Arriva Trains Wales - it’s the final countdown

[pdeaves]

Virtually every ATW train I've seen lately has been completely stripped.

My most recently-seen ATW units were either like that, or retained the Welsh Government logo and 'Cysylltu Cymru/Connecting Wales' lettering in the middle with sticker scars so obvious that the original stickers may as well still have been there!

 

[Gareth Marston]

They've even put blank stickers over parts of the 'Buy Before You Board" posters.

 

[_toommm_]

They've even put blank stickers over parts of the 'Buy Before You Board" posters.

That's what happened with the station signs at Northern stations - alot still haven't been replaced...

 

[Rhydgaled]

Why would they think that? I thought that the new franchise starts on the 14th, so if anyone is expecting a miracle transformation wouldn't it be overnight between 13-14th October? Either way I'm afraid that they would be very disapointed, unless Northern release some 142s and they head straight for Cardiff and get formed up into pairs with each pair replacing a single 150. Actually, if additional Pacers are coming this way are the ValleyLines continuously welded rail throughout? If not, is there any route on the franchise that is AND is currently worked by 150s AND where the crews already sign 142s?

All train crew in south Wales sign 142s. I'm pretty sure they've made it to Fishguard, Milford Haven and Pembroke this year.

The Pembroke Dock branch has jointed track. I'm not sure if Fishguard and Milford do, but I think everything on the Milford Haven branch is booked 175 (except for one 158 on Saturdays) and all the Fishguards interwork with other services, so there's nothing there that fits the critera of currently being worked by a 150 on continuously welded rail throughout.

Power car TDM equipment is long gone. The re-wiring programme of 10-15 years ago saw all 8 TDM fitted power cars re-wired to the standard wiring schematic and the TDM cubicles were removed.

It's as I suspected then; there is no diesel loco which will work 'as-is' with an unmodified mark 4 DVT (or with an unmodified mark 3 DVT or mark 2 DBSO). Does the AAR multiple working on the ATW mark 3 sets require through wiring to be installed on the coaches or does it use existing wiring curcuits that would be found on a mark 4? If the coaches don't require modification, I wouldn't be surprised to see the 67s and mark 3 DVTs continue with the mark 4s until some mark 4 DVTs are made ready to work with diesel locos.

 

[craigybagel]

The Pembroke Dock branch has jointed track. I'm not sure if Fishguard and Milford do, but I think everything on the Milford Haven branch is booked 175 (except for one 158 on Saturdays) and all the Fishguards interwork with other services, so there's nothing there that fits the critera of currently being worked by a 150 on continuously welded rail throughout.

It's as I suspected then; there is no diesel loco which will work 'as-is' with an unmodified mark 4 DVT (or with an unmodified mark 3 DVT or mark 2 DBSO). Does the AAR multiple working on the ATW mark 3 sets require through wiring to be installed on the coaches or does it use existing wiring curcuits that would be found on a mark 4? If the coaches don't require modification, I wouldn't be surprised to see the 67s and mark 3 DVTs continue with the mark 4s until some mark 4 DVTs are made ready to work with diesel locos.

I suggested this on another thread, but it was pointed out to me by someone eminently more qualified that MKIII DVTs are not compatible with MKIV coaches, so that being the case it's likely that they will need to change over at the same time.

 

[Parallel]

The Fishguard branch has got a fair amount of jointed track.

 

[Cardiff123]

ATW are having a bit of a nightmare in South Wales today. An alleged fire on a 142 at Caerphilly, shutting the Cardiff - Rhymney line this morning for several hours at peak time.
A broken down freight train between Rhoose and Bridgend shutting the VoG until at least 5pm.
Safety inspections on the SWML between Pontyclun and Bridgend, lineside equipment failing between Ystrad Rhondda and Porth.

All before they are due to get thousands of football fans into Cardiff for the Wales v Spain match tonight.

Oh and the inevitable flooding that will be caused by the heavy rain and strong winds forecast tomorrow and Saturday.

