Arriva Class 121

[SprinterMan]

Is the Arriva Trains Wales Class 121 stil in use on the Butetown branch line?
Thanks

 

[krus_aragon]

I haven't seen (or heard of) it on duty for many weeks: a 153 or 14x has been standing in whenever I've been at Queen St. I assume it's at Canton for some reason.

 

[seagull]

I understand that the old Severn Tunnel Class 121 units that ATW bought for providing spares for the Bay 121, cannot be used for such purposes because the salvaged parts themselves don't meet the modern railway safety requirements, being part-used.
Therefore it sounds like it's a case of having to get brand-new parts made, or old ones certified, presumably, and the cost of doing this is no doubt why the 121 is not being used all the time, if at all.

 

[anthony263]

It was taken out of service back in November 2010 and hasnt been out in service since

 

[Southern Dvr]

Considering Chiltern now have a second bubble it should be possible to get 121020 back onto the network, it just whether it's financially viable.

 

[323235]

Personally I don't believe Arriva Wales are really that fussed about operating it anymore, since it probably cost more to maintain than the revenue they gained from strengthening services with the unit it displaced.

 

[37402]

The fitters at Canton hate 'Bubbles' with a passion. :roll:

 

[BestWestern]

The fitters at Canton hate 'Bubbles' with a passion. :roll:

Oh dear!! Why's that?! :cry:

 

[RPM]

You'd have thought if DB Arriva didn't want it at Cardiff they'd have transferred it to Aylesbury to save Chiltern the expense of refurbishing 121034.

 

[fgwrich]

The fitters at Canton hate 'Bubbles' with a passion. :roll:

Oh dear!! Why's that?! :cry:

Mind You...Have you ever tried working on Leyland 680s for 1st Gen Units...

If it's mechanical issues, which as it's spent the best part of 4 to 5 months in store im guessing it could be, then thats probably the reason why Canton dosent like 'em, hence it's been in store for so long...

Id hate to think that it is mechanical issuses, but after working on the engines of the dam things, it wouldnt supprise me at all! :roll:

 

[route:oxford]

Mind You...Have you ever tried working on Leyland 680s for 1st Gen Units...

If it's mechanical issues, which as it's spent the best part of 4 to 5 months in store im guessing it could be, then thats probably the reason why Canton dosent like 'em, hence it's been in store for so long...

Id hate to think that it is mechanical issuses, but after working on the engines of the dam things, it wouldnt supprise me at all! :roll:

Are there any modern or modernish engines that would be suitable instead?

 

[37402]

You'd have thought if DB Arriva didn't want it at Cardiff they'd have transferred it to Aylesbury to save Chiltern the expense of refurbishing 121034.

It's pretty reliable once out in service, just getting it to that point takes the effort (only a few fitters competent to work on it) and parts are non-standard hence the massive downtime. That said, its worth the investment as the Cardiff Bay service props up the punctuality figures (think about it; numerous trips all completed on time pushes up the average of the whole Valley Lines network) and using Bubbles has the added advantage that a mainline unit that would be otherwise employed can be used out on the main line increasing capacity - ATW get fined by WAG for certain trains that are short formed.

 

[anthony263]

The class 121 is now back in action on the cardiff bay line. spotted this morning

 

[tirphil]

Saw it myself yesterday near Radyr, making its way towards Pontypridd. A lot of orange clad people on board.

 

[43167]

I had the fine machine today. Its 1st day in service since christmas the guard told me.

Was a pleasant surprise & I swiftly abandoned plans to go do the Treherbert branch to have a bash.