90044 among others.

No they don't. When they got the Freightliner red flashes they were repainted in triple grey.

 

[brook.pete]

Does anyone know if or when Arriva Trains Wales will start repainting their class 175 Coradia fleet into the newer ATW livery? I am aware that some members of the class are suffering from corrosion at the window edges which might be relevant.

Cheers.

I don't believe that the class 175 will be rebranded. There is talk that at the end of our current franchise they will be returning back to the north where they originally came from and Arriva have got the franchise from Northern.

 

[StripeyNick]

I don't believe that the class 175 will be rebranded. There is talk that at the end of our current franchise they will be returning back to the north where they originally came from and Arriva have got the franchise from Northern.

I have heard that too and that the 175s will be exchanged for 158s from Northern so makes sense for them not to be repainted/vinyled

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

I have heard that too and that the 175s will be exchanged for 158s from Northern so makes sense for them not to be repainted/vinyled

They've not even issued the spec for the new W&B franchise yet, let alone started bidding.
Nobody is going to waste money on pointless repaints anyway.
There are more important things to do with the Welsh Government's money.

 

[Russonomics]

I don't believe that the class 175 will be rebranded. There is talk that at the end of our current franchise they will be returning back to the north where they originally came from and Arriva have got the franchise from Northern.

I came here to post this very thing. I was sat with some ATW staff en route to Carmarthen yesterday who were discussing the end of the 175's and their replacement with 158's from "somewhere, I think, up north". Two of the staff knew, one didn't but responded with "Thank [expletive] for that, I hate these trains."


I for one shan't be sad to see them go. It speaks volumes when the only positive I can say about the 175's are the seats.

 

[transmanche]

I for one shan't be sad to see them go. It speaks volumes when the only positive I can say about the 175's are the seats.

Really? I only have two complaints with the 175s; that the lighting is a bit too bright for my liking and that the overhead luggage rack is too small to fit a 'cabin-approved' suitcase (where it fits perfectly on a 185).

 

[Bletchleyite]

I can see how this makes sense - 175s might work better on Northern Connect services than 158s, given a decent refurb (they are now very tatty).

 

[ValleyLines142]

I'll be sad to see the 175s though. Internally they are looking a little tired but I think the seats are very xomfy and they are very quiet sounding, which makes for a pleasant atmopshere. They do need plug sockets mind.

 

[Bungle965]

I'll be sad to see the 175s though. Internally they are looking a little tired but I think the seats are very xomfy and they are very quiet sounding, which makes for a pleasant atmopshere. They do need plug sockets mind.

I agree with this post, I travelled on one from Manchester to Cardiff Central a few weeks ago and found that it was a perfectly acceptable form of DMU to work that service. I agree that power sockets would be a much welcomed addition.
Sam

 

[PHILIPE]

I can see how this makes sense - 175s might work better on Northern Connect services than 158s, given a decent refurb (they are now very tatty).

I wouldn't believe anything until I saw it. Rumours are rife and when passed on usually a bit changed or a bit added on.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

I can see how this makes sense - 175s might work better on Northern Connect services than 158s, given a decent refurb (they are now very tatty).

You can never fathom what hare-brained scheme is cooking in Cardiff Bay, but I can't work out why W&B would want to get rid of their most modern and customer-friendly rolling stock.
Arriva can provide some input, running both ATW and Northern, but it will be WG/DfT who will decide what fleet they want (and can afford).
Class 175s are limited in number (27 units) and there aren't enough 2-car to double up to 4-car very well.
EMT has shown how to operate a fleet of 2x158s (Liverpool-Notts-Norwich), and I can see that working on Manchester-Cardiff rather than the mix of 2/3-car 175s used today.
But it isn't the time to make major changes like that - bid time will be next year. Who knows what that will throw up.
175s are not likely to leave Chester depot, and that will determine what routes they operate.
Maybe some combination of W&B "English" routes and Northern's routes from Chester via Northwich and via the Calder Valley, also to Liverpool via Halton Curve.
It still seems far-fetched and premature though.

 

[Harbornite]

This is an interesting development and it answers my question: they won't be getting repainted into WAG livery.

 

[43096]

This is an interesting development and it answers my question: they won't be getting repainted into WAG livery.

What development? All I'm seeing is wibble about 175s going to Northern which has nothing factual to support it. There is nothing in the Northern franchise agreement, for a start.

 

[Techniquest]

I heard this rumour via text earlier, so I came over to this thread to have a look.

Thank Goodness nothing is set in stone yet, our receiving 175s on the Marches 10 years ago (or was it 11 years now?) was one of the best things to happen in this part of the world for a while. Obviously the clockface timetable was a major improvement too, and we like the 175s and won't appreciate taking away our lovely air-conditioned trains!

 

[headshot119]

Quite frankly I'll believe it when I see it in terms of the Wales & Borders franchise leaving.

For one they definitely won't leave Chester depot, so even if they did move up north will still be used down the coast.

They are some of ATWs best stock, all they need is a quick interior refurb and they'll be good as new.

 

[craigybagel]

If I were to list every one of the different rumours doing the rounds at ATW I'd probably take up all the bandwidth on this site...

In truth, I don't think anyone has a clue. Knowing the WAG though, and how touchy about their empire being disrespected, I suspect if the newest trains in "their" fleet were replaced with older cast offs there will be uproar.

Also on a personal note, if you take away 175s and make me work 158s everyday you can expect my notice to be handed in very shortly.....

 

[Wolfie]

A lot of the people along the Marches feel more of an afinity with Wales than England. In the school I teach at (in England), the vast majority of kids support the Welsh rugby and football teams rather than England; many of the teachers, too.

Interesting because as a Salopian that was far from my experience...