Ex LNER (and Grand Central) Mark 4 sets for TfW

[315801]

I was at chester station today and saw loco 67014 and mk4 set, unfortunately I didn't get any of the coach or dvt numbers for anybody to identify which set is coupled to the loco.

 

[GWVillager]

I was at chester station today and saw loco 67014 and mk4 set, unfortunately I didn't get any of the coach or dvt numbers for anybody to identify which set is coupled to the loco.

Was it on the Cardiff-Holyhead service? I believe that was 67014+HD02.

 

[craigybagel]

Was it on the Cardiff-Holyhead service? I believe that was 67014+HD02.

67014 is indeed on HD02 today

 

[sd0733]

Has HD01 been fitted with SDO and hopefully be back into service soon presumably?? If anyone kindly knows.
Thank you.

No HD01 was sent back out in service due to the delays getting HD05 in service. All 3 original sets are still out and about unmodified

 

[warwickshire]

No HD01 was sent back out in service due to the delays getting HD05 in service. All 3 original sets are still out and about unmodified

Thank you for the update.

 

[315801]

My apologies, I didn't see on the destination display where the set was going to, a staff member who I was talking to informed me that an ex Grand Central set was due at chester around 17:00 today but alas I was not there to see it.

 

[sd0733]

My apologies, I didn't see on the destination display where the set was going to, a staff member who I was talking to informed me that an ex Grand Central set was due at chester around 17:00 today but alas I was not there to see it.

That will be one of the SDO training trains so it wouldn't appear on the displays anyway as not a passenger train.

 

[SuperLuke2334]

67020 and HD05 debut appearance tonight on 1W96.
Tomorrow should work 1V91, 1W93, 1V98.
Source: https://www.facebook.com/groups/119062668272884/permalink/2228556083990188/

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 10 Nov 2022 ==

67020 on the 0533 Holyhead to Cardiff this morning, seen at Hereford. The livery looks so much nicer in person, so never be fooled by a picture!

 

[Jacob Porrett]

67020 and HD05 debut appearance tonight on 1W96.
Tomorrow should work 1V91, 1W93, 1V98.
Source: https://www.facebook.com/groups/119062668272884/permalink/2228556083990188/

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 10 Nov 2022 ==

67020 on the 0533 Holyhead to Cardiff this morning, seen at Hereford. The livery looks so much nicer in person, so never be fooled by a picture!

Maybe I need to see 67020 in person before I make a final judgement but the more I see it the more it looks better.

 

[Techniquest]

Fair play, that does look better than the previous photo that was on here looked!

 

[Bletchleyite]

Fair play, that does look better than the previous photo that was on here looked!

I think it looks awful. A cheap bodge job.

Just vinyl the proper TfW livery with window bands over the top.

 

[43096]

Just vinyl the proper TfW livery with window bands over the top.

And pay for it later when the bill for corrosion repairs comes in.

 

[SuperLuke2334]

And after a great start, it then failed on W93 this afternoon at Craven Arms after I believe a door fault. Yet to be confirmed. Running south to Canton as 5W93 this evening.

 

[victormildrew]

You can see a very short clip of the newly painted class 67 here.

 

[SuperLuke2334]

67022 is now fully outshopped in the TfW black livery. Wonder whether that one will be out next time the black set is?

 

[sd0733]

67029 took HD01 to Landore last night from Canton for SDO fitting. Believe not a lot else will be happening for now as it needs to be back in service for 12th December ready for the extra diagrams

 

[Jacob Porrett]

67022 is now fully outshopped in the TfW black livery. Wonder whether that one will be out next time the black set is?

Anyone seen it yet or got any photos please?

 

[SuperLuke2334]

Anyone seen it yet or got any photos please?

https://m.facebook.com/groups/therailscene/permalink/5686732841385526/

Here you go! My apologies for not previously linking it.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 20 Nov 2022 ==

Afternoon all, just to let you know there is a 5V91 Crewe CS to Chester in the system for tomorrow morning to put HD05 and 67020 on 1V91 from Chester. Unsure whether it will start with a unit from Holyhead or not. This means it should, all going to plan, be out for the next two weeks! Diagram tomorrow should then be the usual 0716 CTR - CDF, 1122 CDF - HHD, 1636 HHD - CDF.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 21 Nov 2022 ==

It would appear that 5V91 hasn't run, and 1V91 is cancelled throughout, so not sure what's going on. Hopefully the Mk4s aren't back into a time of constant issues!

