TfW DMU Availability

[Parallel]

The TrainFX system on thr sprinters is awful & tfw know about it but the 197s will be replacing the sprinters soon. The 197s have a far more modern Cis system with big screens in the carriages with uo to date information.

I don't quite understand how TfW's system is so much more unreliable than GWR's, they both use TrainFX!

When I last used a 158 towards West Wales, it was showing that we were stopping at the Swanline stations when we weren't. Surely that implies either guards are being given or punching in the wrong codes, or the system is being poorly maintained?

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Does anyone know which stock is going to be running from Cardiff to Barry Island and Bridgend via Rhoose in the future? Will it be Flirts, Sprinters or something else? (Apologies if this has been previously discussed!)

 

[tomuk]

I believe the tri-mode 756 Flirts

 

[wobman]

I don't quite understand how TfW's system is so much more unreliable than GWR's, they both use TrainFX!

When I last used a 158 towards West Wales, it was showing that we were stopping at the Swanline stations when we weren't. Surely that implies either guards are being given or punching in the wrong codes, or the system is being poorly maintained?

--

Does anyone know which stock is going to be running from Cardiff to Barry Island and Bridgend via Rhoose in the future? Will it be Flirts, Sprinters or something else? (Apologies if this has been previously discussed!)

The traincrew only input the codes as per their diagrams for the trainfx system, it's a poor system that fails very often unfortunately.
It gets reported constantly but the fixes don't seem to fix the issues, maybe other tocs get an updated version.

 

[markymark2000]

The exGC sets are far better than the exLNER sets, the exLNER sets are getting refurnished but it's not a full refurb as tfw need them in traffic.
The exGC sets are for the Cardiff to Manchester services and the exLNER are for the Cardiff to Holyhead route.

The TrainFX system on thr sprinters is awful & tfw know about it but the 197s will be replacing the sprinters soon. The 197s have a far more modern Cis system with big screens in the carriages with uo to date information.
The 197s will offer live passenger counts online & a far better customer experience.

The 175s are just as bad. It's the whole fleet, not just sprinters.

On most Crewe-Chester shuttles, I have found that on the 175s there is no announcement at all in Chester but on approach to Crewe, it all kicks in and you get all the announcements.

Why can't we use the same technology that buses have. Buses in many areas have very reliable announcements and next stop info. Why does the railways have to use something different and so it is poorly maintained. Least using the same technology as buses, outside freelancers can, if they wish, maintain it much easier and the tech is much more user friendly and it's tech that is much more widely available.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

The 197s will offer live passenger counts online & a far better customer experience.

If the PIS has the same female voice as on the Mark 4 sets, it will definitely be a far worse customer experience in my opinion. She sounds like Joanna Page.

 

[sd0733]

The 175s are just as bad. It's the whole fleet, not just sprinters.

Most of the time there's nothing at all wrong with the system on any trains, it's rare not to work. The problem lies with the codes train crew are given

 

[wobman]

Most of the time there's nothing at all wrong with the system on any trains, it's rare not to work. The problem lies with the codes train crew are given

I keep a diary of my most used 175 numbers, but the irregular stopping patterns means all codes I use aren't that accurate.

We have asked for books of PIS codes given to traincrew which are unit specific, but nothing can be done as train planning are too busy !

We had an old traincrew trainer that made a list himself many years ago, but all these new extra managers we now have can't do this as they are also too busy getting on social media.....

 

[markymark2000]

I keep a diary of my most used 175 numbers, but the irregular stopping patterns means all codes I use aren't that accurate.

We have asked for books of PIS codes given to traincrew which are unit specific, but nothing can be done as train planning are too busy !

We had an old traincrew trainer that made a list himself many years ago, but all these new extra managers we now have can't do this as they are also too busy getting on social media.....

If TFW put an advert out on this forum, I bet they would have plenty of volunteers who would do it for them probably for free, if not for a small fee.

 

[wobman]

If TFW put an advert out on this forum, I bet they would have plenty of volunteers who would do it for them probably for free, if not for a small fee.

We're would they get the information to make the list ?

 

[markymark2000]

We're would they get the information to make the list ?

Someone, somewhere has the correct information as someone had to program in all the data into the system into the first place. It'd be for TFW to give the correct information to someone so that they can make the appropriate list. Volunteers could speak to staff and if anyone knows certain codes, that can be noted down (Staff would surely be willing to assist given that it helps them as well if there is a complete list).

 

[Dai Corner]

Someone, somewhere has the correct information as someone had to program in all the data into the system into the first place. It'd be for TFW to give the correct information to someone so that they can make the appropriate list. Volunteers could speak to staff and if anyone knows certain codes, that can be noted down (Staff would surely be willing to assist given that it helps them as well if there is a complete list).

If you were really busy at work and could do with some overtime to help with the rising cost of living would you take time out of your day to help strangers who came in to do your job for nothing?