 

[PHILIPE]

ATW are having a bit of a nightmare in South Wales today. An alleged fire on a 142 at Caerphilly, shutting the Cardiff - Rhymney line this morning for several hours at peak time.
A broken down freight train between Rhoose and Bridgend shutting the VoG until at least 5pm.
Safety inspections on the SWML between Pontyclun and Bridgend, lineside equipment failing between Ystrad Rhondda and Porth.

All before they are due to get thousands of football fans into Cardiff for the Wales v Spain match tonight.

Oh and the inevitable flooding that will be caused by the heavy rain and strong winds forecast tomorrow and Saturday.

ATW were saying in Twitter Messages and on Journey Check that it was an operational incident at Caerphilly. This prompted people on the train and waiting at Caerphilly to Tweet ATW to say it was a fire and asking what are you trying to hide ?

 

[Cardiff123]

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/...ios_WalesOnlineNewsApp_AppShare_Click_FBshare

Arriva Trains Wales said that there was no fire damage but "a heat source was located within the vicinity of an external heating system".

Head of Safety at Arriva Trains Wales Gareth Jones said the train had been inspected by a mobile train engineer and the fire service.

He said: "The train was able to move under its own power to our maintenance depot at Cardiff, where detailed investigations are ongoing into the cause of the problem.

 

[CardiffKid]

ot odd at all. The work is intertwined with the pure Welsh and cross-border services ran

ATW were saying in Twitter Messages and on Journey Check that it was an operational incident at Caerphilly. This prompted people on the train and waiting at Caerphilly to Tweet ATW to say it was a fire and asking what are you trying to hide ?

I do wish language like that wouldn't be used. I was waiting in Cardiff to catch the effected train this morning to go to Penarth and we were told of a "fire near the tracks" while I was in Queen Street and a "serious indecent" when I got to Cardiff Central.

From around 5pm last night until lunchtime today Rover Way in Cardiff (main road from the M4 to Cardiff Bay) was closed due to "an obstruction". SW Police weren't saying anything else. Turns out there was a big gypsy funeral today and all the visiting friends/relatives parked up on the road.

https://twitter.com/swpcardiff/status/1050132505112789005
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-45821430

Not a good day all round for travel in South Wales. But still it's all change on Monday.

 

[Darandio]

Not a good day all round for travel in South Wales. But still it's all change on Monday.

Surely you mean more of the same?

 

[CardiffKid]

Surely you mean more of the same?

Brand new trains coming Monday

 

[deepthought]

A broken down freight train between Rhoose and Bridgend shutting the VoG until at least 5pm.

The VoG has been closed all day it must've been more than a broken down train!

 

[Dai Corner]

The VoG has been closed all day it must've been more than a broken down train!

Heard elsewhere that it was a wagon with brakes jammed on. Took them all day to deal with and it's being dumped in Aberthaw.

 

[krus_aragon]

Quoth ATW: "Severe weather forecast for Friday 12th + Saturday 13th October
Severe weather is forecast to affect the Wales & Borders area through this coming weekend. Severe flooding caused by extreme rainfall and coastal flooding is forecast."

In short: Service suspended on the Conwy Valley until Sunday, no night-time/early morning services between Carmarthen and Swansea on Friday or Saturday, and no service between Newtown and Machynlleth from 10am Friday until Sunday. Replacement buses timetabled. (And that's just what was announced in advance on Thursday!)

There's an Amber Weather Warning for much of South Wales, so I can appreciate choosing not to run trains along the coast in the dark. The Conwy Valley is going to be relatively quiet, is self-contained, and as it's so prone to flooding it makes sense to be proactive in this instance. But I'm rather surprised at the advanced closure of Newtown-Machynlleth: it cuts off the Cambrian Coast, isn't covered by the Amber warning (only the Yellow, like the rest of Wales) and I can't see any flood alerts relating to the area. Perhaps someone more local to the area (Gareth?) knows more than I do.