 

[craigybagel]

[
It would appear that 5V91 hasn't run, and 1V91 is cancelled throughout, so not sure what's going on. Hopefully the Mk4s aren't back into a time of constant issues!

1v91 started from Chester, with HD02 and 67012. HD03 and 67014 is on the other diagram today

 

[Envoy]

I take it that the first 2 photos below show the new livery for the loco hauled Mk4 services? I don’t think that black is a good colour choice. Look at how the Flirt train stands out against the black liveried one behind. My next two photos show how the old Arriva turquoise livery stood out from a distance; then look at the fourth photo which shows a GWR IET barely standing out from the background due to the dark livery.

If they wanted a livery that was different for these trains, then I would have preferred all red with a black strip along the window line - similar to Italian Frecciarossa trains. This would have kept the same corporate colour used by TfW.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I think the stripe will be changed from GC orange to TfW red but otherwise yes, and I agree it's hideous. Just paint the things in the proper livery!

 

[Techniquest]

I can't agree, the more I see the MK4s in black rather than red and white the more I like it.

 

[Bob Price]

With the class 90 in GC colours hauling it they looked stunning. However over time I would like to see these painted back to red and white. Not sure how much time that would take or the cost. I guess getting them into service trumps colours etc.

 

[Rhydgaled]

I don’t think that black is a good colour choice. Look at how the Flirt train stands out against the black liveried one behind. My next two photos show how the old Arriva turquoise livery stood out from a distance; then look at the fourth photo which shows a GWR IET barely standing out from the background due to the dark livery.

Although the Arriva train is easier to see than the IET, I've always found that old Arriva turquoise livery to be rather drab and boring. The GWR livery, in contrast, can look smart in good light if the observer is close enough (although then, in the case of an IET, you'd be able to see the not-smart-looking-at-all pocket doors, DfT really ought to have specified plug doors). A window band (as with the original GWT livery and the old BR blue & grey and later Executive and INTERCITY liveries) generally enhances the look of a train compared to a solid colour though (the TfW FLIRTs look a lot more upmarket than the 197s and 230s for example).

If they wanted a livery that was different for these trains, then I would have preferred all red with a black strip along the window line - similar to Italian Frecciarossa trains. This would have kept the same corporate colour used by TfW.

The issue is that many of the TfW mark 4s have recently been painted black by Grand Central - it makes sense to 'make do and mend' rather than spending money repainting them again.

 

[Bletchleyite]

The issue is that many of the TfW mark 4s have recently been painted black by Grand Central - it makes sense to 'make do and mend' rather than spending money repainting them again.

I'm not sure "make do and mend" is the right approach for your premier, top-line service.

 

[Rhydgaled]

I'm not sure "make do and mend" is the right approach for your premier, top-line service.

In that case wouldn't the mark 4s have gone for scrap with new-build stock ordered for the Holyhead-Cardiff expresses? Also, wouldn't the Euston-Blackpool runs have been premier, top-line services if Grand Central had managed to get them going?

 

[Bletchleyite]

In that case wouldn't the mark 4s have gone for scrap with new-build stock ordered for the Holyhead-Cardiff expresses?

Depends if you think 80x with Sophias would have been better

Also, wouldn't the Euston-Blackpool runs have been premier, top-line services if Grand Central had managed to get them going?

No, they'd have been a budget service, just like the other Grand Central operation which appears to be scruffy and generally badly run. Yet they bothered to paint it!

 

[craigybagel]

It's almost as though opinions on colour schemes are entirely subjective and that it's near impossible to find one that will please everybody.....

 

[Bletchleyite]

It's almost as though opinions on colour schemes are entirely subjective and that it's near impossible to find one that will please everybody.....

I doubt anyone would have said a thing if they'd just been painted in the proper TfW red/white/charcoal colours without the cheap looking billboard on the DVT. (I do like themed promotional liveries where a picture is blended in with the usual livery shape, e.g. Northern have done a number of these plus the Marston Vale 230s, but this is quite literally just whacking a rectangular bill poster on it in vinyl form, and it looks dirt cheap).

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

They’ve painted a full fleet of ex Arriva trains that are about to go off lease, and they won’t even paint eight rakes of permanent carriages that are supposed to make up the premiership of the fleet. It’s embarrassing and such a wasted opportunity to make them look good.