 

[wobman]

Someone, somewhere has the correct information as someone had to program in all the data into the system into the first place. It'd be for TFW to give the correct information to someone so that they can make the appropriate list. Volunteers could speak to staff and if anyone knows certain codes, that can be noted down (Staff would surely be willing to assist given that it helps them as well if there is a complete list).

Why use volunteers when there's offices of train planning staff that could do this but don't realise the importance of such data, the data has to be programmed into the trainfx system & its something that the depot staff have to input via software/ laptop.

Using volunteers is not at all practical, it's the job of people to do this already but my point that traincrew realise this data's importance but train planning don't.

 

[wobman]

If you were really busy at work and could do with some overtime to help with the rising cost of living would you take time out of your day to help strangers who came in to do your job for nothing?

Yes the staff would be very helpful in these circumstances, people doing your job for free & if they make mistakes there's no accountability

 

[markymark2000]

If you were really busy at work and could do with some overtime to help with the rising cost of living would you take time out of your day to help strangers who came in to do your job for nothing?

Either do the job or outsource it. When it's detrimental to thousands of passengers journeys, something has to be done. It's how other industries can do things. Bus destinations displays are often sorted by volunteers or outsiders, especially at some of the big companies like Stagecoach and that is very time consuming. Depot staff help out as it saves them a job and takes some of the pressure off them. Management like it as things get done. If it goes wrong, they simply stop using the volunteer and bring it in house. Staff don't always mind it and if the relevant staff who should be sorting it, aren't doing it now, they need to either start doing it or outsiders come in and do it and suddenly, they start to realise that if they don't complete all the jobs they are meant to do, they are replaceable.

Using volunteers is not at all practical, it's the job of people to do this already but my point that traincrew realise this data's importance but train planning don't.

That wasn't what you said. If it is already someones job, they need to do it.

What you did say was:

We have asked for books of PIS codes given to traincrew which are unit specific, but nothing can be done as train planning are too busy !

Which says they are too busy to do it and as such, a outsider could do it to take the pressure off the staff as per my example.

 

[Dai Corner]

Either do the job or outsource it. When it's detrimental to thousands of passengers journeys, something has to be done. It's how other industries can do things. Bus destinations displays are often sorted by volunteers or outsiders, especially at some of the big companies like Stagecoach and that is very time consuming. Depot staff help out as it saves them a job and takes some of the pressure off them. Management like it as things get done. If it goes wrong, they simply stop using the volunteer and bring it in house. Staff don't always mind it and if the relevant staff who should be sorting it, aren't doing it now, they need to either start doing it or outsiders come in and do it and suddenly, they start to realise that if they don't complete all the jobs they are meant to do, they are replaceable.

I never worked anywhere where volunteers come in and do the work of employees. I have used suitably qualified and experienced contractors though. I know museums and the like use volunteers, but not normally for operationally critical work.

Tell us about a time when it's happened at your workplace or when you've knocked on the door of a bus depot and offered to reprogram their destination displays.

 

[wobman]

Either do the job or outsource it. When it's detrimental to thousands of passengers journeys, something has to be done. It's how other industries can do things. Bus destinations displays are often sorted by volunteers or outsiders, especially at some of the big companies like Stagecoach and that is very time consuming. Depot staff help out as it saves them a job and takes some of the pressure off them. Management like it as things get done. If it goes wrong, they simply stop using the volunteer and bring it in house. Staff don't always mind it and if the relevant staff who should be sorting it, aren't doing it now, they need to either start doing it or outsiders come in and do it and suddenly, they start to realise that if they don't complete all the jobs they are meant to do, they are replaceable.



That wasn't what you said. If it is already someones job, they need to do it.

What you did say was:

Which says they are too busy to do it and as such, a outsider could do it to take the pressure off the staff as per my example.

The comment was written with a hint of sarcasm as everytime something is forwarded to train planning they say "we are too busy".

Train planning have this information at hand & it should be something that is important. The codes on the diagrams are the only numbers traincrew have access to regarding stopping patterns for service trains.

Admittedly the trainfx system isn't very reliable on tfw sets, but it's the system on sprinters have had fitted.
The new system on the 197s seems far superior from what I've experienced.

 

[craigybagel]

Last time an attempt was made to update the system, rogue "Alderley Edge"s started appearing all over the place.

The sooner the 197s come in with their system that downloads train info on the day the better.....

In the meantime, the closer we get to a full or pre COVID timetable, the more reliable the system will be. All the old stopping patterns have codes that work - it's the random extra stops at Swanline stations or Pontypool to make up for relieved trains that throw it out.

 

[Parallel]

In the meantime, the closer we get to a full or pre COVID timetable, the more reliable the system will be. All the old stopping patterns have codes that work - it's the random extra stops at Swanline stations or Pontypool to make up for relieved trains that throw it out.

It sounds like there are multiple codes for the same routes too. I’ve been on a train from Birmingham where the PIS has announced ‘This train is for Aberystwyth and Pwllheli and will be dividing on arrival at Machynlleth’ but it seems that one is rarely put on. Usually just says ‘This train is for Aberystwyth’.