It certainly makes for a stormy exit for Arriva Trains Wales. To quote a Welsh saying, perhaps it'll be a case of "gwynt teg ar eu hôl" ("may a fair wind follow them as they leave")...

 

[craigybagel]

Quoth ATW: "Severe weather forecast for Friday 12th + Saturday 13th October
Severe weather is forecast to affect the Wales & Borders area through this coming weekend. Severe flooding caused by extreme rainfall and coastal flooding is forecast."

In short: Service suspended on the Conwy Valley until Sunday, no night-time/early morning services between Carmarthen and Swansea on Friday or Saturday, and no service between Newtown and Machynlleth from 10am Friday until Sunday. Replacement buses timetabled. (And that's just what was announced in advance on Thursday!)

There's an Amber Weather Warning for much of South Wales, so I can appreciate choosing not to run trains along the coast in the dark. The Conwy Valley is going to be relatively quiet, is self-contained, and as it's so prone to flooding it makes sense to be proactive in this instance. But I'm rather surprised at the advanced closure of Newtown-Machynlleth: it cuts off the Cambrian Coast, isn't covered by the Amber warning (only the Yellow, like the rest of Wales) and I can't see any flood alerts relating to the area. Perhaps someone more local to the area (Gareth?) knows more than I do.

It certainly makes for a stormy exit for Arriva Trains Wales. To quote a Welsh saying, perhaps it'll be a case of "gwynt teg ar eu hôl" ("may a fair wind follow them as they leave")...

The issue with the coast sections isn't so much darkness, but high tide. Those time periods (0700-1100 and after 1900 for Swansea to Carmarthen, 0900-1300 for the Cambrian Coast) coincide with high tide, and with a storm surge expected the exposed coastal sections around Pembrey & Burry port, and at various points on the Cambrian Coast will be at great risk of flooding.

The issue between Machynlleth and Newtown is the Black bridge, http://abcrailwayguide.uk/bridge-sba27417251-machynlleth-powys#.W8BV9TPTWyV . This is particularly prone to flooding during heavy rain, and if the weather is as bad as forecasted it's pretty much guaranteed to flood and block the line.

 

[CardiffKid]

They've even put blank stickers over parts of the 'Buy Before You Board" posters.

Not just the buy before you board posters...

 

[Oscar46016]

Is it true that when Arriva trains disappear that the concept of tickets on phones goes as well?
These tickets can only be bought on ATW app and can be quite handy if you’re too late to get a ticket at the ticket office!

 

[mde]

Not just the buy before you board posters...

Now that really is an example of stupidity… signage like this is legally required to state who the data controller is - I’m sure Keolis Amey would know that, so, where’s the world class stickers?!

 

[Cardiff123]

Is it true that when Arriva trains disappear that the concept of tickets on phones goes as well?
These tickets can only be bought on ATW app and can be quite handy if you’re too late to get a ticket at the ticket office!

TfW are launching a new app which you'll be able to use to buy tickets m-tickets on Monday. Today is the last day you can use the ATW app, so over the weekend people will have to make do with old fashioned orange paper tickets.

 

[krus_aragon]

TfW are launching a new app which you'll be able to use to buy tickets m-tickets on Monday. Today is the last day you can use the ATW app, so over the weekend people will have to make do with old fashioned orange paper tickets.

I presume you mean today is the last day you can buy tickets through the ATW app. TfW have said that tickets already bought will be valid until January 13th.

 

[6Gtraincrew]

As of midday you can no longer buy tickets on the ATW App

 

[Cardiff123]

A blanket 'DO NOT TRAVEL' warning has just been put out by ATW across the whole of Wales as 'journey completion cannot be guaranteed'.
A 150 has got stuck in floodwater between Penrhiwceiber and Mountain Ash and the fire service has been called in to evacuate the train, as it won't be going anywhere soon.

