Ah ok. No worries!
If what I think happens happens!
Either way, both will likely be seen as more preferable to the sadly now common sight of a 150 by most, so that’s something.
It really annoys me when they do that. Rather than show as cancelled (or part cancelled) they pretend it never existed! And delay repay would apply if someone had an advance ticket.
Seems to be all sorts running round on different diagrams today.
With the Marches, there's a big step up in complications when 4 cars becomes 5. Other than Whitchurch - Yorton (inclusive) 4 cars will fit everywhere between Manchester/Chester and Cardiff. Increase it to 5 and things start to get a lot more complicated, so you really need ASDO working properly.
Are these 197s replacing 67s part of the planned changeover on the diagrams or just because the 67/Mk4's are not available?
Welcome to the wonderful world of the Railway!
People are getting defensive because of overactive posters that want to pick out every single little detail of the operation, and openly criticise the people that are working tirelessly just to keep the service running. Some posters obsession in having the exact traction on it's booked journey is an unrealistic expectation for a TOC that is short of train crew, short of units and are struggling to keep the service running.
As far as im aware they won't be 197s and will in fact be a Mk4 which has been the plan since 1W96 was cancelled on Friday.
Exactly my thoughts. Obviously TfW staff can't say that, even pseudonymously, on a public forum but I can empathise with them when they're not being given the tools and training to do their jobs. I appreciate the info they are able to give us here.
I’m sorry that you’re frustrated by my criticism of genuine issues. I’m frustrated that I’m faced with a large poster at Queen Street everyday saying “From 2023, over 80% of journeys will be on New Trains” and see this shambles. Do not take any embarrassment you have over the appalling service of TfW out on customers airing their right to be unhappy.
Yes I agree, and I’ve said that as well.
Well said. It’s so frustrating that when you do the job to the best of your ability for the greater good with the tools at your disposal that you then get hammered even though the alternative for you was to do nothing and have less services running with less capacity on those that do run.
I’ve never once criticised the planners. I’ve criticised the TOC itself for being a shambles, and added that it’s likely down to management. Another thread that will now no doubt become extensively moderated or threatened with closure, because a small group of people cannot handle their TOC being criticised, unite and come down on the criticism together like a ton of defensive bricks, and then - thanks to the power of numbers - they’ve cleverly made it look like the original poster was out of order!
The trouble is that by criticising management then you are seen to be criticising planners as most of us are management grade. Maybe not using the generalised ‘management’ word would help our perception of what you are saying
Alright, well the bigwigs in the corporate offices thenThe trouble is that by criticising management then you are seen to be criticising planners as most of us are management grade. Maybe not using the generalised ‘management’ word would help our perception of what you are saying
I’m well aware that the planners work their a.sses off and do the best they can with a complicated (understatement) fleet, I’m honestly not the Karen you think, much as I’ll admit I’ve been venting about TfW much more lately. 
I think 9.5 out of 10 people on here would fully understand that you and all railway staff are doing their best with the tools they have. But that doesn't make the railways immune from passengers making valid points, as @TT-ONR-NRN has, and attempting to silence people in the public domain really isn't a good look. If people ae promised something that doesn't happen, then naturally they are going to question why that is the case and everyone has a right to be able to do that. It's up to you and other rail staff to be a little thicker skinned and understand that none of this is personal against individuals, it is an issue against the TOC and no doubt, DfT as well.
The same offices we work inAlright, well the bigwigs in the corporate offices then
Planning is a role very few people want to do. It’s fraught with frustration and constantly changing plans, helping colleagues working 2 or 3 jobs in different parts of the department to keep ever changing plans in place. Not easy at all and it doesn’t always work out as we are only human.I’m well aware that the planners work their a.sses off and do the best they can with a complicated (understatement) fleet, I’m honestly not the Karen you think, much as I’ll admit I’ve been venting about TfW much more lately.
The problem is that too many people on here don’t appreciate the work that goes in to providing a train plan that works with all the obstacles thrown in the way because they only see their side and nobody else’s (if you come on this forum it’s rare to not get an explanation of any issues, it’s down to those who don’t understand to try and actually understand instead of criticising). I am also a rail user and get frustrated when my commute goes wrong but would never criticise the staff, whether it be those on the frontline taking the flack or those of us in the offices taking the flack on forums like this. Would you like flack for doing your job if it goes wrong because the stars haven’t aligned today?
Where have I said “come and do a better job” or “come and do my job for me”?
RTT is a useful tool for checking what is allocated to each service. I'm sure I have seen TFW encouraging passengers on twitter to check RTT to see how many carriages are on their booked train. So even though the majority of the public use NRE or the TOC own website/app for information it does get used by the public not just enthusiasts. I think they should show the service as being cancelled with the reason why when its 'removed from the timetable'. Besides im sure on the journey check on NRE ive seen services removed before without it showing as cancelled, possibly if its been planned days in advance rather than on the day maybe.
It did, 042 and 048.
Thanks Luke. That's good to hear!
I appreciate this support on my point, and yes that’s exactly it. I’m a restaurant senior chef and believe me, it’s not my fault when suppliers don’t deliver all ingredients so several dishes are off the menu, or we’re too busy to seat everyone without a wait, etc. but we would never dream of getting angry at customers who complained, whether we’re any less happy about the situation that they are or not.
…It did. A pair. I saw them at Central. 042/048
But that's the working life, work is rarely appreciated unless everything is perfect. I work as a travel consultant for a tour operator and there are times when I do lots and lots of work behind the scenes to get our guests onto holidays they desire, that are maybe once in a lifetime type trips. Do you think they appreciate the work I have done to get everything perfect for them if the airline then cancels the flight, or one of the planned activities is cancelled and do you think they go out of their way to understand why the issue has arose? Of course they don't, all that goes out of the window and they are just baying for my blood the minute they arrive home! So whether I like it or not, I get flack in my job when things go wrong that are out of mine (and even our own company's control)!
You certainly implied it, in my opinion, and @Caaardiff literally said it! But if you just mean to observe that is fair enough, but why am I (as a travel consultant) going to want to have a day off from my job to come and observe your job when I have zero interest in working on the railway in any capacity?
I think what's being forgotten here though Is that we aren't at work, we are posting in our own time giving information that people, in most cases otherwise wouldn't get.
Last thing I have to say. I gave up giving info about the new Northern fleet tender a while back due to a poster who works for the same company as me essentially telling me I don’t know my own job and that they knew better and could basically plan better. Never took me up on the offer of a day shadowing me unsurprisingly so they could see the various aspects of planning for themselves to see if they could actually do it.
Because you have an interest in the railway industry?
I for one certainly appreciate your feedback in both threads, your always very reliable and give great in depth explanations.
The sticking point at present with the Carmarthen route is a platform issue at Ferryside so once that's resolved (which I've no idea when that will be) then they'll be able to begin.