 

[mmh]

On most Crewe-Chester shuttles, I have found that on the 175s there is no announcement at all in Chester but on approach to Crewe, it all kicks in and you get all the announcements.

To be fair, there's no real hardship if there are no announcements on a Crewe-Chester shuttle!

 

[wobman]

To be fair, there's no real hardship if there are no announcements on a Crewe-Chester shuttle!

It's because the codes on the diagrams don't work

 

[Cardiff123]

'Disgraceful' packed train scene as football fans faced 'carnage'

'Will not use again until it’s finally corrected to a standard a paying customer deserves," said one Wales fan who headed to Cardiff for the Nations League match against Belgium

www.walesonline.co.uk

I'm not one to read Wales Online 'clickbait' articles, but this was pointed out to me today, and I must admit it shocked me. Yes, I know TfW have chronic DMU availability issues, the legacy of 15 years of ATW etc, but surely if TfW do plan for busy events up to 3 months in advance as quoted in the article, TfW would've made sure that given yesterday was expected to be exceptionally busy in north Wales, with multiple events taking place, and the Wales football match in Cardiff, that all 3-car 175s at least were deployed on the Marches for north - south services?

I'm not interested in TfW bashing here, but I am interested in what the genuine reason might have been for what would've been expected to be one of the busiest Holyhead - Cardiff services yesterday, as quoted in the article, being a completely inadequate 2-car 150. Was it really planned 3 months in advance that a 2 car 150 would be allocated to this service?

 

[L401CJF]

'Disgraceful' packed train scene as football fans faced 'carnage'

'Will not use again until it’s finally corrected to a standard a paying customer deserves," said one Wales fan who headed to Cardiff for the Nations League match against Belgium

www.walesonline.co.uk

I'm not one to read Wales Online 'clickbait' articles, but this was pointed out to me today, and I must admit it shocked me. Yes, I know TfW have chronic DMU availability issues, the legacy of 15 years of ATW etc, but surely if TfW do plan for busy events up to 3 months in advance as quoted in the article, TfW would've made sure that given yesterday was expected to be exceptionally busy in north Wales, with multiple events taking place, and the Wales football match in Cardiff, that all 3-car 175s at least were deployed on the Marches for north - south services?

I'm not interested in TfW bashing here, but I am interested in what the genuine reason might have been for what would've been expected to be one of the busiest Holyhead - Cardiff services yesterday, as quoted in the article, being a completely inadequate 2-car 150. Was it really planned 3 months in advance that a 2 car 150 would be allocated to this service?

Of course with multiple big gigs on in Manchester yesterday aswell as Park Life, the extra capacity was also needed on North Wales to Manchester services.

Edit- and Chester races!

 

[markymark2000]

In previous times, the Gerald set would have been out covering a service. What we need is something to get the MK4 sets out on Saturdays really as that would be a big impact. 4 car train right there. Going further, is there no way that the 37s can come back out with slam door MK3s? Granted it wouldn't work on most lines, I do not dispute that but it would go some way to help free up some other units.

 

[The exile]

Germany also put into law quite early on during WW2 reconstruction that all platforms would be uniform height.

Not quite true - there are, for example 2 different “standard” S-Bahn platform heights and the “IC standard” was different again. Then add in all the near ground-level platforms (and I can think of some that have had major work done on the in the last 20 years and still are served by non low-floor trains.

 

[Cardiff123]

Going further, is there no way that the 37s can come back out with slam door MK3s? Granted it wouldn't work on most lines, I do not dispute that but it would go some way to help free up some other units.

Not a chance, because slam door Mk 3's are not PRM complaint. Among many other operational reasons, including crew training, traction knowledge etc.
Non-PRM complaint trains are never coming back, no matter how much this forum might want them to.

Hopefully this is the last summer that TfW will be so desperately short of trains.

 

[markymark2000]

Not a chance, because slam door Mk 3's are not PRM complaint. Among many other operational reasons, including crew training, traction knowledge etc.

Hopefully this is the last summer that TfW will be do chronically short of trains.

Is that why Rhymney got rid of them when they did, PRM? I thought as far as crew went, I thought that West Coast Railways do things like that as didn't they fully crew the Windermere branch when Northern couldn't run it?

 

[Cardiff123]

Is that why Rhymney got rid of them when they did, PRM?

Yes, and because the 37s + Mk2s on the Rhymney line were ridiculously unreliable, on a par with the 769s.
The 37s + Mk2s had a 3 month PRM derogation until early March 2020, but by then TfW had had enough of their unreliability and binned them off, taking on more 153s to replace them.

 

[markymark2000]

Yes, and because the 37s + Mk2s on the Rhymney line were ridiculously unreliable, on a par with the 769s.
The 37s + Mk2s had a 3 month PRM derogation until early March 2020, but by then TfW had had enough of their unreliability and binned them off, taking on more 153s to replace them.

Ahh, thanks for the explanation.