 

[PHILIPE]

A blanket 'DO NOT TRAVEL' warning has just been put out by ATW across the whole of Wales as 'journey completion cannot be guaranteed'.
A 150 has got stuck in floodwater between Penrhiwceiber and Mountain Ash and the fire service has been called in to evacuate the train, as it won't be going anywhere soon.

From pictures it would appear to be in a difficult location for evacuation and talk on News of possible necessity to use dinghies. Not even certain if still on the road

 

[Dai Corner]

A blanket 'DO NOT TRAVEL' warning has just been put out by ATW across the whole of Wales as 'journey completion cannot be guaranteed'.
A 150 has got stuck in floodwater between Penrhiwceiber and Mountain Ash and the fire service has been called in to evacuate the train, as it won't be going anywhere soon.

ITV News Wales have tweeted to say they've been evacuated using inflatable walkways. Also includes video from the scene

https://twitter.com/itvwales/status/1050799690315386885?s=21

 

[Parallel]

I'm sure TfW can't wait for their first day with half their rolling stock out of service due to needing repairs from accidental damage!

 

[Greenback]

It seems to be very appropriate for ATW to shout 'Do Not Travel' as their franchise finally comes to an end. Some people must have htought that this has been their message to passengers all along!

 

[Dai Corner]

Many problems today. From Journeycheck just now.

The location for the tree blocking the line must be the vaguest I've ever seen

Cancellations to services on all routes

Due to a tree blocking the railway between Milford Haven and Holyhead:
Impact
Train services running across the whole Arriva Trains Wales network may be cancelled or delayed. Disruption is expected until the end of the day.
Customer Advice
Llanbradach to Rhymney

Due to a tree falling the line towards Rhymney is blocked until further notice. New Adventure supplying road transport.

Abercynon to Aberdare

Due to severe flooding in the Penrhiwceiber and Cwmbach area, trains are unable to run. Road transport sourced Williams of Brecon to shuttle betweeen Aberdare and Abercynon , customers are advised not to travel (ticket acceptance also with Stagecoach on services 60 & 60A Pontypridd and Aberdare).

West Wales
There will be no services operating between Swansea and Carmarthen between 0700 and 1100 and also after 1900 on both Friday 12th October and Saturday 13th October due to expected flooding caused by high tides and strong winds. A very limited replacement bus service will operate. Where trains are running, they will be operating at reduced speed for safety reasons.

Train services have now re-commenced between Pembroke Dock and Carmarthen following an earlier tree on the line at Narbeth

Aberystwyth Machynlleth Newtown Shrewsbury
No services will operate between Newtown and Machynlleth after 09:00 until the start of service on Monday 15th October due to expected flooding between Machynlleth and Caersws. A replacement bus service will operate every 2 hours. Connections into / out of train services at Machynlleth and Newtown will be maintained where possible

Machynlleth Barmouth Pwllheli
No services will operate between 0900 and 1300 on both Friday 12th October and Saturday 13th October due to expected flooding caused by high tides and strong winds. A replacement bus service will operate

Llandudno Jn Blaenau Ffestiniog
No trains will operate between Llandudno Junction and Blaenau Ffestiniog on Friday 12th October and Saturday 13th October due to anticipated flooding at several locations on the line. A replacement bus service will operate

Replacement bus service provision is subject to local road conditions and may be withdrawn should local roads become impassable. Full details on service alterations and replacement bus times can be found at www.arrivatrains.wales/check

Passengers with advanced purchased tickets for Friday 12th and Saturday 13th can use thier tickets on alternative services on these days, also they are able to use those tickets on Sunday 14th and Monday 15th.
Further Information
An update will follow within the next 1 hour.
Last Updated:13/10/2018 09:20

 

[PHILIPE]

Many problems today. From Journeycheck just now.

The location for the tree blocking the line must be the vaguest I've ever seen

Some tree if it's blocking the route from Milford Haven to Holyhead

 

[Welshman]

Some tree if it's blocking the route from Milford Haven to Holyhead

You could say it has branches throughout Wales.